Iran's Revolutionary Guards Suffer Major Losses in Syria Amid Escalating Tensions with Israel

The escalating tensions between Israel and Iran have reached new heights, with Iran's Revolutionary Guards suffering their largest losses in the power struggle with Israel. The conflict, which has been simmering for years, has intensified in the aftermath of the Gaza conflict that began in October 2022.

On April 19, 2024, the Israeli Air Force launched limited airstrikes targeting an air defense radar site at an airbase near Isfahan in central Iran. Satellite images suggest that a surface-to-air missile battery was damaged or destroyed in the attack. Iranian media and officials confirmed Israel's involvement, with U.S. officials also verifying that at least three missiles from Israeli aircraft had struck Iran.

The Israeli strikes were in response to Iranian drone and missile attacks on Israel, which were themselves a retaliation for the Israeli bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus on April 1, 2024. That attack killed several high-ranking Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers, including Brigadier Generals Panah Taghizadeh, Mohammad Ali Ataie Shourcheh, Razi Mousavi, and Hojjatollah Amidwar.

Why this matters: The direct confrontation between Israel and Iran marks a significant escalation in their long-standing conflict. The attacks and counterattacks risk spiraling into a full-blown regional war, with far-reaching consequences for the Middle East and beyond.

Iran has vowed to retaliate for the attack on its consulate annex in Damascus. On April 13, 2024, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in collaboration with Iraqi and Lebanese groups, launched attacks against Israel using drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. While Israel claimed to have intercepted most of the projectiles, some missiles did cause minor damage to an Israeli airbase.

The exchange of attacks has drawn criticism from the international community, with warnings of the risk of further escalation. The U.S. and Israel are taking Iran's threats seriously, with Israel preparing for potential counterstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites. U.S. officials are also monitoring the threat posed by Iran's proxies in Syria and Iraq to U.S. troops in the region.

In the face of the increased Israeli strikes, Iran has begun reducing its military presence in Syria. According to sources close to Hezbollah and a war monitor, Iran has withdrawn its forces from southern Syria, including Quneitra and Daraa provinces near the Golan Heights, but maintains a presence in other parts of the country. Iran-backed Lebanese and Iraqi fighters have taken the place of Iranian forces in some areas, and the Iranian presence has become less visible in Damascus.

The tensions between Israel and Iran are likely to remain high even after the conflict in Gaza subsides. As a former senior U.S. official noted, "The rules of the game are changing, with Israel now targeting Iran directly rather than just its proxies." The escalation has the potential to radically change the dynamics in the region, with far-reaching implications for all parties involved.

Key Takeaways

• Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, damaging air defense sites near Isfahan.
• Attacks were in retaliation for Iranian drone/missile strikes on Israel.
• Confrontation risks escalating into a regional war with far-reaching consequences.
• Iran has reduced military presence in Syria after Israeli strikes.
• Tensions between Israel and Iran likely to remain high even after Gaza conflict.