A source within the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards has disclosed to the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida that Tehran plans to swiftly send 20,000 new Iranian and allied fighters to Syria, aiming to increase their total presence to 100,000 in the coming days and weeks.
The initial contingent will include a combination of commandos and rapid intervention units from the Quds Force, along with fighters from Iraqi factions and Afghan and Pakistani groups. Notably, Hezbollah has reportedly decided not to send any additional forces.
The source noted that a key challenge for the influx of Iranian troops is Tehran's demand for Russian air support to safeguard its forces against potential attacks from both Syrian factions and external threats, particularly from Israel and the United States.
Recent reports from Al-Jazeera, citing two Syrian military sources, indicate that Iranian-aligned factions have started crossing into Syria from Iraq to bolster Syrian forces in ongoing conflicts.