Nader Uskowi writes new book on Iran's IRGC-QF and Mideast conflict

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Nader Uskowi's anticipated new book title, "Temperature Rising: Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Wars in the Middle East" is now published and available for purchase.

The book details how the Quds Force and its allied Shia militias have fought in three theaters to advance Islamic Republic of Iran's regional ambitions and create a contiguous land corridor linking Iran through Iraq to Syria, Lebanon, and the Israeli northern fronts. The Iran-led operations are generating enormous political and security challenges for competing regional powers, contributing further instabilities in an already turbulent Middle East, with specters of direct military conflicts looming, pitting Iran against Gulf Arab states and Israel.


Mr. Uskowi has served as Senior Policy Advisor to United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), the branch of the U.S. military whose area of responsibility includes Iran and the Middle East, focusing on geopolitical and military developments across the region. He has recently testified before U.S. Congress, and published articles, appeared on Radio and TV news programs, and presented papers to seminars and symposiums on Iran.

Reviews for Temperature Rising:


“Temperature Rising is a riveting account of Iran’s way of war in the Middle East by a seasoned observer of the country’s regional strategy and military policy. Uskowi’s book is a powerful must-read for anyone interested in the region.” (General James Jones, former national security advisor to President Obama and former Marine Corps Commandant)


“If you want to understand Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and its action arm, the Qods Forces, Temperature Rising is the book you must read. Nader Uskowi takes you inside the organization, its funding, its relationship to the Supreme Leader, and its broad mission. It is not just about protecting the Iranian regime from possible internal threats; it is about spreading the reach of the Islamic Republic throughout the Middle East. Temperature Rising explains in a compelling fashion the threat, but also points out the new vulnerabilities the Revolutionary Guard is creating for the Iranian regime. This book reminds us that the Islamic Republic poses a threat but also is not ten feet tall.” (Ambassador Dennis Ross, Washington Institute for Near East Policy)


"Nader Uskowi has written an important and timely book that outlines the true scope of the challenge we face from the Islamic Republic. Today, as the United States grapples anew with Iran's malign influence in the Middle East, Temperature Rising should be essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the persistence of the Ayatollah Khomeini’s radical ideology, the extent of the Iranian regime’s regional reach, and the significance of the new web of influence that Tehran is building across the region." (Ilan Berman, senior vice president, American Foreign Policy Council)

[Please note: this is a supplemental post to the Uskowi on Iran site archive.]

Claims and counter-claims of IRGC-QF Commander WIA on the Aleppo front

Above: imagery appearing 21NOV15 depicting IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Soleimani on the Aleppo front inside Syria

According to Agence France-Presse, dated 25NOV15:

General Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations wing, was lightly injured in fighting against Syria rebels near Aleppo, a monitoring group and a security source said Wednesday.

Soleimani "was injured a few days ago" in an offensive in the southwest of Aleppo province, a security source on the ground told AFP.

The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor of the war, also said the general had been hurt.

He was "lightly injured three days ago in the Al-Eis area in the south of Aleppo province," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

COMMENTARY: Reports of the death or severe wounding of IRGC-QF Maj. Gen. Soleimani have been circulating since at least 15NOV15, initially claimed by the Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, JAN.

Above report offers further claim of "lightly wounded" by unnamed "security source" and Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). SOHR is a pro-revolution organization.

Iranian sources continue to deny the WIA of Soleimani, the most recent observed 24NOV15 from IRGC Brig. Gen. 2C Ramezan Sharif, in an article published at Sepah News, the official IRGC media site. In the article, Sharif, who is IRGC Director of Public Relations states that Soleimani is “completely healthy” and is “energetically” and “cheerfully” assisting the "resistance fighters in Iraq and Syria."

Map depiction of Al-Eis area, where it is claimed Soleimani was "lightly wounded." This 15NOV15 military situation graphic depicts Al-Eis in relation to drive to IRGC-QF directed drive towards relieving besieged Shia enclaves of Al-Fu'ah and Kafarya, an objective still not realized.

Iran-backed Iraqi PMF buckle against opposing counteroffensive, SW Aleppo

Tinted section of areas claimed taken by FH, JaF and FsyA during counter-offensive against IRGC-QF directed forces  [source: archicivilians]

According to Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 23NOV15:

On Monday morning in the southern Aleppo countryside, 16 Islamist rebel factions – led by Jaysh Al-Fateh (Army of Conquest), Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, Jaysh Al-Islam, Jaysh Al-Mujahiddeen, and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) – launched a powerful assault on several sites under the control of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and their allies.

The Islamist rebels began their assault at the large village of Kafr Haddad, where they encountered a large force from Harakat Al-Nujaba (Iraqi paramilitary) and Kataeb Hezbollah (Iraqi paramilitary) that were protecting its southern flank.

Following a series of violent firefights, the Islamist rebels from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham broke-through Harakat Al-Nujaba’s frontline defenses and imposed full control over Kafr Haddad, Tal Al-Bakarah, and Tal Mamou.

Not long after capturing Kafr Haddad and its surrounding hilltops, the Islamist rebels – led by Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham – captured Tal Al-Banijayrah, Al-‘Aziziyah, Al-Makahlah, Al-Khariyah, and Tal Bajar; this left the strategic village of Al-Mariyoudah susceptible to an assault from the Islamist rebel groups.

However, the Islamist rebels did not attack Al-Mariyoudah; instead, they chose to attack the contested village of Burnah, seizing this site after a brief firefight with the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City.

COMMENTARY: The IRGC-QF directed push towards the besieged Syrian Shia enclaves at Kafarya and al-Fu'a appears to have been dealt at least a momentary setback, by an opposing force counteroffensive buckling sectors held by Iran-backed Iraqi PMF.

This counteroffensive follows the mobilization and commitment of opposing forces detailed above in the graphic rendered by "archicivilians."

Trophies of war depicted in Al-Qaeda Syria affiliate, including emblems of Iran-backed Kata'ib Hezbollah, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Ansar Allah al-Awfiyya.

Also appearing on social media, imagery such as this emerged of Russian Federation T-90A third-generation main battle tanks aboard transporters, claimed depiction at the Aleppo front

IRGC & Fatimiyoun Brigade KIAs, Operation Muharram near Aleppo

Funeral held in Qarchak, Tehran province on 23NOV15 for Afghan Fatimiyoun Brigade member Ahmad Rahimi, KIA in during recent IRGC-QF directed operation in Syrian conflict. [source: ABNA]

Mourners and twos people paying their respects for Ahmad Rahimi, fallen member of Afghan Fatimiyoun Brigade. This reportedly the fifth soldier from Qarchak lost in the Syrian conflict.

IRGC 2nd Lt. 2nd Lieutenant Ahmad Rahimi has been listed as KIA during "Operation Muharram-Grand Revenge," the IRGC-QF directed offensive in the southern Aleppo countryside. [source: Ghatreh]

The IRGC-QF directed offensive takes its name from the month of Muharram, which to the Shia is a month of mourning (on its tenth day, the Ashura, Shi'ites commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein bin Ali in the Battle of Karbala).

The Al-Qaeda affiliate Nusra Front last week claimed the KIA of IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Soleimani. However the claim has turned out to be false, with a number of photos turning up since of the commander continuing to serve in role of military liaison, including above depiction near Aleppo emerging 21NOV15 on social media.

UNSC unanimously adopts French-proposed resolution against ISIL

File photo: United Nations Security Council in session  [photo: UN.org]

According to the UN News Centre, dated 20NOV15:

The United Nations Security Council this evening called on all countries that can do so to take the war on terrorism to Islamic State-controlled territory in Syria and Iraq and destroy its safe haven, warning that the group intends to mount further terror attacks like those that devastated Paris and Beirut last week.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body declared the group’s terrorist attacks abroad “a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security” following the “horrifying terrorist attacks” it perpetrated recently in Sousse (Tunisia), Ankara (Turkey), over Sinai (Egypt) with the downing of a Russian plane, and in Beirut and Paris.

It warned that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), or Da’esh as it is also known, “has the capability and intention to carry out” further strikes and called upon “Member States that have the capacity to do so to take all necessary measures, in compliance with international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law” on its territory.

Condemning “in the strongest terms” ISIL and other terrorist groups in the region such Al-Nusrah Front, the Council Member States “to eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Iraq and Syria.”

It called on Member States to intensify efforts to stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters to Iraq and Syria and to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, and reaffirmed that those responsible for terrorist acts, violations of international humanitarian law or violations or abuses of human rights must be held accountable.

COMMENTARY: The full text of the resolution hadn't been uploaded by the UN at the time of this posting but it appears the the government of the Syrian Arab Republic was not condemned in the resolution, which is significant. According to Russia Today, dated 20NOV15:

Syria’s UN Ambassador, Bashar Ja’afari, hinted prior to Friday’s vote that this resolution was long overdue. “Welcome to everybody who finally woke up and joined the club of combating terrorists.”

Meanwhile, Russia is continuing its work on a draft resolution proposing international military campaigns to fight against Islamic State. The current text is an updated version of a document submitted on September 30.

Previously on 19NOV15 the UNGA human rights committee Thursday adopted a Saudi-proposed resolution condemning certain foreign interventions in Syria

According to Reuters, dated 19NOV15:

The U.N. General Assembly’s human rights committee Thursday adopted a Saudi-drafted resolution condemning Iranian and Russian intervention in Syria, a decision that the Syrian and Iranian delegations rejected as unhelpful and unjustified. The nonbinding resolution, authored by Saudi Arabia and sponsored by Qatar and other Arab nations, the United States and other Western powers, passed by the 193-nation assembly’s third committee.

There were 115 votes in favor, 15 against and 51 abstentions.

Without explicitly naming Russia, it said the General Assembly “strongly condemns all attacks against the Syrian moderate opposition and calls for their immediate cessation, given that such attacks benefit so-called ISIS and other terrorist groups, such as Al-Nusra Front.”

The resolution’s language is clearly aimed at Russia, which has been bombing opposition forces in Syria for two months. Moscow says it is attacking ISIS but Western officials say they have targeted other rebel forces and Western-backed groups.

The resolution also condemned the presence in Syria of “all foreign terrorist fighters ... and foreign forces fighting on behalf of the Syrian regime, particularly the Al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [of Iran] and other groups such as Hezbollah.”

[…]

The resolution demands foreign militias leave Syria immediately.

It also blasts ISIS and other Islamist militant groups for rights abuses and atrocities.

But most of the criticism in the resolution is aimed at the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad, whom Western and many Arab nations would like to see ousted.

COMMENTARY: Predictably, the Syrians and Iranians rejected the resolution. The Iranian response was put forward by Iran’s Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Gholam Hossein Dehqani. According to PressTV, dated 20NOV15:

Dehqani warned of the “adverse consequences” of the resolution on the UN reputation and said Iranian military forces are present in Syria upon an official request by the Syrian government to provide consultations to the war-hit country.

“Therefore, the adoption of such a text is a violation of international regulations and a breach of governments’ right to establish peace in their own territory,” the Iranian envoy pointed out.

He said such claims are aimed at taking revenge against forces that have so far played the most effective role in the battle against terrorism and extremism, adding that Daesh terrorists would have overran more areas in the Middle East in the absence of such forces.

The Iranian diplomat once again reiterated that the resolution would act as an award for extremists and terrorists as well as all those who use financial and logistical resources to spread extremist and terrorist ideologies.

The Syrian response was put forward by Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari. According to Reuters, dated 19NOV15:

Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari rejected the resolution and accused its Saudi authors of hypocrisy about what he said are widespread human rights in the kingdom. He referred to "decapitation and flogging in public squares," saying they were like abuses of Islamic State.

He accused the Saudis, along with Qatar and Turkey, of supporting what he said were terrorists in Syria.

The delegates of Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia rejected the charges.

Soleimani among Iran-equipped Iraqi fighting forces during Syrian offensive

IRGC-QF Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani addressing Iran-backed Iraqi Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba fighting force members; claimed depiction in the southern Aleppo countryside appearing 13NOV15 on social media.

According to Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 14NOV15:

The Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division and Hezbollah began their long journey to Aleppo Governorate from the Syrian resort-city of Al-Zabadani in early September, marking the first time that the Lebanese Resistance has committed such a large force to a front so far away from the Lebanese border.

However, Hezbollah’s participation in the southern Aleppo offensive has played a pivotal role in the pro-government forces’ success as they have led the charge on the Islamist rebel defenses, killing several enemy combatants and capturing several villages in the process.

Over the last 72 hours, the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division – in coordination with Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City, the Al-Ba’ath Battalions, Harakat Al-Nujaba (Iraqi paramilitary), Kataeb Hezbollah (Iraqi paramilitary), and Firqa Fatayyemoun (Iranian/Afghani paramilitary) – have captured the strategic towns of Al-Hadher and Tal Al-‘Eiss, paving the way for their forces to approach the Damascus-Aleppo Highway from the eastern flank.

Map depiction dated 14NOV15 detailing roughly 500 km2 area recaptured during IRGC-QF directed offensive SW of Aleppo.  [source: Al-Masdar News]

There are also reports IRGC-QF directed offensive has advanced to M5 highway, as depicted in this 14NOV15 situation map  [source: Peto Lucem]

Sheikh Akram Al-Kaabi, Secretary General of Iran-backed Iraqi Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (HHN), conducting Friday prayers with HHN fighting force members. Photo claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside.

Iran-backed Iraqi HHN fighting force member equipped with Iranian-manufactured Toofan ("Typhoon') ATGM, claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside.

Iran-backed Iraqi HHN fighting force member equipped with Iranian-manufactured AM50 anti-materiel sniper rifle, claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside.

Iran-backed Iraqi HHN fighting force light infantryman, claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside

Iran-backed Iraqi HHN fighting force light infantryman, claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside

Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah (LH) fighting force member equipped with Croatian HS Produkt VHS assault rifle. Note sleeve patch bearing likeness of LH Secretary General Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, as well as button bearing likeness of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Pro-Syrian government forces recapture, advance past Al-Hadner

Syrian pro-government forces on 12NOV15 in the surrounding area of Al-Hadner, SW of Aleppo

According to Leith Fadel at Al-Mahder News, dated 12NOV15:

On Thursday afternoon, the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division – in coordination with Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City, the Al-Ba’ath Battalions, Harakat Al-Nujaba, Kataeb Hezbollah, and Firqa Fatayyemoun – launched a decisive assault on the strategic rebel stronghold of Al-Hadher, capturing the entire city within 2 hours of beginning their large-scale assault against the Islamist rebels of Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra”, and Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham.

The Syrian Arab Army and their allies were able to seize the rebel stronghold of Al-Hadher after conducting several successful military operations this week, targeting the surrounding villages that border this imperative city in Aleppo’s southern countryside from its southern flank.

Following the capture of Al-Hadher, the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division and their allies pushed further west towards the other rebel stronghold of Tal Eis, striking the Islamist rebels from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, and Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham at the eastern flank before entering this town that overlooks the strategic Damascus-Aleppo Highway.

According to preliminary battlefield reports from Tal Eis, the Syrian Arab Army and their allies have eized most of this town; however, the reports surfacing of its capture have been denied by direct sources on the ground with the Syrian Armed Forces.

If the Syrian Army and their allies seize Tal Eis, the Islamist rebels will be in serious trouble as not only do they lose another strategic town, but also, the obstruction of their primary supply route from the provincial capitals of the Idlib and Aleppo Governorates.

COMMENTARY: There are reports this IRGC-QF directed operation has recaptured Musharfah ASl-Muray, Jabal Arba’een and related farms, Khirbet Al-Mazare’, Khirbet Nazha and Khirbet Al-Mashoosh, as well as claims for the recapture of Al Eis and Jabal Al Eis (see second map below).

A counterattack by Jaish al-Fatah ("Army of Conquest") is also being reported.

Pro-Syrian government forces are also attacking in the direction of Marj As Sultan South, what had been a Syrian military helicopter airbase in Eastern Ghouta, to the east of Damascus. This airbase sacked by insurgents three years ago.

Military situation in southern rural Aleppo, dated 12NOV15  [source: Peto Lucem]

Military situation map IRGC-QF led operation SW of Aleppo, dated 12NOV15


Pro-Syrian government fighting force member before city limit sign for Al-Hadner, SW of Aleppo

Pro-Syrian government media corpsman bearing trophy flag of Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra,” at Al-Hadner

In addition to flag of Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra" is this flag emblem of "Free Syrian Army," inspected by Lebanese Hezbollah fighting force member at Al-Hadner

Imagery of recently recaptured Al-Hadner, SW of Aleppo

Syrian pro-government forces on 12NOV15 in the surrounding area of Al-Hadner, SW of Aleppo

Syrian pro-government forces artillery battery, SW of Aleppo

Russian VDV (Russian Airborne Troops) "Blue Berets" band members among Russian troops before and atop T-90 third-generation main battle tank, at Hmeymim Air Base near Latakia.

Russian VDV (Russian Airborne Troops) "Blue Berets" band members before T-90 third-generation main battle tank, performing for Russian troops at Hmeymim Air Base near Latakia.

Unverified imagery of Russian S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) battery acquisition radar 96L6 at Hmeymim Air Base near Latakia.

Social media imagery appearing 12NOV15 depicting local Syrians at Latakia, expressing support for President Assad and gratitude for Russian military intervention.

Soleimani in Aleppo during battles for Kuwieres Airbase and Al-Hadher

IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in claimed depiction at Aleppo; photo appearing on social media 09NOV15.

Among same series of photos as that above, IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani with Faleh Hassan Khazali (L), leader in Iran-backed Iraqi Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada fighting force.

Faleh Hassan Khazali is said to have lost an eye in battle during a previous tour of duty in Syria.

Note wall map in background of Aleppo, Syria.

Military situation in eastern Aleppo countryside, dated 09NOV15  [source: Peto Lucem]

Zero Hour Approaches the Kuwieres Military Airport: Cheetah Forces Reportedly 1km Away by Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 10NOV15:

It took the Syrian Arab Army’s “Cheetah Forces” approximately one month to cross 20km of rough terrain and the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham’s (ISIS) defenses inside the Deir Hafer Plains of the Aleppo Governorate; however, this large-scale offensive has finally paid off for the Syrian Armed Forces as they approach the besieged Kuweries Military Airport.

On Monday afternoon, the Cheetah Forces – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) and Kataebat Al-Ba’ath (Al-Ba’ath Battalions) – finally broke ISIS’ frontline defenses at the northern district of Sheikh Ahmad, resulting in the pro-government forces overrunning the terrorist group’s positions and imposing full control over this strategic town in the Aleppo Governorate’s eastern countryside.

Military situation in southern rural Aleppo, dated 08NOV15  [source: Peto Lucem]

Syrian Army and Hezbollah Flank the Rebel Stronghold of Al-Hadher in Southern Aleppo by Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 10NOV15:

The Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Armored Division – in coordination with Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City, Kataebat Al-Ba’ath (Al-Battalions), and several Iranian and Iraqi paramilitary units – recaptured the imperative villages of Talaylat and ‘Aziziyah after a series of intense firefights with the Islamist rebels from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, and Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham on Monday morning.

Following the recapture of Talaylat and ‘Aziziyah, the Syrian Armed Forces and Lebanese Resistance entered the rebel stronghold of Al-Hadher with very little resistance from the Islamist rebels of Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, who later appeared to combat the pro-government forces as they attempted to press deeper in the southern district of this southern Aleppo city.

With the Syrian Armed Forces and the Lebanese Resistance inside the rebel stronghold of Al-Hadher, several Islamist fighters from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” arrived to help out their embattled comrades push back the pro-government forces before they advance any further into this rebel stronghold.

If the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Division and Hezbollah can take control of Al-Hadher from the Islamist rebel fighters, they will be in position to obstruct the strategic Damascus-Aleppo Highway that leads from the provincial capital of Aleppo to the provincial capital of Idlib; this is considered one of the main supply routes for the Islamist rebels in the aforementioned provinces.

Iran-backed Iraqi Harakat al-Nujaba fighting forces, claimed depiction near Aleppo, Syria

Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), claimed depiction near Aleppo, Syria

Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), claimed depiction near Aleppo, Syria

Iran-organized Syrian National Defense Forces, claimed depiction at recently recaptured Ghamam village in Latakia countryside.

IRGC-QF Commander Soleimani and Allied arab fighting forces during Syrian offensive

Social media imagery of Iranian IRGC-QF Commander Soleimani and allied arab fighting forces, participating in Russia-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL:

IRGG-QF Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani addressing Lebanese Hezbollah troops at Latakia Governate Syria, participants in the Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL.

It has been suggested the location of Syria for Soleimani's whereabouts during the recent funerals in Iran for IRGC Brig. Gen. Hossein Hamedani, KIA in Syria during battle with ISIL.

Lebanese Hezbollah fighting formation armed with Iranian DIO DIO S-5.56 equipped with telescopic sights, during address by IRGC-QF Commander Qasem Soleimani at Latakia Governate, Syria.

Lebanese Hezbollah troops provide appearance of all-volunteer professional fighting force

Iamgery of Iranian-supplied Safir ("Ambassador") tactical vehicle equipped with M40 recoilless gun, claimed to be operated by Lebanese Hezbollah at Al-Ghab during the current Russian-supported Syrian offensive.

Lebanese Hezbollah troops, claimed to be engaged on the Northern Hama front during the current Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL.


Lebanese Hezbollah soldiers claimed depiction at various locations during current Russian-supported Syrian offensive. Left soldier equipped with Dragunov SVD-S sniper rifle, left soldier equipped with AK-type assault rifle.

Heavily armed members of Iran-backed Iraqi-Shia militia group outfitted in what may be IRGC-supplied BDUs, claimed depiction at or around Aleppo during the current Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL.

Iran-backed Iraqi-Shia militia group members equipped with what may be Toofan ("Typhoon") Iranian-variant of BGM-71 TOW launcher.

Iran-backed National Defense Force members, claimed photographed 13OCT15 at Quneitra Governate upon recapture of Tal Ahmar.

Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade members, a Shia-Syrian formation of the Syrian National Defense Force (NDF)

Technicals belonging to Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade, a Shia-Syrian formation of the Syrian National Defense Force (NDF), at Aleppo Governate.

Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade member equipped with PKM type general purpose machine gun, at Aleppo Governate

Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade vehicle equipped with ZPU-4 anti-aircraft gun, at Aleppo Governate

Background, right: T-55 tank among members of Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade at Aleppo Governate

SyAA/NDF members claimed photographed at recently captured Ashtani village in Hama, during Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL.

Photos: social media, internet