Russia and Iran Target U.S. With Pressure in Syria
Russia and Iran Align Strategies
Overt Operator
July 17, 2023
Silent Power Plays and Pressure Tactics by Russia and Iran Against the US
In the depths of Syria's ongoing conflict, a hidden power dance has emerged. Russia and Iran seemingly synchronize their moves with a singular intention – to oust US forces from the war-torn country, according to an Al-Monitor report released Friday.
Quoting a senior US military official, Al-Monitor stated that American intelligence has noticed signs of quiet coordination between Russia's military commanders in Syria and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The collaboration spans "collaborative planning, understanding, and intelligence sharing… [at the] mid-level to upper echelon" of Moscow and Tehran's armies, indicating a strategic alliance aimed at American forces.
A U.S. Defense Department press briefing on July 11 also explained that Iran has been supportive of Russian military efforts through "weapons", a fact that Department Spokesperson Matt Miller say the U.S. would welcome seeing "stopped".
The U.S. official was quoted comparing this coordination to "the same sorts of things that we would do with our partners in the face of something we were trying to accomplish."
In essence, the dance involves Russia and Iran aligning their strategies to exert pressure on US forces, much in the same way an orchestra syncs its different components to produce a harmonious tune.
While the tension rises in the background, the U.S. remains persistent in reinforcing its occupation in Syria's oil-rich northeast. This persistence has been particularly noticeable in occupied Hasakah, where local sources reported large deliveries of U.S. logistical equipment and cement recently made their way into the region.
Such reinforcements have gained momentum, especially in the aftermath of a surge in Iranian-linked attacks on U.S. bases in Syria this year. Pentagon officials, however, maintain that their forces' actions are not a reaction to Russian and Iranian provocations.
The U.S. believes its recent responses "have arrested the escalation cycle for now," al-Monitor reported.
In early 2023, U.S. military sites in Syria faced an alarming increase in drone and missile attacks, marking a significant escalation in hostilities. In March, an attack resulted in the death of a U.S. military contractor. The U.S. retaliated with airstrikes in Deir Ezzor, leading to multiple deaths, including Syrian and allegedly Iranian military officers.
Even though the frequency of attacks on the U.S. in Syria has reduced following the retaliatory strikes, an aura of vulnerability continues to linger over the US forces.
In a recent press conference, U.S. Army General Douglas Sims told reporters:
"We don't anticipate an issue, nor do we see a level of escalation we're concerned about in Syria."
However, recent leaks from a Pentagon document reveal a more serious situation on the ground. Russia and Iran have allegedly agreed to establish a joint operations room in Syria, further consolidating their pressure campaign against the U.S. military. Additionally, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported undisclosed Russian-Iranian efforts to escalate confrontations with the US presence in Syria.
As Syria continues to be the stage of geopolitical maneuvers, the situation unravels a complex game of strategic pressures and responses.
The U.S., caught between the cross hairs of this Russian-Iranian alliance, may face escalating challenges to maintain its presence, wrapped up in the silent echoes of a power play in Syria's shadows.