According to a report by Iran International on X on Thursday, December 19, 2024, a senior commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) has refuted Vladimir Putin’s claim that Russia relocated 4,000 pro-Iranian fighters from Syria to Tehran after Ex-President Bashar Al-Assad’s fall.
Mohammad Jafar Asadi, deputy commander of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, clarified that the individuals relocated by Russia were not Iran’s advisory forces, but rather Iranians who had been living in Syria for an extended period.
In his own words, “A large number of Iranians have been living in Syria for a long time, and Russia relocated most of them to Iran. These were not Iran’s advisory forces; we withdrew our advisory forces from Syria ourselves.”
Mohammad Jafar Asadi emphasized that Iran withdrew its advisory forces from Syria independently, stating, “We do not allow Russia to relocate our military forces.”
This statement shows the complexities of the relationships between Iran, Russia, and Syria, particularly in the context of the former president, Bashar Assad’s downfall.
Ex-President Bashar Assad’s regime has been heavily reliant on Iranian support, with Tehran investing an estimated $30-50 billion in Syria over the past decade.
However, as Bashar Assad’s grip on power began to slip, Iran’s influence in Syria started to wane.
Iran claims that it withdrew its military presence from Syria, effectively abandoning its long-held strategy of supporting Assad’s regime.
This decision marked a significant shift in Iran’s regional ambitions, as it appeared to prioritize self-preservation over its commitment to the former Assad regime.