Hatami: Iran's Military Presence in Syria Will Continue

A senior Iranian official said on Tuesday that despite U.S. pressure to withdraw from Syria, Iran's military presence in the country will continue. He also announced further details of a military agreement between Tehran and Damascus that was signed in recent days. According to Reuters, Amir Hatami, Iran's defense minister, spoke with President Bashar al-Assad and senior military officials in Syria on Saturday. He signed a military cooperation agreement with his Syrian counterpart, the details of which were not disclosed. The state news agency IRNA quoted Abolqasem Alinajad, Iran's military attaché in Syria, stating, 'The continued presence of Iranian military advisors in Syria is part of this military cooperation agreement between the two countries.' He added that this new agreement emphasizes the importance of Syria's territorial integrity and independence and has been implemented since the date of its signing. Mr. Alinajad further stated, 'Iran will assist Syria in mine clearance in various parts of the country. Iran will help Syria rebuild military factories that have been damaged during the war.' The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has supported Bashar al-Assad's regime throughout the seven-year civil war in Syria by sending weapons and personnel. Reuters adds that John Bolton, the U.S. National Security Advisor, reiterated last week Washington's demand for the complete withdrawal of Iranian forces from Syrian territory. In addition to Iran's nuclear and missile programs, one of the reasons for the resumption of U.S. sanctions against the country is Iran's military involvement in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. Israel has accused the Iranian government of seeking a permanent military presence in Syrian territory. In response, the Iranian government has repeatedly emphasized that its military presence in Syria is at the request of Bashar al-Assad's government and that it does not intend to withdraw from Syria in the near future. Since 2012, more than a thousand Iranian forces, including several senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guard, have been killed in Syria. Initially, the Revolutionary Guard concealed its forces' presence in Syria. However, in recent years, as Iranian casualties have increased, it has publicly commented on its military presence in Syria, describing it as a vital battle against the fighters of the 'Islamic State' group.