Hundreds of Iranian soldiers have been withdrawn from Syria in a move that may indicate the beginning of the end of the Syrian-Iranian relationship.

Two hundred and seventy-five Revolutionary Guard forces from the elite “Unit 400” traveled back to Iran last week after months of fighting alongside the Syrian Army against the armed rebel opposition.

Western intelligence reports said the Iranian Quds soldiers flew out last week, and the order was confirmed by a relative of one of the Iranian officers stationed there.

“The move gave rise to speculation that the decision reflects both Tehran’s economic woes and its weakening faith in Assad’s ability to win the country’s 18-month long civil war,” the Times of Israel reported.

Increased economic sanctions from the West over the past several months have damaged Iran’s economy and made life harder for the average Iranian, but have done nothing to stop Iran’s nuclear program. In the past year alone, Iran has doubled the number of centrifuges that actively enrich uranium.

Whether due to economic reasons, waning enthusiasm for Syria, or both, the move to withdraw some of its support forces in Syria indicates Iran may know it’s fighting a losing battle to save Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime.

This apparent lack of support for Syria fits in with the Bible’s prophesied split in the Syria-Iran bond. “Right now, Syria is Iran’s most important regional ally,” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote last month. “But that is about to change.”

Bible prophecy indicates that despite their history of cooperation, Syrian and Iran will not be allies within the same power bloc in the end time. As the Syrian opposition continues to fight and Assad continues losing support, watch for the rift between Syria and Iran to grow.