The End of Assad? Syrian Rebels enter the outskirts of Aleppo for the first time since 2016

I thought Assad was relatively non religious. He spent a lot of time in London, and his wife grew up there. I wouldn't have thought an Islamic country would be their cup of tea for either of them - am I wrong on that?

(Of course he may not have a choice, longer term, but I'm surprised you think he'd be "more at home" there. But I don't actually know, TBH)

There's no way I can see the territory of Syria become a stable and peaceful entity in anything like the short term. I really hope I'm wrong on that, but the way I see it, HTS will at least look to extend its control across the entire territory and that will invariably entail more bloody fighting.

Not sure the Kurds in the north of the country are sleeping too easy right now, considering a renewed effort to target them will most likely take place and noises from Trump's camp say that Syria is not the US's war to wage, so they may see their support dry up, there.

Well he is an actual doctor.

This is the final death throw of the dream of a united socialist Arab world. I'd imagine the Ba'ath part is now also kaput.

Russian bases and diplomatic buildings granted safety in Syria. Early days still.

[delete]

I sure as hell wouldn't like to be the one trying to sell the idea of Russians returning to Syria under any guise, that's one point that all the factions will be in agreement with. Like in Ukraine with their murderous destruction, the Russians are hated, same as with Assad.

Thinking of Moscow Mick and Kremlin Clare tonight. Rejected by the electorate, now their buddy Assad is gone. Imagine if the Mad Mullahs got the boot in Tehran, they’d be running out of causes to support.

This is another consequence of Ukraine war.

No doubt if Russia wasn't bogged down in Ukraine, Assad would still be in power.

Nothing beats Putin constantly losing, what a major fail

In case you dont know Asad met with Putin and Erdo just before offensive started. The way and a pace the things went suggest they made some sort of a deal.

Erdo is gearing for war with Kurds and Turkish army is pouring in Syria. It is most likely that Israel extend their Golan heights holdings as they are moving deeper in Syria too. Syria is toast, Israel is taking some, Turkey is taking quite a chunk and it seems that Tartus and Lakatia provinces will become some Russian protectorate. Rest of the country will become IS 2.0

It will be interesting to see who gets oil which is currently under "US protection".

It's a kick in the pants for the Russians if they have to get out, and a complete embarrassment for Putin for being the one responsible for losing an important foothold in Syria that they've had for over fifty years starting in Soviet times. If he hadn't been so stupid as to think that taking Ukraine was going to easy-peasy he wouldn't have overstretched resources for three years, resulting in Syrian rebels getting the upper hand because the Russians were busy murdering people elsewhere.

Syria acting as a distraction from Ukraine and not pulling their soldiers and equipment from Syria to the front lines in Ukraine.

You could well be right…but while he's useful to Putin, Assad will remain in Russia, whether he likes it or not..

Don't forget Chay Bowes!