Report: Iran begins  withdrawing its forces from Syria 

Iran began withdrawing its forces from Syria today (Saturday), including senior commanders and members of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The move marks a dramatic turnaround after more than a decade in which Iran backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose regime is under significant attack from rebel forces, senior Iranian officials told The New York Times.

According to the Washinton Post Iran is also evacuating non-essential diplomatic teams and families of diplomats from Damascus.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry earlier today denied reports that the Islamic Republic had evacuated its embassy and forces from Syria: "These rumors are baseless. Iran continues its activity."

The Syrian rebels announced on Saturday that they had taken control of the entire Quneitra province and the city of Baath, which are near the Israeli border in the Golan. Despite reports of his departure, in the afternoon Syria denied reports that President Bashar al-Assad had left Damascus.