On January 10, 2025, in a rare public statement, Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Bahroz Istabati addressed the ongoing conflict in Syria, acknowledging significant challenges faced by Iran in supporting the Assad regime. He noted that corruption stemming from poverty has permeated the Syrian military, leading to widespread desertions among soldiers who were expected to defend Aleppo against opposition forces.
General Istabati's remarks diverged from the official stance of Iranian authorities, highlighting a perceived betrayal by Russia, which he claimed allowed Israeli forces to target Iranian military installations by disabling Russian radar systems in Syria. He stressed that the situation in Syria had deteriorated sharply over the past two years, citing severe shortages in essential services and low salaries for Syrian military leaders.
He recounted the rapid advance of opposition forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, capturing Aleppo and Homs, ultimately reaching Damascus within ten days of their offensive beginning on December 8, 2024. This led to President Bashar al-Assad fleeing to Russia.
General Istabati stated that the Syrian people had risen against a corrupt regime, asserting that the military did not suffer a defeat but rather faced a popular uprising. He criticized Assad's limited view of Syria's role in regional resistance, claiming that the Iranian leadership had proposed a more aggressive stance against Israel.
He expressed regret over Iran's losses in Syria, acknowledging that the Iranian military presence had been significant but ultimately ineffective in reversing the tide of conflict. He also mentioned that the Iranian military had suffered casualties, with over 2,000 personnel reported killed in the Syrian conflict, despite the official narrative portraying them as military advisors.
In response to questions about potential retaliatory actions against Israel or U.S. military bases, General Istabati indicated that escalating military conflict would not benefit the resistance movement. He also referenced an upcoming Iranian operation termed 'Promise of Truth 3,' although he expressed uncertainty about its feasibility under current political conditions.
Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the transfer of 4,000 Iranian soldiers via the Russian Hmeimim airbase following the collapse of the Assad regime, underscoring the complex dynamics of foreign military involvement in Syria.