The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Tuesday, October 22, that since the beginning of 2024, it has documented 121 Israeli attacks on Syria, resulting in the deaths of over 200 members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iranian-backed proxy militias.
SOHR reported that out of the 121 attacks this year, 98 were airstrikes, while the remainder were missile attacks by Israeli ground forces. These attacks targeted various locations in Syria, destroying more than 200 sites, including buildings, weapons and ammunition depots, command centers, and vehicles.
According to SOHR, 295 individuals were killed in these attacks, with 181 others wounded.
The SOHR list of casualties includes 50 members of Hezbollah, 28 Iraqi nationals, 75 Syrian militiamen supported by the Iranian regime, 24 non-Syrian militiamen backed by Tehran, 56 Syrian army soldiers, and one unidentified person near “Al-Muallim Square” in Quneitra on the Golan Heights.
On Monday, October 21, SOHR quoted its sources in Deir ez-Zor province, stating that for security reasons, Iranian-backed militias are reducing their public presence in the city of Al-Bukamal in the eastern countryside of the province and in areas near the Syria-Iraq border.
Many headquarters in secure areas have been evacuated of foreign forces, with their security now being handled by local forces in Deir ez-Zor.
According to the report, the city of Al-Bukamal has also witnessed a significant reduction in the presence of foreign forces, patrol activities, and checkpoints, which were previously overseen by members of the IRGC and the Fatemiyoun Division, formed by Iran’s regime.
According to these sources, forces stationed at certain checkpoints, especially at the entrance and exit of Al-Suwiya city, have been replaced by local forces. Meanwhile, foreign militias, fearing airstrikes on new shipments, have distributed large amounts of weapons to depots across various parts of Deir ez-Zor province.
SOHR sources also confirmed that foreign commanders have left the area and moved to Iraq to manage operations remotely.
The report also indicates that despite efforts to recruit locals, many military training courses have been canceled due to local leaders’ refusal to participate, stemming from fears of airstrikes.
