Deir ez-Zor, east Syria – Syrian Interior Ministry security forces on Tuesday arrested a former member of an Iranian-backed militia in eastern Deir ez-Zor as he attempted to infiltrate from Iraqi territory.
A Syrian security source told +963 that the internal security forces, in coordination with residents of the town of Al-Hari near Al-Bukamal, apprehended Abbas Al-Qala’i, a former member of the Iran-backed Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas Brigade.
Al-Qala’i, originally from the village of Al-Taybah near Al-Mayadeen, was caught crossing from Iraq into Syria via the railway corridor connecting the two countries.
The source stated that Al-Qala’i had gone into hiding following the fall of the Assad regime. Preliminary investigations revealed he had crossed illegally into Syria on multiple occasions since then.
At the time of arrest, he was found carrying an Iraqi ID and a package linked to Iranian-backed factions. The source noted that he remains affiliated with Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces.
Read also: Iran-Backed Fighters Arrested in Eastern Syria
Authorities suspect Al-Qala’i may be connected to recent attacks in Deir ez-Zor. Investigations into his activities are ongoing and further details are expected to be released.
In a separate development, Syrian military engineering teams defused a motorcycle bomb near the city of Palmyra (Tadmur) in central Homs province.
A security source reported that internal security had received a tip-off about an abandoned motorcycle parked for several hours on a dirt road leading to a security checkpoint of the U.S.-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) at a Palmyra entrance.
The motorcycle was rigged for remote detonation. Authorities secured the area and dismantled the device. An investigation is underway to determine the perpetrators.
