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العربية
According to a DeirEzzor24 Network reporter, Al-Bukamal area, east of Deir Ezzor province, on the Syrian-Iraqi border, experienced a large-scale security operation last night.
Our reporter said that the operation targeted the largest smuggling network in Deir Ezzor, led by the notorious smuggler Ahmed Hussein Ali al-Jghaifi, following the encirclement of the border town of al-Hiri.
According to field sources, the operation began late Monday night/Tuesday. The town of al-Hiri was completely encircled, and a curfew was imposed, announced by mosques via loudspeakers, to tighten control over the area and prevent any infiltration or escape by members of the network.
The campaign resulted in the arrest of a number of smugglers and arms and drug dealers. Security forces also targeted several secret tunnels linking Syrian territory to Iraq, which had previously been used by the Revolutionary Guard militia. In an official statement, Mustafa al-Ali, the security director of the Albukamal region, said:
“We launched a raid targeting several major drug and arms dealers in the Al-Bukamal border area.”
“We are working to prevent the flow of drugs and weapons through illegal crossings operated by outlaw militias. The campaign is ongoing to uncover tunnel networks used to smuggle contraband between Syria and Iraq. We seek to restore security and stability to the border area east of Deir Ezzor.”
Ahmed Hussein al-Ali is considered the most prominent smuggler in the region and enjoys extensive influence, relying on a network of relatives and clans, in addition to close ties with leaders of former Iranian-backed militias, which has facilitated his expansion of his arms, drug, and human trafficking operations.
