The Islamic Republic Smuggles Weapons To Iraq And Syria Under The Guise Of Vegetable Shipments

The Islamic Republic continues to strengthen its presence in Syria

ICBPS- Saudi-owned Al Arabiya on March 18 reported that the Islamic Republic still continues its destructive activities in the reagion, smuggles weapons to Iraq and Syria under the guise of vegetable shipments.
While Assad-controlled areas in Syria are experiencing catastrophic living conditions and extreme poverty, trade is ongoing between the IRGC side (in Syria) and Tehran-affiliated militias in Iraq. The Islamic Republic, however, continues to strengthen its presence in Syria.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), trucks carrying vegetables, fruits, and other commercial goods go through legal and illegal crossing borders between Syria and Iraq, especially west of the Euphrates.
Militants affiliated with the Iranian regime are often active in this business route to transport arms shipments to the militias-controlled areas under the guise of vegetable shipments.
Nearly 15,000 Tehran-backed fighters are in the region. The West of the Euphrates River, in Deir ez-Zor province bordering with Iraq, is the main area of influence of Tehran and its loyal militias in Syria, including the Iraqi militias.
Pro-Islamic Republic militias stay on the outskirts of Deir ez-Zor on the west of the Euphrates. According to the SOHR, there are about 15,000 Iraqi, Afghan and Pakistani militias loyal to the Islamic Republic in Deir ez-Zor, especially in the area between the border towns of Al Bukamal and Deir ez-Zor to al-Mayadin.

In addition, thousands of fighters and military advisers of the Revolutionary Guards are in Syria, but Tehran only acknowledges the presence of advisers who assist the Syrian regime forces.

The forces of Islamic Republic regime and its militias have established military bases and barracks since they were deployed to the Deir ez-Zor area. Over the years, airstrikes have targeted trucks carrying weapons, ammunition, as well as slums and the militants’ bases, especially in the area between Al-Mayadin and Al Bukamal.

The Institute of Capacity Building for Political Studies (ICBPS) is a non-governmental research institute focusing on political studies, international security, and international relations.