Iran-backed militia fighters enter Syria to help government forces fight off rebels [Video]

Hundreds of fighters from Iran-backed Iraqi militias crossed into Syria overnight to help the government fight rebels who seized Aleppo last week, Syrian and Iraqi sources said on Monday, and Tehran pledged to aid the Damascus government.

Iran’s constellation of allied regional militia groups has long been integral to the success of pro-government forces in subduing rebels who rose up against President Bashar al-Assad in 2011, and they have long maintained bases in Syria. At least 300 fighters crossed late on Sunday using a dirt road to avoid the official border crossing, two Iraqi security sources said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who visited Damascus, said on Monday Syria’s military was capable of confronting the rebels …