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Iranian Military Advisors Remain in Syria at Regime's Request
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Military escalation in Syria coinciding with Lebanon ceasefire suggests possible coordination between parties hostile to the Iranian axis
Amid sudden military developments in Syria, following the unexpected strike carried out by armed groups on Aleppo, the Iranian Foreign Ministry emphasized its support for the Syrian regime.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baqaei stated during a media briefing today, Monday, that the presence of Iranian military advisors will continue in response to Damascus's request.
He indicated that the Israeli entity is the primary beneficiary of security chaos in Syria and the region, adding: "The reactivation of terrorist groups immediately after the announcement of the ceasefire in Lebanon might be thought of as a mere coincidence or accident, but if we look at the history of terrorism's emergence in Syria since 2011 and 2012, and its suspicious relations with Israel, we cannot consider these events mere coincidence."
He emphasized that Israeli officials themselves considered these changes in Syria as weakening the "axis of resistance."
Regarding the Astana treaty, he noted that like other arrangements, it may sometimes witness violations, but this doesn't necessarily mean its collapse, recalling the 2017 treaty sponsored by Russia, Iran, and Turkey between Syrian regime representatives and opposition figures, which concluded the necessity of finding a political settlement based on implementing Security Council Resolution 2254.
He explained that Turkish officials share his country's same concerns regarding developments in Syria, concluding that "any lack of security or spread of terrorism in Syria will not limit its impact to Syria alone," according to his expression. These statements coincided with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's presence in Ankara to discuss the Syrian file.
Military sources in the Syrian regime army reported that groups from the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces entered Syrian territory to support regime forces on the northern fronts.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, formerly known as Al-Nusra Front, had begun, in coordination with other armed factions, an unprecedented surprise attack on Aleppo since last Wednesday, completely taking control of the city yesterday, in addition to dozens of villages in Hama and rural Idlib. Neighboring Iraq's concerns about these developments emerged, as well as those of Russia and Turkey.
Levant-Agencies
