Syrian forces seize senior ISIS commander near Manbij, officials say
Syria's security agencies captured Hamza Abdullah Mohammed, known as Abu Jihad al-Muhajir, in a raid close to Manbij, marking the most prominent ISIS arrest since U.S. troops left.
Syrian security forces announced the apprehension of Hamza Abdullah Mohammed, also called Abu Jihad al-Muhajir, during an operation near Manbij in Aleppo province. The raid was conducted by the General Intelligence Service and Internal Security Forces, aided by unnamed international partners, according to the Interior Ministry. The ministry described him as the military head of ISIS's al-Sham province and previously the chief commander in Idlib.
This arrest is the most notable ISIS capture by Syrian authorities since U.S. troops exited the country in April, and a U.S. official affirmed the Syrian characterization of his affiliation. The event highlights continued collaboration between the Syrian government and U.S. intelligence agencies in suppressing the remnants of the Islamic State. Earlier, a U.S. airstrike had killed another senior ISIS figure, Ali Husayn al-‘Ulaywi, in the northwest. The development comes as U.S. Central Command reshapes its regional posture to focus on Iran.
Why it matters
It shows Damascus still works with U.S. partners to target ISIS remnants after the American pullout.
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