IRGC leader killed in IED blast in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Unidentified individuals killed late on Sunday a leader in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) by planting an IED in his vehicle in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria.
A military source within the IRGC told North Press that unknown gunmen planted an IED in the vehicle of the so-called Ali al-Dalal, who is an IRGC leader of Iraqi nationality.
The sources pointed out that al-Dalal, along with another leader in the IRGC, went after midnight to patrol nearby posts. The vehicle exploded shortly after leaving its post.
Al-Dalal was killed immediately in the explosion whereas the other leader survived, sustaining only minor injuries, according to the source.
The IRGC investigated with all militants present in the post following the explosion, the source added.
Meanwhile, a military source in the National Defense Forces (NDF), a pro-Syrian government militia, said a member of the Fourth Division of the government forces altercated with NDF militants over truffle trade near a market on the outskirts of the Bishri desert in the western countryside of Deir ez-Zor.
The source told North Press the altercation evolved into a shooting, killing Sab’ al-Majid, 29, and Layth al-Jumaa, 36. Both men are militants in the NDF.
Recently, tension between the Fourth Division and the NDF escalated over sharing lands where truffles grow.
Each year, hundreds of Syrians risk their lives in the vast Syrian Desert, which produces high-quality truffles. The late winter season is largely seen as an opportunity to earn a good income, due to the high prices paid for the desert delicacy, despite the threats of landmines and presence of Islamic State (ISIS) sleeper cells.
The Monitoring and Documentation Department of North Press Agency documented the killing and injury of 266 truffle hunters across Syria at the end of truffle season in 2023.