The Iranian-backed Fatemiyoun Brigade and Hezbollah al-Nujaba have started digging tunnels linking their headquarters and posts in the city of Palmyra in the center of the Syrian Desert. Excavations began from ammunition depots and military points on the eastern outskirts of the city last week.  

Al-Mohrar Media Network quoted agencies as saying the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) covered the undisclosed costs and expenses of the drilling operations, and secured manual and automated drilling equipment. The operation aims to move to the strategic town of al-Sukhna and its neighboring villages in the second phase, after the completion of the tunnel network in the city of Palmyra. The operation also aims to increase protection of headquarters and warehouses and to avoid US airstrikes. Underground tunnels would help protect fighters and leaders in these movements. 

An Iranian military source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, “Iranian forces have been digging military tunnels in the areas under their control for more than three years. The objective is to link military headquarters together.”

He noted, “Tunnels are dug to a depth of more than 3 meters [10 feet]. Reinforced concrete chambers are designed inside these tunnels with small dimensions every kilometer [0.6 miles]."