Imam Ali military base
The Imam Ali military base is an Iranian military base located near the eastern Syrian town of Abu Kamal, near the border with Iraq. The base has been constantly undergoing construction since early 2018.[1]
Imam Ali Military Base | |
---|---|
Near Al-Bukamal, Deir ez-Zor Governorate in Syria | |
Imam Ali Military Base Location in Syria | |
Coordinates | 34°27′13″N 40°56′12″E |
Type | Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran base |
Site information | |
Owner | Government of Syria |
Controlled by | Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran |
Condition | Operational |
Site history | |
Built | 2019 |
In use | 2019 – present |
Fox News reported on 4 September 2019 that a “classified Iranian project”, the Imam Ali military base, was being constructed near Abu Kamal,[2] which was confirmed by satellite images. The project was approved by top leadership in Tehran and is being completed by the Iranian Quds Force.[3]
On 9 September 2019 reports emerged that “Iranian” or “Iranian-backed militias” had been targeted in airstrikes, that appeared to be similar to a June 2018 airstrike that targeted a Kata'ib Hezbollah base at a similar location. Satellite imagery taken by ImageSat International in late 2019 suggests a tunnel system is being built, which Western intelligence sources believe will hold missiles.[4]
The site has been struck multiple times by the Israeli Air Force after which the construction of tunnels was noticed to have accelerated,[1] and would soon be operational, as at November 2019.[5]
References
- "Iran is building tunnels in Syria near Iraq border for weapons". The Jerusalem Post. Mirkaei Tikshoret Limited. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- Airstrikes at Al Bukamal? The alleged Iranian base and the 'explosions'
- Iran building new classified military base in Syria: intelligence sources
- Yingst, Trey. "Iran building new tunnel to house missiles: intelligence sources". Fox News. Rupert Murdoch. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- Iranian Military Base in Syria Believed to Soon be Operational