Excerpt
The regime area [of Syria], even as Mr. Assad flies to Arab capitals presenting himself as the country's ruler, is penetrated by an independent Iranian power structure that operates outside the regime's authority.
This structure maintains its own bases, weaponry and areas of control into which Mr. Assad's forces cannot enter without its approval. The border crossing between al-Qaim, Iraq, and Abu Kamal, Syria, is under its exclusive sway. The Imam Ali base close to the crossing is the largest of many facilities under exclusive Iranian maintenance in this area. The road system, from Al Bukamal to the town of Mayadin and then westward toward the borders with Israel and Lebanon, is similarly controlled by this structure. It was this independent Iranian power structure that attacked the U.S. facility at the Al-Omar oil field last week.
Read the full article at the Wall Street Journal
Jonathan Spyer is director of research at the Middle East Forum and director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis. He is author of Days of the Fall: A Reporter's Journey in the Syria and Iraq Wars (2018).