Following the collapse of the Baathist regime in Syria, the ensuing period of instability provided an opportunity for the terrorist organization ISIS to exploit the chaos. This enabled them to seize numerous weapons depots belonging to the Syrian Army across various regions. ISIS utilized these resources to enhance their operational capabilities, perpetrate acts of terrorism, and expand their influence within Syrian territory.

The terrorist organization ISIS has been able to expand its control to include rural areas in the Syrian Badia (desert), as well as other strategic areas, including in the vicinity of Raqqa city.

In response to ISIS' attempts to establish instability and disrupt the security of regions in northern and eastern Syria, and to thwart their terrorist objectives, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in cooperation with the international coalition forces, conducted an operation on the night of December 21, 2024. The operation targeted ISIS terrorist cells within Raqqa city, resulting in the capture of 18 ISIS terrorists and suspected collaborators.

SDF said their forces reiterate their commitment to ongoing security and military operations against ISIS terrorist cells, adding: “Achieving the enduring defeat of ISIS necessitates sustained international cooperation, as any resurgence of ISIS poses a global threat.”