Iranian Militias on Alert after East Syria Deployment Maps Leaked

A picture taken on March 22, 2017 near the town of Latamneh in the countryside of the central Syrian province of Hama, shows a displaced Syrian family travelling with their belongings down a road as two rebel fighters on a motorcycle drive past them. AFP file photo
A picture taken on March 22, 2017 near the town of Latamneh in the countryside of the central Syrian province of Hama, shows a displaced Syrian family travelling with their belongings down a road as two rebel fighters on a motorcycle drive past them. AFP file photo
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Iranian Militias on Alert after East Syria Deployment Maps Leaked

A picture taken on March 22, 2017 near the town of Latamneh in the countryside of the central Syrian province of Hama, shows a displaced Syrian family travelling with their belongings down a road as two rebel fighters on a motorcycle drive past them. AFP file photo
A picture taken on March 22, 2017 near the town of Latamneh in the countryside of the central Syrian province of Hama, shows a displaced Syrian family travelling with their belongings down a road as two rebel fighters on a motorcycle drive past them. AFP file photo

“Eye of the Euphrates” has published on its social media sites maps and detailed locations of 13 key Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) positions in the strategic Syrian city of al-Bukamal.

The page, which was created last year and has more than 122,000 followers, published a video showing a truck transporting arms and ammunition from one base to another.

It noted that the Iranian militias have gone on high alert and were changing their deployment locations.

Fatemiyoun leader in al-Bukamal Salman al-Irani has pledged a financial award to whoever provides information on the persons monitoring and taking photographs of Iranian militia bases.

Such developments come amid unprecedented tension between Iranian and Russian forces in the wake of Russian measures east of the Euphrates to limit Iranian influence in the area.

Among the locations revealed by “Eye of the Euphrates” is a site on the banks of the Euphrates river on the other side of al-Baghouz village which now falls under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces.

The site is a main base for Iranian militias, where 150 Fatemiyoun members are located.

Another map showed two key locations in Hay Jamiat, the first belonging to Hezbollah and the second to Harakat al-Nujaba.

This neighborhood also includes two headquarters for intelligence agents, one belonging to Hezbollah and the other to the IRGC.

According to “Eye of the Euphrates,” the headquarters of Zainebiyoun militias who are specialized in night patrols are widespread as well.

In Bukamal’s countryside, there is a base for the Fatemiyoun that constantly erects checkpoints to inspect civilians.

A meeting bringing together the national security advisers of Russia, the US, and Israel was held in Jerusalem last week to discuss Iranian presence in Syria and urged Moscow to engage in downsizing Iranian power.



Critical Hours Ahead in Lebanon’s Presidential Election

In this picture taken on December 16, 2024, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun walks towards the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
In this picture taken on December 16, 2024, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun walks towards the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
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Critical Hours Ahead in Lebanon’s Presidential Election

In this picture taken on December 16, 2024, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun walks towards the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
In this picture taken on December 16, 2024, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun walks towards the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)

Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun is moving closer to becoming president ahead of a key parliamentary session to elect a new head of state.

Growing support from lawmakers and the withdrawal of Hezbollah-backed candidate Suleiman Franjieh have boosted Aoun’s chances, raising hopes of ending a 26-month presidential deadlock.

Local and international efforts have intensified to secure Aoun’s election. With at least 74 votes in his favor, he is the frontrunner.

However, the total falls short of what’s needed to amend the constitution, which bars senior officials from being elected unless they’ve been out of office for two years.

Electing Aoun as president depends on securing 86 votes to amend the constitution.

This requires support from lawmakers in the Amal Movement, Hezbollah, and their allies (31 votes) or the Free Patriotic Movement, led by Jebran Bassil (13 votes).

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed optimism ahead of the election session, saying: “For the first time since the presidential vacancy, I feel hopeful. God willing, we will have a new president.”

In a post on the X platform on Wednesday, Franjieh, who is the leader of Marada, said: "Now that the conditions are ripe for the election of a president tomorrow, I am withdrawing my candidacy, which has never been an obstacle in the electoral process."

He added that Aoun "enjoys the qualities that would preserve the standing of the country’s top post."

He hoped "the nation would overcome this stage with unity, diligence and responsibility."

Kataeb MP Elias Hankash said Lebanon needs a president who can revive the country, noting that “no foreign powers are dictating our choices, but the qualifications fit one, two, or three candidates, with Army Commander Joseph Aoun as the frontrunner.”

He added that Aoun enjoys broad international support and consensus but stressed that the constitution must not be used as an excuse to delay the election.

Similarly, MP Fouad Makhzoumi, speaking from Dar al-Fatwa, called for a consensual president who can implement Security Council Resolution 1701, boost the economy, and restore the judiciary.

He described Aoun as the best candidate to achieve these goals and pledged to support him in all voting rounds. Makhzoumi also urged Speaker Nabih Berri to cooperate to protect Lebanon and ensure stability.