At least 23 Syrian soldiers have been killed in a deadly attack carried out by Islamic State (IS) militants in eastern Syria, according to reports from the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The jihadists surrounded a military bus in Deir al-Zour province and opened fire, leaving more than 10 soldiers injured and dozens missing.

This attack has been described as the deadliest this year by IS. Despite losing its territory in 2019, IS still maintains hideouts in the Syrian desert, allowing them to carry out ambushes and hit-and-run attacks.

The group's recent escalation of attacks is seen as an attempt to prove its continued strength and presence, even after the death of its leader. The Syrian conflict has claimed the lives of nearly half a million people and displaced millions more, and IS remains a persistent threat in the region.