Photo depiction of IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, appearing at the onset of attacks at Aleppo during the current Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda (AQ), AQ-aligned armed groups and ISIL.
Soleimani is depicted among Iraqi Shia militia fighters inside Syria, with a militia member seen bearing identification patch of Harakat al-Nujaba ("Movement of the Noble Ones").
Clearly the object of the depiction is to suggest Iran leading a coalition of fighting forces from Iraq, Lebanon and Syria; employing aspects of grand strategy at two theaters against AQ, AQ-aligned armed groups and ISIL.
At the same time, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the Chairman for the Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, is on a tour of Syria and Lebanon, where he has been meeting with the political leadership of those countries, including Mohammad Raad, Shia Lebanese member of parliament and presiding over Hezbollah's bloc in the Lebanese parliament.
Alaeddin Boroujerdi with Mohammad Raad on 17OCT15 in Beirut, Lebanon. Military forces from both leader's countries are currently engaged in the Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda (AQ), AQ-aligned armed groups and ISIL.
At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, Iran-backed Asa'ib Ahl Al-Haq ("Leaque of the Righteous", AAH) leader Sheikh Qais Al-Khaz'ali (L2) outfitted in what appear to be IRGC-style BDUs. Individual (R2) appears outfitted in typical Badr commander style, while individual (R1) seen wearing communication ear-piece is equipped with what appears to be accessorized M4 type carbine assault rifle, possibly previously U.S.-supplied to Iraqi Security Force (ISF).
At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, members of Iran-backed Badr fighting force, atop a formerly U.S.-supplied to Iraqi Security Force HMMWV fitted with 9M133 Kornet-type ATGM.
At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, previously U.S.-supplied to Iraqi Security Force HMMWV now heavily modified and operated by Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali.
At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, members of Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali equipped with AK-type assault rifles.
At Iran's Iraqi-theater during the Second Battle of Baiji, Abu Azrael(R1), a commander in Iran-backed Kata'ib al-Imam Ali, depicted engaging ISIL.
An interesting read:
ReplyDeleteRussian cooperation with Iran and Iraq has broader consequences than saving Assad
by Nader Habibi and Harith Hasan Al-Qarawee
https://theconversation.com/russian-cooperation-with-iran-and-iraq-has-broader-consequences-than-saving-assad-49164
Thank you Mark. very good read.
DeleteExcept the part where it says that in a direct confrontation between Iran and the Saudis, the Saudis would have the upper hand militarily by relying on the support of the United States against Iran.
DeleteThat's simply not true. A determined Iranian missile strike will make U.S support worthless in terms of countering Iran's missile power.
I think it is true, they can project sustained power and Iran can only project impulses with its missiles and if it is not neutralized by patriots! The missiles are only useful to prevent the war and strike precision blows at times but not to win a confrontation. At the moment, Iran doesn't have the force to go to war and is bluffing. It has the power to disrupt and damage the economy and Saudi military but not to win a war! Iran's military is not built for aggression and to project force, it is for defending and causing damages and reach diplomatic solution. On the other hand if Saudis go to war they may need to sell more assets but the oil price and their ability to keep export open will balance the cost of the wear for them. Iran on the other hand would be in same situation or worst than what it is now. At the end the one having upper hand economically would win! and that is the western block. So Iran, should avoid war at any cost and showing mad man attitude that Khameneie is projecting doesn't scare the tacticians that much. when push comes to the shove, they don't mind having a conflict with the right PR and the mad man strategy is not a good PR on Iranian side. They should keep Saudis and the USA on the negative PR side till the Syrian crisis is over and they build their economy.
Delete