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Iran to Bankroll Pro-Government Militia Fighters in Syria
(VOA News) Mehdi Jedinia and Ahed Al Hendi - The Syrian government has asked Iran to take over the supervision and payroll of thousands of foreign Shi'ite militiamen fighting in support of President Assad, the pro-opposition Zaman Al Wasel website reported. "The number of Shia militia has increased dramatically during the last two months," a Syrian official told VOA. "While a big part of these militia were recruited by Iran, a relatively big part was recruited by the Syrian government directly. We are speaking about more than 50,000 militants from different nationalities. The Syrian government requested that Iran provide for all of the mentioned militias." Iran has long expressed a desire to command a unified army in the region, particularly in Syria.