At least four people were killed and nine others wounded when a government-owned bus was hit by an explosive device in eastern Syria, according to the state news agency SANA.
The attack took place on the highway connecting Deir Az Zor and al-Mayadin, targeting a bus belonging to the Syrian Ministry of Energy. All four fatalities were reported to be security personnel assigned to protect an oil facility in the Deir Az Zor region — known as Syria’s oil hub and the country’s seventh-largest city.
Witness footage verified by Al Jazeera showed a heavily damaged bus surrounded by armed personnel inspecting the scene.
According to Reuters, the security guards were part of a contingent protecting the Teim oilfield and were returning home after duty when the explosion occurred.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.
Authorities suspect remnants of the ISIL (ISIS) network, which has previously carried out similar attacks during Syria’s long-running conflict.
This marks the deadliest incident in Deir Az Zor since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad last December. The attack also comes amid heightened tensions between the Syrian Army and US-backed Kurdish forces (SDF) along the Euphrates River, where both sides control opposing territories.
The Syrian government, now led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been striving to stabilize the country and restore international relations. Al-Sharaa recently addressed the United Nations General Assembly, calling for an end to sanctions and increased economic cooperation — particularly with Gulf Arab states investing in Syria’s reconstruction.
Meanwhile, Israel continues to carry out air and ground operations inside Syrian territory. On Friday, Israeli forces conducted incursions in Quneitra province, deploying tanks and bulldozers before withdrawing hours later — actions condemned by Damascus as violations of sovereignty.
