In a violent incident in Syria, at least 21 pro-government militiamen have been killed in an overnight ambush attributed to the Islamic State group. The attack occurred in the village of al-Kawm, situated in eastern Syria between the cities of Homs and Raqqa, sometime between November 7 and 8, 2023.
The militiamen, affiliated with the National Defense Places, a pro-government militia, fell victim to the ambush in this volatile region.
Reports from both pro-government media and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the incident. While Sham FM radio, a pro-government media outlet, places the number of fatalities at 21, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights recorded a greater number of fatalities, suggesting up to 34 militiamen may have been killed. There was no immediate claim of responsibility by any group for the deadly attack, and Syrian officials have yet to comment.
Al-Kawm village is located in a strategically complex area controlled by various forces. The government holds the city of Homs, while U.S.-backed Kurdish-led forces are in control of Raqqa city. This region has witnessed a surge in violence recently.
Besides this ambush, there has been a noticeable increase in violence in other parts of Syria as well. Government forces have intensified shelling and airstrikes in the northwest, a region predominantly held by opposition groups. Iranian-backed Iraqi militants have been regularly launching attacks on U.S. bases located in the eastern and southern parts of the country. In addition to these developments, Israel continues its military strikes on government targets within Syria.
The conflict in Syria, which began in 2011, has led to a humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and in need of assistance.
