Iranian ex commander: New militia formed to destroy Israel in 23 years

The former leader of the Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guards reportedly says new branch is positioned to destroy the Jewish state because it's fighting nearby in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: AUGUST 25, 2016 15:53
Members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards march during a parade to commemorate the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), in Tehran September 22, 2010. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards march during a parade to commemorate the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), in Tehran September 22, 2010.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The eradication of Israel in "23 years" is the main objective of a recently-created Iranian military unit formed to fight in Arab countries in the region, one of Iran's former most senior military commanders has said.
Retired Iranian Revolutionary Guards general Mohammad Ali Al Falaki made the comments last week while speaking of Tehran's so-called 'Shi'ite Liberation Army' that conducts extraterritorial military operations, Al Arabiya reported, citing an interview with Iran's Mashregh news agency.
The former leader of the Islamic Republic's ideologically-driven military branch noted that the Iranian special forces are fighting abroad in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. 
Falaki claimed that the forces are specially positioned to destroy the Jewish state because they are fighting near Israel's borders.
The establishment of the first nucleus of the militia is tasked to “eradicate Israel after 23 years, especially that these battalions are now on Israeli borders,” he was quoted as saying in an invocation of prior remarks made by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In 2015, Khamenei asserted that Israel will cease to exist within three decades.
"After negotiations, in the Zionist regime they said they had no more concern about Iran for the next 25 years," Khamenei tweeted in reference to talks on the yet to be ratified nuclear deal with world powers.
"Firstly, you will not see the next 25 years," he tweeted, addressing Israel. "God willing, there will be nothing of the Zionist regime by the next 25 years."
In the interview with Mashregh last week, Falaki added that the 'Shi'ite Liberation Army' was comprised not only of Iranians but also local recruits from the embattled areas.