Fox News: Iran has built a new military base near Damascus

The American television network Fox News reported on Wednesday, March 9, in an exclusive report based on 'satellite images' about the construction of a new and 'permanent' military base by the Islamic Republic in Syrian territory. The network's report, which has also been published on its website, details the specifications and geographical location of this 'base' near the Syrian capital, stating that the Quds Force oversees this base. The Quds Force is the overseas branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, commanded by Qassem Soleimani, who has been photographed multiple times within Syrian territory during the years of the Syrian civil war. In addition to satellite images, Fox News also referenced 'Western intelligence sources' in its report. According to Fox News, this base also includes 'shelters for missile storage.' The report indicates that this base is located 12 kilometers northwest of Damascus, the capital. The dimensions of two 'new shelters' are reported to be approximately 15 by 10 meters, and it is noted that they are used as 'warehouses for short and medium-range missiles.' This recent report comes about a week after Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Minister, officially denied on Monday, February 19, that Iran has 'a base or military presence in Syria.' On the same day, The New York Times published a detailed investigation addressing 'the dimensions of Iran's military presence and that of its allies in Syria,' outlining the bases of Iran and its deep influence in Syria. The Islamic Republic, alongside Russia, has stood by Bashar al-Assad's government since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, supporting him to the extent that many experts claim that without Tehran's support for Damascus, no government of the Assad family would remain in Syria today. However, Iranian officials have repeatedly described their military presence in Syria as 'advisory.' Meanwhile, reports indicate that Iranian forces are fighting in Syria in support of Bashar al-Assad's government, and Tehran has also sent a number of Afghan and Pakistani Shiites to Syria under the banners of 'Fatemiyoun Brigade' and 'Zainabiyoun Brigade,' in addition to the forces of the army and the Revolutionary Guards. In the past year, reports of the deaths of hundreds of these forces have frequently appeared in Iranian domestic media. In this context, Joseph Votel, a senior commander in the U.S. Army, stated on Tuesday, March 8, in the U.S. Congress that Iran's missile program poses a serious threat to U.S. interests and also to U.S. allies in the region. He also mentioned that Iran has transferred this technology to Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. A day before Mr. Zarif's denial, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, stated at the Munich Security Conference on February 18, showing a map, that 'Iran is trying to dominate Syria' and 'is transferring an army to Israel's backyard.' The Prime Minister of Israel and several other senior officials in his cabinet have repeatedly claimed in recent months, expressing concern about the dangers of Iran's increasing military presence in Syria, that Iran is building bases to solidify its military presence in Syria. In this context, Trump described Iran and Russia's actions in supporting the Assad government as a 'disgrace.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated: 'We do not negotiate about our regional policy.' The United Nations, the U.S., and the European Union have called for the full implementation of the Syrian ceasefire. General Votel: Iran's activities are a long-term threat to stability in the Middle East.