Iraqi fighters enter Syria to face rebels, while Hezbollah stays out

On Monday, hundreds of Iraqi fighters backed by Iran crossed into Syria to support the government in its battle against rebels who seized Aleppo last week. Despite the regional alliance’s crucial role in the conflict, Lebanon’s Hezbollah has refrained from intervening for now, sources report.

The rebel takeover of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, marks the most significant success for anti-Assad forces in years. It highlights the vulnerabilities of the Assad regime, particularly as Hezbollah, which played a major role in the government’s military successes, has been distracted by its ongoing war with Israel. Hezbollah’s withdrawal from northern Syria to focus on southern Lebanon allowed rebels to advance with less resistance.

Iran has been a key supporter of the Syrian government since the conflict’s early days in 2011, with Iranian-backed militia groups and Russian air support bolstering Assad’s forces. However, the recent escalation in northwest Syria, coupled with Russia’s focus on Ukraine, is testing the strength of this alliance.

The rebel push in Aleppo caught the Syrian government off guard, with Syrian opposition leader Hadi al-Bahra blaming Hezbollah’s diversion of resources due to its conflict with Israel. Preparations for the Aleppo offensive had been underway since last year but were delayed by the Gaza war.

Iraqi fighters from groups like Badr and Nujabaa entered Syria in small groups to avoid airstrikes. These fighters are primarily in Syria to defend Shi’ite shrines and assist government forces. The Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, however, denied that they had crossed into Syria.

Meanwhile, Syrian and Russian airstrikes targeted rebel positions near Aleppo, with the White Helmets reporting civilian casualties. The ongoing violence risks further destabilizing a region already strained by conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.

Despite the escalation, Hezbollah has not been requested to intervene, partly due to its strained capacity following the Israel conflict. However, Israeli officials remain vigilant, monitoring Iran’s activities in Syria, especially in regard to weapon transfers to Hezbollah. Israel has already blocked an Iranian flight suspected of carrying arms to the militant group.

As the situation unfolds, the future of Syria’s fragile ceasefire and the balance of power in the region hang in the balance.