Iraqi Militias Join Syria’s Counteroffensive Against Insurgents

Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have moved into Syria to support the Syrian government’s efforts against a sudden insurgent offensive that saw the capture of Aleppo, the largest city in the region. This deployment was confirmed by a militia official and a war monitor on Monday.

Last week, insurgents led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a two-pronged assault on Aleppo and advanced into the surrounding areas of Idlib and Hama provinces. In response, Syrian government forces established a fortified defensive line in northern Hama to slow the insurgents’ progress. On Sunday, airstrikes from Syrian jets targeted rebel-held areas to impede the insurgents’ advances.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Damascus on Sunday to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, reaffirming Iran’s full backing of the Syrian government. Araghchi also traveled to Ankara, Turkey, a key supporter of the rebels. He reiterated Iran’s commitment to supporting President Assad and his regime, highlighting that Iran has been a principal ally of Assad’s government since the conflict began in 2011.

In support of Assad, Iranian-backed Iraqi militias already stationed in Syria mobilized, and additional fighters crossed into Syria to reinforce Syrian forces. According to an anonymous militia official, about 200 Iraqi fighters entered Syria via the Bou Kamal crossing and were expected to assist Syrian troops in their counteroffensive against the insurgents.

Meanwhile, Syrian and Russian airstrikes targeted rebel positions in Hama and Idlib provinces. These strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 10 civilians in Idlib, as reported by the Syrian Civil Defense operating in opposition-held areas.

In northern Syria, Syrian Kurds are fleeing the violence after Turkish-backed rebels captured Tel Rifaat from Kurdish forces supported by the U.S. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have largely withdrawn from the area and are calling for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to allow civilians to safely escape towards Aleppo and the Kurdish-controlled regions in the northeast.