The Iraqi militia Nujaba Movement has pledged support to Syrian forces amid a major insurgent offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The offensive has made significant territorial gains in Aleppo, threatening regional stability as various factions engage in heightened conflict in light of recent geopolitical shifts, including the Israel-Hamas tensions.
In a significant escalation of the Syrian conflict, an influential Iraqi militia faction, aligned with the Iran-led Axis of Resistance, has pledged to assist Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces amidst a surprise offensive by insurgents. Initiated by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other opposition entities, the operation has succeeded in capturing parts of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, and threatening the vicinity of Hama. The situation unfolds during a tumultuous period marked by escalated tensions across the region following an attack by Hamas on Israel, with subsequent implications for Assad’s regime in Syria.
The Nujaba Movement, an Iraqi militia with a history of engaging in Syria’s civil war, voiced its intention to mobilize support for Assad’s government. Nujaba spokesperson Hussein al-Musawi articulated concerns that this offensive benefits the strategic interests of the United States and Israel by seeking to fragment the Iran-supported coalition. He underscored a commitment to counter any threats posed by insurgents, aiming to maintain regional stability and support the Syrian populace against what he termed “criminal gangs”.
This development comes amid Israeli military actions targeting sites linked to Hezbollah and a backdrop of diplomatic maneuvers by Iranian, Russian, and Turkish officials seeking to navigate the complexities of the unfolding crisis. The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have also indicated their readiness to act in response to Turkey’s alleged role in orchestrating the insurgent offensive, highlighting the multifaceted dynamics of conflict in the region.
The Syrian civil war, now in its twelfth year, has drawn in various national and regional actors, complicating the already intricate geopolitical landscape. The conflict has seen the rise of numerous militant factions, among them Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist group that evolved from the more established Nusra Front. In recent weeks, significant tensions have escalated following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel in October 2023, prompting responses from Iran, Hezbollah, and various militias throughout the region, including the Nujaba Movement from Iraq, which has pledged support for Assad’s efforts to combat insurgent forces threatening his regime.
The recent surge in insurgent activity in Syria represents a pivotal moment in ongoing geopolitical conflicts that see regional players like Iran, Iraq, and Turkey vying for influence amidst escalating violence. With Iraq’s Nujaba Movement expressing intent to aid the Assad government, the ramifications of this situation extend beyond Syria’s borders, drawing in broader international interests and complicating a resolution to the multi-faceted conflicts within the region.
Original Source: www.newsweek.com
