By Saeed al-Hayes
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Since the Iranian retaliatory attacks against Israeli positions, the Syrian government-held areas in Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria have been experiencing a state of uneasy calm.
The Iranian-backed militias affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), that control the western bank of the Euphrates River in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, are recruiting young men to deploy them to different fronts, including the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Global Coalition bases.
Pre-response
A security source of the IRGC told North Press that the government-held areas in Deir ez-Zor have experienced a heightened state of military readiness and increased identity checks on local individuals who joined Iranian-backed militias, following the Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1.
The source said that approximately 10 individuals, including women, were arrested on various charges, with the most prominent being their affiliation to external entities, specifically in the cities of Deir ez-Zor and al-Mayadin.
The source added that several local militants affiliated with the IRGC in Deir ez-Zor have been interrogated on allegations of leaking sensitive militia locations. However, they were later released due to a lack of evidence supporting the investigation.
According to the source, the IRGC brought in military reinforcements from the Syrian Desert to Deir ez-Zor. These reinforcements had been previously withdrawn following airstrikes that targeted the Vilat neighborhood in Deir ez-Zor, where Behrouz Wahidi, an Iranian national and a colonel in the IRGC, was killed.
The source also indicated that the IRGC issued orders for all their militias to be on full alert, with no leaves granted, following the consulate’s targeting in Damascus.
During the response
The security source indicated that the militias have heightened their state of maximum alert in the region in response to the targeting of the consulate in Damascus. They have installed drones and missiles launchers opposite the American bases on the opposite bank.
It is worth noting that the missiles and drones launchers have been installed in the areas of al-Haydariya and Shibli on the outskirts of the town of al-Mayadin, facing the al-Omar oil field base. Additionally, other launchers have been installed in the towns of Hatla and Marrat within the Seven Villages area, as well as in the town of al-Merei’iyah, opposite the Conoco gas field base.
This precautionary measure is driven by concerns that the American bases may join in targeting sites alongside Israeli forces in the region. The militias have also issued orders to cut off electricity to the entire area during the response operation, the source noted.
Additionally, the Iranian-backed militias received orders to deploy their local militants to all fronts and outskirts, while increasing readiness in Deir ez-Zor, al-Mayadin, Abu Kamal and al-Asharah.
After the response
The source said that the Iranian militias have restored the electricity supply after hours of completing the attack on Israel. They have also dismantled the missiles launchers that were installed opposite the U.S. bases in the region. Additionally, a significant number of personnel and equipment were withdrawn into the desert.
The source further explained that the militias chose to relocate their regular headquarters to the cities of Abu Kamal and al-Mayadin while keeping some militants in place. They have ended the state of high alert and allowed militants to resume their leaves.
The militias have postponed a training course for new recruits from the countryside of Hama and Homs. The course was scheduled to begin on April 13, but it was delayed due to the military alert in Deir ez-Zor following the Iranian attack against Israel, the source noted. It is noteworthy that the armed presence of the Iranian-affiliated militants has significantly diminished in the region, with a tense calm prevailing and no new directives are issued. This cautious approach stems from concerns regarding potential retaliatory measures by Israel in response to Iran’s attack.