How FRANCE 24 traced Tehran-backed Afghan fighters from Syria to southeastern Iran
Members of the Tehran-backed Afghan Shia militia known as the Fatemiyoun division have resurfaced in Iran after largely disappearing from public view following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria in 2024. FRANCE 24 used "martyrdom” announcements and the geolocation of videos shared on social media to trace their presence.
Members of the Fatemiyoun division, a Tehran-backed Afghan Shia militia, have resurfaced in Iran. The group had largely disappeared from public view following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria in 2024. FRANCE 24 traced their presence by using geolocation of social media videos and martyrdom announcements.
According to Al Majalla English, Syria's confrontation with Iran has evolved into a struggle over regional security, influence, and borders following the end of the Assad regime. Damascus is currently facing challenges such as countering Iraqi militias aligned with Tehran and pursuing Hezbollah cells operating within Syria and along the Lebanese frontier.
Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, Al Majalla English — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Syria takes on Iran’s proxies en.majalla.com
