Iran-backed militias withdrew from unspecified positions in Deir ez Zor Province and redeployed to the Syrian desert near the Iraq-Syria border, possibly as part of a coercive campaign to expel the United States from Syria.
Ashab al Kahf claimed an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on a US logistics convoy in Diwaniyah on July 26, indicating the group has started an IED campaign to expel the United States from Iraq. [7] AK claimed a separate IED attack on a US logistics convoy in Hilla, Babil Province on July 24.[8] Iranian-backed Iraqi proxies’ last IED attack on a US logistics convoy in Iraq took place in January 2023.[9] These US logistics convoys are commonly operated by Iraqi contractors, not US servicemembers.[10] Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba Secretary General Akram Kaabi released a “final warning” to US forces on July 26 prior to the IED attack the same day.[11] Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba has close ties to Ashab al Kahf in coordinating previous attack campaigns and promoting Ashab al Kahf activity on Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba channels.[12] CTP cannot currently determine if this a coordinated effort between Ashab al Kahf and Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba.
Iran is simultaneously lobbying China and Russia for assistance in developing Iranian infrastructure projects.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-july-27-2023
Iran Update, July 28, 2023
Iranian-backed militias deployed to the Syrian desert near the Al Tanf Deconfliction Zone throughout July, possibly as part of a coercive campaign to expel the United States from Syria. Iran, Russia, and the Syrian regime may be setting conditions to attack US forces at the Al Tanf Garrison.
Regime officials are making preparations in anticipation of future protests commemorating Mahsa Amini’s killing on September 18, 2022.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-july-28-2023