Iran Requests Safe Passage from Syrian Rebels for Troops Amid Shiite Protection Promise

Dec 7, 2024, 09:44 PM

Iran has reportedly requested safe passage from Syrian opposition forces for its troops to leave Syria, according to a New York Times report citing three Iranian officials. This request was made in response to a diplomatic message from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Syrian rebel group, which promised to protect the Shiite minority, religious sites, and Shia mosques in Syria. The move comes as Iranian commanders and political officials are rapidly leaving the country, suggesting a potential shift in Iran's military strategy in the region.