IRGC Rejects Reports on Martyrdom of Quds Force Commander in Syria

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps categorically denied the recent media reports claiming that the commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force, General Qassem Suleimani, was killed in the Wednesday bombing at Syria’s national security headquarters.

According to the IRGC public relations office, Head of the IRGC Public Relations General Ramezan Sharif dismissed the report on Suleimani’s death as a mere “propaganda campaign”.

“Due to the recent events in Syria and Iran’s support for resistance in Palestine, some Arab media in coordination with their western counterparts have waged immoral and hostile propaganda campaign against Iran,” Sharif said.

“These media have published many rumors about Iran, among them the claim about General Suleimani’s presence in Syria and at the site the recent explosion in Syria’s national security building,” he noted, adding that the propaganda campaign is aimed at diverting the public opinion and undermining the morale of resistance front against Israel.

The explosion inside the Syrian national security headquarters in Damascus targeted ministers from President Bashar al-Assad’s government who were meeting with defense officials on Wednesday, killing four of the most senior members of President Assad’s inner circle, including his brother-in-law.

The Syrian Army said Defense Minister and his deputy, Asef Shawkat, were both killed in the explosion. Shawkat, Assad’s brother-in-law, also held the title of deputy chief of staff.

According to Syrian TV, former Defense Minister Hassan Turkmani, who headed Assad’s ‘crisis cell’ that coordinated the government’s response to the 16-month unrests, was also killed in the blast.

Other ministers and military officials were seriously wounded in the explosion, according to state media.

Syrian State TV reported that Interior Minister Mohammed al-Shaar and National Security Department head Major General Hisham Ikhtiar sustained injuries.

Syria’s state television on Friday announced the death of security head Hisham Ikhtiar.