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Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/21/us-syria-crisis-iran-idUSBREA1K09U20140221
Iran Boosts Military Support in Syria to Bolster Assad
(Reuters) Jonathan Saul and Parisa Hafezi - Iran has stepped up support on the ground for Syrian President Assad, providing hundreds more military specialists to gather intelligence and train troops. This further backing from Tehran, along with deliveries of munitions and equipment from Moscow, is helping to keep Assad in power. Analysts believe this renewed support means Assad felt no need to make concessions at currently deadlocked peace talks in Geneva. In addition there are thousands of Iranian paramilitary Basij volunteer fighters as well as Shi'ites from Iraq who were brought into Syria to support Assad. A Syrian opposition source said in recent months Iranian-led forces had begun operating in coastal areas including Tartous and Latakia. They wear Syrian military fatigues and work with Syrian air force intelligence.