Information sheds light on the infiltration of transnational forces into the ranks of local militias affiliated with the Syrian regime before its fall. Zaman al-Wasl obtained data pertaining to the so-called "National Defense Forces" in the Sayyida Zeinab area of rural Damascus.
This data reveals the open and systematic integration of fighters of non-Syrian nationalities, specifically Iraqi and Lebanese, into the militia's direct military and administrative structure. These fighters received their monthly salaries officially within the sector, under the direct and round-the-clock supervision of National Defense Forces commander Fadi Saqr, assisted by his brothers: Malik, Milad, and Hadi.
The Saqr brothers directly assist Saqr in managing what is currently known as the "Civil Peace Forum," where they handle logistical tasks, primarily financial arrangements and public relations.
Iraqi Infiltration: Presence in Medical Services and on the Front Lines
Information confirms that Iraqi elements were not merely an external support force, but were officially included on the payroll of the "National Defense" to assume various military and administrative roles, distributed as follows:
1. Administrative and Medical Sector:
• Ahmed Khaled Abbas Sultan: He assumed a sensitive leadership position as "Head of the Medical Point Office" in the Sayyida Zeinab area.
2. Operations and Special Missions Sector:
The names of Iraqi fighters directly assigned to the militia's "Special Missions" sector emerged, including:
• Ali Hamid Matar.
• Mohammed Saheb Simsim.
• Abdullah Yasser Mazal.
3. Direct Confrontation Sector (Hot Trenches):
Data revealed a financial allocation designated for Iraqi fighters stationed on the front lines and at direct confrontation points, known organizationally within the militia as "hot trenches in the area." These fighters include:
• Saif Ahmed Khaled Abbas.
• Ahmed Majeed Moussa. • Murtada Faleh Hassan.
• Marwan Ibrahim Musallat.
• Nawras Balasem Tahit.
• Karrar Aboudi Mahmoud.
• Laith Maitham Karim.
Lebanese Presence: Between Support and Operations
In addition to the Iraqi groups, Zaman al-Wasl identified the names of individuals holding Lebanese citizenship, confirming the overlapping loyalties and nationalities in the management of this military stronghold in the Damascus countryside:
• Mustafa Abbas Haidar Ahmad: Assigned to work in the "Services" sector of the Regional Command.
• Dani Jack Habib: Serves as a combat operative in the "Special Missions" sector.
Command Structure and Financial Management
The information reveals the Syrian administrative hierarchy responsible for coordinating and disbursing financial entitlements to these cross-border groups. This force was under the direct supervision of:
• Imad Muhammad Ali al-Hawasli (Regional Commander).
• Ali Adnan al-Faroush (Deputy Regional Commander).
• Ahmad Yahya Mustafa (Head of the Security and Information Department, responsible for monitoring and intelligence).
The release of these lists brings renewed attention to the direct funding mechanisms the Syrian regime provided to foreign fighters under the guise of local military bodies like the National Defense Forces, transforming vital areas into open barracks for multinational militias. The most important question is: where are they now?
Zaman al-Wasl
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