Iran celebrates Islamic revolution in Syria’s Damascus
QAMISHLI, SYRIA (North Press) – On Saturday, the Iranian Embassy in Syria’s Damascus commemorated the 43rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Iran.
Iran does not miss the chance to assert, in every celebration, its presence in Syria, being military, economic, cultural or even religious presence, according to reports. Iran lures Syrian young men to enlist in its ranks, holds religious ceremonies and sets up pro-Iran cultural associations.
The celebration was held in Damascus-based Sheraton Hotel attended by some Syrian officials like Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Bashar al-Jaafari, Minister of Administrative Development Dr. Salam Safaf, Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Mohammed Samer al-Khalil, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Bassam Ibrahim, and Minister of the Communication and Technology Iyad Mohammed al-Khatib.
al-Jaafari said “Syria was one of the first countries that announced its support for the Islamic revolution, considering it a support to regional states , not a danger,” Referring to the Islamic revolution.
Al-Jaafari noted that Syria considers Iran as a strategic partner.
On the other hand, the Iranian ambassador in Damascus Mehdi Sobhani, stressed that supporting friendly Syria is one of the priorities of Iran’s foreign policy.
Opponents consider that the goal of Iran’s intervention in Syria is to impose hegemony on the Syrian government’s decision. However, Russia’s support to the Syrian government made Russia the decision maker of Syria’s main policy.
In early January, pro-Iran committees and associations in Syria commemorated the second anniversary of the assassination of the Major General Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
in January 2020, a US drone strike near Baghdad International Airport killed Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes, the deputy head of Iraq’s Hashd al-Shaabi militia (Popular Mobilization Forces/ PMF) along with other escorts.
In early January, Iran resumed religious visits to the holy shrines located in Syria.
Earlier, al-Sharq al-Awsat quoted sources, it withheld to mention, that Iranian, Iraqis and Lebanese citizens fly to Syria despite closure of religious sites to curb Covid-19 pandemic.
The visitors are not necessary to be civilians given the majority of them are members of Iran-backed militias, according to al-Sharq al-Awsat.
On January 17, Buthaina Sha’ban, Assad’s advisor, praised Iran describing it as “the first state” that assisted Syria by sending its own advisors to Syria, adding that the Syrians will never forget Iran’s help.