By Ihsan Muhammad
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – Residents of Daraa Governorate in southern Syria harbor concerns regarding the potential ramifications of mutual threats between Iran and Israel. These concerns stem from the extensive presence of Iranian militias, which expose the residents to geopolitical consequences arising from regional tensions.
Daraa is of great importance for both Iran and Israel after the Syrian government forces, supported by Russia, managed to defeat the opposition factions and regain control over the governorate in July 2018.
Iran, on the other hand, started to increase its influence through deploying its troops to the area as it sees Daraa as a gateway to shape developments in Jordan, a key U.S. and to achieve its ambition in gaining geopolitical influence in the region.
Iranian influence in Daraa
Abdullah al-Asaad, Director of the Rasd Centre for Humanitarian and Development Studies, draws attention to the growing Iranian activity in southern Syria since the onset of the Syrian protests in 2011. The number of militants affiliated with Iranian-backed militias in the region has surged to approximately 3,000, deployed to suppress anti-government demonstrations.
As the armed confrontations between the government forces and the Syrian opposition intensified, the presence of Iranian militias expanded, with tens of thousands of trained personnel.
Previously, Iranian activity in the area predominantly focused on religious advocacy. However, since 2011, there has been a significant shift towards military involvement, resulting in the transfer of previously controlled military sectors to the control of Iranian militias. This shift occurred as the government forces withdrew from those areas, al-Assad notes.
Furthermore, he explains that “Iranian militias in southern Syria are engaged in drug smuggling operations towards Jordan, alongside assassinations against opposition activists.”
The presence of Iran in Daraa and its surrounding areas has substantial consequences, particularly through the recruitment of Syrian youth into Iranian-affiliated militias such as Hezbollah and Brigade 313.
Al-Asaad emphasizes that local residents in Daraa strongly oppose the presence of Iranians. Consequently, there has been a rise in the number of killings and assassination operations against militants and their collaborators, often executed through ambushes.
Funding and intensive deployment
al-Asaad discloses that units from the government’s 15th Division have withdrawn from military positions along the Syrian-Jordanian border and have been replaced by militants from Iran-backed militias such as Liwa Fatemiyoun and Zainabiyoun, with the aim of exerting full control over the border area.
The estimated number of Iranian militias deployed in southern Syria amounts to tens of thousands.
A former Syrian opposition leader, who preferred anonymity for security reasons, told North Press that Israeli airstrikes on government military camps have been ongoing for several years and intensified after Iranian militias started launching Katyusha rockets towards settlements in the Golan Heights.
To conceal their movements, Iranian militias have begun using vehicles belonging to Syrian government forces and wearing their military uniforms to avoid detection, the leader added.
The leader adds, “Israel consistently issues warning messages regarding any dealings with Iranian militias and Hezbollah through leaflets dropped by aircraft, especially in the western countryside of Daraa, and in Quneitra Governorate.”
It is worth noting that Iran has resorted to employing proxies to carry out its projects in exchange for substantial financial rewards and significant privileges. This arrangement aims to safeguard Iranian nationals and members from being targeted.
Daraa a negotiating hotspot
Hussam al-Barm, a France-based researcher and journalist, highlights the tense and uneasy atmosphere among residents in Daraa due to the significant presence of Iranian militias. The threats issued by Israel against Iran have further heightened concerns in the area.
Al-Barm argues that the Iranian military activities in Daraa pose an escalating risk not only to the region but also to the wider southern area of Syria. This is primarily due to the operations conducted by Iranian militias against Israel from the southern parts of Syria.
The researcher suggests that the southern region of Syria might be susceptible to a potential Israeli military intervention aimed at ousting Iranian militias and securing the borders.
Despite these challenges, al-Barm talks about the lack of genuine efforts to protect the residents from potential dangers, as it appears that both the Syrian government and Iran do not prioritize their safety.
Despite these challenges, al-Barm indicates to the absence of sincere efforts to safeguard the residents from potential hazards, as neither the Syrian government nor Iran prioritize the well-being of the residents.
He hints that the residents of Daraa have expressed apprehensions about potentially shouldering the military and geopolitical repercussions of an Iranian-Israeli agreement. Under this agreement, the region’s requirements would be addressed in exchange for granting Iran specific privileges in other areas.