Competing  with Iranian-backed militias | Russian forces deploy affiliated troops in Palmyra, east of Homs

Eight Russian helicopters have arrived at Palmyra military airport from Russia’s Hmeimim base in Lattakia province, SOHR reliable source said.

On the other hand, convoy of joint forces of the “Fifth Corps” and “Liwaa Al-Quds”, comprising 100 soldiers, armoured vehicles, and tanks, headed from Deir Ezzor to Palmyra in eastern Homs countryside, at Russia’ orders. The convoy was escorted by Russian helicopters

According to SOHR sources, Russian forces intend to establish new military posts for the Russian-backed “Fifth Corps” and “Liwaa Al-Quds” in Palmyra city and its desert with the aim to compete with Iranian-backed militias which are also deployed in that region in large groups.

Moreover, Russian forces intend to launch a large-scale military campaign under direct supervision of Russian officers only to search for ISIS members hidden in Palmyra desert, as they have been more active and numerous throughout the Syrian desert in recent times.

On December 28, SOHR activists monitored the arrival of “4th Division” military reinforcements to Palmyra and its surroundings, east of Homs, to repel ISIS’s new plan to attack military positions of the regime forces and Iranian-backed militias in the vicinity of Palmyra in the celebration of New Year’s Day.

While on December 19, SOHR sources reported that pro-Iranian militias stationed in Palmyra and its surroundings east of Homs Province redeployed and fortified their positions for fear of being targeted.
The militias were stationed in following sites:

Jabal Owaimer near Al-Amiriya village in the north-east of Palmyra. The remains of hundreds of people who were killed in Palmyra prison had been buried under that mountain since 1980s. It is worth noting that the mountain contains warehouses for fuel and weapons.

The new branch building on Palmyra-Deir Ezzor highway.

Those sites were fortified with soil barriers.