The smart move for SAA would have been to retreat to a defensible position and then launch an insurgency against HTS. HTS is deemed a terrorist organisation and they do not enjoy the broad popular support like the Taliban do in Afghanistan, so they do not have the means for a protracted war or sustained conflict, meanwhile Russia can continue supplying SAA through the ports/airfields.
Wasn’t just HTS, they were being attacked from rebels in 2 other directions, from the South and Southeast. The rebels in the south had simliarly negotiated with Assad, but just a couple days ago started their offensive towards Damascus. Meanwhile cities which Assad held for years in the last civil war fell in days to HTS.
The SAA didn’t abandon equipment like the Afghan Army did when Taliban advanced. The SAA seems to have retreated with their vehicles, there is no sign of a rout.
Wasn’t just HTS, they were being attacked from rebels in 2 other directions, from the South and Southeast. The rebels in the south had simliarly negotiated with Assad, but just a couple days ago started their offensive towards Damascus. Meanwhile cities which Assad held for years in the last civil war fell in days to HTS.
https://lemmygrad.ml/post/6428801
Some of it was salvaged by crossing into the Iraq border, but I’ve seen reports that it was also abandoned. https://x.com/adam7867863/status/1864306554314342850 https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/1865594048284680445
Edit:
It’s official, Assad resigns. - Russian Foreign Ministry
https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-says-syrias-assad-has-left-country-given-orders-peaceful-power-handover-2024-12-08/
Well, I guess that’s it then.