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UN Report Finds Brutality in Iran

UN Report Finds Brutality in Iran
UN Report Finds Brutality in Iran

A United Nations fact-finding mission has delivered a scathing report on Iran, declaring the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody “unlawful” and the result of physical violence. The 22-year-old Kurdish woman’s arrest in September 2022 for allegedly violating Iran’s Islamic dress code sparked nationwide protests, marking a significant challenge to the country’s clerical leaders.

Presenting the findings to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Sara Hossain, chairperson of the mission, stated, “Our investigation definitively established that Ms. Amini’s death was unlawful and caused by physical violence inflicted while in the custody of Iranian authorities.”

The report goes further, condemning the brutal response to the subsequent protests. Hossain detailed “egregious human rights violations” including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, and sexual violence. She emphasized that these acts constituted a “widespread and systematic attack against women and girls, and other persons expressing support for human rights.” The gravity of these violations, according to the report, elevates them to the level of “crimes against humanity.”

As customary, the Iranian regime attempted to justify itself and deny all allegations of wrongdoing. Kazem Gharib Abadi, secretary general of the regime’s High Council for Human Rights, dismissed the findings, accusing the mission of lacking “independence and impartiality.”

However, the report doesn’t solely focus on the protests. It highlights the ongoing discrimination faced by women in Iran. Hossain pointed out that Iranian women and girls encounter discrimination “affecting virtually all aspects of their private and public lives.” She particularly criticized the requirement to wear the hijab, stating, “In the 21st century, it’s unacceptable that access to basic services like education, healthcare, and employment is contingent on an arbitrary rule like the mandatory hijab.”

The report offers a glimpse into the simmering tensions within Iran. The death of Mahsa Amini became a catalyst for a broader struggle for women’s rights and basic freedoms. The UN’s condemnation of the Iranian government’s actions puts international pressure on the regime to address these issues and uphold human rights for all its citizens.

Iran’s Currency Woes Cripple Pharmaceutical Sector

Iran's Currency Woes Cripple Pharmaceutical Sector
Iran's Currency Woes Cripple Pharmaceutical Sector

Despite the assertions made by the Iranian central bank and government regarding the sufficiency of foreign currency reserves, recent reports reveal an expanding currency deficit crisis impacting the pharmaceutical sector.

The head of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce announced on Sunday, March 17, that the central bank’s restrictive policies have led to financial challenges across various private sector industries, including pharmaceuticals, resulting in a current crisis within the pharmaceutical sector.

Mahmoud Najafi Arab, speaking to the state-run news agency ILNA, highlighted the widespread issue of working capital shortages affecting numerous pharmaceutical companies, leading to difficulties in meeting employee salary obligations. He emphasized that this shortage extends beyond the pharmaceutical industry, affecting overall production within the country.

He further noted that the central bank’s contractionary policies, aimed at curbing inflation, have inadvertently hindered domestic production, exacerbating the situation. Price indices tied to the free rate exert significant influence on the economy, compounding the challenges faced by various sectors.

Despite a considerable rise in medicine prices since the inception of the 13th government, the head of the Food and Drug Organization announced a further 20% price hike for 2024.

Since Ebrahim Raisi assumed office, the rial has depreciated by more than half its value, despite official assertions of a stable currency situation. The government’s failure to control the escalating exchange rate, with the dollar still trading above 60,000 tomans as of Sunday, March 17, contradicts Raisi’s pre-election promises to mitigate inflation and stabilize the rial.

Despite claims by regime officials and the Central Bank of Iran regarding the adequacy of foreign exchange reserves, the country’s foreign exchange problems continue to escalate daily.

Iran’s Customs recently incorporated oil, services, and electricity export statistics into its monthly reports in an attempt to portray a positive trade balance. However, a closer examination of customs data reveals a record negative non-oil trade balance of $15 billion in 2023.

Smuggled Appliances Flood Iranian Market, Crippling Domestic Industry

Smuggled Appliances Flood Iranian Market, Crippling Domestic Industry
Smuggled Appliances Flood Iranian Market, Crippling Domestic Industry

The Secretary General of the Iranian Household Appliance Manufacturers Association reports that approximately two billion dollars’ worth of contraband goods have been sold in the country this year, accounting for nearly one-third of the total market volume, which stands at seven billion dollars annually.

On Saturday, March 16, Omid Fazelinia also disclosed that the country’s household appliance exports amounted to 400 million dollars, equivalent to one-fifth of the smuggled appliances entering the country.

Although the Iranian regime has prohibited the import of household appliances since 2018, numerous reports have highlighted Iranian citizens’ reluctance to purchase domestically manufactured products due to their perceived low quality and high prices.

Experts in the field attribute the stagnation in the home appliance market to the regime’s alleged negligence in combating smuggling activities and lack of support for domestic production. The average foreign currency allocation remained consistent in 2023 compared to 2021.

In 2023, raw materials for the industry were not procured through the stock exchange, forcing producers to obtain 30-50% of the raw materials from the market, resulting in a 50% increase in material costs.

Previously, South Korean companies such as Samsung and LG dominated Iran’s home appliance market. The stagnant nature of the market is evident in the unchanged export figures of these appliances in recent years, attributed to their perceived low quality. These exports are valued at around 400 million dollars, with a significant portion destined for Afghanistan and Iraq.

Meanwhile, Turkey, Iran’s neighbor, leverages advanced technology and licenses from leading Western companies to annually surpass Iran’s entire household appliance production in exports, valued at 6 billion dollars. Turkey also holds the title of the largest exporter of household appliances to Europe, with approximately 600,000 Turkish citizens employed in these industries, doubling the number of Iranian workers in the household appliance sector.

Women’s Economic Position in Iran: Analyzing Unemployment and Employment Trends

Women's Economic Position in Iran: Analyzing Unemployment and Employment Trends
Women's Economic Position in Iran: Analyzing Unemployment and Employment Trends

Tejarat News reported that in Iran’s economy, women hold significantly lower positions compared to men, as indicated by the unemployment rate, economic participation rate, and employment rate. Citing official data from the Iranian Statistics Center, the report highlights that last year, the unemployment rate among women was double that of men.

According to the Iranian Statistics Center’s report on the country’s human resources status last year, the unemployment rate among individuals aged 18 and above was 27.8% for women and 13.5% for men. This data underscores a twofold difference in the unemployment rates between women and men.

Official data from the Iranian Statistics Center reveals that Sistan and Baluchistan, with 13.5%, had the highest unemployment rate, followed by Hormozgan with 11.8%, Lorestan with 11.6%, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari with 11.5%, and Kermanshah with 11.2%.

Subsequently, Khuzestan with 10.7%, Ardabil with 10.7%, and Kurdistan with 9.7% experienced the highest unemployment rates. Throughout the previous year, the overall employment rate for the country stood at 37.2%, with women at 11.4% and men at 63%. These figures indicate that men’s employment rate is approximately five times higher than that of women.

Tejarat News highlighted the numerous challenges women encounter in securing economic positions within Iran’s labor market. It noted instances where women are denied work opportunities and, even when employed, face limited prospects for advancement.

The report also revealed that 40% of the unemployed population consists of higher education graduates, with men comprising 27.1% and women 71%.

Further analysis of Iranian Statistics Center data indicates that unemployment rates among associate degree holders were 8.3% for men and 19.1% for women, while for undergraduate degree holders, these rates were 10.6% for men and 24.5% for women. Among graduates, the unemployment rate was 5.9% for men and 17.3% for women, illustrating a disparity of two to three times higher unemployment rates for women across different educational levels.

In Iran, many women lack access to suitable jobs with equal pay under equitable conditions. The latest UN reports from 2020 and 2021 corroborate Iran’s high gender inequality.

In mid-November 2023, Donya-e-Eqtesad Newspaper reported on gender discrimination in the Iranian economy and the doubling of the unemployment rate among women compared to men.

The most recent report from the Iranian Statistics Center on labor market developments in the summer of 2023 indicates that women’s participation rate during that season reached 14.6%. Out of over 32.2 million working-age women, more than 27.5 million remain inactive, having not entered the labor market at all.

Stark Reality of Ramadan: Iranians Struggle as Minimum Wage Fails to Cover Basic Meals

Stark Reality of Ramadan: Iranians Struggle as Minimum Wage Fails to Cover Basic Meals
Stark Reality of Ramadan: Iranians Struggle as Minimum Wage Fails to Cover Basic Meals

Livelihood pressures are mounting in Iran, exacerbated by the onset of Ramadan, which has laid bare the depth of the crisis. Iranian media highlights the stark reality: a daily minimum wage of 250,000 tomans against the staggering family expenses of 650,000 tomans for both (Sahari) breakfast and Iftar.

A report by the Rouydad 24 website sheds light on this issue, indicating that the cost of iftar or Sahari (breakfast) for a family of five during Ramadan amounts to 400,000 tomans. Consequently, the minimum estimated cost for an Iftar is 200,000 to 250,000 tomans.

According to the report, this contrasts sharply with the average daily income of a typical worker, which stands at approximately 250,000 tomans. Comparing figures from Rouydad 24, last year’s expenditure for a full iftar meal for a family of five surpassed 250,000 tomans.

Furthermore, in 2022, the bare minimum cost of preparing an iftar table was around 150,000 tomans. The website attributes the prevailing economic trends and household conditions to the policies of the Raisi government, stating, “It now appears as though an era has passed since then, with the outcome of Raisi’s economic measures resembling nothing short of economic paralysis.”

Emphasizing the widening gap between wages and costs over the years, the report underscores the drastic reduction in Iranian households’ food provisions.

Data from the Iranian Statistics Center reveal alarming inflation rates. In February 2024, annual inflation in the ‘red meat and poultry’ sector reached 93.3%, while in the red and white meat and related products sector, it was 90.7%. This translates to Iranians spending at least 90% more on meat in January 2024 compared to the previous year.

Moreover, in January 2024, public transportation costs surged by 57.4% compared to the same period in the previous year, while expenses for hotels and restaurants soared by 62.5%.

These statistics underscore rampant inflation as one of Iran’s foremost economic challenges, significantly impacting daily life and diminishing household food supplies.

Iranian Cleric Accused of Embezzlement

Iranian Cleric Accused of Embezzlement
Iranian Cleric Accused of Embezzlement

A recently published report alleges corruption involving Kazem Seddiqi, the Friday prayer leader of Tehran in Iran. The report claims Seddiqi acquired a massive property estimated to be worth over one trillion tomans.

Public outrage over corruption within the Iranian regime seems to be waning, with news of embezzlement by officials becoming commonplace. This time, however, the accusations fall on the head of the regime’s morality police, raising eyebrows.

From Seminary Founder to Alleged Land Grab

Prior to his appointment as Tehran’s Friday prayer leader, Seddiqi played a significant role in the regime’s judicial system. He established the Khomeini Seminary in Tehran’s affluent Ozgol district. Over time, Seddiqi allegedly expanded the seminary’s footprint by acquiring surrounding land, ultimately creating a vast property exceeding 23,000 square meters in northern Tehran.

The report further alleges that a portion of this land, a 4,200 square meter garden in the northeast corner, was controversially transferred to a private company named “Payrovan-e Andisheh Qaem.” This company, remarkably, lists Seddiqi and his children as the main owners.

Luxury Amidst Austerity

These allegations are particularly concerning given Seddiqi’s past dismissive remarks about Iranian living conditions. In 2021, he supposedly ridiculed the public, suggesting their holiday trips to the north of Iran signified a good standard of living.

A Web of Connections

Further investigation reveals that “Payrovan-e Andisheh Qaem” was established only in 2023. The company’s board members include Seddiqi’s sons, Mohammad Hossein Rajabi Seddiqi, and Mohammad Mehdi Rajabi Seddiqi. Interestingly, his daughter-in-law, Rezvaneh Qawam, is listed as the inspector.

The company also features Javad Azizi, a former manager under Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the current speaker of the Iranian parliament, during his time as Tehran’s mayor. Azizi reportedly faced past corruption charges while in office. Additionally, Fazlollah Beig Verdi, head of Seddiqi’s security detail, serves as the company’s substitute inspector.

Power Struggles and Unanswered Questions

The report suggests a possible disconnect between “Payrovan-e Andisheh Qaem” and the Khomeini Seminary. Despite this, the company inexplicably holds ownership of the seminary’s land.

Finally, the report mentions Seddiqi’s alleged affiliation with a power faction within the Iranian regime, alongside Morteza Agha Tehrani and Hamid Rasaei. The group supposedly rivals the faction led by Ghalibaf, with recent clashes over issues like the “Hijab and Chastity Bill” and parliamentary seats highlighting this ongoing power struggle.

Iran’s Currency Weakens Despite Leader’s Inflation Pledge

Iran's Currency Weakens Despite Leader's Inflation Pledge
Iran's Currency Weakens Despite Leader's Inflation Pledge

In the final days of the Persian calendar year, which the regime’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei dubbed the “year of inflation control,” the exchange rate for the US dollar soared to 60,000 tomans, while the price of each gold coin hit a historic high of 37,700,000 tomans.

According to gold and currency information sources, on Saturday, March 16, the dollar was trading at 60,200 tomans, with the British pound at 76,600 tomans.

Despite a $9 drop in the global price of gold per ounce, the price of the Bahar Azadi coin reached 37,700,000 tomans, with half coins at 22,500,000 tomans and quarter coins at 13,750,000 tomans.

The dollar’s upward trend, which commenced at the beginning of February, has been setting new records in the market daily following the regime’s parliamentary and Assembly of Experts for Leadership elections on March 1.

Simultaneously, reports indicate that the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran has conducted auctions for the gold coin, initially at a rate of 93,000 tomans per dollar, later increasing to 100,000 tomans per dollar with the public’s acceptance.

Exchange Rate’s Impact on Iran’s Economy

Exchange rates are among the primary determinants of a country’s economic capacity and significantly impact foreign trade, with their fluctuations exerting swift effects on domestic production.

As the domestic currency depreciates (resulting in an increased exchange rate), net exports rise, albeit with a corresponding increase in production costs. Wide exchange rate fluctuations can have both positive and negative repercussions on the economy, including extreme inflation. This inflation, in turn, can alter production and investment landscapes, affect domestic and foreign markets, and influence foreign trade dynamics, such as exports and imports.

A decrease in the real exchange rate elevates the prices of export goods in foreign markets while reducing the prices of imported goods in domestic markets, thereby shifting total demand towards foreign goods and services and underutilizing available economic capacities.

Iran’s economy heavily relies on the importation of capital goods, intermediate goods, and raw materials. In such a scenario, a weakened national currency, increased production costs, and the stagnation or closure of industries are expected outcomes.

Iran Faces Doctor Exodus as Skilled Workers Seek Opportunities Abroad

Iran Faces Doctor Exodus as Skilled Workers Seek Opportunities Abroad
Iran Faces Doctor Exodus as Skilled Workers Seek Opportunities Abroad

In a report concerning the emigration of Iran’s pioneering pediatric heart surgeon, the Medical System Organization announced that 638 children in need of heart surgery were left at risk following the departure of this specialist.

The state-run daily Ham Mihan lamented, “The news was succinct yet distressing! Dr. Maziar Gholampour Dehki, a distinguished surgeon renowned for his expertise in pediatric heart transplants, has also departed from Iran. With a patient waiting list booked solid for the next two years, 638 children awaiting heart surgery now face uncertainty at the Shahid Rajaei Heart and Vascular Center.”

The head of the pediatric heart transplant department at Shahid Rajaee Hospital further emphasized the severe shortage of pediatric heart surgeons currently afflicting the country. Patients endure waiting periods of 2-3 years for this critical operation.

As the exodus of skilled professionals from Iran intensifies, authorities of the Iranian regime have pledged to confront immigration offices and impede the ‘organized’ departure of elites.

In response to this governmental decision, the ‘Rouydad 24’ website remarked, “The authorities aim to halt the emigration of elites through police cooperation.”

Similarly, the ‘Ham Mihan’ newspaper criticized this approach as a ‘police solution to elite emigration’, asserting, “This security-centric approach to societal issues not only fails to resolve any problems but exacerbates them.”

The head of the Center for Strategic Studies within the regime’s Presidency remarked on January 8 that migration in Iran stems not merely from economic factors but also from a lack of clarity regarding the future.

In February 2024, Iranian media reported a 200% surge in requests from doctors seeking the requisite documentation and administrative letters for immigration.

Year after year, thousands of students, medical professionals, and skilled workers depart Iran, with many opting not to return. While experts view this capital flight as irreparable, officials of the regime downplay its significance.

According to a report published on November 22, 2023, Ham Mihan estimated the global Iranian immigrant population at two million and 62 thousand individuals.

Iranian citizens frequently seek opportunities abroad, drawn by prospects for education, advancement, and a more comfortable lifestyle. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of Iranian students studying overseas increased from 44,523 to 66,701. Yet, only 2003 individuals returned to Iran upon completing their studies.

Referring to migration statistics from 2022, Ham Mihan noted that the inclination to return among Iranian immigrants has considerably waned over time, suggesting its variability based on prevailing conditions.

The latest survey conducted in 2022 revealed that 62% of emigrants had definitively decided against returning, whereas only 14% were committed to doing so. The remaining 24% remained undecided.

These statistics raise concerns among experts, who warn of the profound and irremediable damage inflicted upon Iran across economic, health, educational, and developmental domains by this ongoing exodus.

Iranian Dropout Rates Rise Alongside Poverty

Iranian Dropout Rates Rise Alongside Poverty
Iranian Dropout Rates Rise Alongside Poverty

Iranian state media reported a concerning trend: increasing school dropout rates linked to rising poverty. The 2022-2023 academic year saw a rise in dropouts at all education levels.

According to the Iranian Statistics Center, the primary school dropout rate reached 1.2% in the new academic year, a 0.25 percentage point increase.

Donya-e-Eqtesad newspaper, reporting on student dropout and poverty, stated, “The past academic year witnessed the highest dropout rate in the past five years, even exceeding those during the pandemic when some students lacked communication devices and internet access.”

Donya-e-Eqtesad reported the previous dropout statistics for primary school at around 14,000, citing economic hardship as the primary reason.

The Statistics Center’s report further reveals a breakdown by gender in the primary grades: 1.21% dropout rate for boys and 1.19% for girls, totaling over 175,000 students.

Moving to secondary education, the dropout rate for boys in the second year (high school) reached 6.5%, while for girls it was 4.3%, totaling 197,690 students.

The dropout rate in the second year of high school also saw a significant increase, reaching over 4% (up 1.72%). Here too, girls (3.5%) had a lower dropout rate than boys (4.5%).

Reports indicate that the main reason for dropping out of school in Iran is the inability to afford the basic necessities of continuing education. In some cases, children are forced to work after dropping out to help their families financially.

Inflation’s Impact on Education

Iran has experienced a period of high and rising inflation from 2016 to 2023. This economic hardship appears to be significantly correlated with the increasing dropout trend.

While inflation hovered around 10% in 2016 and 2017, it jumped to over 27% in 2018. The following year saw inflation reach 35%, exceeding 36% in 2020. Inflation remained above 46% in both 2021 and 2022.

Interestingly, the Statistics Center’s data reflects this correlation. The primary school dropout rate in the 2016-2017 academic year was 0.99%, rising to 1.2% by 2022-2023. Similarly, the dropout rate in the first year of secondary school climbed from 4.11% to 5.47% over the same period, demonstrating an upward trend.

Iran’s IRGC Commanders: Rhetoric vs. Reality

Iran's IRGC Commanders: Rhetoric vs. Reality
Iran's IRGC Commanders: Rhetoric vs. Reality

Commanders in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) frequently boast in fiery speeches about the regime’s status as a regional superpower. They claim to dictate the fate of the Middle East and pave the way for a global Islamic government, as exemplified by former IRGC commander Yahya Rahim Safavi’s statement: “The honorable Imam (Khomeini) led the revolution to victory… the ultimate goal is to establish an Islamic state all over the world.

These pronouncements are often veiled or explicit. The IRGC leadership suggests current dominance in four regional capitals: Beirut (Lebanon), Damascus (Syria), Sana’a (Yemen), and Baghdad (Iraq). They believe further expansion aligns with their vision of a divinely ordained global Islamic state.

Meanwhile, the regime expends significant resources on intense political, terrorist, and seditious campaigns to prevent internal uprisings and maintain control.

Foreign Misconceptions and Domestic Struggles

Many foreign analysts mistakenly perceive the regime as a powerful regional player. However, all signs point to its failure in achieving the goals set after the 1979 revolution by its founder, Ruhollah Khomeini. These goals included establishing an Islamic government in Iran and ultimately, worldwide.

The regime portrays the Islamic Revolution as a multi-stage process, with the current phase aimed at global Islamic rule. However, recent events suggest otherwise.

A Look Behind the Facade: Safavi’s Interview

In a recent interview, Rahim Safavi, former IRGC commander and advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, discussed the regime’s regional meddling and support for terrorism. He emphasized past victories and the importance of “resistance groups” like Hezbollah and Hamas, funded by Iran. He argued for expanding Iran’s “strategic defense” to the Mediterranean and Indian Oceans.

The High Cost of Ambition

Since its inception, the regime has poured billions of dollars into these destabilizing activities in neighboring countries. Countless organizations like Hezbollah benefit from significant annual budgets.

Adding these costs to astronomical expenses like nuclear programs and missile development, it’s clear that roughly half of Iran’s financial resources are funneled into these ambitions. This has led to the severe impoverishment of the Iranian people, evidenced by widespread poverty, unemployment, addiction, and social crises like brain drain and emigration.

A Crumbling Facade?

Responding to Safavi’s claims, Mohammad Hossein Karimipour, a former Iranian parliamentarian, criticized the regime’s declining legitimacy and growing internal and external opposition. He compared the regime’s potential downfall to that of Muammar Gaddafi, stating: “When your nation becomes poorer and angrier day by day… you will become Gaddafi in the sewer pipe.

Karimipour’s words, combined with the regime’s recent electoral losses, suggest the rapid erosion of its four-decade project of establishing long-term control.

A Loss of Legitimacy and Power

Khamenei’s recent failures, from the Gaza conflict to manipulated elections, have eroded public trust and exposed the regime’s weaknesses. The excessive focus on external ambitions has come at a heavy domestic cost, jeopardizing the regime’s very existence.

Empty Plates, Empty Promises: Iran Regime’s Leaders are Failing Its People

Empty Plates, Empty Promises: Iran Regime's Leaders are Failing Its People
Empty Plates, Empty Promises: Iran Regime's Leaders are Failing Its People

In recent days, videos from Iran of long lines for frozen meat have flooded social media. Soaring food prices and declining purchasing power, especially during Ramadan and the New Year, are back in the spotlight.

Currently, red meat costs up to 800,000 tomans per kilo in Iran, leading to a drastic decrease in consumption, with some income groups buying less than two kilos a year. In response, the Ebrahim Raisi administration authorized frozen meat imports to stabilize the market. However, reports indicate that 30,000 tons of imported meat were met with such high demand that many people waited in queues for hours, only to leave empty-handed.

Highlighting the sharp decline in purchasing power, the Ham Mihan newspaper titled a report “The Long Queue of Meat at the Beginning of Ramadan,” stating, “The impact on people’s diets is evident in their reduced variety on their tables.” The report details the struggles of obtaining government-priced meat at 300,000 tomans per kilo. People must queue from 5:00 AM to store opening at 8:00 AM, with purchase limits of eight kilos of mutton and three kilos of veal per person per month.

The price surge isn’t limited to meat. Despite regime assurances, other food items have also become more expensive. Tejarat News reports that preparing a basic Ramadan evening meal for a family of four, including dates, Zoolbia and Bamieh, soup, cheese, vegetables, and bread, now costs at least 150,000 tomans.

Ali Aghamohammadi, head of the economic group in Ali Khamenei’s office, recently admitted that about 20 million Iranians live in low-income areas, with 1.8 million having no income and 5 million needing support. Shortly after taking office, Raisi promised to eradicate poverty. However, statistics on the eve of the third year of his administration show rising inflation across all sectors and an increase in poverty.

Economist Hossein Raghfar, speaking to Rouydad 24, explained the high bread consumption in Iran: “Some can’t afford anything else, while some can’t even afford bread anymore. This cycle only deepens poverty.” Raghfar added that the rising cost of living “directly impacts people’s health, leading to issues like short stature and bone deformities.”

Drone Strikes Target Iranian Militia Trucks in Eastern Syria

Drone Strikes Target Iranian Militia Trucks in Eastern Syria
Drone Strikes Target Iranian Militia Trucks in Eastern Syria

Deir Ezzor Province, Syria – The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported two separate drone attacks targeting trucks belonging to Iranian militias in eastern Deir Ezzor province within the last 24 hours.

The most recent incident involved an unidentified drone striking a truck carrying unknown materials near the Al-Bokamal crossing on the Syrian-Iraqi border. The attack resulted in violent explosions, but no casualties were reported. Iranian militias secured the area following the strike.

This follows a similar drone attack reported by SOHR yesterday targeting a refrigerated truck belonging to Iranian-backed militias in the nearby village of Al-Harri. The contents of the refrigerated truck remain unknown. Both trucks reportedly entered Syria from Iraq through the Al-Bokamal crossing.

The identity of the drones and the parties responsible for the attacks remain unclear.