SWEIDA, Syria – The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for a bomb attack targeting Syrian military forces in southern Syria, according to a statement released on Thursday via the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activity.
The attack reportedly took place on Wednesday in the countryside of Sweida province, where a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) detonated under a military vehicle belonging to the Syrian Ministry of Defense’s 70th Division.
ISIS claimed the explosion killed or wounded three soldiers and described the target as “apostate regime forces.” Syrian state media has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
Last week, Syrian authorities announced the arrest of an ISIS cell near Damascus. Additionally, security forces in Aleppo carried out a raid that led to the deaths of three ISIS fighters and one officer from the General Security Directorate.
Related: Syrian Interior Ministry Captures ISIS Cell Near Damascus
U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barak commented Thursday that President Donald Trump plans to officially declare Syria a “non-terrorism-sponsoring” state, saying the administration aims to strengthen the current transitional government.
Trump, who met this month with transitional authority head Ahmad al-Shara in Riyadh, called on U.S. allies to help prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State.
