Damascus, July 9 (SANA)Syrian security forces, in coordination with the General Intelligence Service, dismantled several cells affiliated with the ISIS terrorist group in southern Syria and arrested a senior leader along with a number of other members, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday.

According to the ministry, those arrested include Firas al-Dagher, whom it identified as a senior ISIS leader, and several figures responsible for assassinations and financing activities linked to the group.

The ministry said in a statement that investigations showed that al-Dagher held several senior positions within ISIS, including responsibility for the group’s so-called Jaidour Sector and Western Region, before being appointed the organization’s “governor” for Lebanon and Palestine. It said he also served as a personal aide to the group’s self-declared caliph.

Authorities said the dismantled cells were involved in assassinations and armed robberies targeting gold merchants in Daraa province to finance the group’s operations.

The ministry said the detainees confessed to the assassination of two Interior Ministry personnel, an attempted assassination at a barbershop that resulted in the death of a civilian, and the killing of another individual and his wife.

The suspects have been referred to the competent judicial authorities following the completion of legal procedures, the ministry said.The arrests are part of ongoing efforts by Syrian authorities to track down terrorist groups and dismantle their networks, according to the ministry.