Russian military officials suggested a dramatic shift in their Syrian war strategy is taking place this week, having secured a pledge of cooperation from certain unnamed secular rebel factions in Syria, who are providing them with targeting details on strikes against ISIS.
Russia had previously relied more or less entirely on intelligence from the Syrian, Iranian, and Iraqi militaries for their strikes on the ground, and the inclusion of rebel factions suggests there is growing acceptance among at least some rebels for Russian involvement in the war.
This could be a major shift, not just in giving Russia more targeting intelligence, but some de facto allies other than the Assad government, which may give a significant boost to their long-standing effort to cobble together a new “unity government” in Syria that would include secular rebels to unite against ISIS.
Russian officials said the intelligence provided by the rebels resulted in today’s strikes against Palmyra (Tadmur) in the country’s center, as well as targets in and around Deir Ezzor. The Russian defense ministry said it proved an interest in uniting against the “common enemy of international terrorism.”
I'd imagine that'd prove embarrassing to USg if that leads to a lot of progress vs. ISIS. In that case, and if USg was really fighting ISIS, why couldn't their 'moderate rebels' do the same for them? And, say, is this set motivated to share intel because they see Russia as serious, and, e.g., the 'West' as less so? And what about their attitude to fellow 'moderate rebels?' If coordination among them vs. USrael's newest witch had been lacking, could it be because they couldn't tell who USrael's moles were?
Looks like it's Russia that is recruiting some true moderate rebels.
My opinion is that the so called rebel groups are just saving their own skins.
The logic of this is that Russia's military campaign has failed. But also, it's a further indication that Putin is getting bogged down in Syria. That's why I keep saying that even if Putin "wins" he loses! If Assad goes, he will probably lose his precious naval base (or so he clearly seems to think!). If Assad stays, Putin is bogged down forever more in an unending and unwinnable war against ISIS which couls easily spread up into Russia's Caucasian empire.
Decision making for Russia in their war on Empire USA is super easy, just keep an eye on what our Empire is up to and do the reverse. For we need maximum vengeance for our war economy to grow, Russia needs maximum peace for its international economy to prosper and another day kicks on down.