Expert on Syria and the Middle East
In the early hours of Friday morning, the town of Dahla in Deir Ezzor, eastern Syria, witnessed a sudden and bloody attack by Assad's forces and Iranian-backed militias against civilians.
Assad's forces and Iran-backed militias conducted a rocket attack on the town of Al-Dahla in eastern Deir ez-Zor around 2:30 AM on August 9th. The shelling resulted in a horrific massacre of the local population, killing 11 people, including five children. (See details of victims at the end of report)
The area of conflict is not far from US bases in Syria that have also been the target of frequent attacks by Iran-controlled armed groups.
This strike on the civilians occurred less than a day after an attack by "tribal" forces led by Ibrahim Al-Hefl on areas east of the Euphrates River, specifically targeting positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). SDF managed to drive them out of the eastern Euphrates areas within a few hours, forcing them to retreat beyond the river to the west of the Euphrates. The bombardment of civilians could have been a revenge attack by Syrian and Iranian-backed forces.
Details of the shelling and its aftermath
The recent shelling in Deir Ezzor underscores the ongoing violence and its indiscriminate impact on civilians, including women and children. The incident highlights the challenges faced by residents in regions experiencing heightened military conflict. Despite repeated calls to protect civilians in conflict zones, the shelling continues, putting the lives of those in Deir Ezzor and other parts of Syria at constant risk.
The tragedy extended to the funeral of the victims, where mourners in Dahla were subjected to further shelling by Damascus government forces and its Iran-backed allies This attack forced the community to hastily bury the victims under difficult conditions, amid fear and uncertainty.
This incident indicates that the targeting of civilians extends to entire communities, affecting their ability to carry out basic humanitarian and social duties such as burying the dead.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported that Damascus government forces and allies launched rockets at the towns of Dahla and Jadida Bakara after midnight on Friday, at around 2:30 AM. The shelling, which reportedly originated from regime bases in the village of Bou Lail on the western bank of the Euphrates River.
The ongoing escalation in Deir Ezzor reflects the tense situation in the region, where the Syrian regime and its allies are attempting to regain control over areas under SDF control and close to US forces.
Iran’s quest to enlist local tribes
Iran has long recognized the importance of local tribes in Syria as a means of expanding its influence. It recruited the Ibrahim Al-Hefl group through financial support and advanced military training. Through the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Al-Hefl's elements were trained in unconventional warfare tactics and the use of advanced weapons in secret bases inside Syria and sometimes in Iran, making them an effective fighting force serving Tehran's regional goals.
This Iranian support for the Al-Hefl group is part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening its regional influence and putting pressure on US forces in Syria. The coordinated attack carried out by the group against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in areas like Abu Hamam and Dhiban, using advanced tactics and weapons, reflects Iran's ability to carry out painful strikes and confirms its determination to use force to achieve its political and military goals in the region.
On August 7 and 8, 2023, northern Syria witnessed a dangerous escalation with a coordinated attack by an Iranian-backed tribal group on Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) positions in areas like Abu Hamam in Al-Shaitat and Dhiban.
Victims of the bombardment by Syrian and Iran-backed forces:
Rahaf Ismail Al-Aboud, 12 years old; Nadia Kader Al-Mohammed, 18 years old; Hind Farhan Al-Aboud, 30 years old; Aya Ismail Al-Aboud, 8 years old; Nadine Thalej Al-Obaid, 22 years old; Yasser Yassin Al-Zu'ar, 37 years old; Maria Yassin Al-Zu'ar, 12 years old; Salwa Yasser Al-Zu'ar, 5 years old; Raghd Mohammed Al-Zughayr, 22 years old; Sham Bashar Al-Zughayr, 4 months old; Ilaf Bashar Al-Zughayr, 1.5 years old. Injuries were also reported among the children Ali Hassan Al-Daman, 12 years old; Malak Aboud Al-Hussein, 25 years old; Syria Al-Aboud, 50 years old; Fahd Ismail Al-Aboud, 15 years old; and Malak Ismail Al-Aboud, 6 years old.
In their third letter to Pezeshkian in less than a month, Farshad Momeni and Hossein Raghfar stated that their previous letters to President Pezeshkian have gone unanswered, despite being among the economists he initially consulted for ideas on addressing Iran's economic problems.
They expressed disappointment in the president's actions so far, but still offered criticism and guidance to the new administration. They urged Pezeshkian to distance himself from the economic policies of the past 35 years, which have caused significant hardships for the Iranian people.
Iran has a government-dominated economy, where almost 80 percent of enterprises are either directly or indirectly owned and controlled by state entities. This, coupled with a lack of democratic accountability and transparency has led to increasing corruption in the past three decades.
Meanwhile, the Islamic regime's confrontational foreign policy and its contentious nuclear program have triggered international sanctions, which have severely hindered foreign investment, the import of technology and expertise, and overall economic growth.
The two economists emphasized that only a fundamental "change of course" in economic policy can create opportunities for growth and improvement in Iran. They criticized Pezeshkian’s selection of cabinet ministers and state officials, noting that many informed scholars, including some of his own supporters, have questioned the validity of these choices. They warned that collaborating with individuals responsible for previous policy failures, particularly in agriculture and industry, would undermine public trust in Pezeshkian and his promises.
Momeni and Raghfar also cautioned Pezeshkian that despite his promises and the public’s expectations, he has yet to take steps to involve the people in determining their political and economic future. They argued that the first step to reversing Iran's counterproductive policies is to implement technology-friendly development plans, productive employment policies, and social justice initiatives—areas where no progress has been made so far.
The economists offered several specific suggestions, calling for greater transparency in Pezeshkian’s selection of cabinet ministers and other officials. They advised against making decisions "behind closed doors" and warned Pezeshkian to avoid working with those responsible for the failed policies of the past 35 years.
They further emphasized that revenues from the country's natural resources should be used to invest in infrastructure, human resources, communications, energy, and improving livelihoods, rather than being diverted to benefit a select few. The economists also suggested reforming the tax system to prevent the undue influence of powerful and wealthy individuals, recommending that it be brought under the direct supervision of the President.
Additional recommendations included reforming the monetary system to channel funds toward productive sectors, removing military and security forces from economic activities, encouraging the private sector, promoting social justice, and prioritizing national interests over those of a minority.
Despite these suggestions, the economists noted that Pezeshkian has ignored similar advice in the past. They also warned that it may be too late for some of these recommendations, as rumors suggest that decisions about key government appointments have already been made, even if not yet announced.