New Iranian-Backed Syrian Group Forms Special Operation Unit In Deir Ezzor

A newly-founded Iranian-backed group in Syria’s Deir Ezzor had formed its first special operation unit, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on March 24.

The group, which is known as the Sayyidah Zaynab Brigade, was formed more than year ago by Moayad al-Duwaihi, a former fighter of the National Defense Forces, with support from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The town of al-Mayadin in the southern countryside of Deir Ezzor is reportedly the main stronghold of the group.

According to the SOHR, the group completed the formation of its first special operation unit after training 100 fighters from al-Mayadin and other parts of Deir Ezzor. The training course was held in the village of Ayyash in the northern Deir Ezzor countryside.

“The 100 fighters, who were chosen for the special operation unit, have high qualifications,” the London-based monitoring group said in its report.

The Sayyidah Zaynab Brigade was likely formed to help counter ISIS in southern and western countryside of Deir Ezzor. The terrorist group’s cells have been waging an insurgency in theses areas and other parts of central Syria for the last few years.

Iranian-backed forces have been playing a key role in the fight against ISIS in central Syria. These forces were also reportedly responsible for some recent attacks on US bases in the northeastern region of Syria.

In the last few years, several Israeli and US airstrikes targeted Iranian-backed forces in Deir Ezzor. Despite this, they continue to strengthen their presence in the governroate.

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