Syria Grapples with Resurgent Terrorism Threats: IS Plots Church Attacks, SDF Clashes Claim Lives in Aleppo
Damascus/ Aleppo, Syria – Syria has faced a spike in terrorism-related incidents in early 2026, including a reported Islamic State (IS) plot to target churches during New Year’s Eve celebrations and deadly attacks attributed to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Aleppo province that killed five people and wounded 16 others.
Syrian authorities announced on January 2 that they had uncovered and thwarted plans by IS militants to carry out bombings on churches amid New Year’s Eve festivities. The high-severity alert highlighted the group's intent to exploit holiday gatherings, underscoring persistent security challenges from IS remnants in the region. Just days later, on January 6, Syrian state media reported fresh violence in Aleppo, blaming the U.S.-backed SDF for shelling army positions, residential areas, a school, and a hospital.
Details of the Aleppo Attacks
According to reports from Syrian state media cited by Anadolu Agency, the SDF launched a series of attacks on northern Syria's Aleppo province early on January 6. The strikes resulted in five deaths and 16 injuries, targeting not only military sites but also civilian infrastructure. Residential buildings were hit, alongside a school and a hospital, prompting accusations of indiscriminate fire.
The Syrian government has long designated the SDF—a Kurdish-led coalition—as a terrorist organization, viewing it as an extension of separatist forces aligned with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkish media, including Anadolu Agency, echoed these claims, framing the incidents as aggression by the "SDF terror group." The attacks occurred amid ongoing tensions in northern Syria, where the SDF controls significant territory east of the Euphrates River, often clashing with Syrian government forces and Turkish-backed factions.
No immediate claim of responsibility was issued by the SDF, which has previously denied targeting civilians and accused Syrian regime forces of provocations. The U.S. maintains a limited military presence in SDF-held areas to counter IS, complicating the dynamics.
Thwarted IS Plot Targets Religious Sites
In a separate development reported by Syrian officials on January 2, intelligence operations disrupted an IS-orchestrated scheme to attack churches during New Year’s Eve celebrations. The plot was described as advanced, with militants planning coordinated assaults on Christian worship sites during peak holiday services. Syria's multi-ethnic and multi-religious fabric, including longstanding Christian communities, has made such sites symbolic targets for jihadist groups.
IS, despite losing its caliphate in 2019, maintains sleeper cells across Syria and Iraq. Syrian forces, backed by Russian airpower, continue operations against these holdouts, particularly in the vast Badia desert region. The foiled plot aligns with IS's historical tactics of sectarian violence to sow division, as seen in past attacks on minorities during holidays.
Background: Syria's Enduring Terrorism Challenges
Syria's civil war, now in its 15th year, has created fertile ground for terrorism. The conflict pits President Bashar al-Assad's government against various rebels, foreign powers, and jihadist factions. The SDF emerged in 2015 as a key partner in defeating IS territorially but faces hostility from Damascus and Ankara, which see it as a PKK proxy.
Turkish forces and allied Syrian National Army groups regularly clash with SDF positions in northern Syria, while Assad's troops push to reclaim lost ground. IS exploits these fissures, launching sporadic attacks. Recent months have seen heightened IS activity, with Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring increased sleeper cell operations.
International actors remain divided: The U.S. supports the SDF against IS, Russia and Iran back Assad, and Turkey prioritizes countering Kurdish militias. United Nations reports indicate over 500,000 deaths since 2011, with terrorism contributing to instability.
Outlook Amid Escalating Tensions
These incidents signal fragile security as Syria navigates post-conflict recovery. The Aleppo attacks risk broader escalation between SDF and government forces, potentially drawing in Turkey or U.S. interests. Meanwhile, the IS plot serves as a reminder that the group's ideological threat endures, necessitating sustained counterterrorism efforts.
Syrian authorities have vowed intensified operations against both IS and SDF. International observers call for de-escalation to protect civilians, but prospects for dialogue remain dim amid entrenched rivalries. As winter sets in, humanitarian needs in Aleppo and beyond intensify, with displacement from recent violence adding to Syria's 7 million internally displaced persons.
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