04/01/2024April 1, 2024
Iranian state media reports death of IRGC commander in Damascus attack
Iranian state media reported Monday that Ali Reza Zahdi, a commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), on the Iranian Embassy grounds in Damascus.
Zahdi had previously led the Quds Force, a branch of the IRGC which is specialized in foreign special operations. The Quds Force was once helmed by Qassem Soleimani, who died in a US airstrike in Baghdad in 2020.
Britain-based monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) also said the commander was killed, along with seven others.
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, in comments carried by the official Syrian SANA news agency, said the Syrian government strongly condemns the “heinous terrorist attack” in Damascus.
Both and accused Israel of carrying out the airstrike.
Israel has not officially commented on the attack, saying it would not comment on reports in foreign media.
Israel frequently targets what it calls Iranian-affiliated sites in Syria that it views as a threat to its security. Syria, along with its allies Russia and Iran, has accused Israel of violating international law with the strikes.
Iran and Syria have close ties, with the Iranian government firmly backing during the Syrian civil war.
wd/sms (Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa)
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