IRGC Commander-in-Chief: The Last to Leave Syria Were the IRGC Members
WANA (Dec 12) – The Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran stated that the last people to leave the resistance front in Syria were IRGC personnel. “The very last person to leave this battlefield was an IRGC officer,” he said. “Strategies must evolve according to circumstances.”
Speaking to a group of IRGC commanders about the causes and consequences of recent security and military developments in Syria, Major General Hossein Salami said: “The Syrian regime, under the rule of the Assad family, regardless of its political nature or form, had specific orientations and approaches. Among Arab countries, Syria has the most remarkable history in confronting Zionism.”
He added, “Syria is the only country that has never accepted any of the peace deals and has always adopted a stance of resistance, confrontation, and defense against the U.S. and the Israeli regime. The sole victory of Arab states in their four wars with Israel (1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973)—the liberation of the Quneitra province from Israeli occupation—belongs to Syria.”
Syria’s Role in Resistance and the Legacy of Hafez al-Assad
General Salami continued, “Additionally, Syria has long been a sanctuary for revolutionary and Islamic resistance movements. Furthermore, Hafez al-Assad was the only Arab president who stood by Iran during the Iran-Iraq war. These factors are crucial in shaping our perspective on Syria.”
Takfiri Groups: The West’s Deterrent Model Against Iran’s Influence
The IRGC chief elaborated, “The fundamental challenges of the West and its allies with the Islamic Republic of Iran revolve around three key issues: curbing the spiritual influence of Iran in the region, limiting and reducing Iran’s missile deterrent power, and eliminating Iran’s nuclear knowledge, technology, and capabilities.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader: No Doubt, Syria’s Events Are a Joint U.S.-Zionist Plot
WANA (Dec 11) – During a meeting today with people from different walks of life, Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader delivered a speech on Syria and recent regional developments, emphasizing “There should be no doubt that what has happened in Syria is the result of a joint American and Zionist plan. We have evidence for […]
Salami stressed, “Unable to eliminate the spiritual influence of the Islamic system through conventional means, the West resorted to creating a substitute resembling the Islamic Republic and the Revolution itself. Takfiri groups, in essence, were the West’s deterrent model against Iran’s spiritual influence.”
He noted, “The West gathered approximately 300,000 Takfiri militants from across the globe, leveraging weak borders to bring them into Syria and Iraq. These groups came with the explicit goal of massacring Shiites and destroying all shrines, tombs, and relics of Islamic saints, particularly those of the Shiite tradition.”
Defending Humanity Against Extremism
He continued, “You witnessed their actions—attacking sacred sites like the shrine of Hujr ibn Adi, the martyrs of Siffin, and locations in Samarra—targeting anything symbolic of Muslim or Shiite identity. They burned people alive. In Iraq’s Speicher massacre, nearly 2,000 young Air Force cadets were executed in a single day.”
“The Islamic Republic’s efforts to combat these dangerous Takfiri movements were a great service to humanity. Without our actions, these militants could have conquered vast swathes of the Islamic world with their aggressive campaigns.”
Direct Intervention in Syria and Iraq
“We had no choice but to intervene directly in Iraq and Syria, mobilizing all possible resources of the Islamic world to contain this phenomenon. The IRGC Quds Force, under the command of the martyred General Qassem Soleimani, took responsibility for this mission. Without Soleimani, all the resources present in those regions would have been rendered ineffective.”
The Fall of Syria and the Future of the Resistance Axis
WANA (Dec 08) – The leadership of Bashar al-Assad in Syria has been both a challenge and an opportunity for the Islamic Republic of Iran and for Assad himself. However, the victory of armed extremist groups could ignite unrest across the region and even Europe. This marks only the beginning of the Resistance Axis’ […]
Adjusting Iran’s Presence in Syria
Following the defeat of ISIS, Salami noted, “We were compelled to withdraw non-essential forces from Syria. When the situation became secure and the Syrian army could manage its defenses, it was no longer prudent for Iran, especially the IRGC, to maintain a large presence there. This also prevented political and propaganda opportunities for opposition groups.”
“We adjusted our presence there to the minimum required, transitioning to the Astana process to manage ceasefires and ensure stability in Syria.”
Strengthening Resistance Independence
He emphasized, “Over the past 13 years, we have worked to make Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Palestinian resistance less reliant on direct logistical support from us. Independence and self-reliance of resistance movements have always been a core part of our policy.”
Iran’s Strategic Logic
Responding to claims that Iran’s regional power has weakened, Salami affirmed, “The Islamic Republic has not lost its regional arms. We are making decisions and acting based on our internal capacities and strengths. We have a robust political logic for our actions, a legitimate basis for defense, and the support of a great nation. Our military capabilities remain intact.”
In conclusion, the IRGC Commander noted, “The paths to support the resistance front remain open. It is not solely dependent on Syria, although the situation there might evolve in the future.”
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