21 Syrian Soldiers Killed in ISIS Ambush in Daraa

Militants attacked military trucks, buses

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a convoy of Syrian forces were ambushed in Daraa Province, killing at least 21 soldiers. The convoy hit included military trucks and buses.

Though there was no official claim of responsibility for the attack, termed a “terrorist attack” in state media, Daraa is a hotbed of ISIS activity, and the group often ambushes Syrian convoys when it gets the chance.

The fighting immediately put the military at a disadvantage, though the government ultimately sent reinforcements to chase off the militants. The troops were reportedly trying to arrest a militant commander at the time.

The losses were substantial for the military in part because it was an intelligence unit that was hit. Combat forces tend to fare acceptably in such fighting, but the militants overrun the support units.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.