The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Iranian-backed militiamen arrested for “abandoning their tasks” in Al-Mayadin

Deir Ezzor Province – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: local militias of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) have arrested many of their affiliates in Al-Mayadin city in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. According to SOHR sources, these militiamen were arrested for abandoning “combing” and “cleaning” operations carried out by Iranian-backed militias in Al-Mayadin desert in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, searching for ISIS cells.

Yesterday, SOHR sources reported that Iranian forces and the Lebanese Hezbollah were still continuing proselytising (conversion to Shiite) and recruitment operations in their favour in southern Syria and the western banks of the Euphrates River by offering financial incentives and continuous usage of religion and sectarianism.

The Iranians continue recruiting men and young people, via their spiritual proxies, in “Saraya al-Areen” of Brigade 313 in north of Daraa, centers in Al-Lajat and other areas in Daraa, and other centers in Al-Baath city and Khan Arnabah in Al-Quneitra countryside near the border with the Occupied Golan, Al-Mayadin, its vicinity and desert, Al-Bokamal area in Deir Ezzor countryside, west of the Euphrates.

The Syrian Observatory documented that the number of volunteers in southern Syria rose to more than 5,600. Meanwhile, the number of recent recruits in the ranks of Iranian forces and loyal militias in the west Euphrates region rose to nearly 3,900 Syrian young people and men.

Iranian militias intentionally intensify such recruitment operations, particularly at a time when the Russian side is  preoccupied with military operations and recent agreements with Turkey regarding Northern Syria.