Assassination attempt Kills civilian, targets local AANES official in Deir ez-Zor
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – A civilian was killed and a local official with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) survived an assassination attempt in two separate attacks on Saturday evening in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria.
A local source from the town of al-Asharah told North Press that unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire with a machine gun at Noor al-Faisal outside his home.
“Al-Faisal died instantly, while the attackers fled the scene,” the source said.
According to the source, al-Faisal worked in the grain and fodder trade and had no affiliation with any political or military group.
In a separate incident in the town of Baghuz, unknown gunmen targeted the vehicle of Ahmad al-Tu’mah, co-chair of the Baghuz Municipality, using automatic weapons.
Al-Tu’mah managed to escape unharmed and sought shelter among residential homes. The attack caused only material damage.
No group has claimed responsibility for either attack.
The eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor has witnessed a spike in targeted killings over the past year, often carried out by unidentified gunmen on motorcycles.
While ISIS cells remain active in the area, responsibility for many of these attacks remains unclear, reflecting the region’s complex security landscape.
Local officials, tribal figures, and civilians have all been targeted, placing increased pressure on AANES security forces as they attempt to stabilize the region amid ongoing economic hardship and territorial disputes.
Reporting by Omar Abdurrahman