There are worrying reports that pro-Iran groups in Iraq want to intervene in Syria again to undermine or overthrow the new government in Damascus. This is because many were invested in defending the Assad government and Tehran’s interests and want to re-establish their influence in the country.
Al Mada reported that members of the ruling Coordination Framework are upset with the new government in Syria. Some have talked about sending forces back in and overthrowing the regime. This is likely from pro-Iran groups that supported Assad.
Bas News added that pro-Iran Hashd groups along with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard are forming a militia made up of ex-Assad soldiers. This is taking place in Anbar which neighbors Syria and where the main border crossing is controlled by Tehran’s Iraqi allies.
This is all motivated by the fall of Assad. Iran’s Iraqi proxies went to the defense of Assad as soon as hostilities began in 2011. When the rebel offensive started last year Tehran and the Iraqi factions were caught off guard. The government fell so quickly neither could respond in time. Now they could be plotting their return.
This is complicated by the new Trump administration which has restarted its Maximum Pressure campaign versus Iran. Any overt intervention by Iran and Iraq could lead to military action by the United States and probably Israel as well. Baghdad is already weary that the Americans might strike it because of the pro-Iran Hashd. Moving into Syria would almost ensure that. The problem for the Sudani government is that it has no real control over these armed groups.
SOURCES
Bas News, “Iraqi Militias, IRGC Recruiting Ex-Syrian Officers for New Force: Report,” 3/27/25
Al Mada, “Fatherless Factions: Messages of a Possible Attack on Tehran After the Houthis,” 3/18/25
No comments:
Post a Comment