Photo depiction of IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, appearing at the onset of attacks at Aleppo during the current Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda (AQ), AQ-aligned armed groups and ISIL.
Soleimani is depicted among Iraqi Shia militia fighters inside Syria, with a militia member seen bearing identification patch of Harakat al-Nujaba ("Movement of the Noble Ones").
Clearly the object of the depiction is to suggest Iran leading a coalition of fighting forces from Iraq, Lebanon and Syria; employing aspects of grand strategy at two theaters against AQ, AQ-aligned armed groups and ISIL.
At the same time, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the Chairman for the Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, is on a tour of Syria and Lebanon, where he has been meeting with the political leadership of those countries, including Mohammad Raad, Shia Lebanese member of parliament and presiding over Hezbollah's bloc in the Lebanese parliament.
Alaeddin Boroujerdi with Mohammad Raad on 17OCT15 in Beirut, Lebanon. Military forces from both leader's countries are currently engaged in the Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda (AQ), AQ-aligned armed groups and ISIL.
At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, Iran-backed Asa'ib Ahl Al-Haq ("Leaque of the Righteous", AAH) leader Sheikh Qais Al-Khaz'ali (L2) outfitted in what appear to be IRGC-style BDUs. Individual (R2) appears outfitted in typical Badr commander style, while individual (R1) seen wearing communication ear-piece is equipped with what appears to be accessorized M4 type carbine assault rifle, possibly previously U.S.-supplied to Iraqi Security Force (ISF).
At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, members of Iran-backed Badr fighting force, atop a formerly U.S.-supplied to Iraqi Security Force HMMWV fitted with 9M133 Kornet-type ATGM.
At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, previously U.S.-supplied to Iraqi Security Force HMMWV now heavily modified and operated by Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali.
At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, members of Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali equipped with AK-type assault rifles.
At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, Abu Azrael(R1), a commander in Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali, depicted engaging ISIL.
