IRGC recruits fighters for Daraa-based militia

IRGC officers have been actively recruiting fighters for Brigade 313, a militia based in the south-western Syrian town of Azraa.

By Waleed Abu al-Khair in Cairo

2018-02-20

Elements of an IRGC-affiliated militia are seen in the Horan region of southern Syria. [Photo circulated on social media]

As the Iranian regime seeks to expand its influence in strategic parts of Syria, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) officers have been actively recruiting fighters for a brigade in Daraa province, residents and activists told Diyaruna.

IRGC officers are directly overseeing recruitment for Brigade 313, which is based in the south-western town of Azraa and takes its orders from Iran, they said.

Recruitment efforts have been targeting low-income youth and those who are seeking to avoid being conscripted into the regular Syrian army, according to 20-year-old Yasser al-Khalid, a local resident who was recruited by the IRGC.

Upon reaching the age of 18, Syrian youth are required to serve in the military.

Mahmoud Khodr, also known as Abu Kazim, was a former commander of Brigade 313 who was killed during the fighting in Daraa province. [Photo circulated on social media]

Using a pseudonym to protect his identity, al-Khalid said his father had intervened in an attempt to protect him, paying bribes to officials to keep him from military service, which at this time means taking direct part in the battles.

An official told his father to send him to join Brigade 313, al-Khalid told Diyaruna, saying that would relieve him of his military service requirement.

But upon joining the local brigade, he said, he found it was under the command of IRGC officers, who were "directly overseeing the reception and registration of volunteers".

Each recruit receives a security card with the IRGC logo that protects him from being stopped at regime checkpoints, he said, and is paid $300 a month.

A few days after joining, al-Khalid learned the IRGC officers had been moving recruits to other areas for training, before sending them to the battlefronts, he said, which prompted him to flee to Damascus.

Brigade 313 under IRGC control

"Brigade 313 is a purely sectarian outfit whose mission is to carry out military operations at the behest of the IRGC and not the regular army," al-Khalid said.

Since November, when it tightened its grip on the city of Daraa, the IRGC has been recruiting fighters to revitalise Brigade 313, according to Yasser al-Turkmani, an officer with the Daraa-based Tawheed Kataib Horan Brigade.

Brigade 313 was not a new group, he told Diyaruna, but had few members until it was "revived by the IRGC".

IRGC officers targeted residents of Daraa city and its surrounding villages for recruitment "by exploiting their miserable conditions", al-Turkmani said.

Most of the recruits had sought to evade mandatory military service with the Syrian army, and joined the brigade to be relieved of that duty, he said, "while others suffered from poverty and were unable to find employment".

The latter group was enticed to join by the monthly salary of $300, which increases based on the responsibility undertaken by the recruit, he said.

Brigade 313 is headquartered at the Azraa youth centre, he said, noting that recruits undergo training at camps in Azraa and Sheikh Meskin under the supervision of IRGC officers and trainers from Lebanon's Hizbullah militia.

Furthering Iran's regional agenda

"The IRGC is trying to expand in Syrian areas controlled by the regime, particularly in the southern region," said Sheyar Turko, who studies the funding and proliferation methods of the IRGC.

This strategic area is close to the border with Jordan and is part of a route that links Damascus with the Syrian Badiya (eastern desert) region and the border with Iraq, he told Diyaruna.

"The IRGC wants to keep its armed groups in the corridor it is trying hard to establish to connect Tehran with Beirut," he said. "The Daraa area is a mandatory passageway on this route."

"The IRGC’s ploy has been exposed," he said, noting that in order to avoid being accused of direct intervention in Syria, Iran has focused its energy on establishing local militias such as Brigade 313.

This is in addition to other militias fighting in Syria overseen by the IRGC, he said, such as the Fatemiyoun and Zainabiyoun militias respectively comprising foreign mercenaries from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Do you like this article?

61 Comment(s)

| 2020-10-26

This article is insulting.

| 2020-02-03

Hello. My name is Hamid Safdari Lighvan from Tabriz. I'm 38 years old, and I'm familiar with such weapons as G3, Kalashnikov, MJ3 Machine Gun, and RPG (Rocket-Propelled Grenade.) I was an operator of 106 MM guns, and I served in the army. I was deployed on November 9, 2002, 2nd Brigade, 21st Hamzeh Seyyedosshada Division. I sincerely want to remove this filthy, child-killer tumor. Please help me.

| 2020-02-03

This article is entirely full of lies.

| 2020-01-24

Hello. I'm 27, from Kerman province, and I'm completely familiar with operating all types of weapons. I have undergone military training, both in the army as well as in popular mobilization [Basij] in the year 1392 I passed the entrance exam for Imam Hosein University. However, they did not accept me since my field of study was civil engineering. How can I get in? Please advise. ... Oh, yes, Zeinab!

| 2020-01-22

Hello. I'm 34 years old, from Qorveh, Sanandaj. I would love to join the Shrine-Defenders. I would appreciate it if you could send me.

| 2020-01-21

I'm from Alashtar, Lorestan [province]. I would love to join the shrine-defenders. I appreciate it if you would guide me in that direction.

| 2020-01-14

Greetings to you! I am from Lorestan province. I am 31 years old and I wish to join the Quds Corps [Quds Force] and fight with this filthy group that recently started to form. I mean, the filthy, blood-thirsty Soleimani, which is being formed. Contact info:

| 2020-01-13

Hello. I'm 31 years old from Zahedan. My name is Saeed Haji Ghasemi. I'm ready to sacrifice my blood and my life for my wise leader and the sacred flag of my country. I hope you can help me to become a defender of my country. Don't deprive me [of this.]

| 2020-01-12

I, too, am ready to sacrifice my life for Iran and my beloved leader. Please register me with the Quds Force. My name is Hadi Hoseini. I am son of a cleric, and I'm a painter.

| 2020-01-12

Hello. My name is Ali Rohanipour. I'm an expert in the field of electronics. I'm ready to sacrifice my life for Islam and Quran. I'm ready to be deployed to any place and any war zone according to the the path of Prophet Mohmmad's family - peace be upon them - as well as the order of IRGC's resistance force. I do not seek employment. Rather, I'm after fulfilling my duty towards Islam, religion, and Quran. I sincerely want to conduct Jihad for a sacred objective. Ali Rohanipour

| 2020-01-10

Yazdan Baweisi. I'm an active member of Basij and I have undergone training as well. I also hold a number of titles in martial arts (kickboxing.)

| 2020-01-09

Hello. I am Mohammad Mehdi Almasi, 20, from Kermanshah. My aspiration is to sacrifice out lives on the path of God. I am completely ready to offer my life.

| 2020-01-09

Hello. My name is Mohammadreza Darvishi, 40, from Jouybar. I have experience serving on the border region and I'm ready to serve Iran.

| 2020-01-09

Hello and greetings. In the name of God. I'm ready and willing to sacrifice my blood to the last drop, for my homeland and the Islamic objectives. Oh Hosein!

| 2020-01-09

Hello. I'm 27 and my name is Kamal. If I'm worthy of it, I would like to become the dust of boots of all soldiers of the homeland [i.e. to become recruited in the armed forces.] Please don't deprive me of that!

| 2020-01-09

Hello. I don't know whether or not the officials would receive this message or not. I want to go to war and I don't want any money in return. I want to continue the path of the martyr Haj Qasem.

| 2020-01-09

I would like to go and become a Peshmerga. Please recruit me

| 2020-01-09

In the name of God, the one who take revenge from the Oppressors! I am 27 years old. I'm ready to fight in any battlefield and to sacrifice my life and my possessions in the path of God, homeland, and Haj Qasem Soleimani.

| 2020-01-09

Greetings, and condolences for the occasion of Fatemyyeh days, as well as for the martyrdom of my beloved General Soleimani to the Imam of Era and my beloved Imam Khamenei, who is the guardian of all Muslims. I'm willing to sacrifice my blood, and the blood of my children, for my leader, the Islamic Revolution, and the martyrs. By the blood of this martyr, please connect me with those who are in charge of recruiting for Quds force and shrine defenders. My name is Alireza Saber and I am an Azari Iranian.

| 2020-01-09

Are women allowed to participate in war?

| 2020-01-09

Hello. I'm a volunteer to participate in war and take revenge on the life of Lieutenant General Haj Qasem Soleimani.

| 2020-01-09

Greetings my dear friends. I'm ready to go to wherever they want me to, in order to defend my homeland.

| 2020-01-09

Hello. I'm a volunteer to fight in a war and take revenge for the martyred Lieutenant General Haj Qasem Soleimani.

| 2020-01-08

Greetings and condolences. I am a volunteer who is ready to fight and take revenge for the blood of the martyr.

| 2020-01-08

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Son of an IRGC member. I'm eager to continue the path of my father, as well as the one of martyred General Soleimani.

| 2020-01-08

I, too, am ready to sacrifice my life for Iran and for my dear leader. Register my name for Quds Force.

| 2020-01-08

Hello. I will greatly appreciate it if you can register my name in Quds Force.

| 2020-01-08

Hello. My name is Valyollah Moradi. I'm ready to sacrifice my life for my leader and my country.

| 2020-01-07

Hello. My condolences to the West Asian region for the passing of that great man, the brave Lieutenant General Suleimani. Please, if the Quds force is recruiting, please help me participate in this. Lorestan

| 2020-01-07

I'm ready to join the Quds Corp.

| 2020-01-07

Hello. Please. I too am a volunteer. If possible, please register my name too. From Karaj:

| 2020-01-07

Hello. Amir Moradi Eftekhar. I love to go and become a defender [of Holy Shrine.] I beg of you.

| 2020-01-07

Greetings to the Sahebazzaman [the 12th Imam of Shia], who is the commander-in-chief, and his rightful deputy Ayatollah Khamenei. In the name of the Crusher of Oppressors [i.e. God]. We are all ready to go and fight. For the love of the Fatemeh al-Zahra [Prophet Mohammad's daughter and the matriarchal figure in Shia Islam] please don't forget about us.

| 2020-01-07

Greetings. My name is Shokrollah Mohammadi and I'm ready to fight in the path of God and become a martyr. Please register my name. Here is my number

| 2020-01-07

Hello. You only take a bunch of dumb young kids. You should come to me. My name is Alireza Heidari. I am a Bakhtiari and I love killing Americans and Israelis.

| 2020-01-06

Hi. Under the pseudonym "Abu Ali" I am announcing my readiness for all kinds of operations, in order to fight oppressors all over the world. We all are Soleimani. Yes, oh, Seyyed Ali

| 2020-01-06

Hello. I'm ready to fight and become a martyr of the path of God and righteousness. Please also recruit me. This is my number. Please contact me.

| 2020-01-06

Greetings. I am a volunteer [to fight] either on our frontiers or inside the neighbor country's territory. I ask you to kindly not to forget my name when it comes to take revenge for General.

| 2020-01-06

Hello. For years, I have been longing for the shrine of Honorable Zeinab. Now, I believe it is incumbent upon me to defend the shrine and take revenge on the blood of the sword of Ali of my time. I just don't know how to, or to whom, should I talk, so that they accept me. I desperately beg of any official who can see my message, please help me so that I can realize my dream.

| 2020-01-05

Greetings to Saheb Zaman the commander-in-chief, and his rightful successor, the Supreme Leader the Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. I am thirsty for revenge on the blood of the Malik Ashtar of our time, the honorable martyr Lieut. Gen. Haj Qasem Soleimani. The blood that is in our veins is a gift to our leader. Don't forget about me.

| 2020-01-05

Greetings. I am a son of a martyr from Baluchistan and I'm ready to fight.

| 2020-01-05

Greetings. I am ready for martyrdom in the path of God, and I am a defender of shrine and the homeland.

| 2020-01-05

Accept me too

| 2020-01-04

Can you tell me how can one get hired?

| 2020-01-04

Greetings to all my dear compatriots, as well as to Commander in Chief Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Also, congratulations and condolences for [the death of] Lieut. Gen. Haj Qassem Soleimani. I am a 19-year-old young man from the Holy city of Mashhad, and I have not yet fulfilled my obligatory military service. I would like to know the way in which I can apply, in order to go to war along with the Revolutionary Guards forces. Can anyone suggests me a way to do that? Please help me. Oh, Ali!

| 2020-01-04

I ask the honorable Chief of Staff to recruit me for fighting against the enemies. Arash Bakhtiari.

| 2020-01-04

Greetings to my beloved master Mahdi (the 12th Imam.) Congratulations to the great spirit of Lieutenant General Haj Qassem Soleimani, who was held in the arms of my master. I am trained in working with Skyguard cannons, Cannon 23, and Hog rockets. I'm also a combat vehicle driver, and an exemplary sniper. Please add my name to any potential operation.

| 2020-01-04

The author of this news [article] is a mercenary. Death to America.

| 2020-01-04

Hi, I am a member of a martyr's family. I have been a member of Basij for 7 years and spent my obligatory military service in the 415th Engineering Battalion, 77th Division, of the victorious Thamen al-Aemmeh of Mashhad. I was involved in such missions as building bridges for armored tanks, deployment for clearing minefields left in the sacred defense operational areas, etc. I urge the Honorable Commander in Chief to add my name to those who are going to retaliate for Gen. Soleimani.

| 2020-01-03

Greetings and respect to our dear Supreme Leader and with sincerest condolences for the martyrdom of the great brave-heart man. I am a scholar and have achieved high rankings in various scientific Olympiads. I also own a number of invention patents. I have done all these efforts due to the immense love I have for you. I want to say that I am all ready to be deployed at any time to any place, upon your order. Please honor this humble individual with this invaluable task.

| 2020-01-03

Greetings to the Commander-in-Chief, Imam Khamenei, I offer my condolences to the entire Hezbollah nation. I humbly respond to our leader's call and I would like to say that I'm ready to take revenge on the terrorist governments at any time, anywhere. Please, I'm ready to be deployed as the first person.

| 2020-01-03

Hi. How may I go to the front-line, so that I can take revenge for the martyr, [the IRGC] Gen Soleimani. Please advise.

| 2019-12-16

Salutations to my leader, Imam Khamenei. Can you kindly advise me as to how I can go? May God rewards you.

| 2019-10-06

Hello. I am 27 years old. My highest level of education is third grade (elementary school.) I would like to serve in IRGC and fight against the filthy ISIS. How can I become a member? Thanks.

| 2019-03-20

My name is Ghasem Vahedi and I am a fighter in Fatemyioun. I would like to inquire about recruiting forces for Yemen.

| 2019-03-18

I'm interested to become hired in this brigade. Is it possible for you to say where and how can we become hired?

میر سعید پورعشق | 2018-09-11

Very good

مجتبی | 2018-08-18

I don’t have any comment.

مرتضی | 2018-05-31

How can we get hired?

مرتضی | 2018-05-31

How can we get hired?

مهراب اکبری | 2018-05-11

Overwhelming love for the IRGC and the Supreme Leader [of Iran.] The objective: to reach Israel's territories and to destroy this regime.