11 Syrian soldiers killed in weapons depot explosion

Eleven Syrian military personnel were killed in an explosion at a weapons depot near the town of Ayyash in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, the country's Ministry of Defence said.

The ministry said a funeral was held for those killed at Deir ez-Zor National Hospital on Saturday, attended by officials and military personnel.

An investigation is under way to determine the cause and circumstances of the explosion.

The incident follows several unexplained explosions involving ammunition depots and vehicles in Syria, including two in the northwest of the country earlier this month that killed 19 people.