"Iran Expresses Support to Syria-based Group Threatening US and Israel: Report"

Iran-backed forces in Syria pose a threat to US and Israel.

Iran is reportedly providing support to forces in Syria that are actively preparing to pose a threat to American forces in Syria and Israel, according to an unnamed official who spoke to Newsweek. This revelation sheds light on the Iranian-backed fighter divisions in Syria that have been a regional threat for several years.

The division, known as the Imam Hossein Division, is linked to the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It is described as a multinational combat force consisting of thousands of fighters from various Middle Eastern countries. While most of the operatives are Syrian, there are also fighters from Lebanon, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Sudan, and other nations.

Equipped with precision-guided munitions, attack and spy drones, and a range of lighter weaponry, the division has carried out drone and rocket attacks on the US military garrison in southeastern Al-Tanf in October 2021, as reported by Newsweek. This information is based on an intelligence official who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the details.

The report highlights the powerful and robust capabilities of the Imam Hossein Division. Iran has drawn support from countries such as Lebanon, Yemen, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to bolster its forces. Past attacks, including a rocket fired at Israel in January 2019 and a drone threat near the Golan Heights later that year, further demonstrate the division's aggressive actions.

Iran's involvement in Syria dates back to the beginning of the Syrian Civil War in 2011. The country has been aiding the Syrian regime by recruiting fighters from Shi'ite communities in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq, including Hezbollah. The formation of a "second Hezbollah in Syria" was first mentioned in 2014 and confirmed by IRGC Gen. Hossein Hamedani. Hamedani named the unit as Liwa al-Imam al-Hussein (LIH), which was deployed to Daraa and Qalamoun.

Recent reports indicate that Iranian-backed militants are establishing new military sites south of Damascus City to secure transportation routes throughout Syria, connecting to the Golan Heights and Lebanon. The Imam Hossein unit, formed in 2016 by Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, shares its name with several Imam Hossein sites and entities in Iraq and Iran linked to Shi'ite Muslim tradition.

In conclusion, the presence of Iran's international unit of fighters in Syria, particularly the Imam Hossein Division, poses a significant threat to American forces in Syria and Israel. With their advanced weaponry and support from various countries, these fighters have demonstrated their willingness to carry out attacks. The ongoing support from Iran indicates its determination to maintain influence in the region through these proxy forces.

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