A report by Thawra reveals a Syrian security crackdown on Hezbollah cells in Sayyidah Zainab, highlighting rising tensions between Iranian and Syrian authorities. It discusses Iran’s military presence and support for the Assad regime, implicating Hezbollah and the IRGC in significant operations. Furthermore, the Syria-Lebanon border serves as a key area for Hezbollah’s illicit activities. The report emphasizes ongoing Iranian interference as a central issue for regional stability.
A recent report by the Syrian newspaper Thawra reveals a security operation launched by the Syrian Ministry of Interior targeting Hezbollah cells in Sayyidah Zainab, near Damascus. This operation is part of a crackdown aimed at preventing alleged criminal activities intended to destabilize the region. Images released by media outlets show security forces apprehending three individuals involved in these activities.
The report underscores the rising tensions between the Iranian regime and Syrian authorities, as the Ministry of Defense accuses Hezbollah operatives of infiltrating Syrian territory and being involved in the deaths of three soldiers from the newly formed Syrian army. These tensions highlight the ongoing scrutiny regarding Tehran’s influence in Syria, which has persisted since the conflict began in 2011.
Thawra indicates that Iran has employed both direct military intervention and proxy forces like Hezbollah to sustain its strategic presence in Syria. Hezbollah’s involvement in significant operations, such as the 2013 battle of Qusayr, along with the contributions of the IRGC’s Quds Force under Qassem Soleimani, has been crucial for supporting the Assad regime through military training and intelligence operations.
The article notes that Iran’s involvement in Syria is not limited to Hezbollah. It mentions the IRGC’s direct participation since the conflict’s inception, with claims of over 2,100 IRGC losses by March 2017. Thawra also implicates Iran as complicit in the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons, particularly during the 2013 Ghouta attacks, which led to significant civilian casualties.
The report highlights the Syria-Lebanon border as a significant transit route for Hezbollah’s illicit operations, including arms and drug trafficking, purportedly with Iranian assistance. Recent months have seen escalating conflict along this 375-kilometer border, raising concerns about Hezbollah’s cross-border activities.
In conclusion, Thawra’s report emphasizes that Iran’s ongoing interference in Syria—either directly or via proxy forces like Hezbollah—remains a critical factor in regional instability and security. The Syrian crackdown on Hezbollah cells signals the escalating tensions between Tehran and Damascus regarding Iranian influence in the region, as the newly established Syrian government has assumed responsibility for protecting the Sayyidah Zainab holy site, previously justified as needing defense from insurgent threats.
The Thawra report unveils significant insights into Iranian interference in Syria through Hezbollah, highlighting ongoing tensions between the Iranian regime and Syrian authorities. The crackdown on Hezbollah cells demonstrates the complexities of Iranian influence in the region, especially as Syria’s new government takes over protective responsibilities. This situation underscores broader implications for regional stability and security as Iran’s involvement continues to evolve.
Original Source: www.ncr-iran.org
