Syrian Defense Ministry commander killed by gunmen in Deir ez-Zor
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A commander affiliated with the Syrian Ministry of Defense was killed on Friday after unidentified gunmen opened fire on his vehicle in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, a military source said.
The source from the Ministry of Defense in Deir ez-Zor told North Press that two gunmen riding a motorcycle targeted a military vehicle with machine gun fire in the town of al-Asharah. The vehicle was driven by Ahmed Abu Ali, a commander in the 86th Division.
According to the source, Ahmed Abu Ali was killed instantly in the attack, while the assailants fled into the town following the shooting.
The source added that the commander was originally from the city of Homs and had been transferred to Deir ez-Zor only days before the incident.
Security forces have since been placed on high alert and launched a search operation across the area to locate the attackers, who managed to escape after carrying out the attack.