Syrian government sends military reinforcements near al-Tanf base
RUKBAN, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian government forces deployed on Thursday military reinforcements to the Syrian-Iraqi border, concentrating near al-Tanf military base, east of Homs Governorate, central Syria, which is operated by the United States in Syria.
According to sources from the nearby Rukban camp, military vehicles carrying military personnel, equipment, and light weapons have been stationed in the Zakf area, located 70 kilometers northeast of al-Tanf base and 130 kilometers south of the city of Abu Kamal in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria.
The sources added that the reinforcements have been positioned at non-permanent checkpoints, where some tents have been set up, while some vehicles have returned empty towards the city of Palmyra in the Homs countryside.
On Aug. 27, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched a military operation called “Security Reinforcement” with the support of the US-led Global Coalition on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, specifically in Deir ez-Zor, “to eradicate Islamic State (ISIS) sleeper cells, pursue criminals responsible for perpetrating injustices against the local population, and to track down smugglers who exploit the populace’s livelihoods.”
On Aug. 30, the SDF announced the dismissal of commander of Deir ez-Zor Military Council, Ahmad al-Khabil, known as Abu Khawla, from duty, for his involvement “in multiple crimes and violations, including communication and coordination with external entities hostile to the revolution, committing criminal offenses and engaging in drug trafficking, mismanaging of the security situation, his negative role in increasing the activities of ISIS cells,” according to the SDF.
The operation led to the eruption of clashes between the SDF and gunmen affiliated with the dismissed leader and with Nawaf al-Bashir whose groups are active in the western bank of the Euphrates which is under the control of the Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias.