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On November 12, 2023, the Syrian opposition-affiliated Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that the Nukhbah [Elite] forces, some of whom were trained by Lebanese Hizbullah and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have assumed "complete control" of the areas of southern Syria near the border with the Israel-controlled Golan Heights, including the Quneitra governorate, the western part of Rif Dimashq governorate, and parts of western Daraa governorate. According to SOHR, the Nukhbah forces, estimated to include more than 700 operatives, comprised of the "Syrian Resistance to Liberate the Golan," as well as Syrians, Iraqis, Palestinians, and members of other nationalities, arrived in southern Syria in several batches over the course of October, without any coordination with the Assad regime's military command. Also according to the report, regime commanders issued strict orders to their forces – who received them with displeasure – not to fire any rockets or bullets toward the "occupied Golan."[1]
SOHR had reported on October 23 that hundreds of elite Hizbullah-trained elite forces had deployed along the Golan border, claiming at the time that the elite operatives were Iraqis, Syrians, and Afghan members of the Iran-backed Fatemiyoun Brigade militia, with other Palestinian operatives subject to Hizbullah also present in the border area.[2]
Since the start of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, there have been multiple reports in Syrian opposition and Arab media that Iran-backed militias are increasing their presence in southern Syria near the border with Israel.[3] According to some reports, Syrian regime forces arrested security officials stationed in the country's south who refused to cooperate with Iran-backed militias recently deployed in the area.[4]
[1] November 12, 2023.
[2] See MEMRI JTTM Report: Syrian Opposition Website: Elite Forces From Iran-Backed Militias Deploy Along Syrian Border With Israel On Golan Heights Under Hizbullah Supervision, With No Coordination With Syrian Regime, October 23, 2023.
[3] See MEMRI JTTM Reports: Syrian Opposition Websites: Iran-Backed Militias Enhance, Entrench Presence Along Syria's Borders With Iraq, Israel, October 26, 2023; Arab Media Reports: Iran-Backed Militias Intensify Presence In Southern Syria, Recruit New Members To Participate In Fighting Against Israel, November 6, 2023; and Report By London-Based Saudi Magazine Details Names, Numbers, Locations Of Iran-Backed Militias In Syria, Particularly Near Israeli Border, November 9, 2023.
[4] See MEMRI JTTM Report: Syrian Forces Arrest Security Officials In Quneitra Government Who Refused To Cooperate With Iran-Backed Militias Amid Israel-Hamas War, November 3, 2023.
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