Homs:Syrian authorities have apprehended a senior operative from the Daesh/ISIS terror group, accused of orchestrating attacks in Homs, including a lethal bombing at a mosque last year, as announced by the Interior Ministry.

According to Anadolu Agency, the arrest of Khaled Raed Birouni, also known as Abu Hassan Dushka, was executed by the General Intelligence Service in collaboration with the Internal Security Command in the Damascus countryside. The operation took place in the town of Hujaira.

Birouni was identified as the leading military commander for ISIS's self-declared 'Homs Province.' Preliminary security data and ongoing investigations suggest he was instrumental in planning and executing multiple attacks in Homs, which involved preparing explosive devices and conducting sectarian assaults.

He is specifically accused of orchestrating the December 2025 bombing at the Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in Homs' Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood. This attack resulted in eight fatalities and 18 injuries when an explosive device detonated during Friday prayers, according to the Health Ministry.

Post the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024, authorities have focused on re-establishing security and regaining control over weapons by tracking down wanted individuals and conducting security operations against armed groups across the country. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to stabilize the security landscape and prevent further attacks on civilians and security forces.