Tribal elder and wife killed in armed attack in Deir ez-Zor countryside

By Atoun Jan

DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – A tribal elder and his wife were shot dead on Saturday by unidentified gunmen in the northern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, local sources reported.

The victims were identified as Mousa al-Khalaf, a notable of the al-Bu Saleh clan, part of the al-Bakara tribe, and his wife. Both were killed instantly when their vehicle came under fire near the town of Azman, west of Abu Khashab.

A local source from Abu Khashab told North Press that the assailants, riding a motorcycle, opened fire with automatic weapons at al-Khalaf’s car on the main road before fleeing toward the surrounding desert.

According to the same source, al-Khalaf previously held the position of head of the Education Committee within the Deir ez-Zor Civil Council, which operates under the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).

The countryside of Deir ez-Zor has witnessed recurrent security incidents in recent months, often involving attacks by unidentified armed groups targeting tribal figures, civilian officials, and security points. Local councils and security forces in the region continue efforts to stabilize the area through joint patrols and community-based initiatives.

At the time of reporting, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and investigations are ongoing to identify the perpetrators.