Wall Street Journal: Most Islamic Republic Forces Have Withdrawn from Syria

The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, January 8, that most of the Islamic Republic of Iran's forces have withdrawn from Syria over the past month, and various armed groups supported by Tehran's regime have also dissolved following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The Islamic Republic has been one of the main supporters of Bashar al-Assad's regime over the years and has utilized Syria as a vital land route for smuggling weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon, its proxy, and has conducted extensive activities in the region. In this context, Israel released new details on Thursday, January 3, regarding its commandos' operations aimed at destroying an Iranian missile production facility in Syria. According to estimates from the Israeli army, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intended to produce between 100 to 300 missiles annually, including long-range missiles with a range of 300 kilometers, precision-guided missiles with a range of 130 kilometers, and short-range rockets with a range of 40 to 70 kilometers at this facility. The forces and agents of the Islamic Republic and members of the groups supported by the Iranian regime were present and active throughout Syria until the fall of Assad's regime. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Western and Arab officials, that at the time of the rebels' victory over Assad's government, the IRGC forces were mainly stationed in eastern Syria, alongside Iraqi, Lebanese, Afghan, and Syrian militants. The report states that most of the forces stationed in eastern Syria have since fled across the border to the al-Qaim area in Iraq, and the IRGC forces that were previously in Aleppo have returned to Tehran. The report also mentions that Hezbollah forces, which were stationed in western Syria, have returned to Lebanon via land routes. The withdrawal of the Islamic Republic of Iran's forces from Syria is seen by many political analysts as the end of Tehran's decades-long efforts to exploit Syria as a regional strategic hub for expanding its influence and waging proxy wars against the United States and Israel. The United States has reduced some restrictions on Syria while maintaining sanctions. A senior Hezbollah official: Nasrallah was killed in the 'war command room'. Saudi Arabia says it is ready to 'participate in change and transformation' in Syria. Special Israeli operations against the IRGC's underground missile facilities in Syria. Israel attacked the 'IRGC missile site' during Assad's rule.