Iran Reduces Military Presence in Syria Following Recent Assassinations and Attacks

According to sources close to Hezbollah, Iran has been supporting Syrian government forces for over a decade. However, recent attacks targeting senior Iranian military officials have prompted Iran to shift its military presence in Syria. In response to the assassinations, Iran has pulled its military from southern Syria, including the provinces of Quneitra and Daraa near the Golan Heights.

Despite the withdrawal from these areas, Iranians still maintain a presence in other parts of Syria. The decision to reduce military presence began after a strike on Damascus on January 21, which resulted in the death of five advisors to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This operation was reportedly carried out by Israel, who blames Iran for supporting terrorist groups in Syria.

Subsequent strikes on Iranian targets in Syria, such as the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1, have further influenced Iran’s military positioning. As a response to the consulate attack, Iran launched an unprecedented strike on Israel on April 14. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Iranian troops have vacated southern Syria and Damascus, with Lebanese and Iraqi fighters taking their place. Despite this withdrawal up to 3,000 Iranian troops remain in Syria supported by militants from Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan.