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Source: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5005452,00.html
Iran's Growing Influence in Syria
(Ynet News) Roi Kais - Iran's influence in Syria is growing stronger by the day, according to intelligence analyst Ronen Salomon. The Iranian presence in Syria begins at Damascus airport and includes the Iranian embassy and bases on Mount Qasioun, overlooking Damascus, and near the Presidential Palace. The Quds Force makes use of the Iranian Red Crescent to insert Revolutionary Guard and intelligence ministry operatives into Syria and to transport military aid. Iran has transported a large number of containers carrying advanced implements of war by sea under the guise of commercial shipments, carried out through companies connected to Iran's international shipping company, IRISL. Simultaneously, Iran runs an airlift to Syria from Tehran's airports and Iranian airbases adjacent to the Iraqi border. These flights fly civilian routes through Iran Air and Mahan Air, but also use army transportation aircraft under a company called Qasem Fares Air. Flights leave at night to prevent satellite monitoring. Iranian units in Syria now number close to 1,500 men, with some 18,000 fighters of different militias present in the country.