What is Happening in Syria: Clashes Between Iranian Loyalists and Damascus Supporters

Intense clashes with light and medium weapons erupted between groups of the "National Defense" militia in the western countryside of Deir ez-Zor on one side, and elements from the "Fourth Division" and the Baqir Brigade led by Nawaf al-Bashir on the other. This occurred after the latter attempted to take control of the Ayash crossing and shut it down, monopolizing fuel smuggling. Violent confrontations ensued, during which "National Defense" groups managed to capture a unit consisting of 12 members of the "Fourth Division" and the Baqir Brigade, as well as seizing a four-wheel drive vehicle of the "Shas" model equipped with medium weaponry. The clashes are ongoing, with no reports of casualties on either side. On January 9, the Syrian Observatory noted that a member of the Qatirji militia was killed in violent clashes with the "National Defense" militia in the town of Bakrus in eastern Deir ez-Zor, where light and medium machine guns were used by both parties.