#Russia redeploying its 217th Airborne Regiment from #Syria to #Ukraine is part of a larger months-long drawdown of Russian forces in Syria. newsweek.com/putin-pulling-… 1/7
Moscow faces severe manpower shortages in #Ukraine and is pulling some units from #Syria to inject into the fight. This continuing drawdown is facilitating the expansion of the #Iranian presence in Syria and exacerbating the Iran-Israel escalation cycle. 2/7
#Iran likely seeks to fill the security gap caused by this #Russian drawdown to expand Iranian military influence and maintain stability. 3/7
Supreme Leader #Khamenei met with Syrian President #Assad in May 2022 reportedly to discuss transferring Russian positions to Iran and its proxies. *hamshahrionline.ir/news/675873 4/7
*Indicates foreign domain.
*Indicates foreign domain.
IRGC Commander #Salami paid his first known visit to #Syria in July 2022 likely in part to coordinate and oversee these transfers.
https://twitter.com/AlArabiya_Brk/status/1550444068089511936k5/7
The 217th Regiment operated in several locations throughout #Syria, including reportedly in southwestern Daraa Province near the Israeli border. #Iran could deploy forces there to stabilize the area and further entrench its military presence along #Israel’s periphery. 6/7
The growing #Iranian military footprint will also enable Tehran to consolidate its logistical and smuggling routes and proliferate advanced drones, missiles, and air defense platforms throughout #Syria. 7/7
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
