DAMASCUS (Sputnik) — Earlier media reports suggested that Iran had sent over 1,000 soldiers to the Aleppo province of Syria to help the country's army in a ground offensive against Islamic State (ISIL) militants.
"Speaking of Iran — only military advisers are present in Syria," Omran Zoubi said in an interview with Lebanese Al Mayadeen television channel.
Zoubi stated that ground operations in Syria involve only the country's army and militia. He refuted reports of Russian ground troops in the country.
Russia’s jets commenced precision airstrikes against targets of the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria on September 30, following a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad.
According to the Kremlin, Russia intends to use only its air force in operations against ISIL militants in Syria, and will not deploy ground troops.
