Eurasia Press & News
At a time when Syria is experiencing a state of relative calm in terms of military operations, which are confined to back-and-forth operations in the Syrian desert, and exchange of fire in the “de-escalation zone”, the simmering Russian-Iranian conflict is once again coming to the fore.
Each side in this conflict seeks to break the partnership of control, and the decision-making regarding the Syrian crisis after the Syrian regime has become a puppet in the hands of its allies, as the de facto rulers of the country are Russia and Iran.
This conflict, although it encompasses the entire Syrian territory in general, is concentrated in the south of Syria and west of the Euphrates in particular.
In Daraa, Russia and Iran are racing to wrest absolute control of the city, as Russia continues to strengthen the influence of its 5th Corps, making it a major force in the province, especially since the Corps’ members are from Daraa, the majority of whom are settled-status members.
That explains the Fifth Corps’ intervention sometimes in resolving conflicts, sometimes by creating conflicts in a bid to weaken the regime forces and the Fourth Division, which is close to Iran.
On the other hand, Iran continues “Shi’aism” proselytising operations and recruiting of young men and men via spiritual figures loyal to Iran and Hezbollah, such as the “Saraya al-Areen” of the 313th Brigade in northern Daraa, as well as centres in Sayda, Dai’l and Izr’a. The new recruits undergo training courses in Al-Lajat area in eastern Daraa and near the border with the occupied Syrian Golan.
Similarly, in Al-Quneitra, the Lebanese Hezbollah continues strengthening its presence by recruiting young people who have passed their date of joining the mandatory and reserve military service to regime’s security branches, exploiting the lack of job opportunities and deteriorating living conditions. Conversion to Shiite and recruitment operations are concentrated in Al-Baath city and Khan Arnabah.
While in the west Euphrates region, recruitment is noticeably escalating in the area from Al-Mayadin to Al-Bokamal in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, which is fully controlled by Iranian forces.
Russia, for its part, seeks to reduce Iran’s role, launching ongoing security campaigns with militias loyal to Russia and the Syrian regime and conducting periodic visits to Iran-held areas, as well as Russian prior knowledge of Israeli strikes targeting Iranians west of the Euphrates.
According to SOHR statistics, the number of volunteers in southern Syria has exceeded 8,600. Meanwhile, the number of recent recruits in the ranks of Iranian forces and loyal militias in the west Euphrates region in Deir Ezzor countryside has risen to nearly 7,450 Syrian young males and adult men.
Iranian militias intentionally intensify these recruitment operations, exploiting Russia’s preoccupation with recent agreements with Turkey regarding the “de-escalation zone” and north-eastern Syria.
