Do you think SAA will carry this operation out without Russian approval? So far I’ve heard Russians vetoing it.
It will be interesting either way, there are some 30-50k rebels held up in Idlib.
In Turkey there is no talk of Idlib, leading me to believe maybe the government will simply backtrack, not good.
Also interesting Pro Assad fan boys calling this the last offensive as if half the country is not invaded by YPG.
Interesting times ahead.
Russia has still some"Influence" but not enough to keep every "faction" on her side. Therefore, as things are right now... You just need few "Frustrated groups" to jump on the snowball effect.
As for TR, I really don't know,if they will backtrack or help, I think they are against the same choices as after Aleppo fall... At that Time,you had "possibilities" to extend "influence" like taking ISIS areas or later on YPG threat.
But Right now... it's quite a difficult situation... Whatever the choice TR will make... Both could push TR in even more "problematic" futures... A No man's land Border+Millions of refugees+Losing Regional influence... or Get in good and Fight against a whole block for years to come+Making many enemies+Gaining great Regional influence... (RU would not be involved)
It's a difficult choice...
@HannibalBarca Brother I want to hear your opinion of what we should do with HTS? How can we dissolve the group without compromising the power of Idlib based factions, without violating the international law by harboring them as they are listed as terrorist organization in many countries and organizations and also what should be done with their fighters per your points of view?
HTS main "resentment" against TR is her relationship+Deals that she made with HTS enemies aka RU+Allies.
That's the main critics that you read from HTS figures.
HTS are an Islamist based group... who believe to be the true and only faithful group against ASSad...
HTS,or at least it's ideology, will never go away... Therefore FIghting this Ideology in this current war situation will be a waste of time and energy...
But One way to get HTS followers in your ranks and therefore make it empty is to answer to the core critics... That is... Behaving according to the revolution, aka Fight ASSad and no Compromise.
I believe, that if TR decide to engage against ASSad, those soldiers will have no choice but to join the ranks of TR, whatever it's temporary or not... as long as their numbers sink to nothing, that group will be a minority with no more power on the ground.
But If TR backtrack and decide to let Idlib being taken, People will see FSA as weak and unreliable and will, in this moment of despair either Run to TR border or join the ranks of those who claimed "Ownership" of the battle...
As for their "International" Title... it doesn't matter... If you are on the winning side... Having Radicals or not on your side is useless...
For ASSad, being HTS or FSA or TR... doesn't matter... all Three are Terros/Invaders of Syria... As long as Whole Syria isn't back in his hand... They will continue and use any justification to move ...
Therefore removing HTS... will be the same end result... and I'm pretty sure TR knows it... That's "maybe" also why they weren't that active in fighting HTS... Since that group isn't the "problem"... in this "ASSad equation...
