The terrorist militia IS is increasing its attacks in the civil war country Syria. At least 12 oil workers were killed in an alleged IS attack on several buses in Deir ez-Zor in the east on Friday, according to the Syrian Observatory, which is close to the opposition. The state news agency SANA confirmed the attack and spoke of “terrorist aggression”. According to dpa information, the workers were on their way back from an oil field in the province.
At first no one claimed responsibility for the attack. However, local sources said the attack and the way it was carried out bore the signature of IS.
A few days earlier, IS had attacked several buildings belonging to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in its former Syrian stronghold of Raqqa. According to SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, six SDF fighters were killed and others injured. IS claimed responsibility for this attack. Security measures in the city were significantly tightened after the attack.
According to the figures of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is close to the opposition, IS carried out 14 attacks on government troops and their allies in this month alone. At least 55 people were killed.
Turkey is currently conducting an air offensive in Syria in areas largely controlled by the Syrian Kurdish militia YPG. In addition, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened a new ground offensive. The USA, which is cooperating with the Kurdish militias in the fight against IS, also fears that the terrorist militia could regain more influence in Syria in the event of such an offensive. Years ago, IS controlled large areas there and in Iraq.