Interpreting the Reemergence of the Allies of Syria Operations Room
by
Hamdi Malik
Oct 28, 2021
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The recent attack on al-Tanf base and the identity of the Iraqi factions that reportedly helped carry it out indicate Iran's plans to establish a new "deterrence equation" in Syria.
On October 26, Haaretz reported that “Israel's defense establishment has identified growing Iranian efforts to improve their air defenses in locations where...the Israeli air force has been carrying out attacks [in Syria].” This is in line with a report by the pro-Hezbollah Lebanese daily al-Akhbar one day after the October 20 attack on al-Tanf base in Syria. The paper quoted Iraqi muqawama (resistance) sources stating that the Iranian-led axis is working on a plan to “break free from the restrictions imposed by the military realities of the past years” (Figure 1). These sources also declared, “It is time to devise a new deterrence equation in relation to the Israeli and American enemy. [This will be achieved] by responding to the direct [Israeli and U.S.] attacks.”
In addition, al-Akhbar reported that “contacts were made and meetings took place between leaders in the muqawama axis in Beirut, Damascus, and Tehran, and it was decided to strengthen the presence of the axis forces throughout the Syrian geography.” The paper then confirmed that the so-called "Allies of Syria Operations Room" was behind the attack on al-Tanf.
The Akhbar report was republished on the platform "Media War in the Islamic Resistance" (al-Elam al-Harbi fil Muqawama al-Islamiya), also known as "the Central Media" (al-Elam al-Markazi). Overseen by Lebanese Hezbollah, this outlet reports on news regarding all muqawama groups in the Middle East (Figure 2). Disseminating the Akhbar story showed that the muqawama had confirmed the information about who was behind the attack.
Given the reemergence of the Allies of Syria Operations Room, the muqawama axis may indeed intend to change its collective behavior in Syria. Formed circa 2015, the group is led by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force and incorporates members of Lebanese Hezbollah (who also play a leading role) and Iraqi militias.
At various points, muqawama media platforms have published clips of past meetings that the Operations Room held in Syria. Some of them show slain Hezbollah military leader Mustafa Badreddine briefing the late Qods Force chief Qasem Soliemani about the war in Syria (Figure 3).
The Operations Room was very visible in the media throughout 2017-18. At times it also deliberated with Russia to cooperate on certain operations. But after a schism developed between Iran and Russia in June-July 2019 over events in Deir al-Zour, the Operations Room became a purely muqawama entity with much less visibility.
Following Soleimani's death in 2020, the role of the Operations Room further diminished. This trend continued in 2021 up until October 13, when muqawama and Syrian army positions in Palmyra were bombed. A day later, the Operations Room reemerged with a statement warning that it had "taken a decision to respond harshly to the aggression against Palmyra.” On October 20, al-Tanf was struck with drones and rockets. Yet according to the aforementioned al-Akhbar report, the decision to establish a new "deterrence equation" was made before the Palmyra attack.
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