ISIS attack in Syrian desert kills 34 members of Syrian regime forces

RAQQA, Syria — Against the backdrop of the deteriorating security situation in areas controlled by the Syrian regime, the Islamic State (ISIS) launched a deadly attack in the Syrian desert, targeting positions held by the Syrian regime forces and their affiliated militias.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that at least 34 members of forces affiliated with the Syrian regime were killed in an ambush by ISIS elements. The assault occurred on military positions of the regime forces in the Rusafa desert, near the Raqqa–Hmoth (Homs)–Dayro Zcuro (Deir ez-Zor) triangle.

SOHR anticipated that the death toll may rise as several of the injured are in critical condition. This represents the highest death toll from an ISIS attack this year.

Since its defeat by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in cooperation with the US-led International Coalition in March 2019, ISIS cells have remained active in the Syrian desert.