In the Deir Ezzor region of eastern Syria, particularly around the towns of Al-Mayadeen and Al-Bukamal, a significant series of airstrikes targeted facilities associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), a key arm of the Iranian military, on Monday night. These airstrikes were reported to have aimed at a gathering of senior members of the IRGC, with Syrian media outlets suggesting that the strikes could have been timed to disrupt a high-level meeting.
The Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen TV reported several deaths and injuries as a result of these airstrikes, indicating a significant impact. Furthermore, the Iranian Mehr News Agency cited a source within the pro-Assad National Defense Forces, stating that a total of 10 airstrikes were executed across the targeted regions, extending to surrounding villages.
The origin of these airstrikes has been a subject of speculation among Syrian news outlets, with several pointing to the United States as the likely initiator. However, an American military official specifically refuted any U.S. involvement in the strikes during a statement to Al Jazeera on Monday night, leaving Israel the party likely responsible.
Amidst these conflicting reports, there were also unconfirmed accounts from the region indicating that an IRGC commander, known by the nom de guerre “Hajj Asker,” was either injured or killed in the operation. Despite the widespread reporting and speculation on the ground, there has been no official acknowledgment or confirmation from Iranian or Syrian government sources regarding the casualties or the precise nature of the meeting targeted.