DAMASCUS, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army on Wednesday killed eight militants, who were part of a group of militants that have recently carried out attacks on military and civilian buses in the desert in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, state news agency SANA reported.
After a "precise" operation, the Syrian forces in Deir al-Zour tracked down the "terrorist group" that had carried out attacks on civilian and military personnel on the road between Deir al-Zour and Palmyra city, said SANA, citing a military statement.
The road between Palmyra and Deir al-Zour has become completely secure, said the report.
The Islamic State (IS) has recently intensified attacks on the road in the desert, killing many soldiers and civilians.
Earlier this week, three soldiers were killed by an IS ambush in the desert.
On Dec. 31, 2020, the IS group killed 25 people in the same area.
In its statement on Wednesday, SANA said the Syrian army had been tracking down the group responsible for the attacks.
After losing key areas in northern and northeastern Syria, the IS group has positioned in the sprawling desert between Deir al-Zour and Homs province. Enditem