The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Iranian military in Syria | As “Shi’aism” proselytising operations continue in southern Syria and western Euphrates, number of volunteers exceeds 15,000

Iranian forces and Iranian-backed militiamen, including the Lebanese Hezbollah, continue recruiting more people to their ranks in southern Syria and western Euphrates region , as “Shi’aism” proselytising operations (conversion to Shiite) are still underway secretly and in public through the offering of financial incentives and continuous usage of religion and sectarianism.

 

According to SOHR statistics, the number of volunteers in southern Syria has exceeded 8,350. Meanwhile, the number of recent recruits in the ranks of Iranian forces and loyal militias in the west Euphrates region in Deir Ezzor countryside has risen to nearly 6,700 Syrian young males and adult men.

 

Iranian militias intentionally intensify these recruitment operations, exploiting Syria’s deteriorating economic situation and Russia’s preoccupation with recent agreements with Turkey regarding the “de-escalation zone” and north-eastern Syria.

 

In Daraa province, the Iranians and Hezbollah continue recruiting more people via pro-Iranian spiritual figures in “Saraya al-Areen” of the 313th Brigade in northern Daraa, and Shiite centres in Sayda, Da’el, Izraa. It is worth noting that the recent recruits undergo training courses in Al-Lajat area in eastern Daraa.

 

Similarly, in Al-Quneitra, near the border with the occupied Syrian Golan, the Lebanese Hezbollah continues strengthening its presence by recruiting young people who have passed their date of joining the mandatory and reserve military service to regime’s security branches. In addition, the Iranians exploit the lack of job opportunities, attracting more people. Conversion to Shiite and recruitment operations are concentrated in Al-Baath city and Khan Arnabah.

 

While in the west Euphrates region, recruitment is noticeably escalating in the area from Al-Mayadin to Al-Bokamal in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, which is fully controlled by Iranian forces.