Iran buries Afghan, Pakistani fighters killed in Syria

By Mustafa Melih Ahishali

ISTANBUL

Funerals have been held for seven members of two Iran-backed militia groups recently killed in Syria, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported Thursday.

According to the news agency, funerals were held in the Iranian city of Qom for the slain fighters, who had been members of the Fatemiyoun and Zainabiyoun brigades, both of which are affiliated with Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The fighters were recently killed during combat operations in Syria, Tasnim reported, without providing any information about the date -- or location -- of their deaths.

Roughly 2,400 Iranian -- or Iran-linked -- military personnel have been killed in Syria while fighting alongside Assad regime forces since the conflict began in 2011, according to estimates.

The Fatemiyoun Brigade consists mainly of Shia Afghan fighters, while the Zainabiyoun Brigade is made up of Pakistani Shias who have taken refuge in Iran.

By Mustafa Melih Ahishali

ISTANBUL

Funerals have been held for seven members of two Iran-backed militia groups recently killed in Syria, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported Thursday.

The fighters were recently killed during combat operations in Syria, Tasnim reported, without providing any information about the date -- or location -- of their deaths.

Roughly 2,400 Iranian -- or Iran-linked -- military personnel have been killed in Syria while fighting alongside Assad regime forces since the conflict began in 2011, according to estimates.

The Fatemiyoun Brigade consists mainly of Shia Afghan fighters, while the Zainabiyoun Brigade is made up of Pakistani Shias who have taken refuge in Iran.