Explosion at Syrian military site in Deir Az Zor kills 11 soldiers

Eleven soldiers were killed in an explosion at a Syrian military site in the eastern province of Deir Az Zor, according to the Ministry of Defence. The blast occurred on Friday in the town of Ayyash, specifically targeting a weapons cache within a Syrian Arab Army position. The military held a funeral procession for the deceased soldiers on Saturday, as reported by the official SANA news agency.

This incident comes amid a series of explosions at military sites across Syria. Just two weeks prior, a September 9 explosion at a weapons depot in Sarmada, located in northwestern Idlib province, resulted in the deaths of 14 soldiers and injuries to over 10 individuals, including civilians. The Syrian Defence Ministry had taken responsibility for that blast, indicating that the depot was used for storing munitions left over from the civil war. Investigations into the cause of the current explosion are underway, but it appears to be part of a troubling trend.

Videos from the funeral showed mourners gathered outside the National Hospital in Deir Az Zor city, where the bodies, draped in Syrian flags, were honored. According to the provincial government, nine additional soldiers were wounded in the latest blast. Reports indicated that the soldiers were killed while transporting heavy ammunition when the explosion occurred.

As Syria continues to grapple with the aftermath of a decade-long civil war, such explosions are becoming increasingly common. The government is under pressure to clear vast stockpiles of abandoned weapons and munitions, but ensuring safety at these sites remains a challenge. The presence of civilians collecting leftover arms complicates the situation, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by both military personnel and local populations.