Russian-Iranian rivalry | Russian forces bring in military reinforcement to Al-Bokamal city centre

SOHR sources have reported that Russian forces brought in new military reinforcement comprising military armoured vehicles and 4×4 vehicles with a submachine guns installed over them to Al-Bokamal city in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. The new reinforcement have been stationed at a football stadium in Al-Bokamal city centre, the headquarters of Al-Qaterji’s militias. This development comes as a part of Russian-Iranian rivalry in Syria.

 

On December 10, SOHR sources reported that Russian forces opened their first headquarters in Al-Bokamal city in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, near the Syria-Iraq border. According to SOHR sources, the Russian forces were stationed in the building of the “tourist hotel” in Al-Bokamal city centre. This development came after several attempts opposed by the Iranian militias which control the city.

 

Observatory sources also reported that the simmering Russian-Iranian conflict is once again coming to the fore, as each side in this “cold war” seeks to break the partnership of control and the decision-making regarding the Syrian crisis after the Syrian regime has become just a puppet in the hands of its allies.

 

According to SOHR statistics, the number of volunteers in southern Syria has exceeded 8,600. Meanwhile, the number of recent recruits in the ranks of Iranian forces and loyal militias in the west Euphrates region in Deir Ezzor countryside has risen to nearly 7,450 Syrian young males and adult men. Iranian militias intentionally intensify these recruitment operations, exploiting Russia’s preoccupation with recent agreements with Turkey regarding the “de-escalation zone” and north-eastern Syria.