Iranian-backed groups in Syria may use roadside bombs - report

Iranian-backed groups in Syria have carried out dozens of attacks on US forces since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. These include attacks on the US garrison at Tanf in Syria near the Iraq-Jordan border. These also include attacks on facilities where US forces are located in the middle Euphrates River valley, such as Conoco and Omar field and other sites near Deir Ezzor. 

According to an assessment in the pro-Iran Al-Mayadeen media, these attacks are not having the level of impact that Iran may have expected. While the report claims that there have been injuries among US forces, the overall assessment is that the groups Iran backs in Syria have to use “handmade” weapons. This shows they are not well-armed.  

The report says they have targeted various places in Syria where US forces are present, such as Conco, Tanf, Rukban, Shaddadi, Kharab Al-Jir “airport,” the Rumeilan area, Tal Baydar, and Qasrak in the Hasakah countryside. The report says this “constitutes about two-thirds of the American bases in the country, which amount to 14 bases.” The US has forces in Syria to back the Syrian Democratic Forces and the defeat of ISIS.  

The assessment, apparently by Iran’s own minders who keep a close eye on these groups and report to pro-Iran media, is that “the data indicate that the resistance is continuing to escalate while working to develop it to the stage of targeting of American ground movements through mines and explosive devices until its goal of pushing the Americans to withdraw completely from the areas they occupy is achieved.” READ MORE