What the Syrian armed opposition has achieved so far is astonishing by all standards, even if it accomplishes nothing more, or fails to liberate another inch of Syrian soil. The fact that its progress has become tangible is enough.
It suffices to say that it liberated the city of Aleppo and the entire Idlib governorate, despite the presence of Russian and Iranian adversaries, along with various sectarian militias that came from all over the world to fight the people of Syria on Assad’s behalf. Additionally, it has demonstrated discipline and openness toward Syrian people of all backgrounds.
“While the regime and its decayed army were busy with corruption and theft, these factions were preparing for liberation battles, developing themselves, and equipping themselves with drone technology”
Dr. Tarek Kteleh
Undoubtedly, the current Operation Deterrence of Aggression would not have been possible without the cooperation of a variety of diverse components, with the armed opposition factions, especially those in Idlib (despite reservations about the ideology of some of their components) as well as factions close to Turkey in the rural areas of Aleppo, playing the largest role in this liberation. While the regime and its decayed army were busy with corruption and theft, these factions were preparing for liberation battles, developing themselves, and equipping themselves with drone technology which partially compensated for their lack of air power.
Turkey has also played a major role with its support for northern Syria in general, and the armed opposition in particular. Much of this support stems from Turkey’s national security interests, in addition to the refugee problem it inherited as a result of the war in Syria.
“these developments did not happen directly or intentionally from any regional or international party to help the Syrian opposition“
Dr. Tarek Kteleh
We also cannot discount the role played by the Syrian community in America, which, with the help of President Trump in 2018, managed to protect Idlib and around four million refugees there, securing a foothold for the revolution during its weakest period. In particular, the organization Citizens for a Secure and Safe America played a role, with President Trump addressing the issue, which made front-page news in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and was the subject of a special episode on CNN.
Last but not least, the international and regional climate, along with the weakening of Russia in Ukraine and Hezbollah in Lebanon, also contributed to undermining the strength of Assad’s allies, facilitating the opposition’s task. Of course, these developments did not happen directly or intentionally from any regional or international party to help the Syrian opposition. Still, they made it easier for them to achieve the successes they have experienced with Operation Deterrence of Aggression in Syria since last Wednesday.
