Syrian rebel forces after occupying territories in the Aleppo countryside, late December 2024. (Credit: Rami Alsayed/AFP)
After years of using Syria as a strategic corridor to deliver weapons and logistic support to Hezbollah in line with its regional strategy, Iran has largely withdrawn its forces from the country, according to American, Arab and European sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf described the Iranian withdrawal as “extraordinary,” adding that the “Axis of Resistance” emerged even weaker, particularly after the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.On Dec. 10, Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), told lawmakers that “no Iranian forces currently remain in Syria.” Read also: Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham causes wave of instability in Daraa Faced with a frustrating Syrian ally, a disorganized Iranian withdrawalGovernment spokesperson...
After years of using Syria as a strategic corridor to deliver weapons and logistic support to Hezbollah in line with its regional strategy, Iran has largely withdrawn its forces from the country, according to American, Arab and European sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf described the Iranian withdrawal as “extraordinary,” adding that the “Axis of Resistance” emerged even weaker, particularly after the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.On Dec. 10, Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), told lawmakers that “no Iranian forces currently remain in Syria.” Read also: Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham causes wave of instability in Daraa Faced with a frustrating Syrian ally, a disorganized Iranian...