- The Washington Times - Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Iran has kicked off a campaign to recruit volunteer fighters to join the Syrian regime and help President Bashar Assad battle rebel uprisings.

The recruitment is taking place mostly online at a site to support Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, The Times of Israel reported. Interested volunteers are provided a number to call or text.

The site posts a quote from Iranian lawmaker Mohammad Saleh Jokar, The Times of Israel reported. It reads: “Today our main war front is against the Zionist entity. This front has to be strengthened and the Zionist entity must be destroyed in the region. The treacheries are continuing and there is no longer a justification to stand still. Those who are volunteers have to go and start helping.”

The campaign to recruit fighters comes just one day after one Iranian commander issued a public statement that Syria was capable of defending itself, but that Tehran stood ready help if Israeli kept up its airstrikes, The Times of Israel reported.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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