The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Attracting children to “Shi’ism” | Iran holds 30-day closed courses for children in Deir Ezzor countryside

SOHR sources have reported that “Dar Al-Zahraa” of the Iranian Cultural Center has begun registering the names of children to undergo new “Shiite” doctrinal courses in Al-Hatlah town in the northern countryside of Deir Ezzor, where the majority population has become followers of “Shiite” sect, as well as inaugurated new courses in Al-Bokamal city.

According to Syrian Observatory sources, courses are conducted in Al-Husseiniyat centre established by Iranian-backed militias in Al-Hatlah town and in Al-Haidar center near Al-Masjeed Al-Kabeer in central Al-Bokamal, where courses are given by Shia’a Iraqi scholars. It is worth noting that courses are completely closed for 30 days, and after the completion of the courses, children are taken to Al-Najaf city in Iraq.

The registration of children in these courses was initiated by Abu Al-Qasim Al-Iraqi, who is from Al-Bokamal city and has been called “Al-Iraqi” because of being close to Abu Issa Al-Mashhadani, who is in charge of Iranian-backed militia of “47 forces” in Al-Bokamal and its districts.

SOHR activists have just reported that Iranian-backed militias in regime-controlled areas continue recruiting more young and adult Syrian men, exploiting the disastrous living conditions throughout Syria manifested in the lack of job opportunities and prohibitively high prices of essential products.

Meanwhile, recruitment operations by the Afghan Liwaa Fatemiyoun top the events in east Aleppo countryside where the militia offer its recruits financial incentives and other prerogatives so that they do not join Russian-backed formations.

According to SOHR sources, the number of people who joined Iranian-backed militias in the eastern countryside of Aleppo since the beginning of escalating recruitment operations in February 2021 has exceeded 2,700. These operations, which are carried out by spiritual figures and offices offering financial incentives, are concentrated in the areas of Maskanah, Al-Sfirah, Deir Hafer and other towns and villages in eastern Aleppo.

SOHR sources have also reported that Iranian-backed militias have brought in new military reinforcement to their base in Habbouba village between the villages of Al-Khafsa and Maskanah, east of Aleppo. It is worth noting that the base was established recently on Euphrates river bank, opposite SDF-controlled areas on the other bank.

SOHR, as a human rights organisation, renews its call for the expulsion of foreign powers from Syrian territory, mainly Russian and Iranian forces, and affirms that Syria’s resources and wealth belong only to the Syrian people, and they must not be the preserve of a foreign State, Bashar Al-Assad regime or any other group in Syria.