‘Iranian Militias' Build up Reinforcements in Eastern Syria

Arab World

March 28th, 7:45am

London - Asharq Al-Awsat

A view of the al-Tanf base in Syria. (Reuters file photo)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported that Iranian-backed militias poured in military reinforcements to their headquarters in Al-Mayadeen, Al-Bokamal, and Ain Ali in areas controlled by regime forces in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. The move come days following US airstrikes on several military bases of these militias in Deir Ezzor. Washington carried out the strikes in eastern Syria after the Pentagon said a US contractor died – and another contractor and five military personnel were wounded – by a drone “of Iranian origin” that struck a US-led coalition base near Hasakah on Thursday. According to the UK-based war monitor, the reinforcements include 250 Syrian members coming from Hatlah and areas in east Euphrates. The Iranian-backed militias have intelligence information that the US forces intend to move fighters who oppose the Iranian presence in the region to target their positions, it added. In a related context, SOHR reported that Iranian militias have installed short-range surface-to-surface advanced missile platforms in the Ain Ali area near Al-Mayadeen city and other posts. Moreover, the militias’ members received orders to target the base of the Al-Omar oil field if the positions of Iranian militias in Deir Ezzor city and countryside were targeted. Iran also condemned Saturday the US strikes on IRGC-affiliated groups in the war-torn country, labeling them as “terrorist aggression”. The attack reportedly killed 19 people, the majority of which were Syrians. Following the US strikes, President Joe Biden said Washington “does not seek conflict with Iran, but is prepared to act forcefully to protect our people”.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4238111/%E2%80%98iranian-militias-build-reinforcements-eastern-syria