Islamic State Claims Deadly Ambush on Syrian Army in Hasakah

The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for a deadly ambush against Syrian government forces in the countryside of Hasakah province, eastern Syria. The attack, which occurred on May 11, 2026, resulted in the deaths of two Syrian army soldiers and injuries to others, according to the Syrian state news agency SANA. IS stated via its Amaq News Agency that its fighters killed and wounded six members of the Syrian army during the operation. This incident marks the jihadist group's first deadly attack on the Syrian government since February 2026, highlighting the persistent security threat despite the group's territorial defeat a decade ago. The attack comes as President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who ousted Bashar al-Assad approximately 18 months prior, seeks to consolidate authority over the country. Sharaa’s government, having severed ties with al-Qaeda in 2016, recently joined the U.S.-led coalition to combat IS. This event follows a declared new phase of operations by IS against Sharaa’s administration, underscoring the ongoing instability in the region even after significant political changes.