Iran has begun evacuating military commanders from Syria, signaling a loss of faith in Bashar al-Assad’s ability to hold back a rebel uprising. Tehran sent top officials back to neighboring Lebanon and Iraq, as the regime struggles to cope with a swift and unexpected rebel offensive.
The rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have captured territory in four provinces, entered major cities like Aleppo and Hama, and are advancing on Damascus. The advance has left Iranian forces feeling “reluctant to send in reinforcements” due to their loss of confidence in Assad’s leadership.
Iranian officials believe that supporting Assad at this stage would be futile, as the regime is no longer able to provide effective security for its allies. The evacuation marks a significant shift in Tehran’s strategy, with many questioning whether it’s worth defending a leader who has struggled to maintain control over his territory despite years of support from Iran and Russia.
The swift rebel advance has left Assad on the back foot, with some Iranian officials suggesting that he is no longer worthy of defense. As one IRGC official stated, “He has proven that no matter how much support he receives, he cannot push back even a few terrorists from his territory.”
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/iran-begins-evacuate-commanders-forces-132621914.html