ISIS militants target oil tankers in Deir ez-Zor
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – An Islamic State (ISIS) sleeper cell targeted on Tuesday oil tankers in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria, causing material damage.
A tanker driver, who preferred to remain unnamed for fear of being targeted by the group’s cells, told North Press that four ISIS militants riding two motorcycles chased the oil tankers on the main road in the village of Burayha in the east of Deir ez-Zor.
The militants demanded the drivers to stop but they did not respond, so they shot at the tankers and caused material damage, according to the driver.
He added the militants fled towards the desert near the village chanting ISIS slogans and threatening the tanker owners to either pay zakat or have their tankers attacked.
ISIS militants frequently attack oil tankers to collect zakat from drivers, according to the driver.