Thousands of Afghan and Pakistani militiamen from the Fatemiyoun and Zainabiyoun brigades have reportedly moved from Syria to Iraq following the decline of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, raising concerns over their long-term presence in the region.

According to Istiqlal newspaper, these militias, initially deployed to Syria in 2011 under the pretext of protecting Shia shrines and defending Assad’s government, have now shifted their focus to Iraqi territory. The large-scale relocation has sparked questions over why these fighters have not returned to Iran or their home countries, unlike Hezbollah militants who have largely withdrawn to Lebanon.

A report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights estimates that 35,000 Shia militiamen remain in Syria, the majority of whom are of Afghan and Pakistani origin. Meanwhile, the Iraqi news agency Baghdad Today has reported sightings of Zainabiyoun and Fatemiyoun fighters in Diyala province, a border region close to Iran.

According to Baghdad Today, these fighters have requested Iraqi authorities to delay their repatriation, suggesting a possible long-term settlement in Iraq. A senior Iraqi political source, speaking anonymously to Istiqlal, confirmed that these groups, along with other militia factions, remain active in Iraq following the decline of Assad’s regime, with no clear official stance from Baghdad on their future.

The growing presence of these foreign militias has raised concerns among Iraqi politicians, particularly amid escalating US pressures on Iran-backed groups. The administration of former US President Donald Trump had intensified actions against Iran’s proxy militias, fueling speculation that these fighters could become targets of future military operations.

Furthermore, The Washington Institute has reported that these fighters are currently stationed at a military base linked to the 13th Brigade of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), commanded by Qassem Mosleh under the operations command in al-Jazeera.

As Iraq navigates mounting security and political challenges, the future of these foreign militias remains uncertain, placing further pressure on Baghdad to address the growing complexities of their presence within its borders.