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On September 10-11, 2024, two websites affiliated with the Syrian opposition published a series of reports describing activities of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated militia in Syria's eastern region. Among other things, these reports reveal that the IRGC intends to launch an engineering course in unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) in Deir Al-Zour. Additionally, a meeting was held between Syrian regime military officials and notables of Syrian tribes in eastern Syria where they discussed future actions against Coalition forces and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria's eastern governorates of Al-Hasakah and Deir Al-Zour.
Need To Enlist Highly Educated IRGC Operatives In Upcoming "Large Drone Engineering Course" In Deir Al-Zour
On September 11, 2024, the Syrian opposition-affiliated Euphrates Post media outlet published an "exclusive" report stating that an Iranian delegation that included several IRGC generals recently left Deir Al-Zour for Iraq after a three-day-long secret visit. The outlet's sources asserted that the delegation's movements were not publicized and surrounded with secrecy out of fear of airstrikes by the International Coalition, "unknown aircraft," or an attack on the ground.
According to the report, the delegation, escorted by a force led by IRGC's regional militia commander, Hajj Kamil, toured militia outposts and weapons storage facilities in eastern Syria.
The delegation stressed the need to enlist highly educated, past or current IRGC operatives in an engineering course specialized in UCAVs, slated to be launched soon in the city of Deir Al-Zour.
Iran-Affiliated Militia Strengthen Presence Near SDF-Controlled Areas Amid Reciprocal Shelling
On September 11, the Syrian opposition-affiliated Euphrates Eye published an "exclusive" report, claiming an increased movement of Iranian militias in the seven villages area, east of Deir Al-Zour, which includes the villages of Al-Hussainiyah, Khsham, Al-Salihiyah, Hatla, Marrat, Mazloum, and Al-Tabiyyah.
Quoting "exclusive sources," the outlet reported that vehicles belonging to the Iranian militias and Syrian regime forces have been crossing daily to and from the villages in the area, via the dirt roads connecting them. The source asserted that the militias have strengthened their military presence in a region adjacent to areas controlled by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), amid recent reports of reciprocal shelling between SDF and Iran-backed militias, which caused the death of civilians.
Syrian Regime And Chieftains Of IRGC-Linked Militia Held Security Meeting, And Stressed Need To Target Coalition Forces' Bases In Al-Hasakah And Deir Al-Zour Governorates
On September 10, 2024, the Euphrates Post media outlet published an "exclusive" report about a recent meeting in Deir Al-Zour, Syria, between Syrian Military Security officials and influential individuals from local tribal militias loyal to the Syrian regime.
According to the outlet's sources, the meeting was attended by Muhannad Ahmed Al-Hammoud, commander of the "Harakat Abna' Al-Jazeera and Al-Furat [Movement of the Sons of Al-Jazeera and the Euphrates]" whose line of attack is to target and eventually "expel" the SDF and the International Coalition forces from the eastern Euphrates. The meeting was also attended by Hashem Sa'ud Al-Sattam, commander of the Usud Al-Akidat [Lions] Brigade in Al-Mayadeen and its countryside, who had previously claimed responsibility for attacks on the SDF and International Coalition forces.
Also attending the meeting were notables Ahmed Mouh Al-Shammari, Khaled Juwayt Al-Ahmad, and Kamal Mushrif Al-Dandal, all leaders of the IRGC-affiliated, regime-loyal militias active in smuggling operations, recruitment for the IRGC, and the creation of a welcoming atmosphere for the militias.
In addition to the declared goal of activating the militias and increasing the number of affiliates, the Euphrates Post's sources explained that the meeting had stressed the need to strike the bases of the International Coalition forces in the provinces of Al-Hasakah and Deir Al-Zour, in addition to the recruitment of cells to operate in the SDF-controlled areas.
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