Iran sends advisers to help quell unrest in Syria

Washington: Iran is sending trainers and advisers, including members of its elite Quds Force, into Syria to help crush anti-government protesters that are threatening to topple Iran's most key ally in the region.

The influx of Iranian trained manpower also include weapons, riot gear and sophisticated surveillance system that is helping Syrian authorities to crack down anti-regime opponents, the Washington Post reported today quoting US officials.

The paper said that Iranian aided computer surveillance is believed to have led to the arrest hundreds of Syrians.

Quoting a diplomat the Iranian trainers have brought to the capital Damascus to instruct Syrians in techniques Iran used to crush the 'Greens Movement' in 2009.

Officers from Iran's notorious Quds Force have played a key role in the ongoing crackdown in Syria. The Quds Force is a unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guards responsible for operations outside Iran.

Iran's increasing engagement in Syria reflects anxiety in Tehran about the prospects of President Bashir Assad, who has failed to end the protests despite using heavy force.

The Post said Assad while managing to hold on to power has been severely weakened by months of unrest.] It said on March 23 Turkish officials had seized light weapons including assault rifles and grenade launchers from an Iranian cargo plane bound for Syria.

Source: PTI