Putin’s forces were there more for PR purposes and had a fairly minimal presence. Hezbollah were the biggest contingent holding up the crumbling Asad regime as part of the Iranian commitment to upholding the Syrian regime. Turkey were holding HTS off while hoping to form better relations with the Asad regime, but Asad dragged his heels and Erdogan essentially paved the way. The Asad regime has just melted away with each contact HTS made.

The Free Syrian Army (FSA) are now reanimated and SDR (essentially the PKK/YPG) continue to hold Raqqa. The Asad regime now just hold the nominally alawite territorries.

  • LT42 replied to this.

    Asad not to be confused with the 80’s reggae band, Aswad.

    whatever yeah there are a lot of pieces at play here. Erdoğan is using the idea of a future Kurdish autonomous zone for his own political gambit, handing over the North of Syria to the SNA confirms this. The fighting up there between the Turks/SNA and Assad’s forces for the last 12 months has been brutal. Just waiting for Trump to take credit for all this and claim this is because he rang up Assad and told him how big his red button is, not a euphemism btw.

        Hursty It would appear so. He obvs doesn’t have the resources to fight a war there too or at least support one. The Russians began moving their equipment and troops out of Khmeimim airbase on Friday. A Russian transport plane did leave the airbase for Damascus, whether Assad was on it when it left Damascus is anyones guess.

          LT42 how big his red button is

          Not to mention the old ‘pussy grabber’s’ itchy trigger finger.

          (Trump’s, not Hursty’s).

            Israeli army now pushing over the Southern Syrian border.

            Statement from Col. Avichay Adraee directed at several villages in the area “The fighting in your area is forcing the IDF to act and we do not intend to harm you.” I think its fair to say things are changing in the Middle East.

            • Amps replied to this.

              LT42 we do not intend to harm you

              I’m sure they’ve all taken him at his word. BBQs on the front lawn from Daraa to Damascus.

              • LT42 replied to this.

                  Amps he ends with this - “For your safety, you must stay at home and not go out until further notice,”

                  They’re reclaiming the buffer zone because a UN outpost came under attack from “unidentified gunmen” this morning. There’s tons of weaponry in the area and in the coming weeks it may be an open market for all kinds of Jihadis to move into and around.

                  • Amps replied to this.

                      Its been reported now that the airstrikes this afternoon on Damascus were carried out by Israel. They targeted buildings used by the Iranians to develop missiles apparently, one being a major security complex.

                      LT42 For your safety

                      How reassuring.

                        Land. Grab.

                        • LT42 replied to this.

                          Israel surrounding Damascus?

                          You cannot be Syria’s.

                          And that’s why they call me OLB!

                          Israel surrounding Damascus?

                          You cannot be Syria’s.

                          And that’s why they call me OLB!

                          Not sure which was better the first or second joke there

                          [unknown] as much as I hate those red sea pedestrian bullies, this is all fake.

                          Amps as much as I hate those red sea pedestrian bullies, this is all fake