Syria remains a focal point for religious extremism, with the Islamic State (IS) maintaining a significant presence despite concerted efforts by the US and its allies. This was underscored by a recent act of terrorism.
On August 10th, a group of armed assailants targeted convoys transporting Syrian military personnel along a desert route near the town of Mayadeen in the Deir el-Zour region, which borders Iraq. The initial casualty count was reported as 23, with 10 soldiers sustaining injuries. Regrettably, as of August 13th, the ten wounded soldiers had sadly succumbed to their injuries, resulting in a total death toll of 33 as confirmed by the Syrian Observatory based in the United Kingdom. Another source pegged the figure at 35 fatalities. It is noteworthy that all of the fallen soldiers were affiliated with the Syrian army’s 17th Division.
The Islamic State (IS) claimed accountability for the ambush in a declaration issued the day following the incident. As reported by The Associated Press, the extremist group targeted two military trucks in the attack. Allegedly employing a diverse array of weaponry, the organization emphasized its loyalty to its leaders through actions rather than words. The group asserted an unwavering commitment to persist in their struggle “until Doomsday.”
The assault occurred seven days subsequent to the group’s announcement regarding the demise of its leader, Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurayshi, who perished while engaged in combat alongside an al-Qaeda-affiliated faction. He marked the fourth leader to meet his fate following the founder’s self-inflicted explosion during a raid orchestrated by former President Donald Trump in 2019.
This recent attack stands out as one of the most lethal incidents of this year. The IS militants remain significantly operational along the border shared by Syria and Iraq. The organization’s dormant units have taken root within the region ever since declaring a political-religious state, known as a caliphate, in 2014. While they once exerted control over extensive tracts of Iraqi territory, a US military offensive forced them out. Despite their inability to fully reclaim previous dominance, they persist in perpetrating acts of terror.
