Iran reportedly deploys troops to central Syria

Hundreds of Iranian troops are reportedly being deployed in northern and central Syria, dramatically escalating Tehran’s involvement in the civil war as they join allied Hezbollah fighters in an ambitious offensive to wrest key areas from rebels amid Russian airstrikes.

Their arrival, a regional official and Syrian activists told the Associated Press news agency on Wednesday, highlights the far-reaching goals of Russia’s military involvement in Syria. It suggests that, for now, taking on Islamic State extremists in eastern Syria seems a secondary priority to propping up President Bashar al-Assad.

The development is almost certain to increase pressure on Western-backed rebels, who are battling multiple foes, and push more civilians out of the areas of fighting, potentially creating a fresh wave of refugees...
alarabiya.net by AP
15/10/15
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Related:

• Turkish PM: Syrian regime, Daesh, PKK made deal against opposition

• US airdrops ammunition to rebels fighting ISIL in Syria

• Russia-backed Syrian forces advance on rebels

  • Hundreds of Iranian troops arrive in Syria

• The Syrian Information Minister dismissed on Wednesday reports of Iranian troops deployed to his country.

Earlier media reports suggested that Iran had sent over 1,000 soldiers to the Aleppo province of Syria to help the country's army in a ground offensive against Islamic State (ISIL) militants.

"Speaking of Iran — only military advisers are present in Syria," Omran Zoubi said in an interview with Lebanese Al Mayadeen television channel.

Zoubi stated that ground operations in Syria involve only the country's army and militia. He refuted reports of Russian ground troops in the country.

Russia’s jets commenced precision airstrikes against targets of the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria on September 30, following a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad.

According to the Kremlin, Russia intends to use only its air force in operations against ISIL militants in Syria, and will not deploy ground troops.
 (Sputnik)
14/10/15 

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