Syria's Interior Ministry said it had prevented multiple suicide attacks by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on New Year's celebrations and churches, particularly in Aleppo, the state-run Sana news agency reported.
The ministry said in a statement on the Telegram social network that, as part of the fight against terrorism and monitoring ISIS cells, it had received intelligence about planned suicide attacks on New Year's celebrations in several provinces, especially in Aleppo, with a focus on churches and civilian gathering places.
The ministry added that it had increased security around churches, deployed mobile and stationary patrols and set up checkpoints throughout Aleppo.
At a checkpoint in the Bab al-Faraj district of Aleppo, security forces intercepted a suspected ISIS member, who opened fire.
In the clash, one member of the security forces was killed and the attacker detonated explosives, wounding two others.
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