Iran-backed militant groups have entered Syria from Iraq and are heading north to bolster Syrian army forces battling rebels, two Syrian army sources have told TheDotNews

The White Helmets say at least 25 people have been killed in northwestern Syria in airstrikes carried out by the Syrian government and Russia.

“These are fresh reinforcements being sent to aid our comrades on the front lines in the north,” a senior Syrian army officer said.

They said the militias included Iraq’s Katiab Hezbollah and Fatemiyoun groups. 

Iran’s support for Assad mirrors that of Russia, which helped to turn the tide of the war during 2016’s battle for Aleppo between Syrian government forces and rebel fighters.