Iran-backed militias operating in eastern Syria are isolated and fearful after a succession of international coalition air strikes targeted their infrastructure, weakened their missile arsenal and forced them into hiding, local sources said.
The air strikes significantly restricted the movement and activities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its proxies and forced them to take precautions to avoid further losses, they added.
A series of coalition air strikes on August 24 targeted infrastructure facilities used by groups affiliated with the IRGC in north-eastern Syria, including ammunition caches, missile platforms and logistical support equipment.
The strikes targeted sites on the outskirts of Deir Ezzor city, including al-Saiqa military camp, the IRGC’s Ayash weapons depots and positions of Lebanese Hezbollah and the Fatemiyoun Division.
They also targeted fortified Iran-backed militias positions in the desert around al-Mayadeen and Hawija-Sakr.
The strikes came in response to continuous threats to the headquarters of the international coalition forces tasked with curbing attacks carried out by “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria” (ISIS) remnants in Syrian territory.
On August 15, international coalition forces repelled multiple drones targeting al-Tanf garrison, in the tri-border area of southern Syria.
Iran-backed militias operating in the area have staged regular attacks on the garrison and on other bases hosting international coalition personnel.
On September 18, indirect fire struck in the vicinity of Green Village in eastern Syria, an incident the international coalition described as “an attempted attack on our coalition forces and partners”.
There were no casualties or damage to infrastructure.
Green Village also was attacked on August 16, and on January 5, coalition forces at Green Village were attacked by Iran-backed malign actors with eight rockets.
“The coalition and our partner forces are committed to the mission — maintaining the ongoing defeat of ISIS,” international coalition commander Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane said in a statement.
“Reckless actions such as this will not distract us.”