Iran-backed militia sends militants to fight SDF in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Iranian-backed militia sent 140 militants to fight the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria, after orders from a leader in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
A source in the Syrian government forces told North Press on Sunday that Al-Haj Karar, an IRGC leader in charge of field operations in the countryside of Aleppo, northwestern Syria, ordered the Iranian-backed Baqir Brigade to send 140 militants to fight the SDF in Deir ez-Zor.
Baqir Brigade is led by Nawaf Ragheb al-Bashir and his children with the majority of its militants coming from al-Baggara tribe. Al-Bashir is a pro-Iranian figure whose groups are active in the western bank of the Euphrates, which is under the control of the government forces and Iranian-backed militias.
The Brigade has between 1,500-2,000 militants. This militia is not known for participating in battles even though its presence is confirmed in the towns of Sabikhan and al-Boleel, according to sources. They mainly protect headquarters and carry out smuggling operations across the Euphrates River.
Karar coordinated with Khalid al-Hassan al-Aloush, aka Khalid al-Baqir, the militia’s leader in Syria, which is stationed in the al-Baloura neighborhood in Aleppo, the source said.
Khalid al-Baqir, hails from the al-Baggara tribe and has turned Shiite to obtain personal gains. He coordinates with Nawaf al-Bashir.
The orders came to train these militants and integrate them within the ranks of the Sons of Jazira and Euphrates Movement to fight against the SDF in the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, according to the source.
The Sons of Jazira and Euphrates Movement are engaged in kinetic military and paramilitary actions in the eastern Syria. The militia mainly fights the SDF and aim at reinforcing Arab tribal power.
Some of these militants have been trained to operate kamikaze drones in the town of Khan al-Assal in the west of Aleppo to target bases of the U.S.-led Global Coalition in the east of Euphrates.
The remaining militants are to be trained by Muntassir al-Hussein, a local leader of the al-Baqir Brigade in Deir ez-Zor, under orders from Khalid al-Baqir.
Al-Hussein oversees training of militants in Brigade 137 near Deir ez-Zor Airport, Regiment 47 in the desert of Abu Kamal, and the operations area in al-Haydariya in the east of Deir ez-Zor.
He is known for his full allegiance to Iran and is highly trusted by Iranian leaders.
The militants were transferred last week from Aleppo to the countryside of Deir ez-Zor via IRGC vehicles. Moreover, they hail from the towns of Nubl, Zahraa, Dayr Hafir, Safirah, and Khanaser in the countryside of Aleppo.
They also shipped and stored drones in posts of the Hezbollah Brigades, a group affiliated with Iran within Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), in the countryside of Abu Kamal under the supervision of leader Shero al-Baqir.