Iran withdraws personnel from Syria amid escalating clashes
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Iran started withdrawing its personnel and military leaders from Syria, The New York Times said on Saturday.
Citing regional officials and three Iranian sources, the newspaper said those evacuated include high-ranking members of the Quds Force and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
It added that the evacuations also extended to Iranian diplomats, their families, and civilians.
This move comes amid intensified battles in Syria, which have pitted the Syrian government forces against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA), since Nov. 27.
The clashes have led to significant territorial gains for HTS and allied factions.
The personnel are being transported to Tehran via air while others are using land routes through Lebanon, Iraq, and the Syrian port of Latakia, according to The New York Times.
Speculation about Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s whereabouts has also surfaced. While Syrian government sources have not confirmed his departure, Israeli intelligence agency Mossad claims that al-Assad is no longer in Syria.
In response to the deteriorating situation, several countries, including the United States, Canada, Jordan, and Iraq, have advised their citizens to leave Syria. The U.S. State Department has specifically called for American citizens in the country to depart immediately.
Adding to the uncertainty, a Kremlin-affiliated source disclosed that Russia has no plans to intervene to safeguard the Syrian government, signaling a potential shift in the dynamics of the conflict.