Iran has begun evacuating its military commanders and personnel from Syria, signaling a shift in the country’s strategy amid a resurgent rebel offensive. The move comes as President Bashar al-Assad faces a deteriorating situation, with rebels capturing major cities and swaths of territory across four provinces.
Top commanders of Iran’s Quds Forces, which advise the Syrian army, have fled to neighboring Iraq. Iranian diplomats, staff, their families, and civilians are also leaving Syria, with some departing by plane to Tehran and others via land routes to Lebanon, Iraq, and the Syrian port of Latakia.
Iran has been a key supporter of the Assad government throughout the 13-year civil war, but its ability to influence events in Syria is dwindling. The country’s conflict with Israel, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Hezbollah’s own war have sapped its military resources. If Damascus falls, Iran may lose its sway in Iraq and Lebanon.
The United Nations has not commented on the situation, but Iranian officials acknowledge that the rebel offensive poses a significant threat to their ability to supply the Assad regime or Hezbollah with weapons and advisers. The fall of more territory could undermine Iran’s influence in the region.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/06/world/middleeast/iran-syria-evacuation.html