Story highlights The attack occurred in rebel-controlled Idlib province amid recent spikes in violence

The unidentified attackers stole vehicles and equipment, activists said

(CNN) Seven members of the White Helmets rescue group were shot dead Saturday by unidentified gunmen who stormed the volunteers' office in northwestern Syria, the group and opposition activists said.

The attackers also stole two vans, helmets and walkie-talkies, according to a statement from the group, which is formally known as the Syrian Civil Defense.

The Aleppo Media Center activist group also said seven volunteers were killed in an attack -- and posted video and photos of their funeral.

A procession of mostly men carried the dead to be buried, the images show. Many of the mourners wore the White Helmets badge and broke down in tears.

The Syrian Civil Defense called for northern Syrian checkpoints to detain any vehicles bearing the White Helmets logo that were not verified.

Read More</s>Unidentified assailants shot dead seven members of Syria's White Helmets rescue service early on August 12 during a raid on their base in northwestern Syria.

The seven volunteers were all killed by bullets to the head.

"The civil defense center in Sarmin was the target of an armed attack by unknown assailants in which seven volunteers were killed," the White Helmets said in a statement.

"Two minibuses, some white helmets and walkie-talkies were stolen."

It was not immediately clear if the raid had political or criminal motives. Sarmin is in Idlib Province, which has witnessed clashes recently between rival insurgent groups.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the fatalities were discovered when volunteers arrived to start a shift and found the bodies of their colleagues.

The White Helmets have been working to rescue civilians in rebel-held areas since 2013.

They work exclusively in rebel-held areas and receive donations from several Western governments, including Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States.

President Bashar al-Assad's government and his ally Russia accuse them of being tools of their international donors.

They are known for their daring rescues, filmed and circulated on social media.

In 2016 they were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP</s>Gunmen stormed a White Helmets office in northwestern Syria during the weekend, killing seven of its members, the group said.

The Syrian Civil Defense Group - also known as the White Helmets - is a Syrian paramedic group active in opposition-controlled areas. The White Helmets were nominated for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize and the subject of a Netflix documentary.

The attack took place Saturday in the town of Sarmin, the group said. "Two minibuses, some white helmets and walkie-talkies were stolen," it said, according to Sky.

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The seven were killed after being shot in the head, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, which added that the killings were discovered when volunteers from Syrian Civil Defense arrived to start a shift and found the bodies of their colleagues.

No one claimed responsibility for the rare attack but it came amid tension in the area. Sarmin is in Idlib province, which witnessed clashes recently between rival insurgent groups.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.</s>Seven member of the Syrian White Helmets rescue group were shot dead by unknown gunmen on Saturday, sparking a manhunt and deep suspicions in the rebel-controlled province of Idlib.

The men were killed in their operations centre in the village of Sarmin at dawn on Saturday. Two of their vehicles as well as several of their distinctive white helmets were stolen, the group said.

Many White Helmet volunteers have been killed in airstrikes during the six year Syrian war but opposition activists said it was the first time that members had been shot dead like this.

Photographs from the scene showed the volunteers’ bodies lying across the floor of the centre and blood splashed over the logo of the White Helmets group. All had been shot execution-style at close range.</s>FILE PHOTO: In this photo provided by the Syrian Civil Defense group known as the White Helmets, Syrian Civil Defense workers search through the rubble after airstrikes in the village of Hass in the Idlib province, Syria, Oct. 26, 2016. (Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP) FILE PHOTO: In this photo provided by the Syrian Civil Defense group known as the White Helmets, Syrian Civil Defense workers search through the rubble after airstrikes in the village of Hass in the Idlib province, Syria, Oct. 26, 2016. (Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP)

A Syrian paramedic group active in opposition-controlled areas says gunmen have stormed one of its offices in northwestern Syria killing seven of its members and stealing two vehicles and other equipment. The Syrian Civil Defense group, more popularly known as the White Helmets, said in a statement that the attack happened Saturday in the town of Sarmin.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the seven were killed after being shot in the head, adding that the killings were discovered when volunteers from Syrian Civil Defense arrived to start a shift and found the bodies of their colleagues.

No one claimed responsibility for the rare attack but it came amid tension in the area. Sarmin is in Idlib province, which witnessed clashes recently between rival insurgent groups.

For all the latest World News, download Indian Express App</s>A Syrian paramedic group active in opposition-controlled areas says gunmen have stormed one of its offices in northwestern Syria killing seven of its members and stealing two vehicles and other equipment.

The Syrian Civil Defense group, more popularly known as the White Helmets, said in a statement that the attack happened Saturday in the town of Sarmin.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the seven were killed after being shot in the head, adding that the killings were discovered when volunteers from Syrian Civil Defense arrived to start a shift and found the bodies of their colleagues.

No one claimed responsibility for the rare attack but it came amid tension in the area. Sarmin is in Idlib province, which witnessed clashes recently between rival insurgent groups.</s>The White Helmets rescuer, who last year pulled a baby girl from the wreckage of an airstrike in a dramatic scene that brought a BBC news presenter to tears, is among seven volunteers who have been shot dead in Syria.

Abu Kifah made headlines in October after footage of him saving the infant were broadcast on television.

The moment was so powerful that journalist Kate Silverton was overcome with emotion live on air.

Today the White Helmets confirmed that seven of its volunteers had been killed in cold blood by unidentified gunmen who attacked their office in the northwestern town of Sarmin in the early hours of this morning.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the rare attack but it came amid tension in the area.

Sarmin is in Idlib province, which witnessed clashes recently between al-Qaida-linked fighters and members of the ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham group that ended with al-Qaida fighters capturing much of the region.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the seven were killed after being shot in the head, adding that the killings were discovered when volunteers from the White Helmets arrived to start a shift and found the bodies of their colleagues.

The attackers then fled the scene with two vans, helmets and walkie talkies.

The bodies of the men have been buried in a funeral service that saw many mourners, some wearing White Helmets, break down in tears.</s>Seven members of the White Helmets rescue group were shot dead Saturday by unidentified gunmen who stormed the volunteers’ office in northwestern Syria, the group and opposition activists said.

The attackers also stole two vans, helmets and walkie-talkies, according to a statement from the group, which is formally known as the Syrian Civil Defense.

The Aleppo Media Center activist group also said seven volunteers were killed in an attack — and posted video and photos of their funeral.

A procession of mostly men carried the dead to be buried, the images show. Many of the mourners wore the White Helmets badge and broke down in tears.

The Syrian Civil Defense called for northern Syrian checkpoints to detain any vehicles bearing the White Helmets logo that were not verified.

The attack occurred in the city of Sarmin in Idlib province, which last month came mostly under the control of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, a coalition of Salafi jihadist groups that includes Fateh al-Sham. The latter group had been known as Jabhat al-Nusra before renouncing its ties to al Qaeda.

Idlib, one of the last Syrian provinces still beyond regime control, has been experiencing spikes in violence.

After the Syrian government — with the help of Russian air power — regained control of the key city of Aleppo last year, masses of opposition rebels were bussed to Idlib as part of a people-swap agreement.

The White Helmets have brought to light the scale of the Syrian conflict in a painfully visceral way, documenting their recovery operations through video and photo.</s>Gunmen stormed an office of a Syrian paramedic group that is active in opposition-controlled areas, killing seven of its members and stealing two vehicles and other equipment.</s>The United States is condemning the murders of seven Syrian White Helmet civil defense members in rebel-controlled Idlib province.

"These cowardly acts of masked men took the lives of civilian volunteers who work tirelessly as first responders in order to save lives in incredibly dangerous environments," she said in a statement.

Nauert says the U.S. sends it condolences to the families of those she calls "heroes," and hopes they can find justice.

The White Helmets say unidentified gunmen shot the seven members dead during a raid on their base Saturday in the town of Sarmin, west of Idlib city. Two vans, some white headgear that identify the volunteers, and walkie-talkies were stolen.

No one has claimed responsibility. Idlib province is controlled by the Syrian rebel group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. It condemned what it calls an "ugly crime," vows to hunt down the killers and promises to protect the White Helmets.

The White Helmets are Syrian civil defense workers who volunteer to rush in with no hesitation to pull civilians out of bombed buildings in rebel-held areas.

A number have been killed in the line of duty. They received global renown after they were nominated for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize.

Despite criticism they back the rebels against the Syrian government, the White Helmets insist they take no sides in the war.
Seven members of the White Helmets are shot dead by unidentified gunmen who stormed their office in rebel-held Sarmin, in northwestern Syria.