Pro-Iran Iraqi Shiite militias enter Syria to reinforce Assad forces

BAGHDAD/DAMASCUS,— Hundreds of fighters linked to Iran-backed Iraqi Shiite militias entered Syria overnight to bolster government forces against Turkey-backed Islamic jihadi militants who recently seized control of Aleppo, according to Syrian and Iraqi sources, Reuters reported.

The fighters, mainly from the Badr and Nujabaa groups, crossed the border late Sunday via back roads to evade detection, Iraqi security officials said.

A senior Syrian military official confirmed the arrival of the reinforcements, emphasizing their mission to support government forces battling in the north. The fighters reportedly traveled in small groups to minimize the risk of airstrikes.

Iran’s support network of allied militias has long played a critical role in shoring up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime since the conflict began in 2011.

These militias have maintained strategic bases in Syria and contributed significantly to retaking rebel-held areas. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reiterated on Monday that while Syria’s army is capable, Iran-backed “resistance groups” stand ready to assist. He pledged full Iranian support for Damascus.

On Monday, Syrian and Russian forces escalated airstrikes on rebel-controlled areas in the northwest, targeting residential zones and a displaced persons camp. Seven people, including five children, were killed in one attack, local residents and rescue workers reported.

The renewed fighting follows a surprising Islamic jihadists offensive last week that caught government forces off-guard, marking the most significant blow to Assad’s regime in years.

The Islamic mercenary militants backed by Turkey include a mix of factions, such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham—formerly linked to al-Qaeda and previously known as the al-Nusra Front—which is considered a terrorist group worldwide, along with other groups operating under Turkey’s umbrella.

Turkey itself holds territory along the Syrian border and has clashed with Kurdish-led forces in the northeast, whom only Ankara labels as ‘terrorists,’ despite their previous partnership with the U.S. to fight ISIS.

Complicating the situation, international players remain deeply involved. Russia, though preoccupied with its war in Ukraine, retains military assets in Syria and continues to back Assad. However, Moscow is closely monitoring the evolving battlefield dynamics.

On Sunday, Russia reportedly replaced its top military commander in Syria, as warplanes supported Syrian government efforts to regain rebel-controlled areas near Aleppo.

The conflict’s renewed intensity threatens further instability in the region, already strained by ongoing violence in Gaza and Lebanon. Discussions between U.S. and Emirati officials prior to the Aleppo offensive explored the possibility of enticing Assad to distance himself from Iran in exchange for eased sanctions. However, these talks remain preliminary.

Aleppo has long been a focal point of Syria’s civil war. Rebels controlled much of the city from 2012 until 2016, when Assad’s forces, backed by Russia and Iranian militias, reclaimed it in a pivotal victory. The current fighting underscores the fragility of Syria’s seemingly frozen frontlines and raises fears of a prolonged escalation.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan dismissed claims that external forces drove the recent rebel gains, urging the Syrian opposition to pursue a political resolution.

Meanwhile, sources affiliated with Islamic jihadists reported advances on the outskirts of Aleppo, including Kurdish-controlled areas such as Sheikh Maqsoud, where the Kurdish YPG group has reportedly begun withdrawing under an agreement with Islamic jihadi factions.

In Damascus, government forces announced efforts to secure recently reclaimed towns north of Hama, a key area between Aleppo and the capital. Despite these gains, the conflict’s toll continues to mount, with millions of Syrians displaced and regional powers vying for influence in the war-torn nation.