A well-informed source has told Iqtissad that Iran and Hezbollah have reduced the salaries of its fighters in Syria, indicating a financial crisis for these militias.
The military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said that three months ago, Iran and Hezbollah started to reduce the salaries of fighters and groups fighting alongside regime forces in Syria, which created a state of alarm among these fighters because they didn’t get their monthly salaries and were not able to cover their expenses.
According to the source, a lack of liquidity is behind the cuts in salaries, and they aimed to reduce the civilian groups belonging Hezbollah or Iran.
He explained that the members of these groups receive their salaries from Hezbollah and in each military sector there are five Lebanese party members.
The elements of these militias and groups requested an “advance” on their salaries in the hope that the full salary would come at the end of each month.
Fighters were asking for 10,000 Syrian pounds (20 dollars) as an advance on their salary. According to the same source, each element in those groups receives about 60,000 pounds (116 dollars).
Most of the elements are Syrians under contracts, but their salaries come directly from Hezbollah.
The same source revealed that the Air Force Intelligence has canceled the contracts of 6,000 civilians associated with the so-called al-Nimer Forces of Bri. Gen Suhail Hassan for about five months, also because of the financial crisis.
He added that each element of the al-Nimer group was receiving about 75,000 pounds (145 dollars), while the salary of the mandatory conscription soldier is 25,000 pounds.
The source pointed out that low salaries were the reason for people “escaping” from compulsory or reserve service.
“The salary of a first assistant, who has served in the ranks of the regime for about 15 years is 60,000 pounds (119 dollars), which is not enough even to pay transportation fees.” He said, “while my salary as a reserve soldier is up to 52,000 pounds (100 dollars), so it is equivalent to the salary of the volunteer assistant”
Hezbollah and Iran are fearful of not receiving salaries that have been delayed for three months.
“The consequences of the financial crisis are beginning to appear in the meals of the militias” he said.
As for the future of these militias, our source said that these elements chose either patience or looting, which is considered a second source of income for these militias after it proved to be profitable.
“Today, you have to loot more because your salary is low. People are even looting tools and equipment belonging to the Syrian state, such as huge cables, generators and other property belonging to the regime or the army” he added.
According to civilian sources, the Iranian militias control all aspects of life in the city of Deir ez-Zor and other areas, and it interferes with the daily lives of civilians significantly.
Iranian militias share areas of influence with Russian forces at the entrance to the northern towns of Deir ez-Zor at the Salhiya crossing. They also share the barriers of the army’s elite Fourth Armored Division, Military and Air Security Forces and the Criminal Security Branch.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
