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Iranian Militias Redeploy in Al-Bukamal: Evacuating Headquarters and Reducing Visibility
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The reduction of the public presence of pro-Iranian groups in Al-Bukamal highlights a shift in their strategy towards covert operations, which may complicate targeting them and increase the complexity

With the escalation of regional tension and the expansion of Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Syria, pro-Iranian groups have begun implementing fundamental changes in their deployment and operational strategy.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Iranian groups have started repositioning themselves in the Al-Bukamal area in eastern Deir ez-Zor countryside, seeking to avoid potential Israeli targeting.
These steps included evacuating many headquarters in the security squares of foreign and local elements, keeping only a very limited number of local elements for guarding purposes.
The city witnessed a notable decrease in the presence of elements and the activity of patrols and checkpoints that were supervised by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces and the Afghan Fatemiyoun group. Some checkpoints have been replaced with local elements in small numbers, especially at the main entrances to the city.
As a precautionary measure, the militias distributed large quantities of weapons in warehouses spread between Al-Bukamal and Deir ez-Zor, to avoid targeting any new shipments. Foreign militia leaders also left the area after the recent bombing, heading to the Iraqi side to manage operations remotely.
Despite these changes, recruitment operations continue among the region's residents, with promises of improving the financial returns for volunteers. However, many military courses that were held in Al-Siyal and the southern Badia have been cancelled, amid local leaders' refusal to attend any meetings for fear of being targeted.
In a related context, many military headquarters in the city, including the security square in Al-Qusour neighborhood, the Iranian Cultural Center, and the recruitment centers of the Lebanese Hezbollah, have resorted to turning off lights during the evening to avoid detection and targeting by warplanes and drones.
These movements come amid escalating Israeli targeting in Syria, which has notably increased since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The most prominent of these attacks was the bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus in April 2024, which resulted in the killing of 7 Iranian military advisors, including 3 senior commanders.
These developments reflect a strategic shift in the tactics of pro-Iranian groups in Syria, which may affect the balance of power in the region and reshape the geopolitical landscape. They also highlight the increasing challenges these groups face in maintaining their influence and may lead to a change in the dynamics of regional conflict in the long term.
Levant - Agencies
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Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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