Iran 'Setting Up' Hezbollah-like Proxy in Syria to Help Assad

Iran is reportedly setting up a Hezbollah-like armed force in Syria in order to help embattled President Bashar al-Assad.

The "parallel army" is to be established alongside Assad's military forces in Syria, which has been undergoing a three-year-long uprising-turned-civil war.

According to Siraj Press, the force would be well organised and trained just like the Lebanese extremist group Hezbollah, which is often seen as the long-arm of Iran.

"This army would resemble Hezbollah in Lebanon... and will gradually work on recruiting Syrians," a source was quoted as saying.

The force to be established will be so strong that it will survive even if the Assad regime is uprooted.

Local reports also suggest Iran's Commander of Qods Force General Qassem Suleimani is overseeing Tehran's latest project.

Iran has long been accused of forming a Shiite-dominated axis in the raging conflict zone with Assad and Hezbollah being the partners.

Speculation about the latest project comes at a time when Assad is finding it difficult to recruit more fighters for his army.