Syrian Army increases its presence in Deir ez-Zor preparing for an attack on US-led coalition
The Syrian Army is amassing the troops on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River in preparation to attack the US-led coalition and retake the oil and gas fields which are under the control of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) , reports Syrian journalist Eyad Al-Hosain.
“Military preparations are underway. A massive military campaign will soon be launched. The Syrian army will enter the oil fields controlled by American-backed forces East of Euphrates, “writes the journalist on his Facebook page.
According to Al-Hosain, the Syrian military is preparing to launch an operation to retake the oil fields in the eastern countryside of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate.
There have been several attempts by the Assad forces and their allies to retake the oil and gas rich areas of Deir ez-Zor .
On March 3, units of Fatemiyoun and Zainebiyoun (Afghan and Pakistani Shia military formations fighting on the side of government troops in Syria and supported by Iran) have attempted to cross to the eastern bank the Euphrates River in the area of Al-Muhasan, but were attacked by the US-led coalition air force.
On March 22, the US-led coalition struck the positions of the Syrian army and allied forces to prevent the possible attack on the area controlled by the Coalition. The US reportedly had to carry out airstrikes because the large number of Syrian troops and armor accumulated on the eastern bank of the Euphrates in violation of previously reached agreements.
On February 7, in similar circumstances, the US-led coalition forces conducted the strike against the Russian military and the Syrian militia affiliated with Assad in the province of Deir ez Zor. The U.S. coalition said that the blow was struck in response to an attack on the headquarters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). According to Reuters, at least 100 people were killed in the attack while Russian sources provide a much higher number.