Australian lawmakers condemn execution of Iranian dissident
Two members of the Australian House of Representatives have strongly condemned the execution of Reza Rasaei, an Iranian dissident prisoner put to death on Tuesday.
Two members of the Australian House of Representatives have strongly condemned the execution of Reza Rasaei, an Iranian dissident prisoner put to death on Tuesday.
Keith Wolahan and Aaron Violi, who have been political sponsors for 34-year-old Rasaei, emphasized the need for ongoing political efforts to ensure freedom for the Iranian people and to prevent further political executions.
"We need to continue this political fight to ensure that the Iranian people have the freedom they deserve and that political executions no longer occur under the Islamic Republic regime," Violi stated in a message to Iran International.
Wolahan condemned Rasaei's execution as "cruel and cowardly," emphasizing that the IRGC is aware the Woman Life Freedom movement is far from over, “or else they wouldn’t be using this form of execution as a weapon of fear against people.”
"We want the IRGC to know that we are not looking the other way; we have not forgotten," Wolahan added.
Rasaei was arrested during the 2022 anti-government protests in Kermanshah, a western province of Iran, and sentenced to death by a Revolutionary Court on charges allegedly connected to the death of an IRGC intelligence officer during the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising from September to December 2022.
The "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement has been a significant force in Iran and among the Iranian diaspora, advocating for women's rights and broader political freedoms. Violi reiterated the movement's enduring relevance, stating, "Woman, Life, Freedom is a movement that continues; it’s about the freedom of the Iranian people here in Australia and Iran."
Violi further called upon the Australian government, parliament, and fellow politicians to "stand with the Iranian people." He urged them to support the struggle for human rights and to take a firm stance against the oppressive actions of the Iranian regime.
The execution of Reza Rasaei has sparked international outrage.
US Acting Special Envoy for Iran Abram Paley also strongly condemned Iran's execution of Rasaei and "its attempt to distract the world from its continued human rights abuses."
Rights groups, including Amnesty International, also condemned Rasaei’s, highlighting that it occurred while media attention was elsewhere.
“While global and domestic media attention have been focused on regional tensions with Israel, the Iranian authorities have carried out the abhorrent arbitrary execution in secret of a young man who was subjected to torture and other ill-treatment in detention, including sexual violence, and then sentenced to death after a sham trial,” Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa said in a statement.
“This execution lays bare once again how Iran’s criminal justice system is rotten to the core and highlights the Iranian authorities resolve to use the death penalty as a tool of political repression to instill fear among the population. It also dispels any illusions of human rights progress with a new president assuming power last week,” Eltahawy added.
Despite global condemnation, only a day after Rasaei’s execution on Tuesday, 36 people were executed in Iran on Wednesday. Iran is one of the world’s leading executioners accounting for 74% of all recorded executions in 2023.
The group led by Ibrahim Al-Hefl (الهِفل), from the ruling family of the Al Aqeedat tribe, which has received military support and training from Iran, carried out a sudden and coordinated attack against the SDF in areas like Abu Hamam in Al-Shaitat and Dhiban, resulting in casualties.
Iran’s support for this group includes advanced equipment and intensive training in secret bases, reflecting Tehran’s intention to strengthen its regional influence. At the same time, Deir Ezzor is experiencing widespread resentment toward the Syrian regime, Iranian, and Russian forces, prompting the local population to support the SDF despite earlier reservations.
The recent developments highlight the complexities of the Syrian conflict and the increasing involvement of external powers exacerbating humanitarian and political crises. The situation remains unstable, with the potential for either escalating violence.
The Role of Iran and Tribal Groups
Among these groups, Ibrahim Al-Hefl's faction stands out, having received substantial military support from Iran, including not only military training but also advanced equipment, enabling the group to carry out sophisticated and coordinated operations against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
These developments worsen the region's security, intensifying clashes between Al-Hefl's group and the SDF and destabilizing previously safe civilian areas. Iran's growing influence through these groups is also alarming some Arab countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, which sees this as a threat to its strategic and security interests. This situation underscores the need for urgent diplomatic solutions to manage rising tensions and secure long-term regional stability.
Iran's Strategic Preparations and Timing
Iran has long recognized the importance of local Sunni Arab tribes in Syria to bolster its influence in the region. Consequently, it has worked to attract and direct these tribes to achieve its goals. Iran's cultivation of loyalty within this tribe has further complicated the Syrian conflict and provided Tehran with a stronger foothold in the region.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), known for its advanced training capabilities, has provided intensive training to Al-Hefl's group. This training covered unconventional warfare tactics, the use of advanced weapons, and espionage and reconnaissance techniques. Members of the tribe were trained in secret bases within Syria and sometimes in Iran, making them an effective combat force capable of conducting complex operations against Iran's adversaries in Syria, local sources claimed.
IRGC and its proxies occupy the western side of the Euphrates River, while the SDF and US forces are stationed within a few kilometers of its eastern banks. Al-Helf’s group are therefore very close to US forces and pose a serious danger.
Iran's support for Al-Hefl's group is part of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing its influence in that part of Syria and countering its opponents. By supporting these groups, Iran aims to pressure US forces and undermine their efforts. Furthermore, Iran seeks to use these groups as leverage in future negotiations, particularly concerning its conflict with Israel. The military operations conducted by these groups also serve to distract and strain the resources of Iran's adversaries.
The Attack on SDF and Iran's Role
The attack on the SDF can be described as sudden and well-coordinated. It began in the morning, targeting SDF positions in areas such as Abu Hamam in Shu'aytat, Al-Dhiban (Al-Hefl's hometown), and the city of Al-Busayrah, all of which are located east of the Euphrates River. Al-Hefl's group used advanced tactics and weapons. The attack was a clear message from Iran and its allies, demonstrating their ability to deliver significant blows at any time and place and their willingness to use force to achieve their objectives.
The Role of Ibrahim Al-Hefl and Syrian Regime Involvement
Ibrahim Al-Hefl, who played a prominent role in leading the tribe, has been absent from the current scene for unknown reasons, raising many questions. He was considered an influential figure in the region and had a significant impact on the tribe's military role. His absence has led to speculation as to whether it is due to internal tribal pressures or external intervention.
The Syrian regime's role in supporting and training Al-Hefl's group cannot be overlooked. Figures like Hashim Al-Sattam, a security officer with the regime, played a significant role in funding and providing logistical and training support to the group and others. Through these alliances, the Syrian regime aims to bolster its influence and exploit the ongoing conflict to achieve political and military gains. The collaboration between the Syrian regime and Iran in this context reflects the intertwined interests and objectives of both parties in confronting their common adversaries.
IRGC's strategy of planting cells
The IRGC's strategy in the Middle East is one of the key factors shaping the current developments of the conflict in Syria. This strategy focuses on enhancing Iranian influence by supporting militias and supplying them with weapons and training, thereby increasing their capability to execute Iran's regional objectives. These weapons include anti-aircraft weapons and RPGs, enabling militias to conduct effective offensive operations against the SDF and the international coalition.
Iran targets the international coalition through this combination, aiming to undermine the operations of the US-led coalition in the region. Part of this strategy involves equipping militias to target coalition helicopters, requiring special equipment and advanced training. Iran supplies militias with guided missiles and anti-aircraft systems, reflecting its intent to weaken the coalition's military presence in Syria and enhance its capacity to conduct sophisticated offensive operations.
Iran's Agendas
Hashim Al-Sattam's role in Al-Dhiban serves as an indicator of the increasing role played by Iran-supported groups in areas previously under opposition control. This indicates the subjugation of these areas to the Iranian regime, enhancing its ability to impose control and achieve its strategic objectives in the region. This presence also reflects how Iran uses local militias as tools to achieve its regional interests. For over a year, Iran has been preparing cells in Syria to attack the SDF.
In addition to supporting Syrian militias, Iran also equips and arms Iraqi cells operating under tribal groupings. These cells are used to achieve the same strategic goals in the region, as Iran seeks to expand its influence through multiple local alliances. Equipping these cells includes providing them with advanced weapons and special training, enhancing their capability to conduct offensive operations against coalition forces and other targets in the region.
