Iranian Forces Exited Syria Following Leadership Change - WSJ

Pro-Iranian forces left Syria following the recent change in power in Damascus, Orda reports, citing The Wall Street Journal.

The main pro-Iranian forces, including officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have relocated to Al-Qaim, Iraq, near the Syrian border, abandoning significant amounts of military equipment in their retreat.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf has described Syria as now being "hostile territory" for Iran.

The new Syrian administration head, Ahmad al-Sharaa, claimed this withdrawal has severely impacted Iran's regional influence.

Syria had been crucial for Iran's regional strategy, serving as a weapons transit route to Hezbollah in Lebanon and allowing Iranian forces to position themselves near Israel. 

However, U.S. officials remain watchful of Tehran's potential efforts to influence the new Syrian leadership.