Syria: Airstrike targets pro-Iranian militia in Al Bukamal district (Deir ez-Zor province) November 26

Event

Suspected Israeli aircraft carried out airstrikes targeting military sites affiliated to pro-Iranian militia groups in Al Bukamal district (Deir ez-Zor province) on Thursday, November 26. The airstrikes killed at least 19 militia members and several others were wounded. Vehicles and military equipment were also destroyed in the strikes. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not confirmed responsibility for the attack. Further strikes on targets associated with pro-Iranian militia groups are likely to take place in the region over the near term.

Context

Al Bukamal, near the Iraqi border, has witnessed several airstrikes against Iranian-linked targets in recent months, with the attacks blamed on Israel. Israeli officials have not confirmed responsibility for the attacks; however, this is standard procedure for attacks carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Syria. The Israeli military has been accused of more than 200 raids on targets in Syria over the past two years, many of which have been arms depots and military facilities allegedly receiving arms and fighters from Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah group.

Advice

Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise against all travel to Syria, with some banning travel to the country. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to Syria.