Iranian Militias Set up Rocket Launchpads West of Euphrates in Syria

Pro-Iran militias in eastern Syria. (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
Pro-Iran militias in eastern Syria. (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
TT

Iranian Militias Set up Rocket Launchpads West of Euphrates in Syria

Pro-Iran militias in eastern Syria. (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
Pro-Iran militias in eastern Syria. (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)

Iran-backed militias have set up rocket launchpads in the Deir Ezzor region where the missiles have been directed towards areas under the control of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is backed by the international coalition.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the militias have established 13 launchpads equipped with surface-to-surface Iranian-made missiles in al-Mayadeen in eastern Deir Ezzor, while nine others were placed in a barn in the Hawi al-Mayadeen area.

All the launchpads are pointed towards the eastern Euphrates region. The nearest position to the platforms is the al-Omar oil field on the opposite bank of the river.

No confirmed information has been revealed about Iran’s purpose from the move, such as whether it was planning attacks.

On April 21, reliable sources in al-Mayadeen, in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, informed the Observatory that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) transported Iranian-made missiles concealed in the al-Rahba citadel to areas under the control of Iranian militias in the eastern countryside of al-Raqqah.

The shipment was smuggled in trucks used for transporting vegetables and fruit.

Earlier, the war monitor reported that a drone attack killed a commander of of the Iran-backed militias and injured five militants in al-Sayyal town.

The non-Syrian commander died in the attack on his home, 11 kilometers northwest of Albukamal city.

On March 22, an unidentified drone targeted oil wells in the Albukamal desert in Deir Ezzor, near the Syria-Iraq border.

According to Observatory sources, the targeted wells were restored by Iran-backed militias after they were destroyed by ISIS during its control of the area.



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)
TT

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.