Foreign: Iran’s Support For Assad Wanes As Rebels Advance on Damascus

Following the withdrawal of Iranian forces from Syria anxiety has mounted over the future of the Bashir Al Assad regime.

The Iranian forces, reports say, have been moving out of the country in the last few days, further highlighting the desperation of the decades-old Assad government, amidst threat posed by rebel forces which have recorded advance as they try to sack the government in Damascus.

The rebel forces capturing significant regions, including Aleppo and Hama, and advancing toward Damascus, sources said.

According to The New York Times, the struggle by the regime to remain in power has been worsened by the withdrawal of Iranian forces, which fought on the side of Assad against the rebels during the country’s civil war.

The bloody 13-year war saw the regime’s forces fighting side by side with the Iranian forces, with the help of Russia quenched the rebellion.

But the Ukraine- Russian War, and the Israel -Hezbolah offensive in Lebanon, which has resulted in the killing of many Hezbollah commanders have seriously limited assistance for President Assad from his two allies.

The twin problems , diplomatic sources say, has forced Iran to take more desperate measures, including the withdrawal of its elite Quds Force, of the Revolutionary Guards Corps, IRGC, from Syria.

Other support staff, including diplomatic staff, and their families were also reportedly leaving Syria, heading to Iraq, Lebanon, or back to Iran via planes and land routes, officials said on condition of anonymity.

The advance of rebel forces and capturing of significant regions, including Aleppo and Hama, and advancing toward Damascus, appears to have forced Iran to reassess its involvement with the Assad regime.

“Iran cannot manage the situation in Syria right now with any military operation,” said Mehdi Rahmati, an Iranian analyst close to government officials. “This option is off the table.”

Iran’s military presence in Syria has long been strategic, serving as a route to supply arms to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

However, the current rebel offensive, spearheaded by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, threatens to sever this link.

The Iranian-backed Afghan Fatemiyoun Brigade, previously stationed at military bases in Syria, has reportedly been relocated to regime strongholds such as Damascus and Latakia.

Iranian officials, including parliamentarian Ahmad Naderi, have expressed frustration over the situation, warning that the fall of Damascus would diminish Iran’s influence in Iraq and Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Diplomatic sources insist that the election of Donald Trump as United State President has further put pressure on Iran in its support for its Axis of Resistance, including Syria playing a major role.