Assassination attempt | Unknown assailants attack leader of IRGC-affiliated “Al-Abbas Brigade” in south Deir Ezzor desert
Reliable SOHR sources have confirmed that “Adnan Abbas”, the leader of “Al-Abbas Brigade” of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Al-Mayadeen city, was ambushed by unknown gunmen in Kabajib area in the southern desert of Deir Ezzor, on the road between Deir Ezzor and Palmyra.
“Adnan Al-Abbas” survived the attack, after the attackers opened machinegun fire on the column of the Iranian-backed leader, injuring several members escorting him, including a dignitary of Al-Bo Hameed tribe from Al-Mayadeen and another commander of “Al-Abbas Brigade”.
It is worth noting the column was attacked while heading from Hama to Deir Ezzor, after offering condolences on the death of a regime officer in Hama.
A few hours ago, SOHR sources reported that the frontlines of Al-Rahjan, Al-Shakousiyyah and Athariyah in the eastern countryside of Hama in the Syrian desert experienced fierce battles between regime forces and loyalists on one hand, and “Islamic State” on the other, as a part of ISIS attack on regime positions. These violent and intense ISIS attacks were inflecting the heavy human and material losses on regime.
Despite the considerable participation of Russian fighter jets and regime jets and helicopters in repelling ISIS attacks, ISIS continued its attacks on the fourth consecutive day. Moreover, ISIS managed to capture a regime military post and seized weapons and ammunition of regime forces in Athariyah countryside.
Meanwhile, SOHR activists documented further fatalities on both sides as a result of the intensive aerial and ground shelling and fierce clashes during the past 90 hours. The number of fatalities among regime forces and loyalists has risen to 39, while ISIS lost 22 members so far. The death toll is expected to rise further, as several soldiers and members have been injured, some seriously.
Since 24th of March 2019, SOHR has documented the killing of at least 887 regime soldiers and loyalists of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities, including at least two Russians, and 140 Iranian-backed militiamen of non-Syrian nationalities. All were killed in attacks, bombings and ambushes by the “Islamic State”, west of Euphrates in the deserts of Deir Ezzor, Homs, and Al-Suwaidaa.
Also, four civilians working in gas fields, 11 shepherds and four other people were killed and documented by SOHR in the same period, from late March 2019 until today. They were killed in attacks by ISIS cells. While 482 ISIS members were also killed in attacks and bombardment in the same period.