Last week, the Syrian Army reclaimed the small town of Saraqeb, chasing out al-Qaeda from an area that was one of the earlier rebel strongholds and had been out of government control since 2011.
That’s a very important symbolic victory, reflecting the outright collapse of a secular rebellion that had finally lost the town to al-Qaeda, and the growing collapse of al-Qaeda as the military reclaims territory.
Even better than the symbolism is the practical use of the area, as Saraqeb is along the vital highway connecting Aleppo and Damascus. The highway winds through now almost entirely government-controlled parts of Idlib.
Locals weren’t happy with al-Qaeda’s Sharia courts, and may not be entirely comfortable with the return of the military. Still, many are hopeful that the ouster of the Islamists will eventually give way to post-war reforms.
What secular rebellion would that be, that lost Saraqib to al Qaeda? The “secular rebellion” that chanted “Christians to Beirut, Alawites to the grave” in 2011? The “secular rebellion” that paraded Alawite women in cages as human shields in Ghouta? The “secular rebellion” that photographed itself grilling the heads of dead Syrian soldiers? The “secular rebellion” that kicked my friend Dr Mustafa out of his house in East Aleppo because, though Sunni, he did not support the so called “secular rebellion”?
What secular rebellion?
The secular rebellion financed and supported by the USA
Every victory helps, liberating Saraqeb is important and is hopefully an indication of more victories to come.
Truly once this is done, Syria will be the pride of every Syrian who fought and died for.