Iran, Troop Movements Toward Israel Side in Syria... Concerns Over 'Second Front'

WSJ Reports Iranian Troop Redeployment Near Damascus

Reports emerged on the 15th (local time) that Iran's military organization, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is moving its forces deployed in Syria closer to the Israeli border. Amid expectations that the Israeli ground forces' deployment to the Palestinian Gaza Strip is imminent, Iran's movements toward Israel are raising concerns that a 'second front' may open. Iran, which has supported the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, warned that it could intervene in the war if Israel does not stop its attacks on the Gaza Strip.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The U.S. Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing Syrian government advisers and activists, reported that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has redeployed forces from the eastern Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor to an area near Damascus in the south. Deir ez-Zor is located 450 km northeast of Damascus. The Syrian capital, Damascus, is closer to Israel. An activist said that some of the redeployed forces are missile experts.

A Syrian government adviser told WSJ that Iran's objective is largely defensive in nature, explaining, "There is great concern in the event of war; there is a strong need to protect the regime."

Regarding this, the Iranian delegation to the United Nations did not respond to requests for comment, WSJ reported.

Hamas also disclosed a meeting with Iran's foreign minister. According to major foreign media, Hamas issued a statement on the 14th saying that its leader Ismail Haniyeh met with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Qatar to discuss Hamas's attacks against Israel and agreed to continue cooperating to achieve their goals.

Israel is also wary of Iran's involvement. Joshua Zarka, head of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs' strategic office, reportedly made remarks suggesting that Iran is attempting to open a second front by deploying weapons in Syria, according to major foreign media. Earlier, Syria claimed that Israel conducted airstrikes on Damascus and Aleppo airports last week.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.