Iraq-Syria Border Tunnels: Massive Network Uncovered

A sprawling tunnel network built by pro-Iranian militias has been uncovered near the Syria–Iraq border, according to footage circulating on Syrian social media in recent days. The tunnels were reportedly constructed during the Assad era in the Al-Bukamal area, just a few kilometers from Iraq, close to the Imam Ali base long associated with Iranian-backed activity.

The video shows wide underground passageways large enough for vehicles to pass through with ease. According to claims accompanying the footage, the tunnels served as a major smuggling corridor for weapons, allowing militias aligned with Iran, including Hezbollah, to move arms and personnel across the border while avoiding aerial surveillance.

The location underscores the strategic importance of Al-Bukamal within Iran’s regional supply routes. The area has long been viewed as a key land bridge connecting Iran to Syria and Lebanon, enabling the transfer of advanced weaponry and logistical support.

A video of the tunnels on the Iraq-Syria border. (Photo: Syrian social media)

A Syrian activist living in exile who shared the footage said the tunnels highlight the scale of underground fortifications built by the militias, contrasting sharply with the severe neglect of civilian infrastructure in areas under their control. She noted that while resources were poured into hidden military projects, local populations were left without adequate schools, hospitals, or roads.

Initial images from underground sections of the area surfaced as early as May, but the latest footage provides a clearer picture of the network’s size and sophistication. The Imam Ali base has been targeted multiple times in the past by U.S. and Israeli strikes, most recently in 2021. Since then, it has largely faded from public attention, a development analysts believe may have helped conceal continued activity at the site.