Gunmen target gov’t checkpoints in Deir ez-Zor, injure 2 civilians
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Unidentified gunmen carried out on Saturday two separate attacks on checkpoints of the Syrian transitional government’s forces in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, injuring two civilians.
A local source from the town of Shuhail, east of Deir ez-Zor, told North Press that unidentified attackers riding a motorcycle opened fire with machine guns on the al-Attal checkpoint, where Internal Security Forces affiliated with the Syrian Interior Ministry are stationed at the entrance of the town.
The attack triggered an exchange of gunfire between the assailants and the checkpoint personnel, the source said.
The sources added that a woman and a young man who were near the checkpoint were injured during the clash.
In a separate incident, another Internal Security Forces checkpoint located near the town of al-Busayrah in southeastern Deir ez-Zor was also targeted by unidentified gunmen using machine guns.
The second attack caused material damage but no casualties were immediately reported.
Following the incidents, patrols of the Internal Security Forces surrounded the areas around the two towns in an attempt to identify and pursue the attackers.
The eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor has witnessed recurring security incidents in recent months, including attacks on government forces and security checkpoints by unidentified armed groups.