Syria’s retreat, despite Iran demands, continues.  It looks like Damascus and Tehran have a fight on their hands from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS.  “Syrian rebels reach Damascus suburbs as government denies Assad’s departure rumors,” AP, KTXS, 12-7-24.  The leader of HTS is  Ahmad al-Shara, better known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, or Julani.

What will Iran do?  This is a real crossroads.  The biggest state partner in the Shia Crescent has apparently fallen.  “Reuters reported on Sunday morning local time that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has left Damascus to an unknown location. … Videos on social media showed Syrian soldiers leaving their positions in Damascus, taking off their uniform and changing to civilian clothes. Damascus International Airport is also under rebel control.”  See “Assad regime collapses as Syrian rebels enter Damascus,” Axios, 12-7-24.

“Iran’s nuclear leap ‘extremely serious, has no civilian justification’,” I-24, 12-7-24.

Retreat!  “The evacuations, both by air and across land borders, were ordered from the Iranian embassy in Damascus and several Revolutionary Guard bases in Syria.”  See “Iran begins to evacuate commanders as forces abandon Assad,” Yahoo, 12-7-24.  Here’s a great quote, but anonymous.  ““He [Assad] has proven that no matter how much support he receives, he cannot push back even a few terrorists from his territory.  He’s just a moron who couldn’t build a proper government in 10 years, and his forces surrendered without firing a single bullet,” a member of the IRGC-affiliate Basij paramilitary force in Tehran told The Telegraph.”  But he’s a moron Tehran continued to use.

“Iran evacuates personnel in Syria as rebels further advance – NYT,” JPost, 12-7-24.   “Iran began evacuating its Quds Force personnel and military officials from Syria into neighboring countries.”