Nowhere is ISIS in Syria more numerous than in the deserts of Deir Ezzor Province. This is where today’s attack came from, as ISIS fighters came out of the desert, hitting an outpost near al-Mayadin, killing nine Shi’ite militia members.
Mayadin is a town along the Euphrates River, meaning it is surrounded on both sides by desert. This means ISIS can show up out of nowhere and move against fighters in the area, giving the others little time to react or reinforce.
ISIS has been carrying out growing hit and runs like this, trying to reestablish themselves as a real force in Syria. That will ultimately mean relocating to populated areas from the desert, but for now they seem to be hitting where they can.
The slain militia members were reportedly all Syrian nationals, though Iranian-trained. In general, Shi’ite militia members are presented as Iranian, but when the incident was in Syria, and they were in Syria, that seemed not to be a credible assertion.
So is ISIS an Israeli proxy or were the IDF in costume?
Deir Azzor.
Look it up — and answer question: WHO controls the area? This is the area that US does not allow Syrian forces to take over.
Syria could EASILY take that region under control — but US does not allow it.
On Jordanian border, there is Al-Tanf, US base. Next to it is firmer refugee camp, Al-Ruqba, where ISIS is present along with another bizarre group US funded for years. US still keeps there the mostly defunct SDF — Syrian Democratic Forces. They are 100% Kurds, but the name is kept. Why? With hope that US can force Arabs of Deir Azzor to join it — giving legitimacy to SDF.
US has NO allies among Syrians — and that hurts. Therefore, a NEW snd IMPROVED train and equip fund is created. This will be used to dress up whatever leftover militants — create probably a make believe president, a government, a fake constitution to cement US presence by Euphrates. This is why the make-believe ISIS attacked Syrian Army guards along Euphrates. Sounds so much better when saying these were “Shia” militia.
The hottest proponent of US ensconcing itself along Euphrates is Israel. To control Jordan-Syria-Iraq border.
Looks like we are back in the business of creating militants in Syria. Sad. More bloodshed for folly.