Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 22
By Khalid Kazimov – Trend:
Over 1,000 servicemen deployed by Iran to Syria to back President Bashar al-Assad’s government have been killed in the Arab country.
Mohammadali Shahidi-e Mahallati, head of Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs, said the death toll surpasses 1,000, Tasnim news agency reported Nov. 22.
He made the remarks addressing a gathering of the members of Iran’s volunteer paramilitary force of Basij on the occasion of formation of the volunteer force.
The earlier announcements by the Iranian officials suggested that 400 fighters deployed by the Islamic Republic to Syria were killed.
Following the outbreak of the Syrian crisis, Iran reportedly set up Zeinabioun brigade of Pakistani Shia nationals and the Fatemioun brigade of Afghan Shia fighters to support President Bashar al-Assad's government against armed opposition groups.
In addition, the Islamic Republic sent a group of its military personnel to Syria on advisory mission.
Iran and Syria are close strategic allies and Iran has provided significant support for the Syrian government in the conflict.
The US, on the other hand, works with Saudi Arabia and other regional allies so support the opposition.
More than 250,000 people have been killed in the Syrian crisis with hundreds of thousands displaced since crisis started in the country.