Recent imagery: IRGC-led T-90A tank operators in Syria

Video still of T-90A main battle tank "brew-up" by ISIL hostile action near Khanasir, Syria. Video uploaded 23JAN2017 onto social media.

T-90A tank displays flag apparently denoting Liwa Fatemiyoun operators. Liwa Fatemiyoun is an Afghan Shia militia fielded and led by IRGC-QF.

Video is also noteworthy in apparently providing imagery of a first confirmed, destroyed by hostile action T-90A. (Recently, German-made Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks have been successfully destroyed by ISIL, and before that American-made M1A1 main battle tanks operated by the Iraqi Army.)

Above: Social media imagery of a T-90A tank still bearing Russian transport-related markings, apparently operated by pro-Syrian Arab Republic militia led by IRGC-QF.

COMMENT: The Russians continue to maintain the advantage of more reliable ground partners in the Syrian conflict. That includes Iran-led militia forces. Moreover these forces recently demonstrated effectiveness in securing victory at the Battle of Aleppo. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that Russian T-90A main battle tank operators may include militia forces led by IRGC-QF such as Lebanese Hezbollah and Liwa Fatemiyoun. Moreover, tactical experience with the type ranks among the number of advancements rendered upon the IRGC-QF in this conflict.

Next Iran ambassador to Iraq is IRGC-QF general

File photo: IRGC-QF Brig. Gen. Iraj Masjedi (photo: mashhadpayam.ir)

Various Iranian news agencies are stating the next Iranian ambassador to Iraq will be IRGC-QF Brig. Gen. Iraj Masjedi; replacing another with ties to IRGC-QF,  Hassan Danaeifar, who is set to conclude his six-year term.

Comment: If the reports are accurate, it is noteworthy in the fact that IRGC-QF Brig. Gen. Iraj Masjed has served as a senior advisor to IRGC-QF Maj. Gen. Soleimani. As Iraq is currently a battleground, Iran's leadership appears to derive the need of placement as ambassador an IRGC-QF officer.

With factionalism that is prevalent in Iranian politics, one can speculate that possibly as a result of the IRGC-QF victory at the Battle of Aleppo, Soleimani's star has risen from where it may have dipped before at the Battle of Tikrit.

Soleimani's role in Iran's armed expeditionary force efforts in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and elsewhere is more diplomatic, in ways somewhat similar to USA Gen. Eisenhower's role at ETO during World War II. Like Ike, Soleimani, puts together and deploys arrays of disparate forces, and is involved in operational decision making. He is not a battlefield commander. The public exposure Soleimani is accorded on Iranian media suggests he may be intended as a potential presidential candidate in 2017 or 2021.

Iraj Masjedi, as he appears in civvies