Syrian Republican Guard raid river crossing used by Iran in Deir ez-Zor
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – The Republican Guard of the Syrian government forces conducted on Sunday night a raid on a covert crossing on the Euphrates River in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, used by Iranian-backed militias to smuggle weapons.
A military source said that patrols of the Republican Guard, an elite and well-equipped unit of the government forces responsible for protecting the capital Damascus, targeted the water crossing linking the village of al-Merei’iyah on the west bank of the Euphrates River with the town of Khsham on the east bank.
The source added that the patrols, backed by Russian armored vehicles and helicopters, arrested several local Iranian-backed militants.
They also closed off the crossing with earthen barriers, and established a Republican Guard military post nearby, according to the source.
The raid took place after it was confirmed the crossing was being used by Iranian-backed militias to transport missiles and other weapons to villages in eastern Deir ez-Zor. These supplies were intended for attacks on bases of the U.S.-led Global Coalition in eastern Syria, the source noted.
The raid reflects increasing caution by the Syrian government. Faced with potential American or Israeli airstrikes, the government forces may be seeking to distance themselves from Iranian activities that provoke such threats.
On Sunday, a government source in Deir ez-Zor said that an Iranian-backed militia launched attacks on areas under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
According to the source, the government forces are concerned about possible strikes by U.S. or Israeli forces, and had warned the Iranian-backed militants earlier against targeting the SDF, leading to tensions between the two sides.
The Iranian-backed militants ignored these warnings, which escalated into clashes with the government forces, resulting in injuries to three militants.