Iranian soldier killed in mine explosion in Syria

ANKARA

An Iranian soldier was killed in a mine explosion in Syria, Iran's state-run television said on Friday.

The soldier, Reza Safdari, was working as a "military consultant" within the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria. Location of the explosion and the rank of the soldier were not disclosed.

A funeral ceremony for Safdari, who died on Thursday, will be held Saturday in Mianeh, his hometown in East Azerbaijan province.

Iran describes its military presence in Syria as advisors, not combat forces.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat