24 Jan 2021 | 07:03 PM UTC
Syria: Attack on bus in Deir Ez-Zur Governorate kills 3 soldiers and wounds 10 others, Jan. 24
Attack on bus in Ash Sholah, Deir Ez-Zur Governorate, Syria, kills 3 soldiers and wounds 10, Jan. 24. No immediate claim of responsibility.
Event
Unidentified assailants attacked a bus carrying Syrian government forces on the Deir Ezzor-Palmyra Road (M20) near Ash Sholah in Deir Ez-Zur Governorate at approximately 1340 Jan. 24. At least 3 soldiers were killed and 10 others wounded in the attack. Authorities have not released further details on the incident. No group has formally claimed responsibility for the attack; however, unconfirmed media reports identified the attackers as Islamic State (IS) militants.
IS previously claimed responsibility for an attack using similar tactics targeting a bus traveling on the Deir Ezzor-Palmyra Road (M20) near Kobajjeb in Deir Ez-Zur Governorate in December 2020. In that incident, the group claimed to have killed 40 Syrian army soldiers and wounded six others.
Heightened security and localized ground travel disruptions are likely in the coming hours in the affected area.
Advice
Avoid the scene of the incident until the area has been secured and it becomes clear that no further attacks are imminent. Strictly heed the instructions of local security forces.
