AMMAN/BEIRUT: In a significant move, hundreds of fighters from Iranian-supported Iraqi militias entered Syria overnight to assist the government in its fight against rebels who captured Aleppo last week. This information comes from sources in both Syria and Iraq.
According to two Iraqi security sources, at least 300 fighters, mainly from the Badr and Nujabaa groups, crossed the border late on Sunday. They used a dirt road to bypass official crossing points, aiming to stay under the radar from airstrikes. A senior Syrian military official noted that these fighters arrived in small groups as reinforcements for those already on the front lines in northern Syria.
Iran has been a key supporter of regional militia groups, which have played a crucial role in enabling pro-government forces to combat rebel groups since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in 2011. These forces have established bases in Syria over the years.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed confidence in Syria’s military capabilities to confront the rebels, while also indicating that Tehran would continue to support resistance groups in the region.
On Monday, Syrian government and Russian warplanes increased their bombardment of rebel-held areas in northwestern Syria. Reports from residents and rescue teams indicated that one airstrike hit a camp for displaced people, resulting in seven fatalities.
The recent surprise rebel offensive shocked many observers, marking a significant setback for President Assad and reviving a conflict that had seemed relatively stable since civil war lines had solidified in 2020.
While Russia has concentrated on the conflict in Ukraine for the past year, it still maintains an air base in northern Syria. The Iran-supported group, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, has recently focused on its own battles with Israel, especially following the Gaza conflict.
The Syrian conflict started in 2011 as a revolt against Assad’s government, with rebels controlling much of Aleppo from 2012 until government forces reclaimed it in 2016. This marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing war, aided by Russian and Iranian support.
Any extended fighting in Syria could further destabilize a region already affected by the crises in Gaza and Lebanon. Millions of Syrians remain displaced, and various international powers are supporting different factions in the country. The rebel forces include mainstream groups backed by Turkey as well as the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which has past ties to al-Qaeda.
