Hashemiyoun
| Hashemiyoun | |
|---|---|
| الهاشميون | |
| Founders | Youssef Al-Hamdan Musa Al-Mahmoud |
| Leaders |
|
| Dates of operation | October 2021–December 2024 |
| Country |  Syria |
| Allegiance | |
| Group | 47th Regiment[1] |
| Headquarters | Abu Kamal |
| Active regions | Eastern Syria |
| Ideology | |
| Status | Defunct/inactive |
| Size | 200[2] |
| Means of revenue | Taxation, donations, and funding from Iran |
| Part of | Hashemite Tribes Regiment Axis of Resistance |
| Allies | State allies
Non-State allies |
| Battles and wars | |
Hashemiyoun (Arabic: الهاشميون, romanized: Al-Hashimiyoon) was a Shia Syrian tribal militia group. It was founded in early 2021 and was reportedly backed by Iran. It was primarily made up of Shia Muslims from Syria.[14][15] It operated in Eastern Syria until the collapse of the Assad regime.[16]
Founding
[edit]According to reports, the group was founded in 2021 by Shia Syrians in Abu Kamal, Eastern Syria, with backing from Iran. It was primarily made up of Shia Syrians, including tribal fighters who had converted to Shia'ism. It was founded and headquartered in the city of Abu Kamal in Eastern Syria.[2][1]
Role in Syria
[edit]Combat support
[edit]The Hashemiyoun Brigade was formed with Iranian support to primarily combat the influence of the Islamic State and the Syrian Democratic Forces in Eastern Syria, using Shia tribal fighters from the local region.[2] The brigade was also formed to fight alongside other Iran-backed militias (such as Zainabiyoun, Fatemiyoun, Hussainiyoun, Hezbollah) and to alleviate pressure on Shia foreign fighters and Shia militias who were already fighting in Eastern Syria.[2][1]
Trust-building
[edit]The group was also used as a way for Iran to build trust among the tribal communities of Bedouin Arabs in Eastern Syria.[2][1]
Ideology spreading
[edit]It was alleged that the group was used to convert Syrians to Shia Islam and exploit sectarian division in Syria. It also alleged of spreading the ideology of Iran's Islamic Revolution.[2][1]
Organization
[edit]According to available sources, the group's leader was Youssef Al-Hamdan, also known as Abu Issa Al-Masshadani. Along with Al-Hamdan, Musa Al-Mahmoud, who was appointed by Iran as a dignitary in Abu Kamal, was also a known leader in the group.[2]
The brigade was estimated to have around 200 fighters.[2]
The group reportedly recruited Shia tribesmen from Bedouin tribes in Eastern Syria, who were a part of the Iranian-affiliated Euphrates Valley Tribes and Clans Council.[2][1]
Area
[edit]The group primarily operated in, and recruited from, Eastern Syria primarily around the Euphrates river. It maintained a presence of fighters in the town of Mayadin in Deir ez-Zor, other parts of the Deir Ez-Zor governorate's countryside, as well as a presence the Raqqa Governorate. The group also maintained offices in the cities of Damascus and Aleppo as well as the countrysides of Damascus Governorate and Aleppo Governorate.[2][1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g "إيران تشكل ميليشيا للمتشيعين الجدد بسوريا..من يقودها وأين تنتشر؟" (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2025-04-25. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Iran establishes new brigade in eastern Syria composed of local Shia converts". Middle East Monitor. 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
- ^ Syrian Shiites Take Up Arms in Support of Assad's Army. US News. 2014.
- ^ Al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad. "Syrian Hezbollah Militias of Nubl and Zahara'".
- ^ Phillip Smyth (8 March 2016). "How Iran Is Building Its Syrian Hezbollah". The Washington Institute. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
- ^ Will Fulton, Joseph Holliday, and Sam Wyer, Iranian Strategy in Syria Archived 2016-02-01 at the Wayback Machine, Institute for the Study of War, May 2013
- ^ "SHI'I MILITIAS IN IRAQ AND SYRIA". rubincenter.org. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ Al-Jabassini, Abdullah (2019). From Insurgents to Soldiers: The Fifth Assault Corps in Daraa, Southern Syria. Wartime and Post-Conflict in Syria. European University Institute. ISBN 978-92-9084-767-0.
- ^ "Liwa al-Baqir". Jihad Intel. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ^ "Streitkräfte des Assad-Regimes, February 2017" [Armed forces of the Assad regime, February 2017] (PDF). Truppendienst.com (Austrian Armed Forces) (in German). 15 February 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (17 February 2025). "The Northwest Syria Battles and the Local Defence Forces: Interview". Middle East Forum. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (10 May 2025). "An Account of Liwa al-Baqir's Defection from the Assad Regime and Iran". Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ Suadad al-Salhy (5 February 2025). "How Syrian mutinies and betrayal sunk Iran's support for Assad". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ "Iran, militias it backs have increased threats against US troops in Syria: Pentagon". Al Arabiya English. 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
- ^ Hardan, Mohammed (2021-10-25). "Iran's New Brigade Infiltrates Tribes in East Syria | RealClearDefense". www.realcleardefense.com. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
- ^ Taban, Besmillah (2024-12-15). "The Fall of the Syrian Government and the Future of Foreign Jihadists: Supporters and Opponents of Assad". Hasht-e Subh. Retrieved 2025-08-20.