A delegation of senior Tehran representatives close to the Iranian Supreme Leader visited Syria’s southwestern province, Daraa. Their trip was carried out under the banner of reconstruction and empowerment of locals.
Including Khamenei’s personal representative, dubbed Abu Fazzel Tabtabai, the team congratulated Daraa for being freed from the grip of terror groups, Syria pro-regime media outlets reported.
Daraa officials tagged along for the delegation’s tour of the governorate. The Iranian delegation accredited Iranian and Hezbollah forces for helping achieve the eradication of “terrorism,” in the southern province, private sources said.
Promising to put the best interest of Daraa locals first, Iran pledged to launch reconstruction projects in the southern region in the coming months.
Iran is slowly finding its way back into Syrian southern territories after it had confirmed its withdrawal in favor of a reconciliation pact struck between rebels and the Syrian regime, South Syria resident Samer Al Musalma told Asharq Al Awsat.
The deal stipulates removing Iran forces and affiliate proxies from Syria’s southern regional border area.
“Iran is trying to grow its activities in Syria’s south whether it is of a civilian or military nature, even though it is trying hard to play the “reformed man’s” role away from arms and closer to culture and civil services,” Musalma said.
He added that Tabtabai’s visit and his promises to locals speak volumes of Iran’s desire to reestablish foothold in the region.
On one hand, Iran promises infrastructure projects, and on the other it is trying to empower its militant proxy, Hezbollah, in southern Syria, where unemployment rates and poor living conditions leave youth helplessly vulnerable before materialistic temptations.
Musalma added that Hezbollah’s recruitment process is carried out by local mediators in rural villages and towns near the southwestern border city Sweida, and Daraa’s countryside. Hezbollah conscription is being sold to youth under the assumption that Hezbollah holds unmatched clout in Syria.
Those joining the ranks of Hezbollah, a well-established ally of Assad, are promised impunity from regime harassment. Many draft dodgers and deserters of army reserve calls are likely to opt for the offer being presented by the Iran-linked proxy.
Iran is trying to exert its influence in the south of Syria through local mediators carrying out its agenda and circumvent international understandings that called for its exit from southern Syria regions, activist Muhannad al-Abdullah from Daraa told Asharq Al-Awsat.
