The Islamic State claimed responsibility on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) for an attack in eastern ​Syria that killed two Syrian army soldiers, the ‌jihadist group’s first deadly operation against the ​Syrian government since February.

Monday’s (May 11, 2026) attack ⁠in the eastern province of Hasakah points to the lingering threat posed by the Islamic State as President ‌Ahmed al-Sharaa seeks to consolidate government authority over the country, nearly 1-1/2 years ‌after he ousted Mr. Bashar al-Assad.

The ‌Syrian ⁠state news agency SANA reported on ⁠Monday (May 11, 2026) that two Syrian army soldiers were killed and others wounded in an attack by unknown assailants on ​a bus in the ‌Hasakah countryside.

Islamic State, in a brief statement posted on its Amaq News Agency, said its fighters had killed and wounded six ‌members of “the apostate Syrian army” during ​an ambush in the same area.

The Islamic State controlled around a quarter ⁠or more of Syria at the peak of its power during the Syrian civil war ‌a decade ago, before it was beaten out of the territory by a U.S.-led coalition and other foes.

Ahmed al-Sharaa battled the Islamic State when he was leader of the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front during the civil war. ‌Sharaa severed ties with al Qaeda in 2016.

The Syrian ​government under Mr. Sharaa last year joined the U.S.-led coalition to combat the Islamic ⁠State.

The Islamic State, in February, declared a new phase ⁠of operations against Mr. Sharaa’s government and carried out a spate of attacks, including ‌one that killed four Syrian government security personnel near Raqqa city.