In addition to Liwa al-Baqir, the ‘313 Force’ was one of the better known Iranian-backed formations in Syria. However, the group was disbanded some time before the Assad regime collapsed, and no reports have emerged about arrests targeting those who served in the group.
Below is an interview conducted with a person who is from the locality of al-Kafrin (Damascus countryside) and served in the 313 Force, discussing his experiences in the group and his outlook on the present situation. I have known him from the days he was in the 313 Force.
Members of the 313 Force deployed in the Palmyra area.
Q: At the beginning of the crisis what did you think of what was happening? Did you feel the demonstrations embodied legitimate grievances?