Figures compiled by the think - tank , International Institute for Strategic Studies ( IS ) , reveal that almost 700 Iranian soldiers and foreign fighters have been killed in Syria ’s civil war since 2013 . The Iran ’s government has intervened to help preserve President Bashar al - Islam ’s hold on power . In addition, 13 Shia militias have been identified among the forces fighting for Assad’s regime. Officially , it argues that it has only deployed “ military advisers , ” however , the IISS suggests that around 2,000 troops from the Quds Force ( the special forces arm of Iran ’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC ) ) are operating in Syria alongside a further 1,000 Iranian military personnel . Given that IRGC personnel began arriving in Syria in 2012 , the number of Iranian soldiers is potentially much higher .
Figures compiled by the think - tank , International Institute for Strategic Studies ( IS ) , reveal that almost 700 Iranian soldiers and foreign fighters have been killed in Syria ’s civil war since 2013 . The Iran ’s government has intervened to help preserve President Bashar al - Islam ’s hold on power . Officially , it argues that it has only deployed “ military advisers , ” however , the IISS suggests that around 2,000 troops from the Quds Force ( the special forces arm of Iran ’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC ) ) are operating in Syria alongside a further 1,000 Iranian military personnel . Given that IRGC personnel began arriving in Syria in 2012 , the number of Iranian soldiers is potentially much higher .