IRGC Drone Strikes ISIS Positions at Syria-Iraq Border

Al-Alam news agency reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has destroyed several positions of the Islamic State (ISIS) group at the "Syria-Iraq border" using its drones. The report from Al-Alam, an Arabic-language media outlet affiliated with the Iranian government, did not specify the exact time and location but mentioned that "a large number of vehicles, military equipment, and munitions" belonging to ISIS were destroyed in this operation. Previously, Iranian state television had reported on drone strikes by the IRGC and the "Fatimiyoun Brigade" against a convoy of ISIS forces in the "Deir ez-Zor" region at the Iraq-Syria border. On Friday, September 3, the Iranian state news network released a video claiming that a convoy of ISIS forces intended to attack the Deir ez-Zor area, which is under the control of forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad, on Thursday, September 2. According to the report, IRGC drones identified this convoy and targeted it with missiles. Meanwhile, while the IRGC announced its drone strike against ISIS, Iranian drones have also been spotted in the skies over Syria. On Tuesday, September 28, Israel announced that it had shot down a drone in the skies over Syria near Israeli airspace using a Patriot missile. At the same time, Israel reported firing several other missiles at neighboring areas. Israeli media cited military officials claiming that the downed drone was operated by Hezbollah and had been launched from Damascus airport. Reports indicated that the drone was approaching Israeli airspace in the Syrian Golan Heights. While Iranian armed drones are conducting operations in Syria and Iraq, the Associated Press reported, citing pilots of U.S. fighter jets aboard the USS Nimitz, that Iranian drones flying over U.S. ships are unarmed. The Associated Press noted that an unarmed Iranian drone flew again over the USS Nimitz in the Persian Gulf, raising concerns among American commanders. The presence of this Iranian drone over the massive USS Nimitz was first reported by U.S. fighter pilots as they landed on the deck of the ship. For senior commanders serving on this ship, the presence of such low-flying drones over the vessels is concerning, as observation drones may become armed and pose a threat to U.S. ships in one of the most strategically important waterways in the international economy.