Iran-backed militias to launch more attacks on SDF in Deir ez-Zor
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – An exclusive source told North Press on Wednesday that the ground attack in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, was planned by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and another official from the General Intelligence Branch of the Syrian government.
The source revealed that the so-called Haj Muhammad, an official in the IRGC, met with the government’s General Intelligence official four days ago in Damascus and they developed a plan to attack the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, an area under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
He added that Haj Muhammad headed to Deir ez-Zor after the meeting and met with Iraqi leaders from the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and Syrian leaders affiliated with the Iranian militias, including Hashim al-Sattam and Firas al-Iraqi.
After that, the Iranian official went to the town of Abu Kamal and the village of Hatla, east of Deir ez-Zor. The visit was completely classified, and they moved in civilian vehicles, the source noted.
He explained that among the orders given to al-Sattam was to distract the SDF posts at multiple points and enter from other points. Al-Sattam arranged this plan and mobilized dozens of militants to those areas.
The source pointed out that al-Sattam is now preparing dozens of militants to attack more than 15 other posts of the SDF in that area to distract them, noting that the militants mobilized for this attack will be Iraqi nationals from the Iranian-backed Sayyid al-Shuhada militia and the Imam Ali militia.
On Tuesday night, militias affiliated with the Syrian government forces attacked areas held by the SDF in the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, east of Deir ez-Zor.
The head of SDF’s Media Center, Farhad Shami, said on his Facebook account that the attacks were carried out upon orders from Hossam Luka, head of the General Intelligence Directorate of the Syrian government.