Iran further increases its military presence in Syria

DAYRO ZCURO, Syria — Iran is working to enhance its influence in Syria, specifically in Dayro Zcuro (Deir ez-Zor) Governorate in the east of Syria, according to Sarah Dadouch writing for The Washington Post.

The report highlighted the recruitment efforts of the pro-Iranian militias, enlisting many young men from the region into their ranks. In recent months, Iran has invested large sums of money into bolstering these forces and as a result the affiliated militias are able to offer significantly better wages and working conditions than the Syrian Ba’ath regime. Enlistment numbers for forces directly controlled by Damascus have plummeted in Dayro Zcuro.

Dadouch’s report also revealed Iran’s intention to consolidate its presence and strengthen its influence within Dayro Zcuro. Control of the region is important to Iran as it represents a crucial point in its strategic corridor from “Iran, across Iraq and Syria and into Lebanon — allowing for the transfer of military equipment to Tehran’s allies, most notably the militant Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.” This “land bridge” will advance Tehran’s regional interests even after the end of the war in Syria and is indicative of Iran’s power in the region.

Earlier this month, an Iranian plane loaded with weapons, ammunition, rockets, and missiles landed at Daramsuq (Damascus) International Airport. Military reinforcements consisting of infantry and armoured vehicles arrived at the headquarters of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Dayro Zcuro desert.

Reactions to this development have been mixed. Dadouch reported that across the Euphrates River in areas governed by the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA), sporadic protests, usually held by Syrians displaced from other areas, demand the right to return home and the ousting of Iranian groups. 

The United States, the biggest supporter of the DAA, has also been nuanced in its effort to counter Iran’s influence in Syria, choosing instead to have the operational capability to strike this land corridor. Its forces stationed at the Al-Tanf Garrison (ATG) and its forces deployed with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) east of the Euphrates are able to significantly disrupt this route, if required.

Israel has been more offensive towards the development as it views Iran’s influence and military expansion in Syria as a direct threat to its national security. The country has launched more airstrikes on Iranian targets in Dayro Zcuro this week, hitting weapons warehouses and ammunition depots, according to reports gathered by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.