[AnNahar] Syria's complex battle ground includes tens of thousands of fighters from several nationalities trained and armed by regime ally Iran, a deployment that has worried the United States and Israel.
| Around 15,000 proxy fighters from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistain are deployed in Deir Ezzor, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor. |
The eastern province of Deir Ezzor near the frontier with Iraq is a key hub for Iran's footmen, including Iraqi militia fighters, at least 22 of whom were killed in a U.S. strike there Thursday according to a war monitor.
With these fighters coming under greater scrutiny following the latest U.S. attack, AFP takes a look at the patchwork of Iran-backed forces stationed in the mostly non-existent border region between Syria and Iraq. |