Dozens Killed and Wounded in Car Bomb Explosion in Deir ez-Zor

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that dozens of people have been killed or injured in a car bomb explosion in a part of Deir ez-Zor, Syria, where refugees were present. The Syrian army announced last Friday that it had retaken the city of Deir ez-Zor from the group known as the Islamic State. The exact number of casualties is unclear, and although it is still unknown who planned and executed the explosion, reports indicate the involvement of ISIS in this deadly attack. The Islamic State had also carried out a similar attack in this location last month, which left 18 dead. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights suggests that the Syrian army and government forces are still engaged in clearing areas of this eastern Syrian city. On Friday morning, November 3, the Syrian army announced that it had control over Deir ez-Zor and that the last members of ISIS had been pushed out of the city. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights states that 'a large number of people have been injured in this explosion.' According to reports, 'at least' one car bomb exploded on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, where people and refugees had gathered. The group known as the Islamic State (ISIS) had controlled most of the oil-rich city of Deir ez-Zor since 2014 during its extensive advances in Syria and Iraq. The Syrian army, with the help of Iranian-backed militias and Russian air support, began operations to liberate this city about two months ago. Raqqa, which is considered the main center of ISIS presence in Syria, was also cleared of ISIS last month by forces supported by the US-led coalition. Deir ez-Zor was the last major urban area under ISIS control.