In a dramatic development amid Syria's ongoing civil war, Iran has begun evacuating its military commanders and personnel from Syria while making accusations against Ukraine. Iranian officials claim that Ukraine has been supplying weapons to Syrian rebel groups, though these allegations come as Iran faces mounting challenges in supporting its longtime ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The evacuation, which began Friday, includes top commanders of Iran's elite Quds Forces along with diplomatic staff and their families. The withdrawal marks a stunning reversal for both Iran and the Assad regime, which Iran has steadfastly supported throughout Syria's 13-year conflict.
"Iran is starting to evacuate its forces and military personnel because we cannot fight as an advisory and support force if Syria's army itself does not want to fight," said Mehdi Rahmati, an Iranian analyst who advises officials on regional strategy.
The timing of Iran's withdrawal coincides with major territorial gains by rebel forces, particularly in Homs and Deir al-Zour. These advances come as Syria's key allies face their own challenges - Russia remains heavily engaged in Ukraine, while Iran continues to manage tensions with Israel.
Ahmad Naderi, an Iranian Parliament member, expressed concern about the situation on social media: "Syria is at the verge of collapse and we are watching calmly." He warned that Damascus's fall could diminish Iran's influence across the region.
The rebel offensive is being led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, raising concerns about regional stability. Iran's accusations against Ukraine appear to be an attempt to link their Syrian setbacks to the broader geopolitical conflict between Russia and Ukraine, though no concrete evidence has been presented to support these claims.
Despite Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi's recent visit to Damascus where he pledged full support, his subsequent statements in Baghdad struck a more uncertain tone: "We are not fortune tellers. Whatever is God's will shall happen, but the resistance will fulfill its duty."
This development represents a potential shift in the power dynamics of Syria's civil war, with implications for regional alliances and the broader Middle East landscape.