Syrian government recalls soldiers serving in Iranian-backed militias
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Syrian government continues to recall soldiers serving within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Syrian territory in an unprecedented phenomena since the start of the war in the country in 2011.
A source affiliated with the government told North Press every day hundreds of young men serving in IRGC come to recruitment centers of the government to be sent to the government combat units.
An estimate of 50.000 Syrians are serving in IRGC under name of Local Defense Forces, according to the source.
Iran and Syria concluded several agreements according to which they legalized recruiting those wanted for compulsory and reserve services within Iranian-backed formations under the name of settlement agreements, but they remained enrolled within the government forces.
The government measure has shocked those serving in the IRGC, the source said.
The 30-year-old Muhammad Saloum, a pseudonym for a soldier from the Shiite town of Nubl, north of Aleppo, and works with Iranian militias said, “After five years’ service with Iranians, I was recalled by government forces.”
Saloum added, “A lot of my comrades have been recalled by the government immediately enrollment, under penalty and prosecution in case of evasion or delay to join.”
An official in the Local Defense Forces told North Press, “Up to now, nearly 10.000 fighters of Local Defense Regiment in Aleppo have joined the Syrian government forces.”
The source added the demand by the government to recall soldiers operated in the Local Defense Forces was activated early in March covering all military personnel including injured and wounded.
“Local Defense Forces are formally affiliated with the Syrian Ministry of Defense with Syrian officers running its branches in governorates, and it follows regulations of the Syrian Army. However, Iranian officials and others of Hezbollah structurally and administratively run it,” the source noted.