Iranian general said Assad blocked Tehran’s effort to open Syrian front against Israel

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In a rare admission, a senior Iranian general has acknowledged the scale of Iran's defeat in Syria, marking a significant departure from the official narrative maintained by Iranian leaders. General Esbati, Iran's top-ranking commander in Syria, offered an unvarnished assessment of the situation, describing the loss of their ally, Bashar al-Assad, as a severe blow to Iran’s strategic interests.

 

“I don’t consider losing Syria something to be proud of,” General Esbati said in a speech, an audio recording of which was published by Abdi Media, a Geneva-based news platform focused on Iran. “We were defeated, and defeated very badly. We took a very big blow, and it’s been very difficult.” His remarks shed light on the strained relationship between Iran and Assad, which reportedly deteriorated in the months leading up to Assad's fall from power.

 

General Esbati disclosed that Assad had rejected multiple Iranian proposals to use Syria as a base to launch attacks against Israel following the Hamas-led offensive on October 7, 2023. Iran had presented Assad with detailed military plans, including the deployment of Iranian-backed militias, but Assad declined to cooperate. 

 

In addition to tensions with Assad, Esbati criticized Russia, a supposed ally, accusing it of misleading Iran during their military operations. He alleged that Russian jets, while claiming to target Syrian rebels, were in fact bombing empty fields. Furthermore, he claimed that Russia had “turned off radars” over the past year, enabling Israeli airstrikes on Iranian positions in Syria.

 

For over a decade, Iran had supported Assad by deploying commanders and troops to bolster his regime against opposition forces and ISIS. Syria served as a crucial hub for Iran’s regional operations, providing a base for supplying weapons and funding to allied militias such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Palestinian militants in the West Bank. Iran also established missile and drone production facilities in Syria, further cementing its strategic foothold in the region.

 

However, the rebel coalition’s recent takeover of much of Syria has upended these plans. As the coalition works to form a new government, General Esbati emphasized Iran’s intent to adapt by recruiting insurgents in the emerging political landscape.

 

The general’s candid remarks have resonated widely in Iran, surprising many with their stark contrast to government propaganda. Mehdi Rahmati, a Tehran-based analyst and expert on Syrian affairs, highlighted the significance of Esbati’s speech. “It shows that some senior officials are beginning to part ways with the official narrative and are being forthright with the public,” Rahmati said in a phone interview.

 

General Esbati’s stature amplifies the impact of his words. A prominent figure in Iran’s Armed Forces, he has held various high-profile roles, including overseeing Iran’s cyber division and directing military operations in Syria. His responsibilities extended to coordinating with Syrian and Russian officials, making his acknowledgment of defeat all the more remarkable.

 

Iran now faces the challenge of recalibrating its strategy in the region, grappling with the loss of a key ally and the implications for its broader geopolitical ambitions.

 

Based on a report by NYT 2024-01-11

 

 

[Watawattana]

An interesting read.

[mrwebb8825]

Perfect candidate for an extraction interview.