Iran admits at least 400 Shiite proxy fighters killed in Syria

The head of Iran’s Martyr Foundation, Mohammad Ali Shahidi, admitted Saturday that at least 400 people were killed fighting in the pro-Iranian Shiite militias fighting for Bashar Assad in Syria as Tehran’s proxies. Their families would receive financial support. Announcing the number, the Revolutionary Guards said around half of them were Afghan. DEBKAfile: This was the first time any Iranian official has attached a figure to casualties for the pro-Iranian militias from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq fighting in Syria under the command of IRGC officers. However, according to DEBKAfile, the real death toll is much higher than the official figure.