Direct proof of use
The Qiam-2 ballistic missile is documented in the 2011 Syrian Civil War through Iran's October 1, 2018 missile strike toward Islamic State targets near Al Bukamal in eastern Syria. CSIS Missile Threat identifies up to two of the six Iranian missiles in the strike as Qiam-2 missiles and places the launch from Kermanshah Province.
The exact designation remains source-dependent. Iran Watch treats Qiam-2 as a name used by some independent analysts for a modified Qiam-1 rather than an official Iranian designation, while IISS describes the October 2018 strike package as including upgraded Qiams.
Sources: CSIS Qiam-1 Missile Threat, IISS Open-Source Missile Analysis, Iran Watch Missile Arsenal Table
October 2018 strike
The strike followed the September 22, 2018 attack on a military parade in Ahvaz, Iran. Al Jazeera reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said at least six missiles were fired into eastern Syria, followed by drone bombing against targets it attributed to Islamic State-linked fighters.
Washington Institute analysis described the attack as Operation Strike of Muharram and said Iranian media identified Zolfaghar and Qiam missile types among the six surface-to-surface missiles. It also assessed that the Qiam missiles used in the attack were an improved version with a maneuverable separating reentry vehicle and warhead.
Sources: Al Jazeera 2018 Syria Missile Strike, Washington Institute Second Syria Strike
Role in the conflict
In conflict-use terms, the documented Qiam-2 appearance was a long-range Iranian ballistic-missile strike from Iranian territory into the Syrian theater, not a transfer to Syrian forces or routine Syrian battlefield employment. The supported user is Iran's IRGC Aerospace Force, operating as part of the Syrian government-aligned side in the conflict.
The available open-source record supports a single documented October 2018 Syrian Civil War use event for the Qiam-2 or modified Qiam label. Broader Qiam-family background, later use in Iraq, and Houthi Qiam-derived missiles in Yemen are separate conflict records and do not by themselves expand the Syrian use claim.
Sources: CSIS Qiam-1 Missile Threat, Washington Institute Second Syria Strike, Iran Watch Missile Arsenal Table
