Iran-backed fighters in eastern Syria moved after deadly US strikes

Fighters with Iran-backed militias in eastern Syria were moved on Sunday after US strikes hit their positions and caused deaths and damage to equipment.

Militias in the east of Deir az-Zour province moved fighters from Al-Bukamal city to the town of Al-Mayadeen on Sunday evening, local sources told The New Arab's Arabic-language sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Other groups of militants were moved from the village of Hatla to Al-Bukamal, the sources said.

The combatants who were transferred to different positions belonged to the Fatemiyoun and Afghaniyoun militias.

It came after their positions in Deir az-Zour and Al-Bukamal cities were hit by deadly US bombing, and it is expected that the move aims to place new guards at locations that have yet to be attacked.

There were 19 fighters – 14 Syrians and five foreigners – killed in the US bombing in the eastern province, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Washington carried out the strikes in response to a drone attack on Thursday that left one American contractor dead, and another wounded along with five US troops. The US said the attack was of Iranian origin.

So far in 2023, sites belonging to Iran-backed militias in eastern Syria or movements along the Syria-Iraq border have been subjected to six airstrikes.

Iran is a major political and military player in Syria, where it maintains a network of militias.

Tehran, like Russia, is a crucial ally of the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad.

Reuters contributed to this report.