Syrian authorities, working with the U.S.-led coalition, have arrested a regional Islamic State leader in Damascus.
Taha al‑Zoubi, also known as Abu Omar Tabiya, was detained along with several associates, said Gen. Ahmed al‑Dalati, according to the state‑run SANA news agency.
“Our special units, in cooperation with intelligence services and forces from the international coalition, carried out a security operation targeting an IS hideout,” Dalati said.
The arrest came two weeks after a Dec. 13 attack in Palmyra that killed three Americans — two soldiers and a civilian. The United States said the assault was carried out by a lone IS member.
Syrian authorities said the attacker was a member of the country’s security forces who was about to be dismissed for “extremist, Islamist views.”
