Several members of the Syrian Internal Security Forces were injured on Saturday following the explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting their transport bus on the Ma'runah–Al-Tall road in the Damascus countryside. Authorities have launched an investigation to identify the party responsible for the attack. Official Syrian sources confirmed the injuries but have yet to announce an exact toll or details on the conditions of those affected.
Syrian media quoted a security source stating that the device detonated as the bus passed by, leading to multiple injuries before specialized units intervened to investigate the incident.
In the aftermath of the explosion, security forces commenced operations in the area, continuing their investigation to uncover the perpetrators' identities and the circumstances surrounding the planting and targeting of the bus with the explosive device. Official sources have confirmed the ongoing nature of the investigation without publicly naming any suspects.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far, and Syrian authorities have not officially linked the incident to ISIS or any other organization, leaving the perpetrators' identity uncertain at this stage.
The targeting of an Internal Security Force bus raises concerns about the use of IEDs in executing attacks against security forces, especially given ongoing security challenges in various Syrian regions.
This incident comes approximately two weeks after an IED explosion inside a civilian passenger bus in Jaramana, Damascus countryside, which resulted in two fatalities and 13 injuries, according to a report by the Syrian Ministry of Health. No group claimed responsibility for that attack either.
Previously, in July, Syrian authorities announced they had thwarted an attempt to detonate an IED planted inside a bus in the Al-Waroud neighborhood, Damascus countryside, with engineering teams successfully dismantling it without causing damage.
These incidents present a challenge for security agencies in tracking down cells or individuals capable of executing IED attacks, particularly as this type of operation allows for targeting vehicles and security movements without engaging in direct confrontations.
Identifying the party behind the Ma'runah–Al-Tall attack remains dependent on the outcomes of ongoing investigations, as authorities have not yet reported any arrests or detailed information regarding the type of device or its planting method.