Iranian pilgrimage convoy visits Syria’s Dei ez-Zor
DEIR AZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – The second convoy of Iranian Shia (pilgrims) entered Syrian territory yesterday through al-Bukamal crossing point on the Iraqi border. The convoy is to visit the holy sites in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor known as “Holy Shrines”.
A convoy of 225 people (pilgrims), mostly Iranian nationals and five Iraqis, have visited the Shiite religious site known as Ain Ali shrine, a mineral water spring-well in the outskirts of al-Mayadin town in Der ez-Zor, eyewitnesses told North Press.
The pilgrims get washed with the spring water, filled their bottles with water and took photos in the shrine. After that, the pilgrims travelled for Damascus, the eyewitnesses said.
Two days ago, a convoy of Iranian citizens entered Syria’s Deir ez-Zor through al-Bukamal crossing point on the Iraqi border and visited the Holy Shrines located in Iran-backed factions held areas.
Iranian-backed militias control al-Bukamal and most of the towns surrounding it completely. The Syrian government forces presence is limited in the security zone in Deir ez-Zor and they never intervene in the city.
Iran attempts to recruit the adults as well as the children into its ranks and indoctrinate Shiite culture in the city by different methods with the aim to increase its penetration in eastern Syria, according to local people testimonies.
Approximately 30 centers designated to enlist people into the ranks of Iranian-backed militias are scattered in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor. Most of the centers were civilians’ houses seized by Iranian-backed militias on allegations that their owners live in areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) or in areas held by the Syrian opposition factions.