Iraqi factions enter Syria to support confronting the opposition forces
As Syrian army units retreated following the surprise attack on Aleppo, the first of its kind in years after Hay’at Tahrir al Sham and armed factions took control of the city, and as Syrian forces prepare to launch a counterattack, armed factions from Iraq have entered Syrian territory.
Syrian military sources revealed to Reuters on Monday that Iranian-backed factions have entered from Iraq to support Syrian forces in the battles.
According to a prominent source in the Syrian army, dozens of Popular Mobilization Forces fighters crossed a military road near the border city of Albukamal, heading towards northern Syria, specifically towards Hama.
The source indicated that these reinforcements arrived during the night to support the Syrian army on the front lines in the north, and included the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades and the Fatimiyoun movement forces.
For his part, Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul Amir al Shammari confirmed that reinforcements were sent to the border areas with Syria, stressing that the border is fully secured.
In the same context, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated upon his arrival in Ankara that what he called “resistance factions” will continue to support the Syrian government and army.
These developments came after the armed factions launched a surprise attack last Wednesday in northwestern Syria, during which they were able to take full control of the city of Aleppo, in addition to the international airport, in addition to dozens of cities and villages in the provinces of Idlib and Hama, forcing Syrian army units to withdraw.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the death toll from the lightning attack has risen to more than 445 people.
For their part, Iran and Russia expressed concern about the deteriorating situation, stressing their readiness to support Damascus, as they have done in recent years.
In contrast, Iraq stressed its readiness to secure its borders, especially after years of fighting ISIS and controlling large areas of the country.
