6 killed in ammunition depot explosion near Ayyash, western Deir ez-Zor, Syria

An explosion at a Syrian army ammunition site near the town of Ayyash in the western countryside of Deir ez-Zor province killed at least six people and injured nine others, according to a preliminary toll announced by local authorities late on Friday, September 18, 2026. Search operations for several missing individuals were ongoing.

The Deir ez-Zor governorate stated that the blast occurred at one of the army positions near Ayyash. Specialized teams recovered the bodies of six soldiers, while efforts continued to locate others still unaccounted for. Authorities secured the site, took measures to deal with the aftermath, and opened an investigation into the causes and circumstances of the incident. Residents were urged to remain calm pending the completion of search operations.

Syrian state media and the Defense Ministry’s Media and Communication Directorate earlier confirmed that an explosion had struck a Syrian Arab Army position in the Ayyash area west of Deir ez-Zor. Officials said they were investigating the causes and assessing the damage. Local reports described successive blasts at an ammunition depot, with some accounts linking the incident to the unloading or handling of munitions.

Initial reports earlier in the day had mentioned fewer casualties, including around four injured, before the death toll was updated overnight. Some local pages later circulated higher figures, though the governorate’s statement remained the primary official reference.

The incident is the latest in a series of explosions at ammunition storage sites across Syria in recent weeks, including previous blasts near Sarmada and in the Damascus countryside. The cause of Friday’s explosion has not been determined. Officials have not attributed it to sabotage, accident, or other factors pending the results of the investigation.

Governor of Deir ez-Zor Ziad al-Ayyash issued a statement of condolence, expressing sorrow for the families of the fallen Syrian Arab Army personnel and praying for the recovery of the wounded.

Emergency teams, civil defense, health authorities, and security forces responded to the scene. No further details on the extent of material damage or the identities of the victims were immediately available.