Iran Expanding Influence in Syria
Charles Johnson
Mon Oct 30, 2006 at 9:16 am PST • Views: 323
According to this report at Middle East Newsline, Iran is expanding its influence in Syria by providing financial rewards for converting to Khomeini-style Shi’ite Islam. (Hat tip: sr_soph.)
WASHINGTON [MENL] — Iran was said to have significantly expanded its influence in Syria and encouraging Alawis and Sunnis to convert to Shi’ite Islam.
Syrian opposition sources said the regime of President Bashar Assad has given Iran “carte blanche” in Syria. The sources said that unlike his late father, Bashar has allowed Iranian clerics to spread the Shi’ite religion in Syria.
“Syrians have been observing over the last year a dangerous phenomena mostly witnessed by an alarming number of non-Shia turning to Khomeini-style Shia in return for financial rewards,” the opposition Reform Party of Syria said. “Whole villages and urban areas are adopting the Hizbullah model whereby clinics, schools, and social services are provided by Iran in return for Syrians to convert to Shi’ism.”
In August 2006, RPS said, Iran opened two centers in the Syrian port of Latakiya. The organization said the centers, designed to teach Farsi, have been converting Sunni Muslims.
Frank says: