Iran’s military presence in Syria, which had been established over a decade, is now in disarray following a sudden withdrawal that has left behind abandoned bases and remnants of a once-expansive operation. The retreat, characterized by haste and panic, reflects a dramatic shift in the region’s power dynamics, particularly following the recent fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
The remnants of an Iranian base near Khan Shaykhun in Idlib province paint a vivid picture of this abrupt exit. Mouldy food, discarded military uniforms, and abandoned weapons litter the site, indicating that the forces stationed there fled with little warning. This base was a critical hub for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its affiliated militias, which had been instrumental in supporting Assad’s regime throughout the Syrian civil war.
Iran’s involvement in Syria has been extensive, with military advisers deployed and foreign militias mobilized to bolster the Assad regime. The IRGC developed a network of underground bases, supplying arms and training to thousands of fighters, all part of Iran’s strategy to establish a "security belt" against Israel. However, as the Assad regime faced unprecedented challenges, including internal rifts and external pressures, Iran’s foothold began to crumble.
The retreat was precipitated by a rapid sequence of events that escalated following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This event led to intensified Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian positions in Syria and a wider conflict involving Hezbollah, another Iranian ally. The psychological impact of these developments contributed to a sense of collapse among Iranian forces.
Eyewitness accounts from fighters affiliated with Hayaat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist militant group that has emerged as a key player in the region, reveal that Iranian forces were caught off guard. Many were ordered to leave at the last minute, with a senior member of an Iran-backed Iraqi paramilitary group stating that the directive was simply to "take your backpack and leave." As a result, most of the fleeing forces retreated to Iraq, while others were directed to Russian bases for evacuation.
The abandoned base near Khan Shaykhun is now occupied by armed Uyghur fighters from HTS, who have taken over the facilities and found evidence of the Iranian presence, including food supplies and military documents containing sensitive information. The chaos of the retreat is evident in the remnants left behind, which include personal belongings and military uniforms hastily discarded by fleeing soldiers.
Local residents express a mix of relief and resentment regarding the Iranian withdrawal. Many had endured years of life under the shadow of Iranian-backed forces, which often treated them with suspicion and hostility. The presence of these forces was viewed as an occupation, and locals are now cautiously optimistic about the future without Iranian influence.
In the wake of Iran’s exit, the new leadership in Syria has signaled a shift in policy, explicitly banning Iranian nationals from entering the country while maintaining a more favorable stance towards Russia. This reflects a broader sentiment among Syrians, who have grown increasingly frustrated with the Iranian military presence and its implications for their daily lives.
As Iran’s military ambitions in Syria lie in ruins, the region faces a new chapter marked by shifting alliances and power dynamics. The once formidable Iranian presence, established through years of investment and military strategy, has been dismantled in a matter of weeks, leaving behind a landscape of uncertainty and potential for change.