Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on Syrian government troops on May 11, 2026, in eastern Syria's Hasakah province, killing two soldiers and wounding others [1, 2]. The Syrian state news agency SANA reported that a bus was targeted by unknown assailants in the Hasakah countryside, resulting in the two military deaths and multiple injuries [1, 2].
Islamic State's Amaq News Agency said their fighters ambushed members of the "apostate Syrian army" in the attack, causing six casualties among the Syrian forces, both killed and wounded [1, 2]. This marks Islamic State's first deadly assault against the government since February 2026, when they killed at least four Syrian security personnel near Raqqa during a newly declared phase of operations against President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government [1].
At its peak during the Syrian civil war, Islamic State controlled about a quarter or more of Syria before being driven out by a U.S.-led coalition and other forces [1, 2]. President Ahmed al-Sharaa took power around 1.5 years ago after ousting Bashar al-Assad. He previously led the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front before severing ties with al Qaeda in 2016 and fought Islamic State during the conflict [1, 2].
Under Sharaa, the Syrian government joined the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State in 2025 [1]. The May 11 attack underscores the ongoing threat Islamic State poses to his government’s authority in Syria [1, 2].
The attack on the bus in Hasakah follows a series of confrontations since Islamic State declared a new operational phase in February, signaling a sustained campaign against Sharaa's regime [1].
