US-backed rebel faction the New Syria Army suffered a major defeat yesterday, raiding the ISIS-held border town of al-Bukamal, taking some neighborhoods for a few hours, only to quickly get surrounded and routed by an ISIS ambush.
There were warnings yesterday that the operation was a “test of power,” and one that the rebels failed miserably. With the rebels struggling to reorganize after retreating in a hurry, there was considerable doubt whether they’d even retain what limited territory they had in the first place.
The rebels are trying to put on a brave face after the defeat, praising their fighters for having “successfully departed” al-Bukamal, even though initially the plan was to capture the town and they “departed” in a tremendous hurry.
Now they’re insisting that it was never the plan to take the city, but just to pick a fight with ISIS. Even if that were true, it’s hard to see what they accomplished by going to an important town and getting decisively defeated by ISIS forces.
Hard to contemplate more stalwart incompetence. Time to face the reality of the situation and the futility of using small non – indigenous mercenaries gangs to nudge the great game. They get paid. They put the pay in the bank…. When the shooting begins, they run to get their money…. It’s always the same result..!!!