Deserted by allies
Assad has closely relied on army, political and diplomatic assist from key allies Russia and Iran.
With their assist, he had clawed again territory misplaced after the battle erupted in 2011 with the repression of anti-government protests, and Russia’s 2015 intervention with air energy modified the tide of the warfare in Assad’s favour.
However final month’s insurgent offensive got here as Russia stays mired in its warfare in Ukraine, and its air strikes this time failed to carry again the militant-led rebels who swept up swathes of territory together with main cities Aleppo, Hama, Homs and eventually Damascus.
Assad’s different key ally Iran has lengthy supplied army advisers to Syria’s armed forces and supported pro-government armed teams on the bottom.
However Iran and its allied teams have suffered setbacks in combating with Israel for the reason that Gaza warfare erupted and hostilities ensued between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon.
Nick Heras, an analyst on the New Strains Institute, instructed AFP earlier than rebels took Damascus that “finally, the Assad authorities’s skill to outlive will rely upon the extent to which Iran and Russia see Assad as helpful to their methods within the area”.
“If both or each of these allies resolve they’ll advance their pursuits with out Assad, then his days in energy are numbered,” he added.
