Iran’s presence in Syria in March 2022 | Research by nuclear scientists in Homs…ongoing recruitment in Aleppo…increased activities in west Euphrates and Rif Dimashq

Iran and its proxy militias have unprecedented influence in most areas under the “symbolic” regime control, as neither attacks by Israel and the International Coalition, nor the “cold war” with Russia could hinder the alarming entrenchment and expansion of these forces across Syria. Strengthening their presence and promoting their ideology, the Iranians are still carrying on with their systematic plan to change the demography of different areas throughout Syria’s geography.

 

In the following report, SOHR highlights the key developments in areas dominated by the Iranians in March 2022.

 

 

One Israeli attack and increased activities following Erbil attack

 

Israel attacked Syrian territory on only one occasion in March 2022, precisely on March 7, when two Iranian officers of “Al-Quds Corps” which is affiliated with the Iranian “Revolutionary Guard Corps” and two other Syrian fighters of Iranian-backed militias were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military posts near Damascus national airport. While attempting to intercept the Israeli missiles, one of regime air defence’s missiles hit a marble factory in “Dahiayt Al-Assad” area in Rif Dimashq, completely destroying the factory.

 

Meanwhile, SOHR sources reported, on March 13, hectic and unusual movements and activities by Iranian-backed militias in different areas across Syria following the rocket attack on the surrounding areas of the US embassy in Erbil in Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

 

These movements included redeployment of troops, as in west Euphrates region, where Iranian-backed militias are stationed in Al-Bokamal and its desert and Al-Mayadeen and its countryside redeployed in new posts and positions. In addition, these militias transported weapons and ammunition to other locations in Al-Shibli area, Al-Mazarea on the outskirts and desert of Al-Mayadeen.

 

In Al-Raqqah, however, Observatory sources reported that the Iranian-backed militias transported their forces and weapons from two areas in Maadan desert to positions deep in the Syrian desert.

 

Moreover, SOHR sources reported unusual movements by Iranian-backed militias in Palmyra city and desert and other areas in the eastern countryside of Homs, as these militias redeployed in new positions and evacuated warehouses and points.

 

Similar movements were spotted in the suburbs of the capital Damascus and in Rif Dimashq, near the Syria-Lebanon border.

 

 

Developments in west Euphrates region top the events

 

As always, west Euphrates region, the Iranian “autonomous colony” on Syrian territory, witnessed key developments at all levels.

 

 

-Military sector

 

On March 11, the Afghan militia of “Liwaa Fatimyoun” transported weapons and ammunitions, including short and medium-range missiles and light and heavy weapons, aboard trucks from their warehouses in Athar Al-Shibli archaeological site in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor to Ma’dan desert in Al-Raqqah province.

 

While on March 24, 100 militiamen of “Al-Sayyida Zeinab” operating under the banner of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) passed a military course in Ayyash town in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor province. According to Syrian Observatory sources, the 100 militiamen were selected for their high qualifications in order to prepare them to join “special forces”. The majority of these militiamen are from Al-Mayadeen city, the “capital” of Iranian-backed militias in west Euphrates region.

 

It is worth noting that “Al-Sayyida Zeinab” militia was founded by “Moayad Al-Duwaihi,” who is from Al-Mayadeen city, with direct support and finance provided by IRGC.

 

Also, in late March, a militia affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps seized a farm in the area of the residences of agronomists’ associations in Al-Rasafah district in Deir Ezzor city. The farm belonged to an engineer, where a regime court had rendered a verdict stipulating the confiscation of the engineer’s properties.

 

According to Syrian Observatory sources, the militia turned the farm into headquarters. It is worth noting that Iranian-backed militias stationed in Deir Ezzor city and countryside had previously seized a large number of houses and farms belonging to civilians living abroad, under the decision of “provisional seizure of property” issued by regime courts over these civilians’ opposing political stances and opinions, as well as their participation in anti-regime activities.

 

On March 31, Iranian-backed militias conducted military drills under supervision by Iranian trainers in Al-Mazarae area in Al-Mayadeen desert in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, during which the Iranians trained fighters on the use of drones.

 

The drills also included training on the use of 23 and 14.5 calibre heavy machineguns and canons, where live ammunitions were used.

 

These military drills coincided with the flight of an “International Coalition” reconnaissance balloon over Deir Ezzor countryside.

 

 

-Strengthening presence and influence

 

On March 19, “Dar Al-Zahraa” of the Iranian culture centre started registering names of children to undergo new ideological courses on Shia’a faith in Hatla Shamali town in the north of Deir Ezzor. It is worth noting that most of the inhabitants of this town had converted to Shia’a. This coincided with similar new courses in Al-Bokamal city.

 

According to Observatory sources, such courses are conducted in “hosayniyas” established by Iranian-backed militias in Al-Hatlah town and in Al-Haidar centre near the Grand Mosque in Al-Bokamal city centre. A “hosayniya” is a congregation hall for Twelver Shia Muslim commemoration ceremonies) for their proxy militiamen, where the Shia’a Azan (call to prayers) is used and Shia’a rituals are practiced. The courses, which are completely closed and lasts for 30 days, are given by Shia’a Iraqi scholars. 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 a man from Al-Bokamal city known as “Abu Al-Qasim Al-Iraqi,” who was called as “Al-Iraqi” because of being close to “Abu Issa Al-Mashhadani” who is in charge of the Iranian-backed militia of the “47^th forces” in Al-Bokamal city and its surroundings.

 

 

Ongoing recruitment operations in eastern Aleppo and boosting of posts in Rif Dimashq

 

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 tops 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 joining 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 also reported that Iranian-backed militias 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.

 

 

Damascus and Rif Dimashq

 

In March, Iranian-backed militias started to transport large amounts of weapons and ammunitions from their weapons depots in the vicinity of Damascus international airport to fortified positions on the outskirts of eastern Ghouta and areas south of Damascus.

 

According to SOHR sources, Iranian-backed militias started transporting these weapons and ammunitions following the attack on the vicinity of Damascus international airport on March 7, where they stored these weapons and ammunitions in underground warehouses in basements they had seized and turned into military bases. Those bases are located on the outskirts of Al-Mulayha city in eastern Ghouta and Sayeda Zeinab, Beit Sahem, Aqraba, and Babila in the south of the capital, Damascus.

 

Observatory sources also confirmed that these shipments were transported by trucks used for transporting goods daytime so that the movement of trucks could not be detected and attacked by Israel.

 

 

Hectic movements and research by “nuclear scientists” in Homs countryside

 

On March 11, Iranian-backed militias, mainly Afghan Liwaa Fatemiyoun, brought in military reinforcements from west Euphrates region in Deir Ezzor to Palmyra city and its vicinity, east of Homs, a day after the Palestinian Liwaa Al-Quds’ withdrawal from Palmyra city to Damascus.

 

While on March 6, nearly 250 members of Liwaa Fatemiyoun and their families left Palmyra city in central Syria and headed towards Al-Bokamal city in Deir Ezzor countryside, before leaving Syria to Iraq. SOHR sources confirmed that the departure of Liwaa Fatemiyoun members to Iraq coincided with a meeting attended by Russian military delegation, Iranian delegation, and a delegation of the Lebanese Hezbollah. However, the outcome of the meeting remained unknown.

 

Moreover, Iranian-backed militias stationed in Syrian territory began advanced military drills to train battle-hardened fighters on the use of advanced weaponry, including medium and short-range missiles and drones. On March 27, Iranian-backed militias conducted medium and short-range missiles exercises near the third station in the countryside of Palmyra, east of Homs, at Syria-Iraq border. Moreover, Iranian-backed militias had begun new drone training exercises for nearly “200” battle-hardened fighters in Al-Tabni and Al-Mayadeen deserts in Deir Ezzor countryside.

 

On the other hand, two nuclear Iranian scientists arrived in Syria on March 29 to conduct “research” in phosphate fields and surrounding area controlled by Iranian-backed militias, south of Palmyra. According to Syrian Observatory sources, the two Iranian scientists moved between Al-Sawwanah site and another site known as “Al-Kimawi Battalion” in the eastern mountain range of Palmyra, in east Homs desert, through underground basements and tunnels between the two sides.

 

It is worth noting that that region, which is more akin to a “protectorate,” is fully fortified and no one is allowed to approach it. Near the location, there is a nature reserve where the militiamen do not allow even livestock to get closer it. While “Al-Kimawi Battalion” site hosts underground shelters and a tunnel network that facilitate the movement to and from the other sites.

 

Furthermore, regime soldiers joined the ranks of Iranian-backed Afghan militia of “Liwaa Fatemiyoun” in Palmyra city in the eastern countryside of Homs, as a part of the ongoing recruitment operations and luring of adult and young men by Iranian-backed militias. According to Syrian Observatory sources, “Liwaa Fatemiyoun” in Palmyra offers monthly salaries ranging from 100 to 150 USD and food baskets provided to the recruits every month, as well as other privileges. All these incentives spur regime soldiers and adult and young men to join Iranian-backed militias’ ranks.

 

 

We, at the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), renew our appeal to the international community, United Nations, and UN Security Council to intensify their efforts to force Iranian forces and their proxy militias out of Syria and bring all criminals, perpetrators of violations and all those who aided and abetted the killing and displacement of Syrian people to justice.