ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A medical convoy transporting wounded civilians from Raqqa to Hasaka in northeastern Syria (Rojava) was ambushed on Sunday evening, leaving several people dead and injured and one ambulance unaccounted for, a doctor in the convoy told Rudaw.
The attack came after the Syrian Arab Army and its allied factions launched operations in eastern areas of Syria administered by the Kurdish-led authorities.
Dr. Agid Oso, who was part of the convoy, said the attack took place at around 4:30 pm near the Sabah al-Khair point, about 50 kilometers from Hasaka, as they "were transporting the wounded from Raqqa."
According to Dr. Oso, the convoy was made up of 10 ambulances carrying between 20 and 25 wounded Kurds and Arabs, along with a number of Kurdish civilians from Raqqa and Tabqa who were traveling with them.
He said the attackers opened fire on the convoy, causing casualties among both patients and civilians. “Gunmen attacked us. Although we do not know exactly who they were, it is likely they are militants affiliated with the Syrian government or ISIS [Islamic State] sleeper cells present in the area,” he said, adding, “As a result of the attack, a number of civilians were wounded and some were killed, but we do not know the exact numbers.”
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) later arrived at the scene and secured the area, according to the doctor. He said the ambush forced the convoy to split into different routes.
“Due to the ambush, the convoy split up.