Iran’s militias expanding presence in Syria’s Deir ez-Zur

Aya Ezz

Iran is expanding its influence in the northeastern Syrian province of Deir ez-Zur, especially after the Iraqi government started tightening the noose around Iranian militias in Iraq.

Iraqi authorities had recently removed posters featuring the photos of the late commander of Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, from the road Baghdad International Airport from central Baghdad. They also arrested a number of the members of the Iraqi Hezbollah militia which is backed by Tehran.

Hundreds of Iraqi Shiite militia members had recently been transferred to Deir ez-Zur, according to the Iraqi newspaper, al-Sumaria News.

Moving ahead

Iranian militias have been increasing their presence in Deir ez-Zur since 2017, Russian media says.

These militias have succeeded in spreading Shiite thoughts among the residents of the province, especially in al-Bukamal on the border between Iraq and Syria, it adds.

It says Iran succeeded in gaining presence among the residents of the province by offering them humanitarian and social support.

Iran established a cultural center in Deir ez-Zur two years ago. It uses the center in strengthening its relations with province officials, including young officials.

Syrian political activist, Rayan Maarouf, accused Iran of fully occupying Deir ez-Zur.

This occupation is manifest in the presence of Iranian militias and its cultural centers of the province, he told The Reference.

He said Iran pays youngsters in the different villages of the province large amounts of money in return for joining its militias.

It also offers them housing and other perks in return for protecting the Iraq-Syrian border for Iran’s sake, Maarouf added.

Importance

Syria is a focal point in Iran’s regional strategy, according to the international Center for Iranian Studies.

What came to be called the “Arab Spring” helped Iran enter Syria and achieve its goals in it, the center added in a study it released in 2016.

It said Iran’s misguided practices are complicating the Syria crisis, especially with Tehran fanning sectarian seditions in the war-torn Arab country.