They were driven out of Syria in 2017, but now jihad forces are emboldened everywhere.
“ISIS terrorist attacks in Syrian Desert see uptick: Report,” by Ayham Merhi, Al Mayadeen, April 20, 2024:
ISIS attacks are seeing an uptick in the Syrian Desert since the start of 2024, with more than 150 attacks recorded over the past five months.
The recent ISIS attack on a bus carrying troops from the Syrian Army’s auxiliary forces, which resulted in the martyrdom of 22 members of the al-Quds Brigade, was not the group’s most severe attack in 2024. Numerous assaults on civilians and military personnel, particularly during the truffle-gathering season, preceded it.
This represents an unprecedented escalation in the organization’s attack patterns, methods, and impact as they have been relatively dormant since 2020. Since the onset of 2024, where 150 attacks have been recorded, with nearly two-thirds occurring in areas controlled by the Syrian Army, its auxiliary forces, and its allies, the group’s attacks have been on the rise.
Given that this figure spans a period of less than five months, it is significant and indicates that the organization has gained support financial and military support in a manner it had been lacking for years. This suggests that it is planning further attacks, possibly escalating them to the point of regaining control of areas close to the desert, in an attempt to stage a military comeback.