Advisor to Khamenei Emphasizes Iran-Russia Coordination in Syria

Following reports of military cooperation between Russia and Iran in Syria and the increasing military presence of Russians in the country, the senior advisor and military assistant to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic emphasized that the two countries are 'coordinated' with each other and, along with Hezbollah in Lebanon, provide 'military advice' to the Syrian government. According to Fars News Agency, Yahya Rahim Safavi, military advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei, on Friday, September 27, accused the United States, Israel, and 'some Arab countries' of sending what he called 'thousands of hired terrorists' to create a crisis in Syria. He added, 'The Islamic Republic of Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah in Lebanon politically support the Syrian government and people and provide military advice to the resistance axis.' Iran refers to groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as the Syrian government, as the 'resistance front' against Israel. Mr. Rahim Safavi also named Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq as the 'depth of Iran's strategic defense' and stated that 'political wisdom necessitates that we eliminate ISIS where they are.' Russia and Iran are the main allies of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, and at the same time, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported on Wednesday, September 18, that Iran and Greece have allowed the use of their airspace for sending Russian aid to Syria. Meanwhile, the Lebanese newspaper As-Safir, close to Hezbollah, reported on Tuesday, September 24, that Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, the foreign branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, traveled to Moscow for the second time in a month last week 'in line with efforts by Russia and Iran for joint cooperation in Syria.' Soleimani's previous trip to Russia faced criticism from the United States, but Iran and Russia denied reports about this trip. In recent days, reports have also emerged about the presence of Russian military forces and military equipment in Syria, and the United States and NATO have warned about the increase and military role of this country in Syria. In this context, Russia is 'building an airport runway' in Latakia, Syria. Assad: Iranian military experts are in Syria, not military units. The newspaper close to Hezbollah in Lebanon: Qassem Soleimani's return trip to Russia. Reuters: The Syrian army has begun using new Russian weapons.