The US-led imperialist war bloc implemented their plan to destroy Syria step by step. In implementing the plan, the rulers' most familiar game - the "carrot and stick" tactic - was used extensively. The negotiation toolbox was opened, and containing coercion, blackmail, bribery, threats, bluffs, and generous promises.
Expanding the Front
First, the anti-Syrian coalition was strengthened. The Justice and Development Party of Turkey (AKP), which had approached Russian and Iran and participated in the Astana process, was brought into line. Turkey was promised that CAATSA sanctions imposed due to the S-400 air defense system purchased from Russia would be lifted, F-16 fighter jets would be provided to Turkey, and even that Turkey could return to the F-35 program if conditions were met. Germany would also permit the sale of Eurofighter jets to Turkey.
The promises weren't limited to the mentioned above. When the national government under Bashar Assad was overthrown, the AKP would have a say in the new Islamist government and act as a big brother to the new power holders. As an advance bonus, Tel Rifat and Manbij, the west of the Euphrates, would be left under Turkey's control, but Turkey would promise not to touch the PKK/PYD/YPG/SDG structure in the east of the Euphrates. Moreover, even Aleppo could eventually be left to Turkey as war spoils. This would allow Syrian refugees in Turkey to return and settle in their country. A major construction campaign would necessarily be launched, with contracts potentially going to Turkish contractors.
In return, Turkey would challenge Iran and Russia, declaring that if they tried to obstruct this plan, Turkey would be willing to sever relations with them and even risk going to war.
If Turkey rejected this plan, it would face Western excommunication and complete isolation. Turkey knew well what that would mean.
Secondly, the SDG, which Turkey considered the biggest threat to its national security, was warned to hand over Tel Rifat and Manbij without conflict. America would continue to protect the SDG at the east of the Euphrates. In fact, it would ensure that the SDG gained new positions in Deir ez-Zor and other available locations. The SDG's losses would be compensated somehow in the future.
Intimidating Syria's Friends
Next came to the step to leave Syria friendless. Russia, overwhelmed by NATO striking Russian territory with long-range missiles in Ukraine, was informed that the war could soon be abandoned, that Russia might keep the territories it gained in Ukraine, and that its demand to prevent Ukraine's NATO membership could be accepted.
In return, Russia would cut off its military and political support to Syria's national government and agree to an Islamist government. There was no need to fear this step. HTS would be purged of its extremist elements. Besides, Russia was experienced. Just as it could work with the Taliban in Afghanistan, it could work with HTS in Syria.
According to America, this deal would be considered a logical transaction, as Russia would be able to maintain its naval and air bases in Syria.
If Russia rejected the plan, it would face the consequences. The war in Ukraine would continue with increasing intensity, and Turkey, Russia's lifeline against embargoes and sanctions, would turn against Russia. Russia's breathing would be severely restricted. After Ukraine, a second front against Russia would open in Syria, and bombardments by America and especially Israel might even target Russian bases.
Iran was informed that agreements had been roughly reached with Turkey and Russia regarding Syria, and that Iran should also step aside. If it did step aside, perhaps the embargoes and sanctions could be eased, and potential Israeli attacks could be stopped. If it didn't withdraw, it might face intensified bombardments from Israel and America, and might even have to conflict with Turkey.
Similar warnings were made to Iraq. It was informed that if it went to Syria's aid, its deployed forces would be immediately destroyed.
The Attack Begins
It was time to polish the image of HTS (Syria's Al-Qaeda) and reorganize its gangs. Their equipment was upgraded. Along with fancy tools and equipment, they were given numerous motorcycles, pickup trucks, minibuses, and several drones. Accompanied by psychological warfare from Turkey's and world capitalist media, HTS gangs were quickly dispatched from Idlib toward Aleppo on November 27, 2024.
While the Syrian army, people's militias, and pro-Iranian forces initially resisted, two generals - one Syrian and one Iranian - were assassinated. Russia provided no air support to the Syrian army except in a few isolated incidents. The small number of Russian troops withdrew without fighting.
Breaking the Will
Putin himself told Assad, who was questioning the situation, that Russia's power was limited, that it would prioritize Ukraine, and that it couldn't help Syria. He advised Assad that the national government had reached the end of the road and that it would be best to hand over power without conflict. He stated that if the national government chose the path of war, Israel, Turkey, and America would definitely intervene, Syria would be fragmented, massacres would occur in the country, and not one stone would be left upon another.
Assad revealed the situation to the national government and the General Staff. There was a major demoralization. The army withdrew from Aleppo to buy time and regroup for a counterattack. Although partial resistance was shown in Hama and Homs, a similar scenario was repeated. Finally, in Damascus, the General Staff made an incredible decision to disband the army. The Syrian people were left without an army.
The disorganized HTS gangs, which technically couldn't be called an army and were destined to helplessly scatter at the first intense bombardment, entered Damascus without any fighting, driving their motorcycles, pickup trucks, and minibuses on the straight asphalt. The lion was fed to the jackals. The great Syria was surrendered to medieval hordes.
On December 8, 2024 (yesterday), when HTS entered Damascus, Israel occupied the remaining areas of the Golan Heights under Syrian control, which it had been occupying since 1967 and annexed in 1981.
Winners and Losers
At the end of this chain of events, naturally, the biggest loser is the Syrian people who have become captive.
The second losers are the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples, who have lost their strongest support and defense depth.
The third loser is the Turkish people, whose border security has been further compromised and internal security endangered as all of Syria falls into the hands of terrorist gangs.
The fourth loser is the Iraqi people, who like the Turkish people, have further lost their border security and face increased threats to their internal security.
The fifth losers are the peoples of the region, who have lost their strong fortress of resistance against Israeli expansionism and imperialist attacks.
The sixth losers are all the world's peoples, who have lost friends in the struggle against imperialism and capitalism.
The seventh loser is Iran, which has lost its land connection with the axis of resistance.
The eighth loser is Russia, which has lost its prestige and reliability for abandoning one of its most established allies.
The winners are Israel, America, Britain, the European Union, and NATO. In short, the imperialist war bloc.
Perhaps both Turkey's and Russia's leaders think they have won or at least lightly escaped the furious imperialist trouble that came upon them. History will soon reveal how wrong they are. Because those who fall for imperialism's temptation always lose.
Epilogue
The Syrian people, who have been fighting for many years against the imperialist colonial war, the invasion of medieval hordes, occupation, embargoes and sanctions, will gather their revolutionary will and continue their resistance till the victory once again under the banner of unity, freedom, and socialism.
The final word will be spoken not by imperialism and medieval hordes, but by the Syrian people and their friends.