By Omar Abdurrahman
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – The orchards of the city of al-Jalaa in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, that were once recreation destinations for the people of the area, have been turned into military sites under the control of the Islamic State (ISIS) and then the Iranian-backed militias and government forces.
Locals, who used to visit the place, are now banned from entering the area amid reports indicate secretive military activities there.
The orchards of al-Jalaa, which were military training camps for ISIS, are now secret military training camps for the Iranian-backed militias.
The Iranian-backed militias prevent the locals from approaching to their homes near the orchards and prevent the guards of these camps from entering or carrying their phones for fear of being targeted by airstrikes.
Secret military camps
Nasser, one of the town’s residents, explains how the orchards transformed from a place of relaxation for people to military sites after ISIS took control of them.
He says that ISIS fenced off the orchards and brought in heavy machinery, then demanded that the residents evacuate their nearby homes to turn them into protection posts.
Nasser adds that ISIS began then conducting training military courses for children who joined it inside those orchards.
When ISIS was driven out, the residents were hopeful about returning to their homes, but the Iranian-backed militias imposed their control and established secret camps, preventing the residents from returning.
Nasser points out that after the government forces and the Iranian-backed militias took control of the area, they brought vehicles loaded with weapons and logistical materials, adding that they are still forbidden from returning to their homes near orchards.
He believes that the Iranian-backed militias and ISIS chose these sites due to their near location to the Euphrates River and the cover provided by palm trees, which hide activities inside.
No entry allowed
Riyad, a pseudonym for a member of the government’s Fourth Armored Division, works as a guard at one of the military posts near the orchards. He says that for the past eight months, they have been given strict instructions not to carry their phones or approach or interfere with what is happening inside the orchards.
He adds that their (the guards) duty is to protect what is inside the orchards without knowing the details of what happens.
Riyad sees civilian cars loaded with weapons and ammunition, and buses transporting non-Syrian individuals, in addition to hearing Shia chants during training.
He indicates that the guards are not allowed to enter or approach those orchards, even during their vacations, as they are transported via special cars to the garage to ensure they do not enter the camp.
The camp covers an area of 50 to 60 donums and is surrounded by 12 guard posts on the side of the Euphrates River and five front posts in the town. There are guard posts inside the orchards, but they have no connection with them and are not allowed to communicate with them.
Secret prisons
Ibrahim al-Hassan, a field activist from the town of al-Mayadin, southeast of Deir ez-Zor, told North Press that there are indicators of the existence of weapons depots and non-Syrian individuals inside those orchards, in addition to the possibility of secret prisons.
Al-Hassan adds that they have questions about who is the party that actually controls these areas. Despite raising the Syrian government’s flags on the guard posts surrounding the orchards, people are certain that Iranian-backed members are inside that area.
Al-Hassan calls on the international parties to open investigations into what is happening in those orchards and to return the residents to their homes near the orchards. The Iranian-backed militias prevented them from returning for fear of espionage of photography or knowing what is happening inside the area of the orchards.