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On July 22, eight Syrian soldiers and pro-government fighters were killed when a blast hit a bus that was carrying them in Syria’s central region.
The deadly blast took place near Tuinan gas field, which is located right on the administrative border between Hama, Homs and Raqqa. In addition to the eight fatalities, nine soldiers and pro-government fighters were wounded.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and other pro-opposition news sources speculated that the blast was a result of a drone strike, hinting that the United States-led coalition may be responsible.
However, pro-government sources said that the blast was caused by an explosive device. Several similar attacks took place in central Syria in the past, with ISIS usually claiming responsibility. The terrorist group’s cells maintain a strong presence at the Hama-Homs-Raqqa triangle.
Earlier this month, a blast killed two Syrian soldiers who were on a patrol near al-Zamlah gas field in the southern Raqqa countryside. Back then, the attack was unofficially blamed on ISIS.
ISIS has been waging an insurgency against government forces in central Syria for around five years. The terrorist group is always attempting to expand its influence near key oil and gas fields in the region. The group is possibly receiving support from areas held by the U.S.-led coalition and its proxies in the southeastern and northeastern regions.
The Tuinan gas field deadly blast will likely provoke a fierce response from Syrian government forces and their allies, who could launch an operation to secure the Hama-Homs-Raqa triangle.
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