Intrigue in Najaf: Allegations surface of plot targeting Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa

Thursday 13 February 2025 - 10:13

By: Dakir Madiha

Intrigue in Najaf: Allegations surface of plot targeting Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa

Numerous media outlets have reported the uncovering of an alleged plan to assassinate Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. According to exclusive sources from the Turkish newspaper Türkiye Gazetesi, a clandestine meeting reportedly took place in Najaf, Iraq, where an Iranian-backed scheme to assassinate al-Sharaa was discussed.

The newspaper stated that senior generals from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and officers from the former Syrian regime attended the meeting. The agenda reportedly included arrangements to support organizations such as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), ISIS, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), and Hezbollah.

Sources revealed that the meeting was held last week in a villa owned by a Shiite businessman in Najaf. Among the attendees were Major General Hussein Akbar, a former commander in the IRGC and former Iranian ambassador to Damascus, along with Major General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC's Air Force, and an intelligence official responsible for special operations.

Leading figures from the former Syrian regime also participated, including Major General Asaad al-Ali, Major General Mohammed Khallouf, Brigadier General Adel Sarhan, Brigadier General Abdullah Manaf al-Hassan, and Brigadier General Mohammed Sarmini.

The gathering reportedly focused on a plan to assassinate President Ahmad al-Sharaa as part of an Iranian effort to regain influence in Syria following a decline in its regional control. Discussions also explored mechanisms for implementing a military coup and exploiting internal and external divisions to achieve Tehran's objectives.

The Türkiye Gazetesi report added that the plan included inciting ethnic and sectarian tensions in diverse regions, including Sweida, Latakia, Tartus, Homs, Raqqa, Hasakah, and Deir ez-Zor. The attendees allegedly agreed to provide logistical and armed support through various border crossings, including Deir ez-Zor–al-Bukamal and Hasakah–al-Qaim–Rabia–al-Malikiyah. Supplies by sea from Tartus and Latakia were also discussed.

According to the newspaper, attendees confirmed "comprehensive understandings with the PKK" to implement the plan. Iranian generals reportedly stated that "ongoing contacts with the Druze aim to encourage them to rebel in their areas," while Syrian officers clarified that coordination with the PKK encompasses all operational aspects.

The meeting also highlighted the roles of Lebanese Hezbollah and the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces in executing the plan. This included coordinating the establishment of secret cells in predominantly Alawite areas, distributing weapons and ammunition, and setting up a robust communications network to ensure the success of operations.

Attendees reportedly decided to use Shiite fighters from Afghanistan and Pakistan, specifically under the Zainebiyoun and Fatemiyoun militias, smuggling them through areas controlled by the PKK. A maritime route between Latakia and southern Cyprus was also proposed for the transport of weapons and fighters, while Hezbollah would support operations through land transport from Lebanon.

Iran reportedly believes that instigating chaos in Syria will increase the likelihood of international intervention, potentially boosting U.S. and international coalition support for PKK-controlled areas. This would allow Tehran to rearrange the situation in Syria to align with its broader interests.

The meeting also discussed operational plans to carry out the assassination of President Ahmad al-Sharaa using internal cells and ISIS elements. These plans would exploit vulnerabilities within the Syrian government to facilitate the execution of the scheme, according to the Turkish newspaper.