Iran-linked militia in eastern Syria detain ex-members who went AWOL over salary delays

A militia affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has arrested members in the eastern Syria province of Deir az-Zour who quit after pay delays, according to local media.

The IRGC-linked 47th Regiment made the arrests in the town of Abu Kamal close to the Syria-Iraq border in recent days, Amjad al-Sari, a member of local news network Eye of Euphrates told The New Arab's Arabic-language sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

They were arrested "after they left the service, due to the delay in salaries", al-Sari said.

Other local media have also reported arrests by the 47th regiment of former members in recent days.

Deir az-Zour province is home to various armed groups, including the Syrian regime and allied forces that include Iran-backed militias.

The Islamic State group maintains a presence in the area, killing fighters from other groups including militias Tehran backs.

Most members of the 47th regiment are Syrians, al-Sari said.

With little in the way of employment opportunities, young men in Deir az-Zour face almost no other option but to either flee the area or join armed groups for paltry pay, he added.

Iran has been a key supporter of the Syrian regime long before a war that has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced millions more broke out in 2011.

It has poured in thousands of foreign militia fighters to help bolster the Assad regime.

Fighters from other Iran-backed groups, including Lebanese militia Hezbollah, are also reportedly present in the area.