Iranian military chief visits frontline near Aleppo

BEIRUT: Iran’s military chief of staff visited a frontline position near the Syrian city of Aleppo, a military news outlet run by the Lebanese group Hezbollah reported yesterday, during a visit that has underlined Tehran’s deep military role in Syria.

General Mohammad Baqeri visited the position with a number of Iranian officers, according to the report, which was accompanied by photos showing Baqeri looking at a map and peering through binoculars.

Neighbouring Israel has expressed deep concern over Iran’s role in Syria, where Iranian fighters and Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah have played a major role fighting in support of President Bashar al-Assad.

Baqeri met Assad during a visit to set out a joint military strategy, Syrian state media reported.

Baqeri has warned Israel against breaching Syrian airspace and territory and pledged to increase cooperation with Syria’s military to fight both Israel and Sunni jihadist militants.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Iran is strengthening its foothold in Syria, warning that Israel would ‘do whatever it takes’ to protect its security.

Helped by Russian air power, Iran-backed groups including Hezbollah played a major part in the Syrian government campaign to recapture eastern districts of Aleppo city from Syrian rebels last year. — AFP