Click to see full-size image. (The Syrian Arab News Agency)
Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh arrived in Syria on November 16 to strengthen defense and security ties between the two countries amid an escalation by Israel.
“Everyone knows the important position of the Syrian Arab Republic in Iranian foreign policy,” Nasirzadeh told reporters upon his arrival, according to the Syrian pro-government Al-Watan newspaper.
“We came to Damascus based on an invitation from the Syrian defense minister, and we will have meetings with political and military officials to discuss several common issues between the two countries, especially in the field of defense and security, aiming to expand cooperation and exchange expertise between the two sides,” he added.
Nasirzadeh also praised Syria’s experience in combating terrorism and its role in the regional “Axis of Resistance,” which opposes Israel.
“Syria has an ancient history and deep experience in combating terrorism, and it is a key supporter in the axis of resistance,” he said, stressing that “we are ready to provide all means of support to this friendly state,” the minister said.
On November 17, Nasirzadeh held talks on defense cooperation with his Syrian counterpart Lieutenant General Ali Mahmoud Abbas.
The two ministers highlighted the key role of the regional countries in ensuring security and called for the withdrawal of foreign forces from the region, according to the Iranian semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
Weighing plans for cooperation between Iran and Syria in the fight against terrorism, the two ministers also reviewed the regional developments and the resistance front’s conditions.
The visit came amid intensified Israeli attacks on Syria. Over the past week, strikes hit several key routes in the central governorate of Homs which were allegedly being used by Hezbollah to transfer weapons into Lebanon. Multiple buildings belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad were also targeted within and near the capital, Damascus, with state media reporting the death of at least 15 people.
Iran may be about to up its military support for Syria. Recent Hebrew and Arab media reports which speculated that Damascus was slowly moving away from Tehran are likely false.
The Axis of Resistance, which includes Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Houthis and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, appears to be holding up stronger than before.
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