Assad on the verge of collapse? Iran evacuates its personnel from Syria

Signs of collapse for the regime in Damascus, with Iran withdrawing diplomats and military personnel. Rebels advance towards the capital as tensions rise in the Middle East

The regime of Bashar al Assad in Syria seems to be getting closer and closer to collapse. The advance of the jihadists, in particular the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels, supported by pro-Turkish factions, is accelerating the disintegration of the government forces, which are struggling to maintain control of strategic areas of the country. A further sign of this weakening comes from Iran, a historical ally of Damascus, which has begun evacuating its diplomatic and military personnel, including the commanders of the Pasdaran’s Quds Force. According to the New York Times, these operations also involve Iranian families and civilians, who are being transferred to Lebanon, Iraq, or repatriated to Tehran by air.

Despite the evacuation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated his country’s commitment to support Assad. Speaking from Baghdad, Araghchi confirmed that Iran will provide ‘any kind of support requested by the Syrian government’ to deal with the growing pressure from the insurgents, stressing that the jihadist threat poses a danger not only to Syria, but to the entire Middle East region.

Meanwhile, the jihadist rebels continue their offensive against the regime forces. The city of Daraa, in the south of the country and symbol of the 2011 uprising, is back under the control of rebel factions. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the government has lost control of more than 90 per cent of the province of Daraa, gradually withdrawing in the face of pressure from local rebels. With the anti-government offensive expanding and Iran preparing for a strategic retreat, the Assad regime seems ever closer to a phase of deep crisis.

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