Syria Reports Strike in Eastern Area Known to Host Iran-linked Militias

Syrian state news reported an airstrike in Deir el-Zour on Saturday, the second reported within a week in the eastern province that has seen a growing presence of Iran-backed forces.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there were several bombings in the area, near the Iraqi border, reporting on damage or casualties.

Syria didn't say who was responsible for the strike.

At least five explosions were heard, according to the monitor, in the Hawijah Kateh area and a nearby bridge north of Deir el-Zour city, which is held by government and Iran-aligned groups.

Syrian state media also reported the attack but gave no details.

Deir el-Zour is a strategic province that borders Iraq and contains oil fields.

Iran-backed militia groups and regime forces control the area and have often been the target of Israeli war planes in previous strikes. Israel has staged hundreds of strikes on targets in Syria over the years but rarely acknowledges or discusses such operations.

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Earlier this month, unidentified fighter jets attacked military facilities used by Iranian-backed militias in the rural area surrounding Deir el-Zour. No casualties were reported.

Last week, Syria reported an Israeli missile attack on the suburbs of the Syrian capital Damascus, which killed four soldiers and wounded three others. The Syrian Defense Ministry said the attack caused material damage. The Observatory said Iranian weapons depots had been targeted.