Inside Iran's Military Network in Syria

This article contains outdated information about Syria.

Iranian military intervention in the Syrian conflict began in late 2011 and early 2012, a few months after the outbreak of the rebellion against the Assad regime. 

In its first stages, this intervention had a low profile. Iran provided the Assad regime with financial aid, arms shipments, and communications jamming equipment. As fighting grew gradually more intense, Iran dispatched a few hundred officers of the Quds Force and senior Hezbollah operatives as military advisers and planners.

Iranian involvement significantly escalated in mid-2014 after the rise of the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq and the subsequent weakening of the Assad regime. Iran sent thousands of fighters from various military organizations to fight in Syria under Iranian leadership.

How Iranian Forces Were Deployed in Syria

Iran's operations in Syria were orchestrated by the Quds Force. Direct involvement by Iranian forces consist of two separate contingents: the first one consists of exclusively Iranian forces, based on the ground forces of the IRGC. The second is a smaller group of units from the regular Iranian army, Artesh, which began arriving in Syria in early 2016.

Iranian fighting forces in Syria grew to at one point as many as 2,500 men. Due to the fear of criticism at home over losses caused by an unpopular distant war, Iran gradually decreased the number of fighters in Syria, to less than a thousand today. These numbers mask the crucial role of Iranians as battlefield commanders of Syrian and Shiite militias, as well as the role of Iranian units in bitterly contested fighting.

Foreign Shiite Militias under Iranian Leadership

Iran's crucial battlefield support of the Syrian regime is by Shiite proxy forces, some led by IRGC officers.

Iran prefers to pursue its security interests by supporting proxy terrorism, which limits the risk of becoming involved in direct fighting. Iran provides a varying degree of support to a number of terror organizations throughout the region. In the case of some of the militias operating in Syria, Iranian support is comprehensive: Iran supplies the manpower, training, equipment, financial support and battlefield leadership.

Iran's proxy network in Syria grew as a leading instrument of its involvement in the Syrian conflict. At first, IRGC officers that were sent to reorganize parts of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) created local militias. Later on, foreign Shiite militias, most of them composed of Iraqi fighters, were brought to Syria under the leadership of the IRGC.

Hezbollah's Role in the Syrian Conflict

The third level of involvement came with the beginning of cross-border operations and campaigns by Lebanese Hezbollah in the spring of 2013. After initial successes near the Lebanese border and around the Shiite shrines in Damascus, Hezbollah operations expanded to all key areas of Syria.

Hezbollah's presence in Syria at its height was believed to amount to some 8,000 men (40 percent of the organization's active manpower). Hezbollah’s experience and discipline helped it achieve greater success than the regime’s army, increasing the influence of terror, especially in urban combat.

Recruitment of Foreign Terrorists

Iran claims that the Shiite fighters coming to Syria are motivated by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's call to “fight in Syria [..] To protect the holy sites.” However, Iran backs Khamenei's call with regular salaries and even some compulsion.

Deprived minorities within Iran's borders, such as the Afghan refugee population, are sent to fight for the promise of a regular salary and permanent status for their families. Such Afghan Shiites are sent to join the Fatemiyoun Brigade or Hezbollah Afghanistan. 

Long-Term Impact of Iran's Proxy Terror Network

Iran's proxy terror cells, originally formed as support units, have gradually increased in numbers and importance, becoming crucial for the Assad regime’s survival during its time. 

Some assessments even say that the number of foreign Shiite militants in Syria exceeds that of the soldiers in the Syrian Army. These fighting elements have not completely disbanded and disappeared, even after the fall of the regime. Experience from other conflicts (such as the Afghan civil war) suggests that they would be the source of instability and a strong lever for Iranian influence for the foreseeable future.

Militias involved in Syria, such as the Iraqi Harkat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, have previously stated their intention to fight Israel by creating a "Golan Liberation Corps." Hezbollah leaders have also claimed that "thousands of Shiites" from all countries would assist the organization in case of war with Israel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What interest does Iran have in Syria?

Iran uses proxy forces to advance its security interests while reducing the risks associated with direct military involvement. With communities in Israel less than 3 kilometers away from the Syrian border, Iran has long viewed Syria as a critical component of its effort to establish a continuous "land bridge" stretching from Iran through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon and the Mediterranean coast.

Q: What do Iran’s terror proxies do in Syria?

For decades, Iran and Hezbollah have established a foothold in Syria to threaten Israel and destabilize the whole region. Iran has repeatedly sought to establish military infrastructure in Syria to threaten Israel.

Q: When did Iran begin deploying forces to Syria?

Iran began providing assistance in late 2011 and early 2012 before expanding its military presence significantly after 2014.

Q: What role did Hezbollah play in Syria?

A: According to the article, Hezbollah participated in major combat operations throughout Syria and played an important role in battles that supported the Assad regime.

Q: What foreign militias fought under Iranian leadership?

Iraqi militias, the Fatemiyoun Brigade made up of Afghan Shiites, and other foreign Shiite forces operating under Iranian leadership.