35 Iran-backed terrorists die in an airstrike in Syria

Unidentified warplanes attacked Iran-backed militants fighting in ranks of Assad regime in Deir ez-Zor

ANKARA:

At least 35 Iran-backed militants fighting in the ranks of the Assad regime were reported killed on Saturday in an airstrike in Deir ez-Zor province in eastern Syria.  

Unidentified warplanes targeted a military convoy of Iran-backed foreign militants in Deir ez-Zor province, Albukamal region along the Iraqi border, according to local sources. 

Two high ranking commanders were also killed in the attack. 

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the strike. 

Along the Syria-Iraq border, Deir ez-Zor also connects Iran to Lebanon. 

Pipelines and trade routes from Iraq and Jordan also pass through this province. 

With the help of Russia and Iran-backed militias, the central and the western parts of Deir ez-Zor fell to the Assad regime after Daesh/ISIS militants retreated from the region. 

The majority of Iran-backed foreign militias fighting along with the Asad regime's forces on land are located in Deir ez-Zor. 

These groups, in the Sunni-majority population are being commanded by Iranian Revolutionary Guards. 

Iran-backed militias give training based on sects, organise cultural activities, and supervise the opening of Shia prayer centers in the predominantly Sunni region. 

Deir ez-Zor territory on the east of Euphrates, on the other hand, is currently under the control of militants organisation YPG/PKK. 

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK - listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and EU - has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.