26-12-2023 (BEIRUT) In a targeted air strike conducted by the Israeli military on Monday (Dec 25) outside the Syrian capital Damascus, a senior adviser within Iran’s Revolutionary Guards met his demise, as confirmed by three security sources and Iranian state media.
The deceased, identified as Sayyed Razi Mousavi, held a crucial role in coordinating the military collaboration between Syria and Iran, according to sources disclosed to Reuters. The military alliance between the two nations has been a focal point in the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
Iran’s state television interrupted its regular programming to announce the death of Mousavi, lauding him as one of the oldest advisers of the Revolutionary Guards stationed in Syria. He was noted for being part of the entourage accompanying Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Guards’ elite Quds Force, who fell victim to a US drone attack in Iraq in 2020.
Reacting to the incident, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the assassination, interpreting it as a manifestation of Israel’s vulnerability in the region. “This act is a sign of the Zionist regime’s frustration and weakness in the region for which it will certainly pay the price,” remarked Raisi, as cited by Iranian media.
The Revolutionary Guards, in a statement broadcast on state TV, asserted that Israel would face repercussions for the killing of Mousavi, who held the rank of brigadier-general within the Guards. “Undoubtedly, the usurper and savage Zionist regime will pay for this crime,” declared the statement, reflecting the heightened tension in the region.
Condemnation also emanated from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, characterizing the killing as a “cowardly act.” The group acknowledged Mousavi’s significant role in supporting regional resistance and championing the cause of the Palestinian people.
As of now, there has been no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel has a history of conducting airstrikes against what it terms as Iran-linked targets in Syria. Tehran’s influence in the region has expanded notably since it threw support behind President Bashar al-Assad during the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011.
This recent incident follows Iran’s revelation earlier this month that Israeli strikes had claimed the lives of two Revolutionary Guards members in Syria, both of whom had served as military advisers. Iran has consistently deployed hundreds of Guards as “advisers” to assist in training and organizing Shiite militia fighters from countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, who have played a pivotal role in supporting the Syrian government. Additionally, fighters from Lebanon’s Hezbollah have collaborated closely with Iranian military commanders in Syria, further complicating the regional dynamics.
