"Air power has many missions during peace time and if a terrorist group sets up
strongholds near Iran's borders, we will not remain silent, and such missions
and cooperation with air defense units are highly important to safeguard the air
borders," General Baqeri said, addressing a forum in Tehran on Tuesday.
He also underlined the growing role of drones in defending the country and
Iran's huge progress in building such aircraft, and said, "Today, the Islamic
Iran is among the first seven major drone powers."
General Baqeri said that the October 1 missile and drone strikes against the
ISIL terrorist group in Syria in response to the September 22 attacks in
Southwestern Iran showed that the country's security is a redline for the Armed
Forces.
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in response to the September 22
terrorist attacks in Southwestern Iran launched drone and missile strikes on
ISIL strongholds in Eastern Syria on October 1.
26 people were killed and 69 others were wounded in an attack by al-Ahwaziya
terrorist group during the nationwide military parades in the Southwestern city
of Ahwaz on September 22.
The terrorists attacked the bystanders watching the annual Armed Forces'
parades, marking the start of the Sacred Defense Week, commemorating Iranians'
sacrifices during the 8 years of the Iraqi imposed war on Iran in 1980s, in
disguise of the IRGC and Basij (volunteer) forces, killing and wounding several
people, including innocent women and children.
In response, the IRGC fired 6 ballistic ground-to-ground missiles and launched
drone attacks on terrorists' positions in Eastern Euphrates region in Eastern
Syria.
During the operations codenamed Zarbat-e Moharram (Blow of Moharram) carried out
at 2:00 AM (local time) October 1 against the headquarters of Takfiri terrorists
near Albu Kamal region in Eastern Euphrates was attacked from Kermanshah
province in Western Iran, 570km away from the targets.
The IRGC's Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh announced later
that the missile and drone strikes against the terrorist targets in Syria killed
40 ISIL commanders and smashed all targets.
Later reports said that the IRGC had used the home-made drone, Saeqeh
(Thunderbolt), for pounding the command center of the terrorists in Eastern
Syria.
Source:FNA