Syrian Civil War; 'Deployment of Iraqi Shiites to the Battles in Aleppo'

According to two separate reports, following recent battles in Aleppo, Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, has 'ordered the deployment of thousands of Iraqi militiamen to Syria,' while it has also been reported that a group of Syrian rebels opposing Assad have received military supplies. The Washington Post reported on October 19 that Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, the overseas branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has ordered groups of Iraqi Shiite militants to fight against rebels in Syria. A group of members or spokespeople for Iraqi militias confirmed this to the newspaper, stating that it does not matter whether they are in Iraq or Syria, they are 'engaged in battle against a common enemy.' Bashar Saidi, a spokesperson for a group called the 'Nujaba Movement,' stated, 'We are all followers of Khamenei, and we go wherever we need to defend Shiites and holy sites.' He added that the deployment of Iraqi forces has been ongoing for several months, but did not specify the number of militants stationed in Syria. The Washington Post states that 'thousands' of these individuals have gone to Syria. The battles for control of Aleppo, which was one of Syria's most important economic centers before the war, have intensified recently. Reports indicate that in recent days, the Syrian army, with the help of 'Iran,' Hezbollah, and Russian airstrikes, has made advances. Concurrently with the Washington Post's report, another report has emerged about the delivery of military aid to a group of rebels opposing Assad and his allies. According to Reuters, some Syrian rebels in the ranks of the 'Free Syrian Army,' who are engaged in battles with the Syrian army and its allies, as well as groups like 'Islamic State' and 'Jabhat al-Nusra,' say they have recently received new American-made weapons. Rebels from three smaller groups told Reuters that the new weapons were provided in response to recent statements from the Syrian army and its allies. TOW anti-tank guided missiles are among the weapons that have reportedly reached the rebels. The report adds that the rebels believe the amount of weapons sent to them is insufficient and that this amount is not comparable to the intensity of attacks being carried out with Russian air support. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are among the regional countries supporting a group of rebels opposing Bashar Assad. The rebels, collectively known as the 'Free Syrian Army,' comprise various groups. Some of these individuals have been trained and equipped under a U.S. program aimed at fighting 'Islamic State.' The Washington Post also quotes Hassan Abdulhadi, a spokesperson for the Iraqi group 'Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada,' stating that Iran provides weapons to Iraqi Shiite militants in Syria. Abdulhadi said, 'Soleimani is the one who coordinates between the groups,' and 'the Iranians provide us with military assistance.' Reuters reports that while the Syrian army and its allies, supported by Russian airstrikes, have advanced towards Aleppo from the south, the 'Islamic State' group has also begun advancing from the north. Russia claims that the aim of its airstrikes is to target the group known as 'Islamic State' and other 'terrorist groups.' This claim is met with skepticism from some Western countries and NATO, which say that most of Russia's attacks have been directed at Western-backed rebel groups, including in Aleppo. The opponents who control parts of Aleppo and its surroundings have emerged from various rebel groups. However, according to Reuters, the areas targeted by the Syrian army's attacks and the 'Islamic State' are among the last strongholds of so-called 'moderate' rebels. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in London, has reported on the intensity of the clashes in Aleppo. This organization has also stated that the Syrian army has not made 'strategic gains' in the past 24 hours following the captures made until Monday. The Syrian civil war has left over 250,000 dead and millions displaced and seeking refuge. Countries supporting opposing sides in this war say a political and peaceful solution must be found. These statements have not yet yielded significant practical results. Russia's entry into the Syrian campaign occurred three weeks ago. A U.S.-led coalition has conducted attacks against 'Islamic State' and other extremist groups over the past year.