Iran’s air defense chief says his country is ready to help defend Syria’s airspace.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency quotes Gen. Farzad Esmaili as saying, “We will help Syria in a full-fledged manner if the Syrian government requests help.” He says any such aid will be provided in an “advisory” capacity.
Iran is a close ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad and has sent weapons, money and military advisers to Syria to help bolster his forces. Tehran denies it has sent combat troops, but several Iranian soldiers, including senior officers, have been killed on Syrian battlefields.
This is the first time Iran is offering to assist with Syrian air defenses.
Esmaili’s remarks comes after Turkey and Saudi Arabia — leading supporters of the rebels battling to topple Assad — say they are open to sending ground troops into Syria to battle the Islamic State group.
— AP
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