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Hezbollah Leader: We Have Reduced Our Military Presence in Syria

Sirwan Kajjo

   WASHINGTON - The leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has
   said that the number of Hezbollah fighters in Syria has decreased.

   Hassan Nasrallah said in a recent interview with al-Manar TV,
   Hezbollah's official television, that the Syrian regime has been
   recovering militarily after years of fighting rebel groups seeking to
   oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

   "We are present where we are needed to be," Nasrallah said, referring
   to his group's military presence in war-torn Syria.

   The Syrians "have realized that they don't need us anymore. That's why
   we don't have a real presence on frontlines," the militant leader said.

   Since the outbreak of Syria's civil war in 2011, Hezbollah has sent
   thousands of fighters to support the Assad regime.

   The Lebanese Shi'ite militant group has been instrumental in major
   gains made against Syrian rebel forces throughout the country,
   particularly in Aleppo, Homs and Damascus suburbs.

   Backed by Iran, Hezbollah fighters also have a strong presence in parts
   of oil-rich, eastern province of Deir al-Zour that are under the
   control of the Syrian regime.

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