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Iranian General Critiques Russia’s Role in Syria’s Turmoil
In an unprecedented critique, Brig. Gen. Behrouz Esbati of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has placed partial blame on Russia for the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria. Speaking at a mosque in Tehran, Esbati leveled accusations against Moscow, claiming that Russian airstrikes were misrepresented and failed to target actual rebel positions.
Esbati’s remarks, which are difficult to independently verify, come as a significant departure from Iran’s typically supportive stance towards its ally, Russia. During his address, he criticized Russia for allegedly bombing empty desert areas rather than engaging with Syrian opposition forces.
An audio recording of Esbati’s speech was made available by Abdullah Abdi, a journalist based in Geneva, further amplifying the controversy surrounding his statements.
In the recording, Esbati expressed the depth of the setback faced by Iran and its allies, stating, “We were defeated, and defeated very badly.” He emphasized that the Iranian forces had sustained a significant blow during the conflict surrounding Assad’s fall.
Esbati, while detailing the nature of Russia’s military engagement in Syria, accused Moscow of misleading Iran regarding its operational focus, citing that Russian forces claimed to be targeting the headquarters of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham but instead conducted strikes in uninhabited regions.
Furthermore, Esbati implicated Russia in failing to provide adequate defense measures during Israeli strikes on Syria, asserting that Russia’s radar systems were turned off, enabling Israeli forces to act with greater effectiveness.
The general’s criticism extended to internal issues within the Syrian regime, attributing Assad’s failure partially to widespread corruption and bribery among high-ranking officials.
Additionally, tensions have reportedly exacerbated between Iran and Syria, largely stemming from Assad’s rejection of Iranian proposals for facilitating operations against Israel from Syrian territory.
Despite the gravity of Esbati’s statements, the claims cannot be independently substantiated. However, they provide a striking perspective on Iran’s assessment of its strategic position in Syria, especially in the context of an emerging political landscape following Assad’s decline.
Iran’s official position during the upheaval has generally adopted a more restrained approach, asserting that the future of Syria ultimately rests with its own inhabitants, while committing to support the establishment of stability within the nation.
The backdrop of these discussions includes Assad’s flight from the capital in early December, coinciding with advances by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham forces. Analysts note that the effectiveness of this rebel push may have been facilitated by Moscow’s focus being diverted due to its military engagements in Ukraine.
As of now, the Russian Defense Ministry has not responded to inquiries regarding Esbati’s allegations, which emerge at a time when speculation surrounds the sustainability of Russia’s military foothold in Syria.
In conjunction with these developments, a former advisor to Assad has contributed additional commentary, revealing frustrations regarding delays in military support from Russia. An interview disclosed that Assad sought immediate military aid from Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the necessary support was not forthcoming.
The ramifications of Assad’s downfall continue to unfold, especially concerning the operational future for Russian forces, which historically depended on critical bases in Syria for broader regional operations. Renewed discussions about the potential withdrawal of Russian military assets from Syria arise amidst indications that Moscow is considering relocating its resources elsewhere.
On January 3, this strategic realignment became clearer as reports emerged indicating that Russia was planning to transfer its military equipment out of Syria, possibly heading towards Libya.
Read the original article on Business Insider
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