Iran-Backed Iraqi Forces Enter Syria
Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have moved into Syria to support the government’s counteroffensive following a surprise insurgent takeover of Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city.
The deployment aims to bolster the Syrian military while it struggles to regain control, according to a militia official and a war monitor.
Insurgents, spearheaded by the jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a two-pronged offensive on Aleppo last week, extending their advance into the countryside around Idlib and Hama provinces. In response, government forces established a fortified defensive line in northern Hama to slow the insurgents’ progress, while airstrikes on Sunday targeted rebel-held positions.
How Many Iraqi Militia Crossed into Syria?
Approximately 200 Iraqi militiamen crossed into Syria overnight through the strategic Bou Kamal border crossing, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor. Traveling in pickups, the fighters are reportedly heading to Aleppo to reinforce the Syrian army’s efforts to counter the insurgents’ recent advances.
According to an Iraqi militia official, Tehran-backed Iraqi militias stationed in Syria have been mobilized, with additional reinforcements crossing the border to support Assad’s government and military. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to a lack of authorization to address the media, highlighted the growing role of Iraqi forces in bolstering Assad’s defenses.
How Many People Died in Russian Airstrikes?
Syrian and Russian airstrikes targeted rebel-held areas in Hama and Idlib provinces, intensifying efforts to halt the insurgents’ advance. According to the Syrian Civil Defense operating in opposition-controlled regions, at least 10 civilians were killed in Idlib city and surrounding areas.
Iran Foreign Minister Meets Assad
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Sunday, reaffirming Tehran’s unwavering support for the Syrian government amid escalating regional tensions. Following his visit to Syria, Araghchi traveled to Ankara for discussions with Turkish officials, aiming to address the ongoing conflict and explore avenues for regional stability.
The surprise offensive by HTS is a huge embarrassment for Assad, and it comes at a time when his allies—Iran and groups it backs and Russia—are preoccupied with their own conflicts.
“I clearly announced full-fledged support to President Assad, government, army, and people of Syria by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Araghchi declared. While he provided no further details, Iran has long been one of Assad’s primary backers, offering political and military support. Since the 2011 protests against Assad’s regime escalated into a full-scale war, Iran has deployed military advisers and forces to bolster the Syrian government’s position.
Is There Panic in Damascus?
The insurgents declared their intention to advance all the way to Damascus, but life in the Syrian capital appeared undisturbed, with no visible signs of panic. In contrast, southeastern Aleppo painted a different picture, as the main road out of the city was gridlocked with residents fleeing the fighting. Gas stations in the area also faced fuel shortages, adding to the growing sense of crisis.
The escalation in fighting has heightened concerns of a new destabilizing front in the Middle East, adding to an already volatile region where Israel is engaged in conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. These ongoing confrontations have repeatedly risked sparking a broader regional war. The situation also carries the potential for Russia and Turkey, both heavily invested in Syria and pursuing conflicting interests, to be drawn into direct and intensified clashes with one another.
Source » msn
