Muhsen AlMustafa, a researcher assistant at the Omran Center for Strategic Studies who has been following the activities and formations of the Syrian army for years, explained that “the regime appears alone in the battle. It knew that and did not resist.” He told Al-Hurra: “Its soldiers’ morale is also broken, and they knew they were alone on the battlefield without Iranian militias or Russian forces… it is noticeable that there is a collapse in the chain of command and orders.”

He added: “The current situation resembles the collapse of regime forces at the end of 2012, when they withdrew from vast areas,” noting that the balance of the conflict only tilted back in their favor after the entry of Iranian militias on the ground and the Russian intervention in 2015. AlMustafa stated that “the Syrian regime could launch a counter-offensive,” but clarified that this “needs time.” He explained: “Practically, the Syrian regime has been shocked and is now outside the battle’s calculations. It may take months if it decides to resist.”