Before this, a few important things happened.
◾️CNN conducted an interview with Al Joulani, the leader of the "moderate" HTS terrorist group. He claims to have moved beyond his ISIS past and considers himself wiser now. It seems unlikely he will engage in atrocities like publicly massacring women and children again. However, it's important to remember that this individual was part of ISIS, a group responsible for the deaths of thousands of Christians and numerous terrorist attacks across Europe, resulting in hundreds of fatalities.
◾️Israel deployed additional brigades to the Syrian-Golan border, preparing for possible artillery shelling and airstrikes against Syria
What's next??
The question arises: why did Russia and Iran refrain from providing substantial support to Assad's regime during the Syrian conflict?
One primary reason is that both the Syrian army and the citizens appeared to lack a determined commitment to fighting. Unlike traditional warfare, there was no significant, organized battle taking place. Instead, footage often showed Syrian soldiers simply retreating or abandoning positions rather than engaging in combat. This lack of resolve prompted Assad's allies to question the rationale for their involvement, leading them to think, “Why should we risk our resources to fight if those on the ground aren’t willing to resist?”
In the early stages of the conflict, Russia initiated some bombing runs to demonstrate its support. However, as it became evident that the Syrian government was not putting up a strong fight, those air operations diminished significantly. Similarly, Iran explored the idea of deploying troops but ultimately decided against it, realizing the situation did not warrant such an intervention.
From Lebanon, Hezbollah, often cited as an ally, did not actually send troops into the conflict, and claims of their significant involvement were largely exaggerated. Even the various militias from Iraq that had previously shown interest in intervening halted their advance at the border, with their leaders clarifying that they would not be participating in the conflict.
Ultimately, the essence of the situation was that there was no conventional war occurring; instead, the movement of rebels towards Damascus was more akin to a capitulation of the Syrian army rather than a fierce battle for control. With such circumstances, the rationale for intervention from allies like Russia or Iran diminished, as there was no meaningful engagement or desire for conflict among the Syrian people themselves—many sought only to remove Assad rather than to engage in warfare.
In conclusion, when examining the conflict, it becomes clear that external intervention was unwarranted, given the prevailing sentiment among the population. It’s hoped that the decisions made by the people of Syria were the right ones for their future. Congratulations to them on navigating such a complex situation.
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