Iranian Military Advisor Killed in Syria

Colonel Ahmadreza Afshari, a senior military adviser from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Air and Space Force, has died from injuries sustained during an aerial bombardment in Syria, which Iranian officials have labeled a violation of Syrian sovereignty. His injuries occurred between late July and early August, and he was later transferred to Iran for medical treatment before succumbing to his wounds. The specific country responsible for the airstrike has not been confirmed, but both the United States and Israel have conducted operations against Iran-aligned factions in Syria. This incident highlights Iran's significant military support for Syrian President Bashar Assad since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011. Meanwhile, UN envoy Nicholas Haysom has stated that South Sudan is unprepared for its first post-independence elections, scheduled for December, citing a lack of essential conditions for credible voting. Despite these challenges, the Elections Commission has begun to assess the necessary infrastructure for future elections.