Who is Behind the Calls to Deport Syrians from Iraq?

Syrians residing in Iraq are facing a smear campaign orchestrated by factions linked to Iran-backed Shiite militias. Accused of being “ticking time bombs” and a threat to security, some have even been arrested on charges of affiliation with “terrorist organizations.”

Iraq is currently home to about 280,000 Syrians, the majority of whom live in the Kurdistan region. The Iraqi authorities are committed to protecting them as signatories of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and the principle of non-refoulement under customary international law, according to Human Rights Watch.

Why Now?

On December 27, 2024, an unprecedented campaign was launched against Syrians in Iraq by media figures aligned with the Coordination Framework and Iran-backed Shiite militias, specifically the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades, led by Abu Hussein al-Himidawi, and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, led by Qais al-Khazali.

The current attack coincides with official statements from Iran urging Syrian youth to “resist” the current leadership in Damascus, headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa. The new Syrian administration has condemned these remarks, considering them inflammatory and an attempt to stir chaos in the country.

On December 25, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Syria faced an uncertain future following the recent overthrow of former head of the Syrian regime Bashar al-Assad by opposition forces, which now control the country and have formed a temporary transitional government.

In comments reported by the independent Iranian news agency ISNA, Araghchi said, “It is premature to make judgments about Syria’s future at this stage; numerous factors will shape the country’s future, the future is highly uncertain.”

Araghchi’s remarks followed a similar warning by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who, in a December 22 speech in Tehran, predicted that Syrians would resist the new leadership. Khamenei said, “In Syria, there is a brave and honorable force. Today, Syrian youth have nothing to lose—schools, universities, homes, and streets are unsafe. Therefore, they must stand strong against those who plan and execute chaos and overcome them.”

In response to these statements, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani cautioned Iran against sowing chaos in his country. “Iran must respect the will of the Syrian people, the country’s sovereignty, and its safety. We warn them against creating chaos in Syria and hold them responsible for the consequences of recent statements,” he posted on X.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baqaei stated in a press conference on December 23 that there were no direct contacts between Tehran’s government and the new Syrian administration under Ahmed al-Sharaa. Baqaei claimed that Iran’s previous military presence in Syria was aimed at “combating terrorism” and mentioned that Tehran had engaged in discussions with Turkiye concerning the situation in Syria. “Each party has its own narrative about the developments in the region and Syria, but it is not necessary to accept all these narratives,” he added.

A Systematic Campaign

The forces behind the calls for the expulsion of Syrians from Iraq have exploited a post by Syrian journalist Faisal al-Qassem on X on December 27. In the post, al-Qassem criticized anyone attempting to meddle in Syria after the fall of Assad, following official Iranian statements that attacked the new Damascus administration.

Al-Qassem addressed those he described as “anyone thinking of intervening in Syria to sabotage and turn back the clock,” saying, “Don’t forget that the Syrian people endured all kinds of abuse, oppression, destruction, and displacement. They never gave up until they uprooted the most despicable, vile, and loathsome regime known to modern history, which was supported by every country in the world.”

“Before you think about meddling in Syria again, just remember that Syrians defeated both Nazism and the Assadist fascism, making it vanish without a trace. They are, therefore, capable of easily defeating you,” he added.

Al-Qassem concluded his message by stating, “Don’t forget that the new Syrian strength is not only found within Syria today but has spread across all regions where they were forced to seek refuge, where they have become masters, creative and free.”

In response, Iraqi journalist Ahmed al-Thawaq, known for his ties to Shiite militias, wrote on X on December 27, claiming, “There are 400,000 Syrians in Iraq, and Faisal al-Qassem says they are sleeper cells ready to strike at zero hour.”

Al-Thawaq directed his remarks to Iraq's security agencies, particularly the intelligence services, national security, and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), urging them to pay attention to al-Qassem's post. He also launched a hashtag on X advocating for the deportation of Syrians from Iraq.

More clearly, in a post on December 28, Hassan al-Kaabi, an Iraqi writer associated with the Shiite militias, accused Syrians of being “Daesh” (ISIS) and called for their swift deportation, including the confiscation of their property, claiming they were cells of al-Sharaa. “Of course, this excludes Syrian Shiites and Alawites,” he said.

Similarly, an individual using the account al-Hadhad, which is also linked to Shiite militias, posted on X on December 27, inciting against Syrians in Iraq, claiming there was “an intention by some Syrian agents within Iraq to create chaos.”

On the same day, the Telegram channel Sabereen News, affiliated with Iraqi militias, reported the arrest of two Syrians working at a tourist park in Baghdad's Kadhimiya district on charges of belonging to ISIS.

Iranian-Backed Tools

Regarding the motives behind the incitement campaign against Syrians by Iran-backed Shiite militia affiliates in Iraq, Iraqi affairs researcher Bahauddin Barzanji stated, “These groups are tied to Iran's Supreme Leader system and act on its directives.”

“These same groups killed Palestinians after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, displaced them, and now, they speak of supporting the Palestinian cause and standing with Gaza. All of this is done under the guidance of their Iranian handlers,” he told Al-Estiklal.

“The fall of Assad’s regime has been a shock to Iran's axis in the region; they do not want Syria to enjoy security and stability. They are trying, by any means, to spoil the joy of the Syrian people and disrupt the sense of victory over this criminal regime.”

Al-Barzanji cautioned, “These groups aim to retaliate against Syrians in Iraq over the fall of Assad's regime. The Iraqi government must ensure their protection and resist being ensnared by Tehran’s operatives and their unfounded accusations.”

In the first comments on the future of Syria's relationship with Iran, the head of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa, stated during an interview with al-Arabiya on December 29 that he hopes “Tehran will reconsider its interventions in the region and reassess its policies.”

“A large segment of people aspire for a positive Iranian role in the region,” he said, pointing out that the Military Operations Command “fulfilled its duties regarding the Iranian positions, despite the wounds.

“We were expecting positive statements from Tehran.”

On December 8, 2024, Syrian factions took control of the capital, Damascus, marking the end of 61 years of Ba’ath Party rule and 53 years of the Assad family's control.

The following day, al-Sharaa announced the appointment of Mohammed al-Bashir, the head of the government that had been managing Idlib for years, to form a new Syrian government to oversee the transitional period.