Iranian military involvement in the battle for Aleppo

The jihadist-led Jaish al Fatah launched a major offensive in southwestern Aleppo on July 31 to break the siege of the rebel-held part of the city. The offensive comes after the last supply route north of Aleppo was severed on July 28 by pro-regime forces encompassing the Syrian Arab Army, Shia militias backed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the US-backed Kurdish People’s Defense Units (YPG). Iran has acknowledged casualties corresponding with the uptick in battles.

During the latest offensive in southwestern Aleppo, officials have thus far announced the deaths of five Iranian soldiers. Statements say fighters are killed in Aleppo by “takfiri terrorists” (A “takfiri” is a Muslim who accuses another Muslim of apostasy. The Iranian regime uses this label for all Sunni rebels and opposition, not just jihadists). Iranian officials continue to say that combatants are killed during their mission.

The death of an IRGC Basij medic was announced on Aug. 3. An IRGC commander on the same day announced the death of a commander in the Afghan Fatemiyoun Division. Officials announced the deathof a veteran of the Iran-Iraq War from Ardebil who was a member of the IRGC paramilitary Basij on Aug. 1. Social media posts on pro-IRGC online circles reportedly show a welcoming ceremony held on Aug. 1 for a wounded IRGC major who commands the 102nd Imam Hossein Battalion of Harand in Isfahan province. A member of the IRGC’s Alborz province unit was killed on July 31, and his death announced the following day.

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