File image.
The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had deployed a mobile air-defense system in the southern countryside of Syria’s Deir Ezzor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on August 7.
According to the London-based monitoring group, the air-defense system was deployed in the in the al-Mazar’a area in the outskirts of the town of al-Mayadin. The group said that the system was armed with “several missiles,” without providing any further details.
A few days after the deployed of the air-defense system, a convoy of 20 trucks carrying anti-aircraft guns and military equipment arrived in the Shrine of Ain Ali, which is also located near al-Mayadin. Iranian-backed forces guarding the area were placed on high-alert when the convoy arrived.
Iranian-backed Syrian and Iraqi forces maintain a large military presence in southern Deir Ezzor, especially in al-Mayadin and its outskirts. The US and Israel have carried out airstrikes on the area on many occasions over the last few years.
The Syrian Arab Air Defense Forces are not active in southern Deir Ezzor due to their limited resources. As a result of this, hostile warplanes can operate in the area with much freedom.
The IRGC appears to be building a complete air-defense network to protect its forces and allies in southern Deir Ezzor. Last week, a radar was deployed in the area, possibly to provide early warning.
