The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that Iranian militias and Russian forces brought military reinforcements to Palmyra city on Sunday evening. The reinforcements comprise weapons and ammunition.

According to the report, Russian forces were deployed in the track near the archaeological city, while Iranian militias were stationed near the desert’s Intelligence Branch.

SOHR activists in Al-Sokhnah area in the Homs desert near the administrative border with Deir Ezzor reported that Iranian-backed militias in Al-Sokhnah brought military and logistical reinforcements there.

These reinforcements comprised heavy machinery, mechanical digger and drilling equipment. Iranian-backed militias began to dig trenches around the area and fortified their positions and outposts there.

According to SOHR sources, excavations and fortification have been concentrated in Jabal Al-Dahhak and Al-Jabal, which is located at the western entrance to Al-Sokhnah near the fodder distribution centre, for fear of any attacks.

On April 30, SOHR reported that ISIS cells attacked an Iranian-backed military patrol at the junction of Ark village on the highway between Palmyra and Deir Ezzor in the Syrian desert, leaving casualties among the Iranian militias, where four members were killed, and six others were injured and transported to Basel Al-Assad National hospital in Palmyra. It is worth noting that the militias belong to the “Iraqi Said Al-Shuhadaa.