Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: 200 IRGC Members and Tehran's Proxy Militias Killed This Year

On Tuesday, October 23, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that since the beginning of 2024, there have been 121 Israeli attacks recorded in Syria, resulting in the deaths of over 200 members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and proxy militia groups affiliated with Tehran. The organization, based in London, noted that out of the 121 attacks this year, 98 were airstrikes, while the rest were missile attacks by Israeli ground forces, targeting several positions in Syria, destroying over 200 sites including buildings, weapons and ammunition depots, command centers, and vehicles. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 295 people were killed in these attacks, with 181 others injured. The Observatory stated that 25 of the deceased were Iranian members of the IRGC. In recent years, several commanders of the IRGC have been killed in Syria in attacks attributed to Israel. The list of casualties includes 50 members of Hezbollah, 28 Iraqi nationals, 75 Syrian militants supported by the Islamic Republic, 24 non-Syrian militants backed by Tehran, 56 Syrian army soldiers, and an unidentified individual near the 'Al-Ma'lam' square in Quneitra in the Golan Heights. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also pointed out that following these attacks, 42 civilians were killed, including a Yemeni doctor and his wife and three children, two children, and nine women, with nearly 53 other civilians injured. The report mentions that in one of these attacks, Bara Al-Qatarji, a prominent businessman close to Iranians, and his cousin were killed. On Monday, October 30, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported from its sources in Deir ez-Zor that Iranian-affiliated militias are reducing their public presence in the city of Al-Bukamal in the eastern outskirts of the province and areas near the Syrian-Iraqi border for security reasons. According to the organization's website, many bases in security areas have been vacated by foreign forces, with local Deir ez-Zor forces taking over their guarding. The report states that Al-Bukamal has also seen a significant decrease in the presence of foreign forces and their patrols and checkpoints, which were previously overseen by members of the IRGC and the Fatemiyoun Brigade formed by the Islamic Republic. Sources indicate that forces stationed at some checkpoints, especially at the entrance to Al-Suwaya city and the end of this city, have been replaced by local forces. At the same time, foreign militias, fearing airstrikes on new shipments, have distributed large amounts of weapons in various warehouses across Deir ez-Zor province. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also confirmed that foreign commanders have left the area and moved to Iraq to manage operations remotely. The report further indicates that despite efforts to recruit locals, many military training courses have been canceled due to local leaders' refusal to participate out of fear of bombardment. New details about the attacks in Syria and the deaths of some IRGC members; Gallant canceled his trip to America. The Israeli army reported the death of a Hezbollah member in an attack in Syria. The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon has intensified; thousands have fled to Syria. The Israeli army attacked infrastructure used for transferring weapons from Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon.