SYRIA THREAD TIME!!!!!!!

WOOOO!!

But yeah.


Seriously Syria thread right now. 

So, how is Assad faring as of right now?

And do you think Russia going down the shitter is going to screw things up for assad even more?

So, how is Assad faring as of right now?

And do you think Russia going down the shitter is going to screw things up for assad even more?

Well, the SAA recently had to give up a major base in Idlib Governorate to al-Nusra militants just a few days ago. Most of them were able to flee to the south though. It's still an unsustainable stalemate for Assad though, and Russia's/Iran's economic woes aren't going to help him.

So, how is Assad faring as of right now?

And do you think Russia going down the shitter is going to screw things up for assad even more?

Well, the SAA recently had to give up a major base in Idlib Governorate to al-Nusra militants just a few days ago. Most of them were able to flee to the south though. It's still an unsustainable stalemate for Assad though, and Russia's/Iran's economic woes aren't going to help him.

Damn :/

So, how is Assad faring as of right now?

And do you think Russia going down the shitter is going to screw things up for assad even more?

Well, the SAA recently had to give up a major base in Idlib Governorate to al-Nusra militants just a few days ago. Most of them were able to flee to the south though. It's still an unsustainable stalemate for Assad though, and Russia's/Iran's economic woes aren't going to help him.

Damn :/

No reason to act like that. I've been reading a lot of interesting stuff about Mr. Assad recently....

Interesting in a bad way of course.

He's had this coming for a while. I just feel bad for the soldiers in the SAA who think they're defending their country, and are actually defending the throne of a tyrant. I hope that there's a coup in the Syrian Government and the new government would be willing to compromise. Too many interesting things about Assad to explain in a single paragraph...

So is ISIS still gaining ground after their loss at Kobani?

So is ISIS still gaining ground after their loss at Kobani?

Not really. Not in Syria at least. They tried to attack a major air force base in Deir ez-Zor a week ago, and prison rape isn't enough to describe what the Syrian Army did to them.

And they're getting prison raped by the Peshmerga as well. They're just gaining insignificant amounts of ground against the Iraqi Army which is still regrouping from their losses in June/August.

So, how is Assad faring as of right now?

And do you think Russia going down the shitter is going to screw things up for assad even more?

Well, the SAA recently had to give up a major base in Idlib Governorate to al-Nusra militants just a few days ago. Most of them were able to flee to the south though. It's still an unsustainable stalemate for Assad though, and Russia's/Iran's economic woes aren't going to help him.

Damn :/

No reason to act like that. I've been reading a lot of interesting stuff about Mr. Assad recently....

Interesting in a bad way of course.

He's had this coming for a while. I just feel bad for the soldiers in the SAA who think they're defending their country, and are actually defending the throne of a tyrant. I hope that there's a coup in the Syrian Government and the new government would be willing to compromise. Too many interesting things about Assad to explain in a single paragraph...

Hmm, well take your time <.<

If Assad is indeed worse than he is made out to be already, then I'm open to hearing it out. >.>

So, how is Assad faring as of right now?

And do you think Russia going down the shitter is going to screw things up for assad even more?

Well, the SAA recently had to give up a major base in Idlib Governorate to al-Nusra militants just a few days ago. Most of them were able to flee to the south though. It's still an unsustainable stalemate for Assad though, and Russia's/Iran's economic woes aren't going to help him.

Damn :/

No reason to act like that. I've been reading a lot of interesting stuff about Mr. Assad recently....

Interesting in a bad way of course.

He's had this coming for a while. I just feel bad for the soldiers in the SAA who think they're defending their country, and are actually defending the throne of a tyrant. I hope that there's a coup in the Syrian Government and the new government would be willing to compromise. Too many interesting things about Assad to explain in a single paragraph...

Hmm, well take your time <.<

If Assad is indeed worse than he is made out to be already, then I'm open to hearing it out. >.>

This is the same story as other Middle Eastern dictators. I was reading some stories of the incredible repression going back in the days of his father, Comrade Hafiz al-Assad. It was really bad. Arbitrary executions, no rights, disappearances, and the people really had no dignity whatsoever. And this went on for 30 years.

Then when Bashar took power in 2000, he promised reforms and he said that Syria would become a democratic country, and there was lots of political debate, and big discussions going on in Syria for a year or so. That is.... until he was manipulated by some of his family members to revert back to the police state back in the days of Hafiz. Since 2001, he's pretty much been as bad as his father was, minus any economic growth back from the days of his father to even partially justify the repression.

So the uprising was fairly predictable. The people were pissed. So they went out on the streets to demand from Assad to even just implement the reforms he promised back in 2000. How crazy does that sound? Assad could have still been living comfortably in his shiny palace as a respectable statesman if he just gave the Syrian people the dignity they've been wanting for over 40 years.

The fact that he rigged the uprising from the start to transform into a Sunni vs Shia/Christian/Minorities conflict just shows how much he is willing to sacrifice just to stay in power. His Government barely controls 30% of the country's land, and the economy is totally wrecked, yet I think that he's happier having it like this than if he actually had to listen to the protestors' demands back in 2011. There's lots more to this, but I'd rather not spend my 69 hours typing up a goddamn essay.

tl;dr Assad rigged the game from the start so it'd become as it is now

Any secular dictator is better than an Islamic fundamentalist regime.

Any secular dictator is better than an Islamic fundamentalist regime.

And that's exactly what Assad wants you to believe. That's literally his entire basis of support. "It's either us or else the minorities are going to be killed."

Of course he's excluding the part that his policies led directly to this "choice" between a secular dictator and an Islamic fundamentalist regime.

Defeated ISIS in Deir e-Azzor.
Encirclement of Aleppo is underway with the Rebels retreating from there.

Idlib is kind of far which seems to be why they are retreating from there after the loss of a couple bases. Those bases were under siege for around 2 years, and Nusra has started to carve out their own territory here and there kicking out other rebel groups if necessary. Also a couple tanks captured.

Honestly it seems like the SAA is consolidating power and strength in the South and the East of the country, while allowing themselves to lose a couple land in the east.  Alot of the rebel groups have started to accept ceasefires and the likes. Still to far away to see what will be the result but it seems that if the SAA finish the encirclement of Aleppo and win they will have alot of troops to free up that can be used elsewhere.

Also look out for a couple Generals.
One is nicknamed the Tiger
another is General Zahareddin who held of the ISIS onslaught on Deir-e-Azor.

Actually for the latest check out Petolucem's twitter.
Link It has new maps that are the closest to the real deal although pro-SAA.

Honestly the war right now is between Nusra and IF, ISIS and Assad. All other rebel groups are as good as gone.

So, how is Assad faring as of right now?

And do you think Russia going down the shitter is going to screw things up for assad even more?

Well, the SAA recently had to give up a major base in Idlib Governorate to al-Nusra militants just a few days ago. Most of them were able to flee to the south though. It's still an unsustainable stalemate for Assad though, and Russia's/Iran's economic woes aren't going to help him.

Damn :/

No reason to act like that. I've been reading a lot of interesting stuff about Mr. Assad recently....

Interesting in a bad way of course.

He's had this coming for a while. I just feel bad for the soldiers in the SAA who think they're defending their country, and are actually defending the throne of a tyrant. I hope that there's a coup in the Syrian Government and the new government would be willing to compromise. Too many interesting things about Assad to explain in a single paragraph...

Hmm, well take your time <.<

If Assad is indeed worse than he is made out to be already, then I'm open to hearing it out. >.>

This is the same story as other Middle Eastern dictators. I was reading some stories of the incredible repression going back in the days of his father, Comrade Hafiz al-Assad. It was really bad. Arbitrary executions, no rights, disappearances, and the people really had no dignity whatsoever. And this went on for 30 years.

Then when Bashar took power in 2000, he promised reforms and he said that Syria would become a democratic country, and there was lots of political debate, and big discussions going on in Syria for a year or so. That is.... until he was manipulated by some of his family members to revert back to the police state back in the days of Hafiz. Since 2001, he's pretty much been as bad as his father was, minus any economic growth back from the days of his father to even partially justify the repression.

So the uprising was fairly predictable. The people were pissed. So they went out on the streets to demand from Assad to even just implement the reforms he promised back in 2000. How crazy does that sound? Assad could have still been living comfortably in his shiny palace as a respectable statesman if he just gave the Syrian people the dignity they've been wanting for over 40 years.

The fact that he rigged the uprising from the start to transform into a Sunni vs Shia/Christian/Minorities conflict just shows how much he is willing to sacrifice just to stay in power. His Government barely controls 30% of the country's land, and the economy is totally wrecked, yet I think that he's happier having it like this than if he actually had to listen to the protestors' demands back in 2011. There's lots more to this, but I'd rather not spend my 69 hours typing up a goddamn essay.

tl;dr Assad rigged the game from the start so it'd become as it is now

Well fuck...

Defeated ISIS in Deir e-Azzor.
Encirclement of Aleppo is underway with the Rebels retreating from there.

Idlib is kind of far which seems to be why they are retreating from there after the loss of a couple bases. Those bases were under siege for around 2 years, and have started to carve out their own territory here and there kicking out other rebel groups if necessary. Also a couple tanks captured.

Honestly it seems like the SAA is consolidating power and strength in the South and the East of the country, while allowing themselves to lose a couple land in the east.  Alot of the rebel groups have started to accept ceasefires and the likes. Still to far away to see what will be the result but it seems that if the SAA finish the encirclement of Aleppo and win they will have alot of troops to free up that can be used elsewhere.

Also look out for a couple Generals.
One is nicknamed the Tiger
another is General Zahareddin who held of the ISIS onslaught on Deir-e-Azor.

Actually for the latest check out Petolucem's twitter.
Link It has new maps that are the closest to the real deal although pro-SAA.

On the contrary to the impending siege of Aleppo... The Rebels will likely fight tooth and nail to try to break the encirclement of Aleppo, so the SAA will likely need all the troops they can get there. And the SAA literally has a single supply line between Hama and Aleppo. There's literally nothing stopping ISIS or the Rebels from cutting off that supply route and royally fucking over the SAA. And in the South (mainly Daara), they've been losing tons of ground to the Rebels there.

So, how is Assad faring as of right now?

And do you think Russia going down the shitter is going to screw things up for assad even more?

Well, the SAA recently had to give up a major base in Idlib Governorate to al-Nusra militants just a few days ago. Most of them were able to flee to the south though. It's still an unsustainable stalemate for Assad though, and Russia's/Iran's economic woes aren't going to help him.

Damn :/

No reason to act like that. I've been reading a lot of interesting stuff about Mr. Assad recently....

Interesting in a bad way of course.

He's had this coming for a while. I just feel bad for the soldiers in the SAA who think they're defending their country, and are actually defending the throne of a tyrant. I hope that there's a coup in the Syrian Government and the new government would be willing to compromise. Too many interesting things about Assad to explain in a single paragraph...

Hmm, well take your time <.<

If Assad is indeed worse than he is made out to be already, then I'm open to hearing it out. >.>

This is the same story as other Middle Eastern dictators. I was reading some stories of the incredible repression going back in the days of his father, Comrade Hafiz al-Assad. It was really bad. Arbitrary executions, no rights, disappearances, and the people really had no dignity whatsoever. And this went on for 30 years.

Then when Bashar took power in 2000, he promised reforms and he said that Syria would become a democratic country, and there was lots of political debate, and big discussions going on in Syria for a year or so. That is.... until he was manipulated by some of his family members to revert back to the police state back in the days of Hafiz. Since 2001, he's pretty much been as bad as his father was, minus any economic growth back from the days of his father to even partially justify the repression.

So the uprising was fairly predictable. The people were pissed. So they went out on the streets to demand from Assad to even just implement the reforms he promised back in 2000. How crazy does that sound? Assad could have still been living comfortably in his shiny palace as a respectable statesman if he just gave the Syrian people the dignity they've been wanting for over 40 years.

The fact that he rigged the uprising from the start to transform into a Sunni vs Shia/Christian/Minorities conflict just shows how much he is willing to sacrifice just to stay in power. His Government barely controls 30% of the country's land, and the economy is totally wrecked, yet I think that he's happier having it like this than if he actually had to listen to the protestors' demands back in 2011. There's lots more to this, but I'd rather not spend my 69 hours typing up a goddamn essay.

tl;dr Assad rigged the game from the start so it'd become as it is now

Well fuck...

Yep, that's the typical reaction I have when I figure out an idol of mine isn't who I think they are. :/

Sort of funny how easily Assad could have completely avoided the war going on. Pff..

Defeated ISIS in Deir e-Azzor.
Encirclement of Aleppo is underway with the Rebels retreating from there.

Idlib is kind of far which seems to be why they are retreating from there after the loss of a couple bases. Those bases were under siege for around 2 years, and have started to carve out their own territory here and there kicking out other rebel groups if necessary. Also a couple tanks captured.

Honestly it seems like the SAA is consolidating power and strength in the South and the East of the country, while allowing themselves to lose a couple land in the east.  Alot of the rebel groups have started to accept ceasefires and the likes. Still to far away to see what will be the result but it seems that if the SAA finish the encirclement of Aleppo and win they will have alot of troops to free up that can be used elsewhere.

Also look out for a couple Generals.
One is nicknamed the Tiger
another is General Zahareddin who held of the ISIS onslaught on Deir-e-Azor.

Actually for the latest check out Petolucem's twitter.
Link It has new maps that are the closest to the real deal although pro-SAA.

On the contrary to the impending siege of Aleppo... The Rebels will likely fight tooth and nail to try to break the encirclement of Aleppo, so the SAA will likely need all the troops they can get there. And the SAA literally has a single supply line between Hama and Aleppo. There's literally nothing stopping ISIS or the Rebels from cutting off that supply route and royally fucking over the SAA. And in the South (mainly Daara), they've been losing tons of ground to the Rebels there.

Actually ISIS and the SAA front has been quiet.

There are also reports and verified that Rebels have retreated from Aleppo. Not one but many groups and the only groups that remained are the Islamic Front. The game has changed from last year and honestly the SAA has made many successful pushes around Aleppo and other parts of the city. Honestly they have given up reinforcing some spots of the country like Idlib which is deep in Rebel territory to finish other fronts like Aleppo.
The progress by the SAA recently
Some discussion

Also Damascus

Shows that the SAA has made strides especially with a couple Truces.

Defeated ISIS in Deir e-Azzor.
Encirclement of Aleppo is underway with the Rebels retreating from there.

Idlib is kind of far which seems to be why they are retreating from there after the loss of a couple bases. Those bases were under siege for around 2 years, and have started to carve out their own territory here and there kicking out other rebel groups if necessary. Also a couple tanks captured.

Honestly it seems like the SAA is consolidating power and strength in the South and the East of the country, while allowing themselves to lose a couple land in the east.  Alot of the rebel groups have started to accept ceasefires and the likes. Still to far away to see what will be the result but it seems that if the SAA finish the encirclement of Aleppo and win they will have alot of troops to free up that can be used elsewhere.

Also look out for a couple Generals.
One is nicknamed the Tiger
another is General Zahareddin who held of the ISIS onslaught on Deir-e-Azor.

Actually for the latest check out Petolucem's twitter.
Link It has new maps that are the closest to the real deal although pro-SAA.

On the contrary to the impending siege of Aleppo... The Rebels will likely fight tooth and nail to try to break the encirclement of Aleppo, so the SAA will likely need all the troops they can get there. And the SAA literally has a single supply line between Hama and Aleppo. There's literally nothing stopping ISIS or the Rebels from cutting off that supply route and royally fucking over the SAA. And in the South (mainly Daara), they've been losing tons of ground to the Rebels there.

Actually ISIS and the SAA front has been quiet.

There are also reports and verified that Rebels have retreated from Aleppo. Not one but many groups and the only groups that remained are the Islamic Front. The game has changed from last year and honestly the SAA has made many successful pushes around Aleppo and other parts of the city. Honestly they have given up reinforcing some spots of the country like Idlib which is deep in Rebel territory to finish other fronts like Aleppo.
The progress by the SAA recently
Some discussion

Also Damascus

Shows that the SAA has made strides especially with a couple Truces.

Problem with the SAA is that they're trying to be everywhere at once. They may be able to bring overwhelming force to 2 or so fronts at a time, but that'd just leave the flanks for 10 other fronts open which the Rebels can easily exploit. If you compare maps from 2012 to maps now, the SAA has lost a TON of ground and I don't see them being able to retake that ground.

Defeated ISIS in Deir e-Azzor.
Encirclement of Aleppo is underway with the Rebels retreating from there.

Idlib is kind of far which seems to be why they are retreating from there after the loss of a couple bases. Those bases were under siege for around 2 years, and have started to carve out their own territory here and there kicking out other rebel groups if necessary. Also a couple tanks captured.

Honestly it seems like the SAA is consolidating power and strength in the South and the East of the country, while allowing themselves to lose a couple land in the east.  Alot of the rebel groups have started to accept ceasefires and the likes. Still to far away to see what will be the result but it seems that if the SAA finish the encirclement of Aleppo and win they will have alot of troops to free up that can be used elsewhere.

Also look out for a couple Generals.
One is nicknamed the Tiger
another is General Zahareddin who held of the ISIS onslaught on Deir-e-Azor.

Actually for the latest check out Petolucem's twitter.
Link It has new maps that are the closest to the real deal although pro-SAA.

On the contrary to the impending siege of Aleppo... The Rebels will likely fight tooth and nail to try to break the encirclement of Aleppo, so the SAA will likely need all the troops they can get there. And the SAA literally has a single supply line between Hama and Aleppo. There's literally nothing stopping ISIS or the Rebels from cutting off that supply route and royally fucking over the SAA. And in the South (mainly Daara), they've been losing tons of ground to the Rebels there.

Actually ISIS and the SAA front has been quiet.

There are also reports and verified that Rebels have retreated from Aleppo. Not one but many groups and the only groups that remained are the Islamic Front. The game has changed from last year and honestly the SAA has made many successful pushes around Aleppo and other parts of the city. Honestly they have given up reinforcing some spots of the country like Idlib which is deep in Rebel territory to finish other fronts like Aleppo.
The progress by the SAA recently
Some discussion

Also Damascus

Shows that the SAA has made strides especially with a couple Truces.

Problem with the SAA is that they're trying to be everywhere at once. They may be able to bring overwhelming force to 2 or so fronts at a time, but that'd just leave the flanks for 10 other fronts open which the Rebels can easily exploit. If you compare maps from 2012 to maps now, the SAA has lost a TON of ground and I don't see them being able to retake that ground.

Actually there is a belief that they have given up on Idlib and focused on Aleppo. Once the encirclement is reached they may try to hammer the Rebels into a truce and then once that front is close they move elsewhere.
Link to one of the battles

It is noticed how they are stretched but it is known that they push one front and make some gains then lose on another front. I feel like that the ISIS front may quieten down now especially after the dismal assault on Deir-e-Azor and the strong push by the YPG and the PKK. Also it is weird because ISIS instead of attacking SAA has started to focus on the Rebels in the battle of Aleppo.

Any secular dictator is better than an Islamic fundamentalist regime.

And that's exactly what Assad wants you to believe. That's literally his entire basis of support. "It's either us or else the minorities are going to be killed."

Of course he's excluding the part that his policies led directly to this "choice" between a secular dictator and an Islamic fundamentalist regime.

He's not lying, though. It *is* a choice between secular assholes and religious loony assholes.

Between the two I think I'll side with the guys who aren't taping beheadings of civilians.

I'd like an elaboration of your claim that Assad set this whole thing up. It's interesting.

Defeated ISIS in Deir e-Azzor.
Encirclement of Aleppo is underway with the Rebels retreating from there.

Idlib is kind of far which seems to be why they are retreating from there after the loss of a couple bases. Those bases were under siege for around 2 years, and have started to carve out their own territory here and there kicking out other rebel groups if necessary. Also a couple tanks captured.

Honestly it seems like the SAA is consolidating power and strength in the South and the East of the country, while allowing themselves to lose a couple land in the east.  Alot of the rebel groups have started to accept ceasefires and the likes. Still to far away to see what will be the result but it seems that if the SAA finish the encirclement of Aleppo and win they will have alot of troops to free up that can be used elsewhere.

Also look out for a couple Generals.
One is nicknamed the Tiger
another is General Zahareddin who held of the ISIS onslaught on Deir-e-Azor.

Actually for the latest check out Petolucem's twitter.
Link It has new maps that are the closest to the real deal although pro-SAA.

On the contrary to the impending siege of Aleppo... The Rebels will likely fight tooth and nail to try to break the encirclement of Aleppo, so the SAA will likely need all the troops they can get there. And the SAA literally has a single supply line between Hama and Aleppo. There's literally nothing stopping ISIS or the Rebels from cutting off that supply route and royally fucking over the SAA. And in the South (mainly Daara), they've been losing tons of ground to the Rebels there.

Actually ISIS and the SAA front has been quiet.

There are also reports and verified that Rebels have retreated from Aleppo. Not one but many groups and the only groups that remained are the Islamic Front. The game has changed from last year and honestly the SAA has made many successful pushes around Aleppo and other parts of the city. Honestly they have given up reinforcing some spots of the country like Idlib which is deep in Rebel territory to finish other fronts like Aleppo.
The progress by the SAA recently
Some discussion

Also Damascus

Shows that the SAA has made strides especially with a couple Truces.

Problem with the SAA is that they're trying to be everywhere at once. They may be able to bring overwhelming force to 2 or so fronts at a time, but that'd just leave the flanks for 10 other fronts open which the Rebels can easily exploit. If you compare maps from 2012 to maps now, the SAA has lost a TON of ground and I don't see them being able to retake that ground.

Actually there is a belief that they have given up on Idlib and focused on Aleppo. Once the encirclement is reached they may try to hammer the Rebels into a truce and then once that front is close they move elsewhere.
Link to one of the battles

It is noticed how they are stretched but it is known that they push one front and make some gains then lose on another front. I feel like that the ISIS front may quieten down now especially after the dismal assault on Deir-e-Azor and the strong push by the YPG and the PKK. Also it is weird because ISIS instead of attacking SAA has started to focus on the Rebels in the battle of Aleppo.

Unfortunately the SAA is spread too think to exploit the Islamic State's demise, and almost all of the resources which make the country viable are in the East. Almost all of the oil is in Deir ez-Zor Governate (which ISIS controls 99% of), and ISIS controls practically the entire Euphrates River in Syria (which is amazing farmland) minus Deir ez-Zor itself, which is a pile of rubble.

Any secular dictator is better than an Islamic fundamentalist regime.

And that's exactly what Assad wants you to believe. That's literally his entire basis of support. "It's either us or else the minorities are going to be killed."

Of course he's excluding the part that his policies led directly to this "choice" between a secular dictator and an Islamic fundamentalist regime.

He's not lying, though. It *is* a choice between secular assholes and religious loony assholes.

Between the two I think I'll side with the guys who aren't taping beheadings of civilians.

I'd like an elaboration of your claim that Assad set this whole thing up. It's interesting.

Well, sometimes, the best solutions are the ones which aren't obviously.

If the Jihadis win, well. That's obviously bad.

And if Assad wins, he'll just continue the same brutal rule which lead to the Assad vs Jihadi "choice" to begin with. And one that'll repeat until the Jihadis win.

Neither option is acceptable since they both lead to the Jihadis winning.

Defeated ISIS in Deir e-Azzor.
Encirclement of Aleppo is underway with the Rebels retreating from there.

Idlib is kind of far which seems to be why they are retreating from there after the loss of a couple bases. Those bases were under siege for around 2 years, and have started to carve out their own territory here and there kicking out other rebel groups if necessary. Also a couple tanks captured.

Honestly it seems like the SAA is consolidating power and strength in the South and the East of the country, while allowing themselves to lose a couple land in the east.  Alot of the rebel groups have started to accept ceasefires and the likes. Still to far away to see what will be the result but it seems that if the SAA finish the encirclement of Aleppo and win they will have alot of troops to free up that can be used elsewhere.

Also look out for a couple Generals.
One is nicknamed the Tiger
another is General Zahareddin who held of the ISIS onslaught on Deir-e-Azor.

Actually for the latest check out Petolucem's twitter.
Link It has new maps that are the closest to the real deal although pro-SAA.

On the contrary to the impending siege of Aleppo... The Rebels will likely fight tooth and nail to try to break the encirclement of Aleppo, so the SAA will likely need all the troops they can get there. And the SAA literally has a single supply line between Hama and Aleppo. There's literally nothing stopping ISIS or the Rebels from cutting off that supply route and royally fucking over the SAA. And in the South (mainly Daara), they've been losing tons of ground to the Rebels there.

Actually ISIS and the SAA front has been quiet.

There are also reports and verified that Rebels have retreated from Aleppo. Not one but many groups and the only groups that remained are the Islamic Front. The game has changed from last year and honestly the SAA has made many successful pushes around Aleppo and other parts of the city. Honestly they have given up reinforcing some spots of the country like Idlib which is deep in Rebel territory to finish other fronts like Aleppo.
The progress by the SAA recently
Some discussion

Also Damascus

Shows that the SAA has made strides especially with a couple Truces.

Problem with the SAA is that they're trying to be everywhere at once. They may be able to bring overwhelming force to 2 or so fronts at a time, but that'd just leave the flanks for 10 other fronts open which the Rebels can easily exploit. If you compare maps from 2012 to maps now, the SAA has lost a TON of ground and I don't see them being able to retake that ground.

Actually there is a belief that they have given up on Idlib and focused on Aleppo. Once the encirclement is reached they may try to hammer the Rebels into a truce and then once that front is close they move elsewhere.
Link to one of the battles

It is noticed how they are stretched but it is known that they push one front and make some gains then lose on another front. I feel like that the ISIS front may quieten down now especially after the dismal assault on Deir-e-Azor and the strong push by the YPG and the PKK. Also it is weird because ISIS instead of attacking SAA has started to focus on the Rebels in the battle of Aleppo.

Unfortunately the SAA is spread too think to exploit the Islamic State's demise, and almost all of the resources which make the country viable are in the East. Almost all of the oil is in Deir ez-Zor Governate (which ISIS controls 99% of), and ISIS controls practically the entire Euphrates River in Syria (which is amazing farmland) minus Deir ez-Zor itself, which is a pile of rubble.

I would not end it there. If they are able to hold onto Deir-e-Azor for a bit that group could regain the ground. Remember the rebels and ISIS is bad in the open when facing the SAA. Also recently the SAA had made alot of grounds until ISIS made a huge push to the airport that failed. The land can be retaken slowly if necessary, and honestly if the Urban area comes under SAA control ISIS loses alot.

The SAA does not need to push the ISIS in the east only to keep that front silent for as long as they need to get rid of the FSA and the JAN groups. If they can clean up Aleppo which they can do in maybe next two to three years, then the push to the east begins. Also if south falls earlier like before the increase in manpower will be huge.

For me the battles to watch is Aleppo and the South, if those two fall to the SAA in a year then well the Idlib will be next because honestly ISIS will be battered by then with no force to defend with.

Defeated ISIS in Deir e-Azzor.
Encirclement of Aleppo is underway with the Rebels retreating from there.

Idlib is kind of far which seems to be why they are retreating from there after the loss of a couple bases. Those bases were under siege for around 2 years, and have started to carve out their own territory here and there kicking out other rebel groups if necessary. Also a couple tanks captured.

Honestly it seems like the SAA is consolidating power and strength in the South and the East of the country, while allowing themselves to lose a couple land in the east.  Alot of the rebel groups have started to accept ceasefires and the likes. Still to far away to see what will be the result but it seems that if the SAA finish the encirclement of Aleppo and win they will have alot of troops to free up that can be used elsewhere.

Also look out for a couple Generals.
One is nicknamed the Tiger
another is General Zahareddin who held of the ISIS onslaught on Deir-e-Azor.

Actually for the latest check out Petolucem's twitter.
Link It has new maps that are the closest to the real deal although pro-SAA.

On the contrary to the impending siege of Aleppo... The Rebels will likely fight tooth and nail to try to break the encirclement of Aleppo, so the SAA will likely need all the troops they can get there. And the SAA literally has a single supply line between Hama and Aleppo. There's literally nothing stopping ISIS or the Rebels from cutting off that supply route and royally fucking over the SAA. And in the South (mainly Daara), they've been losing tons of ground to the Rebels there.

Actually ISIS and the SAA front has been quiet.

There are also reports and verified that Rebels have retreated from Aleppo. Not one but many groups and the only groups that remained are the Islamic Front. The game has changed from last year and honestly the SAA has made many successful pushes around Aleppo and other parts of the city. Honestly they have given up reinforcing some spots of the country like Idlib which is deep in Rebel territory to finish other fronts like Aleppo.
The progress by the SAA recently
Some discussion

Also Damascus

Shows that the SAA has made strides especially with a couple Truces.

Problem with the SAA is that they're trying to be everywhere at once. They may be able to bring overwhelming force to 2 or so fronts at a time, but that'd just leave the flanks for 10 other fronts open which the Rebels can easily exploit. If you compare maps from 2012 to maps now, the SAA has lost a TON of ground and I don't see them being able to retake that ground.

Actually there is a belief that they have given up on Idlib and focused on Aleppo. Once the encirclement is reached they may try to hammer the Rebels into a truce and then once that front is close they move elsewhere.
Link to one of the battles

It is noticed how they are stretched but it is known that they push one front and make some gains then lose on another front. I feel like that the ISIS front may quieten down now especially after the dismal assault on Deir-e-Azor and the strong push by the YPG and the PKK. Also it is weird because ISIS instead of attacking SAA has started to focus on the Rebels in the battle of Aleppo.

Unfortunately the SAA is spread too think to exploit the Islamic State's demise, and almost all of the resources which make the country viable are in the East. Almost all of the oil is in Deir ez-Zor Governate (which ISIS controls 99% of), and ISIS controls practically the entire Euphrates River in Syria (which is amazing farmland) minus Deir ez-Zor itself, which is a pile of rubble.

I would not end it there. If they are able to hold onto Deir-e-Azor for a bit that group could regain the ground. Remember the rebels and ISIS is bad in the open when facing the SAA. Also recently the SAA had made alot of grounds until ISIS made a huge push to the airport that failed. The land can be retaken slowly if necessary, and honestly if the Urban area comes under SAA control ISIS loses alot.

The SAA does not need to push the ISIS in the east only to keep that front silent for as long as they need to get rid of the FSA and the JAN groups. If they can clean up Aleppo which they can do in maybe next two to three years, then the push to the east begins. Also if south falls earlier like before the increase in manpower will be huge.

For me the battles to watch is Aleppo and the South, if those two fall to the SAA in a year then well the Idlib will be next because honestly ISIS will be battered by then with no force to defend with.

The SAA doesn't have the strength to win in the South right now. They'd need forces from Aleppo to do that. And there's speculation that JaN will target Idlib city itself next. They did a probing attack 2 months ago, and Idlib city is the last major presence of the SAA in Idlib Governorate. If Idlib city falls, that'd completely scramble the SAA's war effort.

The SAA's campaign is pretty much a delicate sequence of events.

Honestly i personally believe that since the beginning SAA has changed slowly but changed, and become a strong anti-insurgency force. With time we will start to see them do better, and if the oil value comes back up next year well guess what? Russia is back in the game as well as Iran.

New trained units have sprung from the SAA side that have changed the game and honestly if one year is given and certain gains are made, well the SAA wins. Honestly the bases they lost in Idlib were undersieged and were expected to fall. Most of the troops retreated to SAA lines and the only if i remember SAA base in enemy lines is Deir-e-Azor. That the SAA can win maybe in a year or more. So now we have trenches.

The battles in the west and south will decide how the future will end up.

Defeated ISIS in Deir e-Azzor.
Encirclement of Aleppo is underway with the Rebels retreating from there.

Idlib is kind of far which seems to be why they are retreating from there after the loss of a couple bases. Those bases were under siege for around 2 years, and have started to carve out their own territory here and there kicking out other rebel groups if necessary. Also a couple tanks captured.

Honestly it seems like the SAA is consolidating power and strength in the South and the East of the country, while allowing themselves to lose a couple land in the east.  Alot of the rebel groups have started to accept ceasefires and the likes. Still to far away to see what will be the result but it seems that if the SAA finish the encirclement of Aleppo and win they will have alot of troops to free up that can be used elsewhere.

Also look out for a couple Generals.
One is nicknamed the Tiger
another is General Zahareddin who held of the ISIS onslaught on Deir-e-Azor.

Actually for the latest check out Petolucem's twitter.
Link It has new maps that are the closest to the real deal although pro-SAA.

On the contrary to the impending siege of Aleppo... The Rebels will likely fight tooth and nail to try to break the encirclement of Aleppo, so the SAA will likely need all the troops they can get there. And the SAA literally has a single supply line between Hama and Aleppo. There's literally nothing stopping ISIS or the Rebels from cutting off that supply route and royally fucking over the SAA. And in the South (mainly Daara), they've been losing tons of ground to the Rebels there.

Actually ISIS and the SAA front has been quiet.

There are also reports and verified that Rebels have retreated from Aleppo. Not one but many groups and the only groups that remained are the Islamic Front. The game has changed from last year and honestly the SAA has made many successful pushes around Aleppo and other parts of the city. Honestly they have given up reinforcing some spots of the country like Idlib which is deep in Rebel territory to finish other fronts like Aleppo.
The progress by the SAA recently
Some discussion

Also Damascus

Shows that the SAA has made strides especially with a couple Truces.

Problem with the SAA is that they're trying to be everywhere at once. They may be able to bring overwhelming force to 2 or so fronts at a time, but that'd just leave the flanks for 10 other fronts open which the Rebels can easily exploit. If you compare maps from 2012 to maps now, the SAA has lost a TON of ground and I don't see them being able to retake that ground.

Actually there is a belief that they have given up on Idlib and focused on Aleppo. Once the encirclement is reached they may try to hammer the Rebels into a truce and then once that front is close they move elsewhere.
Link to one of the battles

It is noticed how they are stretched but it is known that they push one front and make some gains then lose on another front. I feel like that the ISIS front may quieten down now especially after the dismal assault on Deir-e-Azor and the strong push by the YPG and the PKK. Also it is weird because ISIS instead of attacking SAA has started to focus on the Rebels in the battle of Aleppo.

Unfortunately the SAA is spread too think to exploit the Islamic State's demise, and almost all of the resources which make the country viable are in the East. Almost all of the oil is in Deir ez-Zor Governate (which ISIS controls 99% of), and ISIS controls practically the entire Euphrates River in Syria (which is amazing farmland) minus Deir ez-Zor itself, which is a pile of rubble.

I would not end it there. If they are able to hold onto Deir-e-Azor for a bit that group could regain the ground. Remember the rebels and ISIS is bad in the open when facing the SAA. Also recently the SAA had made alot of grounds until ISIS made a huge push to the airport that failed. The land can be retaken slowly if necessary, and honestly if the Urban area comes under SAA control ISIS loses alot.

The SAA does not need to push the ISIS in the east only to keep that front silent for as long as they need to get rid of the FSA and the JAN groups. If they can clean up Aleppo which they can do in maybe next two to three years, then the push to the east begins. Also if south falls earlier like before the increase in manpower will be huge.

For me the battles to watch is Aleppo and the South, if those two fall to the SAA in a year then well the Idlib will be next because honestly ISIS will be battered by then with no force to defend with.

The SAA doesn't have the strength to win in the South right now. They'd need forces from Aleppo to do that. And there's speculation that JaN will target Idlib city itself next. They did a probing attack 2 months ago, and Idlib city is the last major presence of the SAA in Idlib Governorate. If Idlib city falls, that'd completely scramble the SAA's war effort.

The SAA's campaign is pretty much a delicate sequence of events.

True, but if Aleppo is encircled then there can be troops to release south. and east.

Honestly i personally believe that since the beginning SAA has changed slowly but changed, and become a strong anti-insurgency force. With time we will start to see them do better, and if the oil value comes back up next year well guess what? Russia is back in the game as well as Iran.

New trained units have sprung from the SAA side that have changed the game and honestly if one year is given and certain gains are made, well the SAA wins. Honestly the bases they lost in Idlib were undersieged and were expected to fall. Most of the troops retreated to SAA lines and the only if i remember SAA base in enemy lines is Deir-e-Azor. That the SAA can win maybe in a year or more. So now we have trenches.

The battles in the west and south will decide how the future will end up.

I guess the SAA will never truly lose the war since Iran and Russia have made it clear that they will never allow Assad to fall...

Honestly i personally believe that since the beginning SAA has changed slowly but changed, and become a strong anti-insurgency force. With time we will start to see them do better, and if the oil value comes back up next year well guess what? Russia is back in the game as well as Iran.

New trained units have sprung from the SAA side that have changed the game and honestly if one year is given and certain gains are made, well the SAA wins. Honestly the bases they lost in Idlib were undersieged and were expected to fall. Most of the troops retreated to SAA lines and the only if i remember SAA base in enemy lines is Deir-e-Azor. That the SAA can win maybe in a year or more. So now we have trenches.

The battles in the west and south will decide how the future will end up.

I guess the SAA will never truly lose the war since Iran and Russia have made it clear that they will never allow Assad to fall...

Well they may not, the question though i have is when does the war end.

Honestly i personally believe that since the beginning SAA has changed slowly but changed, and become a strong anti-insurgency force. With time we will start to see them do better, and if the oil value comes back up next year well guess what? Russia is back in the game as well as Iran.

New trained units have sprung from the SAA side that have changed the game and honestly if one year is given and certain gains are made, well the SAA wins. Honestly the bases they lost in Idlib were undersieged and were expected to fall. Most of the troops retreated to SAA lines and the only if i remember SAA base in enemy lines is Deir-e-Azor. That the SAA can win maybe in a year or more. So now we have trenches.

The battles in the west and south will decide how the future will end up.

I guess the SAA will never truly lose the war since Iran and Russia have made it clear that they will never allow Assad to fall...

Well they may not, the question though i have is when does the war end.

I used to support Assad until I thought of this very question. The answer is that the war never ends as long as Assad remains in power. He's like Maliki. Literally having any leader other than Assad would do wonders for the broken peace process.

So, how is Assad faring as of right now?

And do you think Russia going down the shitter is going to screw things up for assad even more?

Well, the SAA recently had to give up a major base in Idlib Governorate to al-Nusra militants just a few days ago. Most of them were able to flee to the south though. It's still an unsustainable stalemate for Assad though, and Russia's/Iran's economic woes aren't going to help him.

Damn :/

No reason to act like that. I've been reading a lot of interesting stuff about Mr. Assad recently....

Interesting in a bad way of course.

He's had this coming for a while. I just feel bad for the soldiers in the SAA who think they're defending their country, and are actually defending the throne of a tyrant. I hope that there's a coup in the Syrian Government and the new government would be willing to compromise. Too many interesting things about Assad to explain in a single paragraph...

Syria is a complete mess. I mean, the FSA is pretty bad, now there's ISIS in Rakka and screwing shit up in the war, with other militant groups joining the fight from everywhere (Al Queda, Chechen fighters, other militant groups), the SAA, and the Kurds. The SAA are fighting for their country, but at the same time for a bad regime. The FSA are fighting against the regime, but for a bad outcome. Right now it seems like the only real "good guys" would be the Kurds who are just trying to defend themselves in their little pocket of land. I feel bad for the civilians caught in between it all though.

So, how is Assad faring as of right now?

And do you think Russia going down the shitter is going to screw things up for assad even more?

Well, the SAA recently had to give up a major base in Idlib Governorate to al-Nusra militants just a few days ago. Most of them were able to flee to the south though. It's still an unsustainable stalemate for Assad though, and Russia's/Iran's economic woes aren't going to help him.

Damn :/

No reason to act like that. I've been reading a lot of interesting stuff about Mr. Assad recently....

Interesting in a bad way of course.

He's had this coming for a while. I just feel bad for the soldiers in the SAA who think they're defending their country, and are actually defending the throne of a tyrant. I hope that there's a coup in the Syrian Government and the new government would be willing to compromise. Too many interesting things about Assad to explain in a single paragraph...

Syria is a complete mess. I mean, the FSA is pretty bad, now there's ISIS in Rakka and screwing shit up in the war, with other militant groups joining the fight from everywhere (Al Queda, Chechen fighters, other militant groups), the SAA, and the Kurds. The SAA are fighting for their country, but at the same time for a bad regime. The FSA are fighting against the regime, but for a bad outcome. Right now it seems like the only real "good guys" would be the Kurds who are just trying to defend themselves in their little pocket of land. I feel bad for the civilians caught in between it all though.

If the West could manage to find a way to intervene and rally the SAA, FSA, and the more moderate Islamic Front fighters (the good ones fighting for their country/for freedom and not the sociopaths and extremists) to their cause, that'd be far more favorable than siding with any one faction totally. A sudden Assad Regime collapse would be a really bad thing in the short-term, and I think that's why the US is giving only enough support to the FSA to keep them relevant.