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The Kuwaiti Al-Qabas daily and the Syrian opposition website Horan Free League recently published lengthy articles describing the "increasing tension in southern Syria,"[1] in light of Iran's moves to exploit Russia's preoccupation with the war in Ukraine, to entrench its control over Syria's Daraa Governorate by deploying forces of the militias it supports, headed by the Afghan Fatemiyoun Brigade, along the border with Jordan. The articles contend that the Iranian activity in southern Syria is intended to ensure that drugs can be easily smuggled into Jordan, and may also be in preparation for a military operation in the Daraa area, most likely against Syrian opposition elements.
It is noteworthy that in recent months senior Jordanian officials have claimed that there has been a steep increase in instances of drug smuggling from southern Syria to territory in the kingdom, including by means of drones.[2]
The following are excerpts from some of the reports about the Iranian entrenchment in southern Syria:
Iran Digs In Along the Syria-Jordan Border And Establishes New Bases in the South of the Country
On August 23, 2022, the Al-Qabas daily in Kuwait reported that the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) recently dispatched three units of the Afghan Fatemiyoun Brigade to Daraa City in southern Syria. Together, these units number 350 men, under the command of "a senior member of the Afghan militias named Hikmatullah Harati," and according to Al-Qabas they were sent to the region with the objective of deploying along the border with Jordan, under the supervision of "Iranian experts." The militiamen were reportedly sent after they were trained and equipped at military camps southeast of Tehran, where their training included instruction in the operation of short-range rockets and drones. Iranian officers and other IRGC members were also said to be in Daraa. The daily adds that relatives of the members of the Fatemiyoun Brigade were also relocated to Daraa.
The above photograph depicts members of the Fatemiyoun Brigade in Syria (Source: Alqabas.com, August 23, 2022)
Al-Qabas writes that the IRGC also established a new command center to direct operations in southern Syria, and that the center became active after the Fatemiyoun Brigade concluded the deployment of its units along the border with Jordan. At the same time, the new Malik Al-Ashtar base was set up in Daraa, to replace the small military outposts that Iran employed until recently. The paper maintains that the establishment of the new base indicates an Iranian intention to remain in the area for a lengthy period of time, with the aim of protecting Iran's interests and investments in the region.
On August 27, 2022, the Syrian opposition website Horan Free League referred to the Al-Qabas report regarding Iran's intention to establish a new base named Malik Al-Ashtar, and noted that the Fatemiyoun Brigades already has a base in the "Triangle of Death – Damascus-Daraa-Quneitra," which has existed since 2014, but that Iran is now working to establish another base, adjacent to the border with Jordan, possibly where an anti-aircraft base is currently located, near Daraa. The website suggests that this may be because the pro-Iranian militias took control of this base several months ago and banished all the locals who belonged to the Syrian security apparatuses.
The above photograph depicts members of Iranian militias in Daraa in August, 2022. (Source: Horanfree.com, August 27, 2022)
Iran Kills Syrian Opponents of the Regime in Southern Syria and Works To Transform Daraa Governorate into its "Spearhead against Iran, the Gulf, and Saudi Arabia"
Horan Free League claims that another way in which Iran is attempting to boost its presence in southern Syria, is by killing opponents of the Syrian regime in the area. The website contends that recently Iran has boosted its "systematic policy" of assassinating senior officials of the Syrian opposition who oppose its presence in the area, citing the examples of Khaldoun Al-Zou'bi who was killed on August 25, and the sheikh Fadi Al-'Asmi who was murdered on August 16.[3] The killings have taken place concurrently with Iran's moves to attain control over the Daraa Governorate.
The website further states that according to updated information it possesses, the killings are expected to continue and in the future rather than being carried out by deliberately anonymous perpetrators, it will be clear who is behind them. This is said to be part of Iran's transition from a phase of clandestine activity to a new phase of open activity in the region.
Immediately following the establishment of the Iranian bases in Daraa Governorate, the article continues, Tehran is expected to act against Syrian opposition elements, relying mostly on foreign fighters and locals. In this context it recounts that in the final days of August 2022, Fatemiyoun forces began to organize in the suburbs of Daraa City, in advance of their move to the new base that has been established in the area. The article concludes with the assertion that, "The situation in Daraa is veering in a very dangerous direction" in light of Iran's intentions to acquire total control of Daraa Governorate and transform it into its "spearhead threatening Jordan, the Gulf [States], and Saudi Arabia."
The short video clip from June 2022 that was released with the Horan Free League article reviews the level of preparedness of the Iran-backed militias in southern Syria, among them: Hizbullah, Fatemiyoun Brigades, and the Iraqi Abu Al-Fadhl Al-'Abbas militia.[4] According to the video, these militias have secretly deployed along the Jordanian border in order to ensure smooth drug smuggling operations into the kingdom or in preparation for a military campaign in Daraa, which will most-likely target Syrian opposition elements in the area.
The above photograph depicts members of the Fatemiyoun Brigade in Syria (Source: Alqabas.com, August 23, 2022)
The reports referred to above corroborate others released recently by Syrian opposition elements which state that the IRGC and Hizbullah are working to entrench their hold on southern Syria and along the Syrian border with Jordan and with Israel.[5]
[1] August 23, 2022.
[2] See for example MEMRI JTTM Reports: While Jordan Reports Significant Hike In Drug Smuggling Into The Country Involving Iran-Backed Organizations, Syrian Opposition Websites Report Hizbullah Is Ramping Up Drug Production In The South, May 24, 2022; and Syrian Opposition Website: Iran-Backed Militias Use Drones To Smuggle Drugs, June 7, 2022.
[3] August 27, 2022.
[4] June 3, 2022.
[5] See for example MEMRI JTTM Reports: Syrian Opposition Website: Hizbullah Opens Course To Train Operatives For Deployment On The Border Between Syria, And Israel And Jordan, June 29, 2022; and Syrian Opposition Websites: Iran Is Establishing A Local Militia In Southern Syria, On The Border With Israel, May 10, 2022.
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