The Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen reports, citing its correspondent in Iraq, that the Syrian army has deployed reinforcements from the 72nd Division to the Al-Bukamal area near the border with Iraq. The report adds that Iraqi forces have been monitoring the border using drones for several days. The move follows earlier reports of a Syrian military alert level raise and border reinforcements, as The Zioneer reported at 19:40.
The Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen reported Tuesday evening, citing its correspondent in Iraq, that the Syrian army has deployed reinforcements from the 72nd Division to the Al-Bukamal area near the Syria-Iraq border. The report also stated that Iraqi security forces have been monitoring the border with drones for several days. The 72nd Division is a mechanized infantry division of the Syrian Arab Army, typically stationed near Deir ez-Zor, and its deployment to the strategic border town signals a heightened state of readiness.
The development follows a sequence of reports The Zioneer has been tracking since Tuesday evening. At 18:25 Jerusalem, the Saudi outlet Al-Arabiya reported that the Syrian army had raised its alert level without stating a reason. Within the same minute, The Zioneer reported that the alert was raised to level 3 and forces were deployed along the Iraq border, with soldiers ordered to report to their units. Shortly after, troops were instructed not to take photographs during the deployment. At 19:40 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that Al-Arabiya, citing its sources, confirmed the alert raise, while the pro-Iranian Iraqi outlet Sabreen News claimed additional border reinforcements were being transferred. The source quality has evolved from a single Al-Arabiya report (which Abu Ali Express noted has occasionally published unreliable reports) to multiple outlets, including a pro-Iranian source, and now Al-Mayadeen adds specific unit identification.
The Zioneer previously reported on August 2, 18:05 Jerusalem, that a Syrian helicopter had breached Iraqi airspace and the Syrian army was reinforcing border towns, following a warning from Damascus to Baghdad that any attack from Iraqi territory would draw a response. Earlier, on August 2, 00:41 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that the Syrian army deployed forces along the Iraq border amid fears of a Shiite militia invasion from Iraq. These earlier incidents provide context for the current heightened alert.
The reason for the Syrian military moves remains unstated. The Al-Mayadeen report did not specify the trigger for the reinforcement or the Iraqi monitoring. Additionally, official Syrian media have not confirmed the deployments, and the reports rely on sources with varying reliability.
4 developments
- DevelopingSyrian helicopter enters Iraqi airspace; army reinforces border towns
- StrongSyrian army deployed forces along Iraq border amid fears of Shiite militia invasion
- DevelopingSyrian army reportedly moves commando force to Lebanon border, ready to raid Hezbollah-protected safe haven for Assad officers
- DevelopingIraqi media report air defense systems deployed along Iraq-Iran border
Source and signal
- Open-source intake