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Iranian-backed forces have deployed decoy rocket launchers in the government-held part of the eastern Syrian governorate of Deir Ezzor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on July 9.
According to the London-based monitoring group, Iranian-backed forces in southern Deir Ezzor also redeployed and camouflaged a number of real rocket launchers which are aimed at US bases on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River.
“The Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas militia set up fake rocket launchers near the ancient fortress of al-Rahba in the outskirts of al-Mayadin, as did the Afghan Fatemiyoun militia by erecting fake launchers near the grain depots in the area in order to trick reconnaissance planes and warplanes of the [US-led] international coalition,” the SOHR’s report reads.
US-led coalition intelligence gathering planes were spotted spying on Iranian-backed forces in southern Deir Ezzor on several occasions.
Recently, several attacks targeted US bases on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. On June 28, a barrage of 32 rockets hit the US main base in the al-Omar oil fields. On July 4, explosions were again reported at the oil fields. The SDF said that a base in the CONICO gas plant was targeted with rockets, before denying any attack. On July 7, a drone attack targeted one of the US bases in the fields. The SDF claimed that the attack was foiled.
Iranian-backed forces in southern Deir Ezzor were allegedly behind all the recent attacks on US bases across the Euphrates River. The US even responded to the June 28 rocket attack by shelling positions manned by Iranian-backed fighters in government-held areas.
The SOHR’s report indicate that Iranian-backed forces are preparing for a long military confrontation with US forces in Syria.
