Syrian soldiers in Tel Rifaat city, Illustrative image.
Iranian-backed forces in the eastern Syrian governorate of Deir Ezzor had completed the construction of a new bridge on the Euphrates River, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on January 16.
According to the London-based monitoring group, commanders of Iranian forces and senior officers from the Syrian Arab Army and the National Defense Forces in Deir Ezzor attended the bridge opening ceremony.
The new bridge links seven government-held towns on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, Hatla, Murat, Mazloum, Khasham, Tabiya, Salhiya, and Husayniyah, with the government-held city of Deir Ezzor.
Assad militia & friends are building a new improvised river crossing in Deir Ezzor by laying pipes in the Euphrates and covering them with dirt https://t.co/yx2R7VGfr0 https://t.co/5qrvEihTKN pic.twitter.com/nYMPFUc8LB
— Samir (@obretix) December 31, 2021
Iranian-backed forces in Deir Ezzor began the construction of the bridge last December. These forces maintain a strong presence in government-held towns on the eastern bank of the Euphrates. Many of the locals there are from the Islamic Shiite sect.
The SOHR claims that Iranian-backed forces will use the bridge to move weapons and military equipment across the Euphrates River.
This is the second bridge to link government-held towns on the eastern bank of the Euphrates with the western bank. The first bridge was constructed by the Russian military a few years ago and is currently run by Syrian authorities.
