Accounts on “X” recently published a photo showing an explosion, claiming that it’s in the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor.
Kashif verified the image via “Google Images” and found that it is old and was incorrectly linked to the recent targeting of the city of Deir ez-Zor. The image documents smoke rising above the presidential palace complex in Baghdad during an air raid launched by US forces on the Iraqi capital in March 2003.
AFP published the circulated photo and explained that it dates back to 21/3/2003, and accompanied it with the following description: “Smoke covers the presidential palace complex in Baghdad during a massive US-led air strike on the Iraqi capital. An AFP correspondent said smoke rose from a number of targeted sites, including one of President Saddam Hussein’s palaces.” The agency reported that the photo was taken by photojournalist Ramzi Haidar.
The United States of America invaded Iraq on 20/3/2003, and US President George Bush announced on 1/5/2003 the end of military operations and his country’s victory in the Iraq War.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that an unknown drone launched an airstrike today, Wednesday 18/12/2024, targeting the radar battalion on the mountain adjacent to Deir Ezzor military airport. It added that an unknown warplane launched an airstrike on Tuesday on the radar station on Mount Harabesh overlooking the city of Deir Ezzor.
Al-Mayadeen reported on Tuesday 17/12/2024 that an Israeli warplane targeted the radar battalion in the mountains overlooking Deir Ezzor airport and the Harabesh neighborhood near the airport.
| Sources of Claim | Sources of Verification |
World Events AHMED | Ahmed | AFP france24 RT Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Al Mayadeen Channel |