IRGC moves key leaders, weapons to Palmyra fearing US strikes
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) moved key leaders of Iranian nationality and weapon warehouses from several positions in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria, to one of their headquarters in the eastern countryside of Homs for fear of US strikes.
On March 25 at dawn, military positions of the IRGC in eastern Syria were targeted by US airstrikes. The airstrikes came after an Iranian drone attack that killed an American contractor and injured several US soldiers on March 23, according to the Pentagon.
A military source in the IRGC in Deir ez-Zor said that their forces moved key leaders, including al-Haj Mawla, the ammunition officer in the Vanguard Camp, and three vehicles carrying weapons and ammunition to the Qatari Palace headquarters (Moza Palace) near Palmyra in the eastern countryside of Homs in central Syria.
The IRGC evacuated one of their positions near the railways in Abu Kamal, leaving only guards of Syrian nationality, according to the source.
The source added that the Iranian militias moved commanders from headquarters near Ain Ali shrine using civilian cars for camouflage to the Qatari Palace base in Palmyra.
These measures came for fear of similar airstrikes that happened recently in the region. The source confirmed that other measures would be disclosed after holding a meeting for the IRGC in Zamlat al-Muhr field in Homs countryside. The meeting is scheduled for the next two days.
Recently, the region has witnessed mutual airstrikes between the Global Coalition and the IRGC amid escalation between both parties.
US president Joe Biden threatened Iran on March 24 to act “forcefully” to protect his troops. This came following a military escalation between both sides in Syria in tandem with criticism of the US president’s weak response to Iranian attacks.
Biden said he does not intend a conflict with Iran but warned of the consequences of launching attacks by Iran-backed militias against US personnel.