A powerful Iraqi faction aligned with the Iran-led Axis of Resistance has pledged support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces as they confront a large-scale surprise offensive by insurgents. The offensive, named “Deterrence of Aggression” and “Dawn of Freedom,” was launched Wednesday by Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly the Nusra Front, and other opposition factions, including the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army. By Friday, rebels had entered Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, and were reportedly advancing south toward Hama.
These developments mark one of the most significant territorial shifts in Syria’s prolonged civil war. They occur as another regional conflict rages between Israel and the Iran-led Axis of Resistance, following Hamas’s October surprise attack on Israel. Despite a recent ceasefire between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah in Lebanon, violence in Syria continues to escalate.
The Nujaba Movement, an Iraqi militia within the Axis of Resistance, has vowed to support Assad. Spokesperson Hussein al-Musawi told Newsweek that the insurgent attacks align with U.S. and Israeli interests to destabilize the region and divide the Iran-aligned coalition. He accused the United States of orchestrating the insurgency to alleviate pressure on Israel and distract the international community from its losses.
Musawi criticized armed groups like HTS as creations of the U.S., operating under American directives. He asserted that the Axis of Resistance, including Iraqi militias, will prevent these groups from threatening regional stability. “We will be the best supporter and helper of the brotherly Syrian people against these criminal gangs,” he said.
In Iraq, the Axis of Resistance consists of various militias under the Islamic Resistance in Iraq umbrella. These groups, now targeting U.S. troops and Israel with rockets and drones, previously fought ISIS and HTS insurgents. Their renewed commitment to Syria underscores the interconnected nature of conflicts involving the Axis of Resistance across the Middle East.
Newsweek has sought comments from Hezbollah, Iranian and Syrian U.N. missions, the Iraqi government, the IDF, U.S. officials, and others regarding these developments.
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