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Tehran [Iran], December 27: Tehran accused Israel's new attack in Syria of killing a veteran general of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Reuters yesterday cited three security sources and information from the Iranian press saying that an airstrike conducted by Israel outside the Syrian capital Damascus on December 25 killed Brigadier General Sayyed Razi Mousavi, a senior advisor. of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iranian state media described Mr. Mousavi as "one of the most experienced advisers" to the Quds Force, the IRGC's elite force that specializes in operations abroad. Mr. Mousavi has lived in Syria for 30 years and has his own office within the Syrian Ministry of Defense , according to Lebanese al-Jadeed television channel.
Attacked by missiles?
Iranian state television reported that "three missiles " were aimed at Mr. Mousavi, and showed a video showing smoke rising from the area where the attack occurred. Iran's Mehr news agency quoted Iranian Ambassador to Syria Hossein Akbari as saying that Mr. Mousavi's house was targeted by three missiles at 4:20 p.m. on December 25 (local time). Mr. Akbari also said that "the house was destroyed" and Mr. Mousavi's body was found in the yard, according to AFP.
In addition, according to Iran's IRNA News Agency, Mr. Mousavi "died in an attack by the Zionist regime in Zeinabiyah district, on the outskirts of Damascus." IRNA emphasized that Mr. Mousavi "works in the field of providing logistical support to the axis of resistance in Syria", referring to groups supported by Tehran and opposing Israel.
The Syrian Human Rights Observatory (headquartered in the UK) also recorded Israeli attacks on positions used by Iranian groups and Hezbollah forces in Zeinabiyah district. Some residents reported hearing loud explosions and seeing columns of smoke rising from farms in the area.
When asked to comment on the above allegation at a press conference on the evening of December 25, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said: "I will not comment on foreign reports, this or that report in China." East. The Israeli army has the task of protecting Israel's security interests."
Iran's solid statement
Mr. Mousavi is the highest-ranking Quds Force commander to be killed outside Iran since the force's commander, General Qasem Soleimani, was killed in a US drone attack in the capital Baghdad (Iraq). on January 3, 2020, according to AFP. The IRGC confirmed that a "missile attack" killed Mr. Mousavi and vowed to avenge the general's death.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that the assassination of General Mousavi showed Israel's weakness and "they will certainly pay the price". Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani also emphasized: "Iran has the right to take necessary measures to respond to this action at the appropriate time and place."
In addition, Hezbollah forces in Lebanon announced that they considered Mr. Mousavi's assassination "a blatant attack that crossed the line", adding that Mr. Mousavi had supported the group for decades. Hezbollah and Israel have frequently fought across the Israel-Lebanon border since Israel besieged and bombarded the Gaza Strip in retaliation for Hamas' October 7 attack on southern Israel.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper