BEIRUT (AP) — The United Nations says a Syrian driver on a joint humanitarian assessment mission has been wounded by gunfire in an attack in a remote part of eastern Syria where fighting against Islamic State militants has displaced thousands.
Fadwa Baroud, a spokeswoman for the U.N. Office of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, said Saturday the driver is recovering from his injuries.
Baroud says two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire at the clearly marked convoy Thursday about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from where the U.S.-led coalition and local Syrian fighters are battling the last pocket of IS militants in the country.
The convoy was to assess dire humanitarian conditions in the area due to the escalation in fighting.
Baroud said 6,000 people have been displaced since October and an estimated 7,000-10,000 remain in the IS-held Hajin enclave.
Disclaimer: This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Associated Press (AP) wire.