SUWAYDA/ Daraa, Syria (North Press) – Residents in southern Syria have expressed that the hegemony imposed on the region by the Syrian government, supported by Iranian militias, was intended to limit the “cradle of the revolution in Daraa” and take revenge of Suwayda after its young men refused to participate in the government’s compulsory military service.
They contend that this hegemony resulted from the increasing Iranian infiltration in the south, which rapidly transformed it into a conflict zone. As a result, the southern region became a hub of disorder and drug trafficking, especially captagon, which is smuggled both within and across its borders.
Iranian positions
Iran has recently attempted to expand its influence in the south and promote the trade of captagon by recruting local militias affiliated with the Syrian government’s Military Security branch, engaging in smuggling operations, and causing security chaos, according to a source in one of the local militias.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Iran is trying to consolidate its presence in southern Syria to use it as a bargaining chip against neighboring countries.
The source continued, “There are many Iranian positions in Suwayda, the most prominent of which are located at the Khalkhalah military airport in the northern countryside, and at al-Thulah military airport, in west of the city. They also have presence in the areas of Tel al-Qulayb near the town of al-Kafr, and Tel Sahin east of al-Hawiya village in the southeastern countryside of the governorate.”
Sheikh al-Karama forces, a self-defense militia opposed to the government but avoid fighting it, issued a statement on their official Facebook page saying they received information indicating that militias affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have gathered at Base 129 near Najha in southern Rif Dimashq Governorate.
The statement added that the gathering of these militias “came to spread rumors about repelling a possible attack that Suwayda might face from the eastern side of the governorate.”
The statement noted that the main objective of these gatherings is “to strike the governorate and eliminate the remaining local factions [which oppose the government] that stand for the dignity” of the region and its people.
Iran and political strategies
A study conducted by Jusoor for Studies, in cooperation with the Informagene Foundation for Data Analysis, concluded that Iran’s positions have increased in Syria, reaching 570 sites, the largest foreign presence in the country.
Southern Syria is considered to have the largest share of that presence.
Dr. Fayez al-Qantara, a political researcher, told North Press that Iran’s influence in the country in general and southern Syria in particular is “a source of concern for neighboring countries.”
The analyst says that Iran’s expansionist ambitions have contributed “to tear apart the region and turn the conflict into a sectarian and doctrinal conflict.”
He points out that despite repeated warnings of the need to keep Iran away from southern Syria and the Golan Heights, and despite Russia’s assurance to do so, it has “failed” to achieve this objective. Furthermore, Iran has reinforced its positions in the region in particular taking advantage of “Russia’s recent weakness.”
The importance of the south
According to al-Qantara, the importance of southern Syria lies in its being “a key to the Arab Gulf, which is the next target of Iranian ambitions.”
He pointed out Iran is using southern Syria as a ground zero for exporting drugs to neighboring countries “in order to dismantle their societies before taking control of them.”
“Infiltration policy“
Brigadier General Abdullah al-Asaad, Director of the Rasd Center for Strategic Studies, stated in an interview with North Press that “Iran and its militias are taking over new areas in Daraa Governorate day by day.”
He added that these areas “were previously military bases for the Syrian regime’s army, and Iranian militias have taken over these bases, using them as their own while hoisting the Syrian regime’s flag for disguise.”
Al-Asaad explained that the policies pursued by Iran “aim to deepen its presence in the region through concealment and camouflage.”