Iranian Fighter-Bombers Operating in Syria

Belling Cat: Iranian Fighter-bombers Operating in Syria

The Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF), entangled in a bloody civil war that will soon reach its four-year mark, relies heavily on Russia and Iran to keep attrition from diminishing its firepower. After having upgraded several SyAAF Mi-17s with armour plates and FLIR cameras, stationing Mojaher 4, Yasir and Shahed 129 UAVs in Syria and even providing an Il-76TD to the SyAAF on behalf of Syrian Air, Iran is now further consoldating its stake in the conflict by the delivery of ten Su-22s to Syria.

WNU Editor: The next question that needs to be asked is .... are Iranian pilots flying these planes?

Report: Iran Is Airlifting Thousands Of Shiite Fighters From Baghdad To The Battle For The Syrian City Of Aleppo

A rebel fighter carries his weapon as he runs while others take positions in Ratian village, north of Aleppo, after what the rebels said was an offensive against them by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad that attempted to advance in the village but failed to February 18, 2015. Credit: Reuters/Ammar Abdullah

Debka File: Iran airlifts thousands of Shiite fighters to Syrian port of Latakia to boost Aleppo warfront

Debkafile’s exclusive military and intelligence sources have discovered a large-scale Iranian airlift is in progress for bringing thousands of Shiite fighters to the Syrian Mediterranean port of Latakia to reinforce the Syrian army forces falling back from the key city of Aleppo. Some of the flights are taking off from Baghdad airport. The Syrian rebels in heavy fighting Thursday and Friday, Feb. 19-20 repulsed a Hizballah-backed Syrian army offensive to recapture the town and took scores of Hizballah fighters prisoner.

WNU Editor: The fighting for the city of Aleppo has intensified in the past week, and the Syrian military has suffered losses .... Monitor says Syrian army and allies killed 48 in Aleppo offensive (Reuters). Iranian news is only reporting that Syrian military and Hezbollah forces are advancing .... but no mention of an Iranian airlift. Just a reminder .... DebkaFile (the source for this report) is an Israeli based news website that has contacts with the Israeli intelligence and military community.

Hat Tip to reader James for this lead.

Iran Establishing A “New Hezbollah” In Syria

Iran ‘setting up’ Hezbollah-like proxy in Syria to help Assad (Reuters)

Iran 'Setting Up' Hezbollah-like Proxy in Syria to Help Assad -- IBTimes

Iran is reportedly setting up a Hezbollah-like armed force in Syria in order to help embattled President Bashar al-Assad.

The "parallel army" is to be established alongside Assad's military forces in Syria, which has been undergoing a three-year-long uprising-turned-civil war.

According to Siraj Press, the force would be well organised and trained just like the Lebanese extremist group Hezbollah, which is often seen as the long-arm of Iran.

"This army would resemble Hezbollah in Lebanon... and will gradually work on recruiting Syrians," a source was quoted as saying.

Read more ....

More News On Reports That Iran Is Establishing A “New Hezbollah” In Syria

Report: Iran building ‘new Hezbollah’ in Syria -- Al Arabiya
Iran reportedly seeks to unite foreign militias in Syria -- i24 News
Reports: Iran Establishes “New Hezbollah” in Syria -- The Tower
Iranian regime creates new proxy group to fight for Assad: Syrian opposition -- NCRI