Iranian Revolutionary Guards officer dies in Syria

TEHRAN, Aug 8 (KUNA) -- A colonel of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards has lost his life during a "consultative mission in Syria," an Iranian officer said on Tuesday.
Col. Abbas Bayrami, assistant of coordination affairs at Al-Quds Brigade based in Gilan province, was quoted by Fars news agency as saying that Col. Murtadha Shalmani died on Monday.
Up to 20 Iranians from Gilan alone have died in Syria so far, he added. However, he did not reveal total number of Iranian fatalities in the troubled nation from various Iranian regions.
Iran says it has deployed military personnel in Syria in response to a request by the Syrian Government and that their role is restricted to providing support and guidance for the Government forces in their fight against armed groups. (end) mw.rk