ANS: In a tragic incident, the terrorist group Islamic State (IS) launched a deadly attack on a convoy of oil tankers escorted by Syrian military personnel in central Syria on Tuesday. As reported by a war monitor, the ambush resulted in the death of five soldiers and two drivers.
The attack took place on the Raqqa-Salamyieh road, situated in the desert region of the eastern countryside of Hama province. The IS militants employed machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) to carry out the assault, leaving destruction in their wake, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
This recent attack is part of a distressing IS trend targeting Syrian military personnel and civilians alike. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based watchdog group, highlighted that this assault marks the latest in a series of violent attacks perpetrated by the terrorist group.
In the vast desert region that stretches across provinces like Homs, Hama, Sweida, Raqqa, Deir al-Zour, and Aleppo, IS ambushes have caused significant casualties. Since the beginning of 2023, a total of 192 Syrian soldiers and pro-government fighters, along with 157 civilians, have lost their lives due to these relentless attacks.
Following the ambush on the oil convoy, fierce clashes ensued between IS militants and the Syrian army. During the confrontation, six oil tankers en route to the oil refinery in Homs province were set ablaze, resulting in significant damage. The timely intervention of Syrian fire crews managed to extinguish the flames.