Foreign militias in Syria | Iran’s Afghan “Fatimiyoun” militia expandes and recruits hundreds of people from eastern rural Aleppo, using “Shi’aism” proselytising operations and offering financial incentives

Iran is still strengthening its influence and presence in Syrian territory by its proxy militias throughout the Syrian regions, by using “Shi’aism” proselytising operations and offering financial incentives. SOHR sources have reported a large-scale recruitment campaign of Syrians by the “Fatimiyoun Brigade” militia in eastern countryside of Aleppo, as the militia became the second powerful force of Iran in Syria after the Lebanese Hezbollah.

Although “Shi’ism” proselytising operations by the Iranians are not new to the cities, towns and villages of eastern Aleppo countryside, where it began nearly four years ago, through proxy militias of Iranians of Syrian nationalities, led by the militia “Liwa’a al-Baqir”, taking advantage of the disastrous living conditions of civilians and extreme poverty there, as is the case in most areas in Syria. However, “Fatimiyoun Brigade” established recruitment centres and offered financial incentives to young men and men in return for converting to “Shi’ism” and joining the Iranian militias.

Since the beginning of February, “Fatimiyoun Brigade” recruited more than 360 people so far from Mascana, Al-Safira, Deir Hafer and other areas east of Aleppo.

On February 28, SOHR sources reported that a “Shiite” delegation compressing members from Nubl and Al-Zahraa and members of “Ahl Al-Beit Office” visited Al-Radah village in Maskanah countryside, after being invited by the area’s tribal elders. The delegation has met with several tribal elders in Maskanah city in eastern Aleppo.

It is worth noting that “Shiite” figures pay periodical visits to areas in Maskanah with the aim to propagate “Shi’aism” among the city’s residents who accept to keep posters of “Shiite” figures in their houses and glorify “Ahl Al-Beit” in return for money and other material incentives, as the recently-volunteered individuals are given nearly 100,000 SYL each.

In early February, SOHR sources reported that the tribes’ elders were encouraging the area’s residents, at orders by a commander of the Iranian-backed “Liwaa Al-Quds”, to conversion to Shiite.

Another “Shiite” delegation had visited tribe’s elders and dignitaries in the same area where it promised the volunteers of high salaries and protection.