Largest Iranian military base evacuated in eastern Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Friday, Iranian-backed factions evacuated their largest military base eastern Syria fearful of anticipated attack following the bilateral Russian-Israeli agreement.
Militias affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) evacuated several positions in al-Bukamal, a city on the Syrian-Iraqi border, fearing an anticipated shelling on Imam Ali, the largest Iranian military base in eastern Syria, al-Sharq News, a local news agency, said.
Two days ago, the Jerusalem Post, an Israeli newspaper, quoted the Israeli Construction Minister Za’ev Elkin as saying “the Russian president Vladimir Putin and the Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett agreed to oust Iran and its proxy the ‘Lebanese Hezbollah’ from the Syrian territories”.
In October 22, the two presidents met for the first time in Sochi Resort, west of Russia, and discussed the situation in Syria and the Iranian nuclear program.
Regarding Russian/Israeli ties, Putin announced there were points of contact and opportunities for cooperation, in particular when it comes to fighting terrorism.
The Iranian militia moved around 100 members deployed in Imam Ali military base in al-Bukamal. The evacuation, towards Iraqi territories, was on sporadic batches through al-Sikak crossing, an unauthorized point on the Syrian-Iraqi border, according to al-Sharq News.
Last month, Iranian-backed factions moved about five armored vehicles loaded with medium and short-range rockets, Krasnopol ammunition and anti-tank warfare from Imam Ali base to al-Mayadin city in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor.
Recently, dozens of Iranian-backed militias have been killed and injured as a result of Israeli and American drones.
Israel implemented hundreds of airstrikes in Syria during the past few years with the aim to prevent Iranian-backed militias to establish entrenchments inside Syria.
The two cities of al-Bukamal and al-Mayadin are the largest Iranian military base inside Syria. The Iranian-backed militias transform civilians’ houses in the two cities to strongholds.