The Secretary-General of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Haytham Rahmeh, warned of the growing danger posed by Iranian militias in Deir Ezzor province and across Syria.
Rahma stated on Friday: “Iranian militias are attempting to alter the cultural and religious identity of Syrians, pressuring individuals to change their sectarian beliefs in exchange for humanitarian aid and incentives. They exploit poverty and worsening living conditions, committing repeated violations such as killings and arrests, especially in Deir Ezzor.”
He emphasized: “The actions of Iranian militias, in partnership with the Assad regime, undermine Syrian societal cohesion, exacerbate divisions, and violate international law. Their aim is to advance Iran’s expansionist, terrorist agenda in the Arab region, promoting Shiism as a means to further its regional ambitions.”
Rahmeh asserted that the Assad regime is fully responsible for inviting the Iranian threat into Syria. Iranian and multinational militias aligned with Iran have gained influence in Syria through their partnership with the regime. They have turned Syrian regions into military targets, utilizing civilian facilities for terrorist purposes and exporting crises to the region and beyond. These interventions coincide with ongoing military support for the Assad regime, which has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the production and deployment of suicide drones and bombing liberated areas.
He called for immediate action to halt Iranian interference, hold Iran accountable for its crimes, and remove these militias from Syria to restore international peace and security. Rahmeh stressed the importance of the international community fulfilling its legal and humanitarian obligations by fully implementing UN Resolutions 2254 and 2118 to resolve the crises and fulfill the aspirations of Syrians for dignity, freedom, and democracy, while preserving Syria’s Arab and cultural identity to positively contribute to regional issues.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
