Rebels Seize Aleppo and Deraa; Iranian Military Commanders Withdrawn Amid Syrian Crisis
The rapid advances of Syrian rebel forces have put immense pressure on President Bashar al-Assad's ally, Iran. Facing the deteriorating situation, Tehran has begun withdrawing its military commanders and officials from Syria, according to a report by The New York Times.
Citing regional and Iranian officials, the report revealed that the withdrawals include senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, several diplomats, their families, and other civilians. The evacuation reportedly began early Friday.
Some officials have been flown to Tehran, while others have traveled by land to Lebanon, Iraq, and the Syrian port city of Latakia.
Iran, alongside Russia, has been a key supporter of President Assad throughout the decade-long Syrian civil war. The current Syrian government is known for its anti-Israel and anti-U.S. stance. Additionally, Iran-backed Hezbollah from Lebanon has consistently provided support to Assad's regime.
However, rebel forces have launched one of their largest offensives against government troops in recent weeks. By Saturday, within three days of the attack, they captured Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city. The rebels, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have also taken control of Hama and Deraa, marking significant victories in the ongoing conflict.
Amid these developments, Hezbollah's newly appointed leader, Naim Qassem, reaffirmed the group's unwavering support for Assad's government. He criticized the roles of the U.S. and Israel, accusing them of destabilizing Syria.
Qassem stated, "Despite the recent actions, the rebels will not achieve their goals. Hezbollah stands firmly with Syria to resist this aggression."
The recent escalation underscores the fragile and volatile nature of the Syrian conflict, which has seen numerous shifts in power over more than a decade of civil war.
