Head of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad-Ali Ja'fari says the presence of a number of Quds Force members in Syria does not mean Iran maintains a military presence in the Arab country.

“Everybody knows that the IRGC has unit named Islamic Movements that has been established with the aim of helping the oppressed and exporting the Islamic Revolution… Quds Force has been formed with the aim of helping oppressed and particularly Muslim nations… A number of Quds Force members are present in Syria but this does not mean we have a military presence in this country,” Ja'fari said.

Ja'fari said Iran provides consultation and even economic assistance to Syria as a link in the resistance chain.

Iran has in numerous occasions reiterated support for Syrian people and the government of President Bashar al-Assad and reforms he has implemented. Tehran has also condemned the interference of foreign countries in Syria’s internal affairs, saying the crisis must be resolved through dialogue and by the Syrian people themselves.

In a meeting with Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi in Damascus, al-Assad hailed Iran's support and assistance as “valuable” and described Tehran as Syria’s trustworthy friend. Al-Assad said during the meeting that Syria’s current crisis does not only concern Damascus, it is a war waged by all foreign and imperialist powers against all regional countries.

Syria has been the scene of unrest and violence since March 2011. Damascus says outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorists are behind the unrest while the opposition accuses the security forces of killing protesters.