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IRGC-controlled Afghan group loses fighter to COVID-19
An Afghan Fatemiyoun fighter has died of COVID-19 in Syria, raising questions about the virus’s spread among the ranks. Meanwhile, the Fatemiyoun buried two fighters who had died under uncertain circumstances.
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IRGC trained militias suffer losses in northwest Syria
Iranian-backed militias are taking part in the battle for northwestern Syria.
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IRGC-led Afghan, Pakistani militias criticize US terror designation, stop short of direct threats
US Treasury on January 24 designated the Afghan Fatemiyoun Division and the Pakistani Zeynabiyoun Brigade, which are led by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), pursuant to counter-terrorism and human-rights-abuses designations. Criticizing the US, the Shiite-Islamist militias emphasized that they are part of the IRGC-led transnational militant network, pledged to keep fighting, but stopped short of directly threatening the US.
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Treasury designates Syria-based Iranian proxy groups
The US government has designated the Afghan Fatemiyoun Division and the Pakistani Zaynabiyoun Brigade for their ties to Iran’s Qods Force.
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Russia and Iran help capture Syria’s al Mayadin from Islamic State
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Russia have spearheaded the operation to capture the Islamic State-held city of al Mayadeen in Deir Ezzor province, eastern Syria.
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Afghan Fatemiyoun Division operative killed near US base in southeastern Syria
One day before Tuesday’s US airstrike in southeastern Syria, Iranian media announced the death of an Afghan militiaman in the vicinity of the Tanf military base, where coalition forces are training Syrian insurgents fighting the Islamic State.
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IRGC commander discusses Afghan militia, ‘Shia liberation army,’ and Syria
In a revealing interview, a retired senior IRGC commander who has deployed to Syria discussed a wide range of issues. He praised the Afghan militia fighting for the IRGC in Syria, and claimed that a “Shia liberation army” is forming, with the ultimate goal of destroying Israel. The commander’s talk about his mission in Syria reflects the IRGC’s pattern of deployment since its military escalation in October 2015.
