Former Bodyguard of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Killed in Syria

As unofficial reports emerged about the killing of 15 Iranian military personnel in Syria on Thursday, October 30, the Fars news agency reported that Abdollah Bagheri, the bodyguard of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was killed that same day in Aleppo. Fars reported: "Abdollah Bagheri Niyarki, who was a bodyguard for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for a period, was killed on Thursday in Aleppo." The report did not specify whether he was a member of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Mr. Bagheri's brother confirmed the news, stating that his body has not yet returned to Iran. Meanwhile, the Tasnim news agency reported that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited the home of Abdollah Bagheri Niyarki. This news agency, close to the IRGC, stated that "General Gorji Zadeh, the commander of the IRGC's protection, and several officials from the Ansar al-Mahdi IRGC and a number of IRGC commanders" were also with the former president. Following the Russian military operations in Syria and reports of the Syrian army's "advancement" with the support of Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah in Aleppo, more reports have emerged about the deaths of senior commanders and IRGC forces in Syria. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs, stated on October 28 that in response to military operations in Syria and what he called "broader actions to combat terrorism," Iran had increased the number of its "military advisors" in the country at Syria's request. Tasnim reported that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was present at his former bodyguard's home on Friday. Iran, along with Russia, is considered one of the main supporters of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. Since the start of the civil war in the country, which began with the suppression of peaceful protests five years ago, over 250,000 people have been killed and millions displaced. Meanwhile, the Asr Iran website reported that "unofficial sources" indicate that 15 Iranians were killed in Syria on Thursday. This site noted that some IRGC forces are present in Syria as "military advisors" and that several Iranians are also active as "volunteer forces for the protection of the shrine of Hazrat Zainab" in southern Damascus, the capital of Syria. The publication of this report comes as officials of the Islamic Republic deny the presence of Iranian military forces in Syria to fight against Bashar al-Assad's armed opponents, claiming these individuals have an "advisory" role. However, Ramadan Sharif, the IRGC's public relations officer, stated that the figure of 15 is "not accurate," adding: "As far as I know, five to six individuals from Khuzestan and Qom provinces, the city of Islamshahr, and Razavi Khorasan province, along with two members of the Ansar IRGC, total eight individuals who have been martyred in recent days." According to Young Journalists Club, he also reported that two members of the Ansar IRGC were killed in Syria on Friday. The Ansar al-Mahdi IRGC is one of the divisions of the IRGC responsible for protecting Islamic Republic officials. Young Journalists Club also reported, citing "an informed source" in the Fatemiyoun Brigade, that five Iranians were killed three days ago in Idlib province, Syria. Iranian media also reported on Friday that at least seven Iranians and three Afghans were killed in recent clashes in Syria. The state news agency IRNA reported in July that the bodies of "about 400" killed forces in Syria had been returned to Iran and buried. This news agency did not specify the nationality of these forces, whether Iranian or Afghan. Meanwhile, the Tabnak website reported in May that 200 Afghan nationals who were members of the Fatemiyoun Brigade had been killed in internal battles in Syria.