Al-Shibani Reaffirms Syria’s Role in Fighting the Islamic State Group

Commenting on Syria’s participation on X, al-Shibani said, “Syria is regaining the initiative today, reaffirming its role in partnership and leadership in combating ISIS, in a way that strengthens Syria’s national interest and enjoys growing international support.”

He described the meeting as constructive and fruitful, adding that supporting Syria is a shared responsibility to bolster security and stability.

Al-Shibani also thanked Saudi Arabia, the United States, and all participating countries for their efforts and support for Syria and its people.

Al-Shibani and al-Salama arrived in Riyadh on Sunday, according to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

Syria joined the international coalition against the Islamic State group in November 2025, becoming the coalition’s 90th member. On the sidelines of the meeting, al-Shibani met separately with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and the US special envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said al-Shibani discussed regional developments with his Saudi counterpart, as well as bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them. No details were released about his meeting with US envoy Thomas Barrack.

Syria’s accession to the coalition

Syria announced its accession to the “international coalition” to fight the Islamic State group on 11 November 2025, in parallel with an official visit by Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to the White House.

Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa said at the time that Syria signed a political cooperation declaration with the Global Coalition, affirming its role as a partner in counterterrorism efforts and in supporting regional stability.

He added that the agreement is political in nature and, so far, does not include any military provisions.

The coalition described Syria’s accession as a “pivotal milestone in regional cooperation,” noting that the number of its members had risen to 90 countries, which it said strengthens efforts to ensure the lasting defeat of the Islamic State group.

Operations against the group

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it conducted five airstrikes on multiple Islamic State group targets in Syria between 27 January and 2 February.

In a CENTCOM report published on 4 February, it said its forces targeted an ISIS communications site, a key logistics hub, and weapons storage facilities, destroying them using 50 “precision” munitions delivered by fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and drones.

An Enab Baladi correspondent previously reported coalition strikes on the Homs desert and Suwayda (southern Syria) on 10 January.

According to CENTCOM’s report, US forces killed and captured more than 50 ISIS members after nearly two months of targeted operations.

CENTCOM said it killed ISIS leader Bilal Hasan al-Jassim in a deliberate airstrike in northwestern Syria on 16 January.

CENTCOM accused al-Jassim of having direct links to a 13 December 2025 attack that killed two US service members and a US translator, as well as a Syrian security member, in the Palmyra desert (central Syria).

The Islamic State group praised the operation in its newsletter al-Nabawithout claiming responsibility.

The coalition continues to carry out regular strikes on Islamic State group targets, with their pace increasing after the Palmyra operation.

[Source: Enab Baladi English]