The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has unveiled a new series of land acquisitions on the Lebanese-Syrian border, in which the Iranian-led militias led by Lebanese Hezbollah intend to establish themselves. In doing so, they are changing the demographics of the entire area.

The observatory said in the report that the Syrian areas near the Lebanese border in the rural areas of the capital Damascus are still witnessing ongoing buying by Lebanese Hezbollah and pro-Iranian militias of non-Syrian nations, with the aim of "stealing more than a thousand plots and luxury apartments."

The observatory cited sources confirming that "the continued purchase of land located on the border is carried out by Iranian loyalist militias including non-Syrian nationalities." From the beginning of the first month of 2021 until now, they have purchased more than 320 plots of land in and around Zabdani. And at least 465 plots in the areas of the border town of Altofil.

The observatory estimates that the border town of Topail has become a prestigious area in Syrian public opinion, and the main developer (of the sale operations to the militias) there is a Syrian man close to the so-called Lebanese Hezbollah leaders.

The director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami 'Abd al-Rahman, said in an earlier statement to the American news site Al-Hura that what is happening in the Syrian-Lebanese border areas goes beyond just changing ownership and buying and selling land.

He added that Iran-backed militias "are forcing a new reality in these areas with moves of demographic change, they are emptying these areas of their original population and settling the families of their armed groups."