 Presence of Iran in Syria

Iran has good relations with Syria since instauration of Iran as a country in 1979. In the

civil war Iran support Bashar All Assad government with Russia, all support to give this

country is related with money, weapons and advice. General Ghasem Sulemaini is one

of the advisers sent to Iran. According to the president of Iran Hasan Rohani support to

government of Bashar All Assad is an effort to stop terrorism (La Nacion, 2015). In

2012 Iran help Syria in creation of National Defense Group (NDG) a paramilitary

organization to help army. This group (NDG) count with 100.000 men. With the

upsurge of the conflict presence of Iran not only has been limited in sent money and

weapons Iranian troops started to arrive in 2012 (Behrouz, 2017).

For historical tradition Iran always support Syria and this political continue. In 2013

Iran sent members of Guards of the Islamic Revolution an elite unit. Presence of troops

is not the only way to Iran support government of Syria; Iranian paramilitaries presence

increase too. According to some journalist paramilitaries groups have 6500 men in

Syrian territory and its presence started to grow since the battle for the city of Aleppo.

Other of allies of Iran to fight in this war is Hezbollah to help Syrian troops since 2012

(Behrouz, 2017).

Since the beginning of the conflict presence of Iran is one constant this country has been

an ally of the regime of Bashar All Assad before the civil war. In the first stage of war

support of Iran is related with money and weapons but this support wasn’t enough and

this country sent troops. Not only military are part of this actions paramilitary groups

are used in this conflict too. According of the president of Iran Hasan Rohani alliance

with Syria in this war is because necessity to stop presence of terrorist groups. Not only
troops and paramilitary groups have its presence in this conflict, Hezbollah is one of the

groups to help Syria.

Despite to all efforts in the case of Iran war continues and necessity of troops and

supplies increase too. In 2013 Iran sent more elite troops in this case the “Takavaran”

this group is considering the best trained. Iranian press support intervention of its

country in the conflict and a lot of reports was made with brave intervention of Iranian

army. With this action Iran sent a message to its active role in this conflict. All Iranian

troops are under command of leaders of paramilitary group Pasdarán. In the case of

weapons Iran supply with rockets missiles and antitank missiles. Not only Syrian army

has Iranian weapons the rest of groups to support government like Shia militias has the

same weapons too (Behrouz, 2017).

All weapons supplied by the Iranian government are used in zones like the provinces of

Aleppo, Latakia, Homs, Hama, Idlib and Tartus. Logistic of Iranian troops is

coordinated with the rest of territories that are part of this war especially Russian troops.

Main objective of Iran is maintaining government of Bashar Al Assad and institutions

the rest of benefits of this alliance are contracts of reconstruction when the war end

(Behrouz, 2017). Other actions carried out in the case of Iran are training of Syrian

troops and share of intelligence. Despite to alliance between Iran and Syria other of the

reasons of support to Bashar Al Assad government is related with territory (CIDOB,

2018).

In the case of geographic aspect is other of the reasons of support to Iran of the

government of Bashar Al Assad, one of the goals of Iran is creation of corridor that

unite Iran to Mediterranean, this corridor goes through Syria. With consolidation of

Syrian government in power Iran has the opportunity to build its corridor. In the

economic aspect relations between both countries have narrowed, during the conflict
exportation of Iran to Syria increase, that cause to Iran become the main social partner.

Size of the doubt with Iran experimented an increase during this war, almost all money

is used in the maintenance of troops (CIDOB, 2018).

Relations between both countries are narrowed during this country. In the case of Syria

help of Iran is key to maintain government specially in economic, weapons and

information aspects. On the other hand, Iran want a safe corridor to pass for Syria, both

countries have developed a model of interdependence. If government of Bashar Al

Assad is removal Iran lost all investments and money to lend Syria and possibility to

create its corridor. The best option to Iran is continue with support to Syria with elite

troops and weapons with the rest of the army.

Paper of Iran in this conflict have changed too, in the beginning of this conflict Iran was

a single ally as the same of actors who defend government of Bashar Al Assad.

Nowadays this paper has changed Iran has become in one of the leaders of coalition that

defend Syrian government, its paper of leader in important battles is a clear evidence of

this change. This leadership is key for Bashar Al Assad because paper of Russia in this

conflict is not so committed like Iran (CIDOB, 2018).

References

 La Nación. (2015) ¿Qué papel juega Iran en el conflicto de Siria? Recover

from:

https://www.nacion.com/el-mundo/que-papel-juega-iran-en-el-conflicto-de-

siria/BNNZQKYF6FF4TO3IJTM2UYBYQA/story/

 Behrouz, F. (2017). El papel de Irán en la tragedia siria. Recovered from:

https://vientosur.info/spip.php?article12116
 Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB). (2018). Rusia, Irán y

Turquía ¿una estrategia común en Siria? Recovered from:

https://www.cidob.org/ca/publicacions/series_de_publicacio/notes_internaciona

ls/n1_196/rusia_iran_y_turquia_una_estrategia_comun_en_siria