By Samah Abdul Fattah | 2024-03-07

Armed affiliates of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are tightening their grip on Syria's eastern province of Deir Ezzor, where they have been forcing local residents out of their homes, local activists said.

"Militias loyal to and affiliated with the IRGC have recently stepped up their activities related to the seizure of civilian homes in Deir Ezzor," media activist Ayham al-Ali told Al-Fassel.

They are seizing the homes of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled the Syrian regime and later the IRGC-affiliated militias, he said.

Some are using Syrian brokers, who defraud residents into selling their homes at low prices, he added, noting that the seizures are most prevalent in and around the border town of Albu Kamal and in Syria's eastern desert (Badiya).

"Residents of the city of Albu Kamal are offering their homes at very low prices, not exceeding $20,000 per house, to expedite the sale process, while in normal times prices are more than double the amount offered," he said.

Human shields

"Residents of Deir Ezzor in general and Albu Kamal in particular are fleeing their areas because the Iranian militias are moving ammunition and missile depots into the city," al-Ali said.

Militiamen also are deploying in residential neighborhoods out of fear of being targeted by warplanes, he added, noting that any remaining residents have essentially become human shields.

Al-Ali said the majority of civilians are fleeing towards areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) or attempting to migrate illegally to Europe.

Iran-aligned militias also have placed restrictions on truffle hunting and the capture of falcons, which are sought-after sources of income, according to Deir Ezzor activist Jamil al-Abed.

The militias are stopping residents "under the pretext of protecting them from attacks by the 'Islamic State of Iraq and Syria' (ISIS)," he said -- but with no competition, the militias harvest truffles and capture birds of prey themselves.

Demographic change

Iran-aligned militias are "bringing about demographic change that will have a very serious impact on the future of Syria," said Syrian lawyer Bashir al-Bassam.

"The militias are seizing real estate and homes and settling in them the families of their elements who come from Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon," he told Al-Fassel.

"This appears to be a systematic plan to maintain control over the Deir Ezzor region, especially the city of Albu Kamal and the surrounding desert, as it is the main gateway between Iraq and Syria," he explained.

Militias use illegal crossings in this area to transfer militiamen, weapons, ammunition and missiles between the two countries.

The corridor furthers the "Iranian dream of linking Tehran to Beirut," he said.

Civilians who remain in Albu Kamal are "living an actual hell," he added, with friction between city residents and the interlopers exploding into brawls, stone throwing and expulsion to the Iraqi side.