Suspected Islamic State attack leaves nine dead in Syrian desert

At least nine Syrian soldiers and pro-government fighters were killed and more than 20 others injured in a suspected Islamic State attack in eastern Syria, a war monitor reported on Tuesday.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a vast network of sources on the ground, said armed members of ISIS cells launched a surprise attack on Monday evening against positions belonging to the Syrian army and the Syrian government’s paramilitary National Defense Forces in al-Tebni desert, in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor.

Heavy clashes erupted after the attack and lasted until dawn. According to the SOHR, the militants seized a vehicle mounted with a cannon and destroyed three military trucks before withdrawing.

The Syrian army has yet to comment on the report and ISIS has not yet claimed responsibility for the attack.