(Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center) In September 2015 Iran increased the number of its forces in Syria, dispatching between 1,500 and 2,000 fighters, some of them taking an active part in the fighting. Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and Shi'ite foreign fighters from Afghanistan and Iraq were sent to support the Syrian army in its attack in northern Syria in October. The fierce battles caused the Iranian forces heavy losses: since the beginning of the offensive at least 53 Iranian IRGC fighters have been killed in Syria. The heavy losses have required the Iranian leadership to justify Iran's military involvement in Syria. The regime has instituted a media campaign praising sacrifice for defending sites in Syria sacred to Shi'a Islam, especially the shrine of Set Zaynab, the prophet Muhammad's granddaughter.
2015-11-20 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive