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How Iran Quietly Entered the Syrian Game – The Role of Humanitarian Organizations There

Tehran seems to have managed to improve its economic relations with Syria and achieve a steady increase in Iranian exports there. It continues its efforts to strengthen control of the province of Deir ez-Zor, known for its agricultural and oil wealth. Iran, according to al-Monitor’s Mohamed Hardan, is working both militarily and financially to compensate for the material losses suffered by defending the Syrian regime.

Meanwhile, the Russians are trying to monopolize most of their investment in Syria, especially in oil and gas, and in reconstruction, without taking into account the interests of Iran and the agreements signed with Syria. side. Conflicting agreements and contracts in certain areas, notably oil and gas, between Iran and Russia may lead to disagreements.

Iran has used Syrian and Arab institutions and elements to cover its economic activities and investments in Deir ez-Zor, which are funded by international organizations designated as “humanitarian organizations to help war-torn Syrians.” . Meanwhile, it is signing contracts for the restoration of schools, roads and bridges, which have been approved by Syrian regime officials in Deir ez-Zor.

Political analyst Hassan al-Nifi said in an interview: “Iranian influence in Syria is no longer limited to military and political control. Iran has greater ambitions and has begun to devise new strategies to dominate the Syrian economy by investing in sectors of tourism and trade “.

He said: “Iran’s desire to dominate the oil-rich city of Deir ez-Zor stems from the fact that Washington controls it. Iran is trying to reap what it can to have economic and military domination in Syria, especially by “Once Russia has occupied its underground resources and energy.”

It seems that these humanitarian organizations have channeled large sums into rehabilitation operations, which exceeds what was allocated. Large-scale reconstruction operations have taken place in al-Bukamal and its suburbs, where dozens of schools have been renovated, as well as in the villages of al-Suwaiya and al-Hari on the Syrian-Iraqi border, which are extremely important to Iran due to its proximity to the border. al-Qa’eda crossing and the passage controlled by the pro-Iranian People’s Mobilization Units of Iraq. Not to mention that the families of members of the Iranian militia have settled in these two villages, except for al-Bukhamal.

Anas Shawak, a researcher at Jusoor for Studies, said “Iran has been relying on humanitarian organizations in Deir ez-Zor since the regime regained control of parts in 2017 as a source of funding for its military presence in the region. include the Imam al-Kadhum for Development, the Imam al-Mukhtar Foundation, and the Al Fourat for Peace, and Iran benefits from this funding in a number of ways, including directing its plan to spread Shiism in the region through the distribution of aid or the creation of small and medium-sized service projects in certain areas “.

He noted that “Iran is doing this to gain the trust of the people in these areas or to benefit from this support in funding its militia members and providing food and medical assistance to them and their families.” “Several Iranian charities provide medical services and assistance to members of the regime forces, the National Defense Forces and the Ba’athist Brigades. All these local institutions and associations are run through the Iranian Cultural Chancellery in Damascus.”

The official website of Deir ez-Zor province published information about the funds received by Iranian organizations operating in Syria from the United Nations, noting that more than 2 billion Syrian pounds have been provided for three projects in the region.

Shawak added that the large sums of money that these organizations earn from fake construction contracts are used to cover their military expenses and to pay the salaries of their members. The size of Iran’s military spending in Syria is unknown.

Meanwhile, Fadel Abdul Ghani, director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, told Al-Monitor: “Iran is not only seeking to compensate for its losses, but is also seeking to stay in Syria for a long time. Zor because it is close to the border with Iraq, which facilitates the provision of support.Iran has set up dozens of charities and non-profit organizations in several parts of Syria as part of a broader campaign to build influence and monopolize services, and “No one will be able to separate the Iranian regime from the Syrian regime, as both have established strong networks within the state and society.”

He said: “The establishment by Iran of at least 38 organizations operating in Aleppo, Homs, Damascus, Daraa, Deir ez-Zor, Latakia, Hama and Quneitra is an attempt to pave the way for a long-term Iranian presence in Syria and a step to force the international institutions and the UN to work with and fund it so that it can steal the aid available to the Syrian people, which is one of the reasons why everyone refuses to “They are providing humanitarian aid through northwestern Syria because it will be consumed there.”

Because these organizations identify themselves as humanitarian, they specialize in all areas of service, awareness, development and response, such as nutrition and financial relief.

Petros Kranias

Read also:

* Operation against ISIS by US and SDF Kurdish forces in Syria

* Iran: US seeks to revive ISIS

* Climate change in the Middle East: Why the UAE has approached Turkey

* Turkish parliament extends troop deployment in Iraq and Syria

* What is hidden behind the intensifying feud between Turkey and Iran in the Caucasus

* How Erdogan prepared for the annexation of northern Syria: Famine, ethnic cleansing and Turkification

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Source From: Capital

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