In a devastating armed attack by the Islamic State (ISIS) on Tuesday, a total of seven people lost their lives, including two civilians. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) confirmed the incident and reported that the attack targeted an oil tanker convoy guarded by the Syrian army in the Syrian desert.

The assault involved the use of rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns by the attackers. According to the war monitor, five Syrian soldiers and two of the drivers were among the fatalities.

This attack is part of a disturbing trend in the region, as SOHR revealed that ISIS has been responsible for a series of violent incidents in the Syrian desert throughout the year, resulting in the deaths of at least 157 civilians.

After suffering a significant territorial defeat in March 2019 to a military operation led by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and backed by a United States-led global coalition, ISIS militants have resorted to hit and run tactics. They have targeted both civilians and military personnel associated with the Syrian regime and the Kurdish-led authority in the northwest of the country.

Last week, ISIS claimed responsibility for a deadly explosion in the Syrian capital of Damascus, which resulted in the loss of at least six lives and injured 20 others. The jihadist group asserted that the attack had caused even more casualties, with ten people killed and 40 others wounded.

The Syrian conflict has been ongoing since 2011, triggered by the government's violent suppression of protests. The security situation in the country has remained fragile, with various parties involved in multiple fronts. Notable issues include constant fighting between Kurdish forces and Turkey, Turkish-backed proxies, Israeli attacks on pro-Iran factions, and tit-for-tat incidents between the US and Iran. Russia has also lent support to the Syrian government, while around a thousand US troops are stationed in the country to combat ISIS remnants.

As violence continues to ravage Syria, the international community faces the ongoing challenge of finding a resolution to the protracted civil war and addressing the menace posed by extremist groups like ISIS.