Iran’s Quds Force leader visits Syria to oversee joint military drill
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Ismail Qaani visited Syria to supervise a joint military exercise, Iranian media reported on Sept.21.
The Iranian Tasnim news agency, said that Qaani met with senior Syrian officials in Damascus. They discussed methods of confronting the military and security challenges facing Syria and oversee a joint Iranian-Syrian military drill.
Qanni became head of the Quds Force after its former leader, Qassem Suleimani, was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad in 2020.
The Quds Force is one of five branches of the IRGC and is specialized in unconventional warfare and military intelligence operations.
The Iranian commander also said Iran “will stand by the Syrian people and leadership in facing its challenges,” the news agency added.
Iran has been a major ally of the Syrian government and provided economic, political, and military support during the Syrian conflict.
Iran’s support helped the Syrian government to regain control of areas it lost at the beginning of the conflict as it backed militias affiliated with the IRGC. It has managed to have influence in eastern Syria through infiltrating the community by tempting Arab tribes and recruiting the youth in its affiliated militias, and establishing cultural centers spread Shiite faith.