4 medical staffers killed in shooting outside hospital in Homs, Syria

By Laith Aljunaidi and Tarek Chouiref

ISTANBUL (AA) – Four medical staffers were killed and a fifth was wounded after gunmen opened fire on them outside a hospital in Syria’s central city of Homs, local authorities said Friday.

Marhef al-Naasan, head of internal security in Homs, said two unidentified assailants shot a group of hospital employees on Thursday as they were leaving Al-Kindi Hospital at the end of their shift. Four were killed instantly, and a fifth was wounded, with his condition described as stable.

Security forces responded immediately, imposed a tight security cordon around the scene, and launched an investigation, al-Naasan said, adding that evidence was collected and witnesses questioned.

Initial findings indicate that the attackers were riding a motorcycle and used automatic weapons during the assault, he said, noting that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible.

Al-Naasan stressed that internal security units will continue pursuing the perpetrators to bring them to justice.

The new Syrian administration is working to tighten security conditions nationwide and to pursue remnants of the former regime accused of stirring unrest.

Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December 2024, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963. A new transitional administration headed by President Ahmad al-Sharaa was formed last January.