Armed attack | Child killed and tens of cattle perish in regime-controlled areas in rural Al-Raqqah

SOHR sources have reported that unknown gunmen stormed a civilian’s house in Al-Mityaha village in the south of Dabsi Affan area in Al-Raqqah countryside, where they shot dead a boy under the age of eighteen, while another person sustained several gunshots. The attackers also opened fire indiscriminately on livestock belonging to the family, killing tens of cattle. However, the identities of the perpetrators and the reasons behind this horrific crime remained unknown.

 

On April 12, SOHR sources reported that the fate of the abductees held by the Islamic State remains unknown, as they had been kidnapped six days earlier in the eastern countryside of Hama. According to SOHR sources, no information were reported on the fate of 13 police officers and collaborators with the regime’s security services, who were kidnapped by the organization in a surprise attack on Oqayrabat area on April 6.

 

ISIS might have executed the abductees, or kept them captive for later negotiations.

 

While on April 7, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights obtained new details about ISIS’ surprise attack on Oqayrabt area in east Hama countryside in the Syrian desert. SOHR sources reported that the missing, whose number reached 40 people, were kidnapped by the group. The total number of those kidnapped by the Islamic State from the Zweineh area on Tuesday, reached 59 people, including civilians, police officers and collaborators with regime security services.

 

Syrian Observatory sources added that the group released 46 people, while 13 regime police officers and collaborators were detained.

 

A local member of the security services was also died of injuries he sustained, after being shot by ISIS members, amid reports of more fatalities among police members and local gunmen.

 

It is worth noting that this operation was the largest kidnapping one ever since ISIS activities escalated in the Syrian desert.