Iran begins sending fighters to Syria under cover of Russian airstrikes
Iran and its proxy militia in Lebanon have poured in hundreds of fighters to central and northern Syria in recent days.
Syrian activists say the Iranian and Hezbollah fighters are taking advantage of Russian air cover to go on the offensive against insurgents in those areas.
Iranian and Syrian officials have long maintained that Iran has advisers and military experts in Syria.
The latest news is the first confirmation of Iranian fighters taking part in combat operations in Syria.
Russia began carrying out airstrikes in Syria on September 30, and Syrian troops and allied militiamen began a ground offensive a week later.
