Iran’s presence in Syria in November 2022 | Ongoing entrenchment of presence in western Euphrates…strict measures by Hez*bollah near Syria-Lebanon border…military drills and fortification in Homs and Aleppo

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 November 2022.

 

 

West Euphrates region: Ongoing violations, fortifications and entrenchment of presence

 

Military movements

 

On November 6, the Iranian-backed Afghan “Liwaa Fatemiyoun” started a training course in “Ayash” warehouses, after rehabilitating them following the attacks by International Coalition aircraft. According to reliable SOHR sources, 40 local militiamen, who had struck reconciliation deals, mostly from Al-Moshahda and Al-Bakara tribes in west Deir Ezzor countryside in areas held by regime forces and Iranian-backed militias, underwent that course.

 

While on November 7, militiamen of the Lebanese Hezbollah, Iranian-backed militias and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC were seen being put on high alert in Al-Mayadeen city and the military headquarters, along with tours by pickup vehicles with submachine guns installed over them in the streets of the city. This coincided with a meeting that was held earlier that day between commanders of the Lebanese Hezbollah and IRGC in the “Cultural Centre” in Al-Mayadeen city in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor in order to register people who wanted to visit shrines in Damascus.

 

On the same day, a reconnaissance drone took off from Ayash warehouses, where that site is headquarters and a training centre for militiamen of the Afghan “Liwaa Fatemiyoun”. According to reliable SOHR sources, the drone took off at 03:00 pm towards villages in western Deir Ezzor countryside and headed towards villages in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor and the desert, before returning back to Ayash warehouses in western Deir Ezzor.

 

Also, on November 25, a convoy of trucks affiliated to the Lebanese Hezbollah escorted by a bus and other vehicles guarding the convoy arrived in Al-Bokamal city. According to SOHR sources, the convoy comprises trucks carrying ammunitions, while the bus and guarding vehicles were carrying militiamen of Hezbollah. On the other hand, the regime-backed 17^th Division brought in military reinforcement, including four buses carrying tens of soldiers, to Al-Mayadeen city. The recently-arrived soldiers were deployed in positions in Al-Mayadeen city, the “capital of Iranian-backed militias in west Euphrates region.”

 

Similarly, on November 27, military reinforcements of the Iranian-backed Afghan “Liwaa Fatemiyoun” arrived in Al-Mayadeen city from the capital, Damascus. The reinforcement comprised trucks carrying members of the elite forces of Liwaa Fatemiyoun with full materiel escorted by trucks loaded with weapons and ammunition. According to SOHR sources, some the recently-arrived troops were deployed in the Afghan militia’s posts in Al-Mayadeen city, east of Deir Ezzor, in particular within the security zone in Tamou neighbourhood, while some were stationed at headquarters which had handed over by the Lebanese Hezbollah.

 

 

Civil activities

 

As Iranian-backed militias are exerting diligent efforts to strengthen their presence in Syria and spread “Shi’aism” proselytising operations (conversion to Shiite) among Syrian civilians in order to impose their influence across the entire Syrian geography, SOHR sources reported, in early November, that Iranian-backed militias opened a bureau for tribal dignitaries in Villat Al-Baladiyah neighbourhood in Deir Ezzor in preparation for an expanded meeting to woo dignitaries and elders and polishing their image.

 

While on November 3, Iranian-backed militias in Deir Ezzor opened a free-due kindergarten called “Al-Khotwa Al-Oula” (the First Step). The kindergarten is supervised by Syrian and Iranian teachers and admits male and female children aged from seven to 15 years old. The kindergarten was opened with the beginning of school season 2022-2023 in Villat Al-Baladiyah neighbourhood, most of its houses were taken over by Iranian-backed militiamen. Iranian-backed militias offer high salaries to teachers who wish to teach at that kindergarten. Such activities are more akin to activities practiced earlier by the cubs of the caliphate and the vanguards of Al Baath Party, which aimed at preparing generations to follow their believes and policy. This also came as a part of the systematic policy of Iranian-backed militias to instill their ideologies into the segments of Syrian society in areas they dominate.

 

On November 6, SOHR activists reported that officials of the “Iranian Cultural Centre” in Al-Mayadeen city in eastern Deir Ezzor attended the final match between Al-Qouriyah and Mahakan football teams within the football tournament of poor neighbourhoods which is held by the “Iranian Cultural Centre.” At the end of the match, the head of the centre, who is known as “Al-Haj Rasol”, gave presents and money to members of Al-Qouriyah team after they won the tournament. According to reliable SOHR sources, officials of the “Iranian Cultural Centre” registered the names of players participating in the tournament, and vowed to provide monthly amounts of money to public teams. This came as a part of luring as many people as possible to join the centre’s activities.

 

Two days later, November 8, “Zainab,” the daughter of “Qassem Soleimani,” offered financial grant of 100,000 Syrian Liras, equivalent to 20 USD, to individuals affiliated to the “Iranian Cultural Centre” and local militiamen of militias backed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in Deir Ezzor, Al-Mayadeen and Al-Bokamal within areas held by regime forces and Iranian-backed militias.

 

Also, on November 19, the Iranian Cultural Centre in Deir Ezzor city organised a trip for university students to Al-Asdiqaa funfair “Karamish Park” in Huwaijat Sakr within areas held by Iranian militias in Deir Ezzor city.

 

 

Curbing Iranian expansion

 

A local group known as “Al-Bokamal Revolutionaries” put fliers on the walls of the streets of Al-Bokamal city and countryside, east of Deir Ezzor, on November 3, opposing the Iranian presence in the city and turning it into a post to transport weapons, ammunition, and missiles to Syria.

 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights obtained a copy of these fliers; here are highlights of the most important parts:

 

“We, Al-Bokamal revolutionaries, inform the occupiers and traitors, the Iranians and their affiliates, in Syria, particularly in Al-Bokamal which is still under predominance of Haj Askar and his affiliates, who continue to loot our resources, that we are watching you. Do not think that our silence indicates that we do not know what you are doing. We are people of this land, and we will never stay silent anymore against the practices of  Iranians and their affiliates and militias.”

 

“Our border areas had been safe before you came. In your presence, the area have become the poorest and most dangerous area because of your suspicious acts practiced by Abu Rama Al-Iraqi, in full view of the so-called Haj Askar; both of them have turned the area into a corridor for transporting weapons to Syria and illicit drugs to Iraq. The Euphrates valley has become a precursor of the war and a road of death. Everyday, trucks carrying weapons, ammunition and missiles cross through Al-Qa’em crossing and other illegal and unofficial crossings. We watch you and monitor your movements. We know who you are, and we will never be satisfied or calm down before we force you to leave our areas.”

 

 

Infightings

 

A local member of IRGC militia was seriously wounded by another member of the same militia, on November 4, in Al-Bokamal city in Deir Ezzor countryside due to a dispute between them over captagon pills. The injured person was taken to Damascus hospital for treatment due to his critical health condition.

 

On November 17, SOHR activists reported that members of the National Defence Forces threw grenades at headquarters of IRGC-backed militias in Al-Omal neighbourhood in Deir Ezzor city, causing material damage only. Meanwhile, clashes erupted between NDF members and IRGC-backed militiamen due to disputes over stealing iron from demolished houses in Al-Hemaydiyah neighbourhood in Deir Ezzor.

 

Similarly, on November 26, clashes with machineguns erupted between the security forces of the 4th Division and Iranian-backed militiamen working in smuggling following disputes over smuggling fuels from SDF-held areas to regime-held areas near Al-Hesayniyah town in Deir Ezzor city.

 

 

Other developments

 

SOHR activists monitored wide spread of brothels in Deir Ezzor city, under the protection of Iranian-backed militias, with the Iranian presence being strengthened in Syria, and expansion of Iranian influence in several neighbourhoods of Deir Ezzor city. According to reliable SOHR sources, brothels are present mostly in Al-Omal and Al-Jora neighbourhoods, with each brothel containing several women and girls, where members of Iranian-backed militias frequently visit these brothels, in light of absence of security supervision by regime forces in the city. Moreover, clashes which had erupted between National Defence Forces and Iranian-backed militias in Al-Omal neighbourhood were in front of one of those brothels.

 

On the other hand, Iranian-backed militiamen deployed at the desert highway between Al-Rahba and Al-Ashara areas in Deir Ezzor countryside all the way to Al-Raqqah countryside are being abused and deprived of medical care by their commanders, where these members suffer skin and intestinal diseases in light of with the outbreak of cholera in the region. In the same context, a vehicle carrying patients of Iranian-backed militias arrived in Al-Hamady hospital in Al-Mayadeen in Deir Ezzor countryside. Medical sources confirmed that the militiamen suffered from skin and intestinal diseases because of drinking contaminated water directly from Euphrates river without filtration.

 

On November 16, a special group of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps transferred a group of detainees from Ayyash camp prison to a newly established prison in Huwayjat Sakr on the outskirts of Deir Ezzor ciyt, which is located within a villa seized by IRGC and owned by persons opposing Al-Assad’s regime. Ayyash post was evacuated by IRGC of weapons and heavy equipment following US attacks in the previous month. According to SOHR sources, nearly 50 prisoners detained in Iranian-backed militia’s prisons in Deir Ezzor faced several charges, the most serious of which was the “transmission of information and spying for foreign parties.”

 

While on November 22, the markets in Al-Mayadeen city, the capital of Iranian-backed militias in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, saw a clear stagnation in the buying and selling movement and a significant rise in food and final goods prices. SOHR activists reported seeing the closure of several shops in Al-Mayadeen city markets amid the high prices of many types of stable food, affected by the consequences of Turkish bombardment on SDF-held areas in the countryside of Al-Hasakah, Aleppo and Al-Raqqah. Traders in Al-Mayadeen city exploit civilians’ needs and control prices under the pretext of the recent bombardment by Turkish forces. Meanwhile, reliable sources informed SOHR that members of the 4th Division stationed at acheckpoint on the Al-Balaum roundabout in Al-Mayadeen city prevent the introduction of clothing and shoes to Al-Mayadeen city except through a man from Deir Ezzor who can bring goods to the city.

 

 

Strict measures and camouflage tactics led by Hezbollah in Rif Dimashq

 

A series of developments related to the Lebanese Hezbollah’s activities have topped the events in areas dominated by Iranian-backed militias in November, where SOHR sources reported, on November 5, new instructions were received by members at the headquarters and military checkpoints of the Lebanese Hezbollah in Al-Tel area in Rif Dimashq, which stated the seizure of military cards from all Syrian fighters. Lebanese Hezbollah leadership opened an investigation with all militiamen in its ranks in Al-Tel area. The Lebanese Hezbollah seized military cards from Syrian members, after receiving information about the use of these cards by other persons to enter Lebanon in exchange for substantial sums of money. According to SOHR sources, Hezbollah seized 43 military cards, while the leadership decided to issue new cards and develop a mechanism to renew them, during the current month, in a way that would not allow the fighters to lease and benefit financially from these cards. The militiaman receives at least 150,000 SYP for military card rental, while the holder of this card gains the benefits of access and exit without inspection.

 

On November 10, the Lebanese Hezbollah has camouflaged military positions and posts near the Syria-Lebanon border in Rif Dimashq. According to SOHR sources, military patrols raised the internationally recognised Syrian flag at three Hezbollah positions and checkpoints near Dimas area, nearly four kilometres away from the border strip. Iranian-backed militiamen stationed at those positions and checkpoints also wore the military uniforms of the Syrian regime forces and raise the Syrian flag on their cars, along with placing pictures of Bashar Al-Assad on them, amid strict security measures.

 

While on November 12, the Lebanese Hezbollah brought in reinforcement to its positions in Rif Dimashq near the Syrian-Lebanese border. Nearly 30 militiamen, ammunition, and weapons arrived at an illegal crossing used by Hezbollah near Ras Al-Ain border area in Rif Dimashq, and the convoy headed to one of the military headquarters in the area, which is heavily fortified and under the protection of the 4^th Division military vehicles. According to Syrian Observatory sources, this is the first convoy comprising militiamen with ammunition and weapons to be delivered by Hezbollah to this area in months.

 

 

Military reinforcement arrives in areas near SDF positions in Aleppo countryside

 

On November 11, reliable SOHR sources reported the arrival of military and logistical supplies in the military base of Iranian-backed militias in the eastern countryside of Aleppo. According to SOHR sources, the militias brought in weapons, ammunitions, short-range missiles and logistical supplies from positions in Deir Ezzor to the Iranian-backed militias’ base in Habboubah village, between Al-Khafsah and Maskanah on the Euphrates river’s bank, opposite SDF-controlled areas on the other bank.

 

While on November 17, over 100 members, who had struck reconciliation deals with regime forces in Aleppo and driven to perform military service in regime army, escaped from regime-controlled areas. According to reliable SOHR sources, the administration of the Iran-backed militia of “Abu Al-Fadl Al-Abbas” handed over 136 members to regime forces to perform compulsory service, after having undergone reconciliations with the regime in Aleppo province. The members managed to escape to several areas, including SDF-held areas in the Syrian Jazeera. Meanwhile, many of them have been hiding and their fate remains unknown.

 

 

Military drills and fortifications in Homs countryside

 

On November 6, the Iranian-backed Afghan “Liwaa Fatemiyoun” inaugurated a grass playground in front of Palmyra national hospital in Palmyra city in eastern Homs, to conduct military drills courses for its militiamen.

 

While on November 15, SOHR activists reported the arrival of military reinforcement of “Liwaa Fatemiyoun” to Palmyra, east of Homs, from Iraq, via Al-Bokamal crossing. The reinforcement came after the Israeli attack on Al-She’ayrat military airbase. According to SOHR activists, the military reinforcement was deployed to the posts deployed in the area from Mahin city to Al-Sukhnah city running through Al-Qaryatayn village. Nearly 125 militiamen were also deployed to training centres in Al-Talilah and Al-Sukkari areas near Palmyra city.

 

In the meantime, Iranian-backed militias stationed on the outskirts of the 55 kilometre de-confliction zone, which hosts Al-Tanaf base, carried out joint military drills with heavy weapons, on November 23, in order to raise the combat readiness of militiamen.

 

 

Efforts to woo and impress the residents of Al-Hasakah

 

Iranian-backed militias tried new efforts in order to entrench their presence in Al-Hasakah province through impressing the residents. In this context, SOHR sources reported in mid-November that the IRGC-backed Iraqi militia of “Saraya Al-Kharasani” was preparing several headquarters in the security zone in Al-Hasakah, north-east of Syria, in cooperation with the post prominent military security and Iranian-backed figure in the security zone. According to reliable SOHR sources, the militia would started admitting young volunteers to its ranks by offering financial incentives. The activity of the militia is currently confined to recruiting men to support this project without allowing them to posses arms, in order not to be there an excuse for attacking these headquarters by SDF and US forces. It is worth noting that the commander of the National Defence Forces is notorious and had been involved in several banditries and incidents of looting properties of civilians and members of the regime police and security branches, who do not affiliated to Iranian-backed militias.

 

 

Ongoing Israeli attacks

 

As Israel and unidentified aircraft continue to violate Syria’s sovereignty, SOHR documented three attacks: two by Israel and one by unknown aircraft, that left heavy human and material losses. Here are further details of these attacks:

 

• November 13: Three members of the regime’s air-defence forces, including a major and a lieutenant, were killed and 16 others injured by Israeli strikes that targeted an arms depot of Iranian-backed militias, Iranian air-defences and a drone centre in Al-She’ayrat airbase area in Homs countryside.

 

• November 19: Israeli fighter jets attacked Iranian-baked militias’ sites and a regime air-defence battery in central Syria. The airstrikes targeted positions of Iranian-backed militias Masyaf countryside in the western countryside of Hama, other positions in Homs countryside and Jableh countryside in Latakia province. The attack left four Syrian military personnel, including three officers, dead and others injured, as well as destroying the weapons and ammunitions of Iranian-baked militias, amid confirmed reports of fatalities among the Iranian-backed militias.

 

• November 9: Unidentified aircraft attacked oil trucks and trucks loaded with weapons affiliated to Iranian-backed militias in the area of customs yard in Al-Herri and the military gate in Al-Bokamal countryside, east of Deir Ezzor. In addition, the airstrikes targeted a military site of Iranian-backed militias near the area, leaving 14 people and causing heavy material losses because of the explosion of the targeted oil trucks and trucks carrying weapons. Following this attack, members of “Liwaa Fatemiyoun” were seen being put on high alert in the area dominated by Iranian-backed militias, amid evacuation of their posts in Ayash warehouses and Al-Saaka Camp near Ayyash village in west Deir Ezzor countryside. Meanwhile, militiamen were deployed in Ayyash and Al-Beghayliyah villages, fearing renewed attacks.

 

Meanwhile, Al-Bokamal border crossing was reopened on November 10, as it was closed a day earlier following an attack by unidentified aircraft on a convoy of Iranian-backed militias on the Syria-Iraq border in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor.

 

Separately, SOHR documented the death of two Iranian-backed militiamen in ISIS operations in different areas in the Syrian desert in November.

 

 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) is used to hearing the Syrian regime’s empty mantra that it always reserves the right to respond to Israeli attacks. However, regime forces do not hesitate when it comes to shelling opposition positions or bombarding residential and civilian areas inside Syria. The Iranians also dare not launch a large-scale military operation against Israel, as they know full well that they will be facing the might of Israel’s military, so the Iranians seem satisfied with letting its proxies do its bidding by firing only a few rockets from time to time on the occupied Syrian Golan, using the Iranian and Hezbollah-backed movement “Syrian Resistance to Liberate Golan”.

 

At a time when the Syrian regime “intercepts and downs” Israeli missiles only with a Russian green light, Israel can hit Iranian targets -with the purpose of undermining the Iranian military presence in Syria- and only with Russia’s full consent.

 

On the other hand, Washington justifies Israel’s stance that “Tel Aviv practices its legal rights to defend its security and interests against the Iranian direct threat”, not to mention the US desire to get Syria free of Iranian forces and militias.

 

We, at the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), call for keeping the Syrian civilians out of the regional conflicts as the targeted areas and facilities are owned by Syrian people alone, not by Iran or its proxy militias.

 

SOHR stresses the importance of expelling the Iranian forces and militias from Syria without risking the safety and lives of civilians or damaging Syria’s public properties and facilities.