The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Despite international efforts to end its military presence in Syria | Iran continues recruitment operations, raising number of recruits to nearly 18,000

Iran continues to strengthen its presence in Syrian territory through ongoing recruitment operations of loyal militias, led by the Lebanese Hezbollah, despite the continued attempts to weaken its military presence and force it to withdraw from Syria, whether through ongoing Israeli attacks or the Russians strengthening their presence in the areas held by these militias.

 

Pro-Iranian spiritual figures and allied militias continue recruiting more people in southern Syria and western Euphrates region to the ranks of Iranian forces and Iranian-backed militiamen, which control these areas. “Shi’aism” proselytising operations (conversion to Shiite) are still underway through several ways, including the offering of financial incentives and continuous usage of religion and sectarianism.

 

Such operations are concentrated in the following areas:

  • Al-Mayadeen city, countryside and surroundings, Al-Bokamal and other areas in Deir Ezzor in western Euphrates region.
  • “Saraya al-Areen” of the 313th Brigade in northern Daraa, and Shiite centres in Al-Lajat and other areas in Daraa.
  • Al-Baath city and Khan Arnabah in Al-Quneitra countryside, near the border with the occupied Syrian Golan.

According to SOHR statistics, the number of volunteers in southern Syria exceeded 9,600. Meanwhile, the number of recent recruits in the ranks of Iranian forces and loyal militias in the west Euphrates region rose to nearly 8,350 Syrian young males and adult men.

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