Skip to main content

Iran's Revolutionary Guards dig tunnels in city of Palmyra

Syrian opposition sources report that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is digging trenches in the city of Palmyra to reinforce the group's presence in the area.
A Syrian army soldier inspects tunnels reportedly dug by rebel fighters in Tallet al Sakhr, near the Tallet al-Abyad area in Aleppo's southwestern countryside, during an ongoing pro-government offensive, Syria, Jan. 30, 2020.

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. 

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.