Businessman Mohamed Baraa Katerji, closely connected to the regime, was killed in an alleged Israeli airstrike near the Lebanese border. Katerji is regarded as one of the warlords who exploited the conflict in Syria to build his own financial empire. The Katerji family’s prominence began with the formation of the “Comrade Forces” militia in 2013, which protected their oil and food convoys.
They expanded their military influence by forming the Katerji militia, participating in numerous military operations alongside Syrian regime forces. Currently, the Katerji family operates an extensive network of companies across various economic sectors, including oil and gold trading, real estate, and tourism.
Katerji maintained close contact with Iran’s Quds Force and helped fund both the Quds Force and Hezbollah. He was considered one of the most important economic arteries of the Syrian regime, responsible for coordinating oil and wheat supplies to Syria in recent years and playing a key role in circumventing U.S. sanctions.
Katerji also financed and supported “resistance movements” in Syria, coordinated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, and cooperated with Seyyed Radhi Mousavi, a Brigadier General in the Quds Force, who was assassinated by Israel in December 2023, in the Sayyeda Zeinab area. According to information obtained exclusively by Syria TV, the rare incident of Israel targeting a Syrian warlord highlights the complex web of intertwined commercial and security interests between the Katerji Group, the Quds Force, and Hezbollah in Syria.
The role of Katerji in the oil trade
A confidential source told Syria TV that Katerji played a crucial role in transporting Syrian and Iranian oil, refining it, and selling it in the markets, with part of the revenues going to Hezbollah to cover its salaries and expenses.
This has caused a severe fuel crisis in Syria, where residents suffer from severe shortages of gasoline and diesel, while these derivatives are sold in the Lebanese market in dollars at prices lower than the international rate.
The source added that part of these derivatives is reintroduced into Syria to be sold at prices higher than the international rate, exacerbating the suffering of Syrian citizens, who are forced to buy fuel at high prices. Meanwhile, the regime attempts to promote that this fuel is secured from the Lebanese market thanks to the efforts of loyal individuals.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
