Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has denied reports claiming that 19 of its members were killed in a wave of pager explosions in Syria. The denial came in response to a report by Saudi news outlet Al-Hadath, which alleged that the explosions occurred in Deir Ezzor, a region in eastern Syria, and left 19 IRGC members dead and a further 150 injured.
The explosion was part of a broader attack that had already targeted Hezbollah members in Lebanon the previous day. According to multiple reports, including from the Lebanese Health Ministry, the attack in Lebanon resulted in the deaths of 12 people and left between 2,750 and 2,800 others wounded. Israel has not commented on the incident, but foreign media outlets, including Army Radio, attributed the attack to Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
The IRGC was quick to dismiss the claim that any of its members were affected by the pager explosions. Through a statement issued by Iran’s Mizan News Agency, which is affiliated with the judiciary, the IRGC stated that “no IRGC members were martyred in the pagers incident” and called the reports of casualties “false.” The denial aimed to counter the narrative from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hadath, which reported the IRGC deaths alongside the attack in Lebanon that devastated Hezbollah’s ranks.
The explosion in Syria allegedly targeted IRGC members stationed in the region, which has been a strategic location for Iranian military presence and influence, particularly in supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Iran has long been involved in both Lebanon and Syria, providing military support to Hezbollah and other groups.
The initial wave of explosions targeted Hezbollah in Lebanon, where hundreds of wireless pagers, reportedly used by the group for communication, detonated nearly simultaneously. The attack occurred in Hezbollah strongholds, including southern Beirut and eastern Lebanon, causing widespread chaos and casualties. Lebanon’s Health Minister Firass Abiad confirmed that 12 people, including two children, were killed in the attacks, with approximately 2,800 others wounded. Many of the injured were in critical condition, with some suffering from severe trauma, including brain hemorrhages.
The day after the explosion, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched artillery strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. Israeli airstrikes also hit Hezbollah targets in several areas, including Odaisseh and Maroun El Ras.
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