From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Syrian Desert (Arabic: الصحراء السورية) is a combination of steppe and true desert that is located in parts of the nations of Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. Its border on the west is the Orontes Valley, and its border on the east is the Euphrates. In the north, the desert gives way to the more fertile areas of north-central Syria. In the south, it runs into the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula. Many oases exist in the Syrian Desert such as Palmyra. Damascus is also located on an oasis. Its remarkable landscape was formed by lava flows from the volcanic region. The region was historically inhabited by Bedouin tribes. Many Tribes still remain in towns settlements built near oases theis largest tribe is the Dulaim.
[edit] Iraq War
During the war in Iraq the desert served as a major supply line for the Iraqi insurgents, with the Iraq portion of the desert becoming a primary stronghold of the Sunni insurgents operating in the Al Anbar Governorate. Particularly after the Coalition capture of Fallujah during Operation Phantom Fury. A series of Coalition military operations were relatively ineffective at removing the insurgent presence in the Desert. However as the insurgents began to gain control of the surrounding areas the importance of the Syrian desert as a center of operations was believed to have lessened. By September 2006 insurgents had gained control of virtually all of the Anbar Governorate and had moved most of their forces equipment and leaders further east to insurgent controlled cities near the Euphrates river, nevertheless the Syrian desert remains one of the primary routes for smuggling equipment due to it’s location near the Syrian border. [1][2] [3] [4][5]
