“There was no sectarian divide between the Syrian army and the people, as some said. When you carefully observe the internal dynamics, you can see it was not a war between Alawites and Sunnis or Christians and Muslims.
Only in Homs, when the clashes began, did systematic attacks by Sunnis against Alawites, Shiites and Christians trigger a sectarian divide, but that was short-lived.
Aleppo is the best example that this was not a sectarian war. At least six Sunni religious notables were killed in Aleppo because they rejected an armed uprising. Sunni religious figures were constantly under threat for not joining the war. The most annoying question you can ask soldiers on the Aleppo front is whether they are Sunni or Alawite. Nothing angers Syrians as much as this question.
Taştekin also reports something else: that over the course of the war President Bashar Al-Assad’s stature and authority has massively increased, as Syrians have rallied behind the strong leadership he has given. Interestingly this extends to the numerous critics of the regime he leads.
Lastly, Taştekin reports respect and gratitude towards Russia and Hezbollah, but considerable suspicion of Syria’s other ally Iran.
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah is no less prestigious in Syria than Assad. In Damascus, Homs and elsewhere — even in Aleppo, with its prominent Sunni identity — you will see Nasrallah posters all over, and there is widespread affection for him among Christians.”
“Turkish journalist tours recaptured areas of eastern Aleppo. Reports criticisms of Jihadi groups and Turkey. Says nothing of criticism by local people of Syrian government or Russia.”
&
What will be the cost of Aleppo victory for Damascus?
“On Saturday, Russian strategic bombers started targeting Daesh positions in Deir ez-Zor. This is the fourth time Russian long-range aircraft carry out the operation in the area.”
Refreshing report.
Turkish journalist reports from Aleppo; finds Syrians oppose Jihadism, support Assad, grateful to Hezbollah and Russia
http://theduran.com/turkish-journalists-report-aleppo-syrians-oppose-jihadism-support-assad-grateful-hezbollah-russia/
Some excerpts:
“There was no sectarian divide between the Syrian army and the people, as some said. When you carefully observe the internal dynamics, you can see it was not a war between Alawites and Sunnis or Christians and Muslims.
Only in Homs, when the clashes began, did systematic attacks by Sunnis against Alawites, Shiites and Christians trigger a sectarian divide, but that was short-lived.
Aleppo is the best example that this was not a sectarian war. At least six Sunni religious notables were killed in Aleppo because they rejected an armed uprising. Sunni religious figures were constantly under threat for not joining the war. The most annoying question you can ask soldiers on the Aleppo front is whether they are Sunni or Alawite. Nothing angers Syrians as much as this question.
Taştekin also reports something else: that over the course of the war President Bashar Al-Assad’s stature and authority has massively increased, as Syrians have rallied behind the strong leadership he has given. Interestingly this extends to the numerous critics of the regime he leads.
Lastly, Taştekin reports respect and gratitude towards Russia and Hezbollah, but considerable suspicion of Syria’s other ally Iran.
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah is no less prestigious in Syria than Assad. In Damascus, Homs and elsewhere — even in Aleppo, with its prominent Sunni identity — you will see Nasrallah posters all over, and there is widespread affection for him among Christians.”
See also:
People in eastern Aleppo slam Jihadis and Turkey
http://theduran.com/people-aleppo-slam-jihadis-turkey/
“Turkish journalist tours recaptured areas of eastern Aleppo. Reports criticisms of Jihadi groups and Turkey. Says nothing of criticism by local people of Syrian government or Russia.”
&
What will be the cost of Aleppo victory for Damascus?
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/01/turkey-syria-was-aleppo-a-pyrrhic-victory.html#ixzz4Wh8CXxUg
This last article being the source of the AM article beginning this comment.
Russian Long-Range Bombers Strike Daesh Targets in Deir ez-Zor for Fourth Time
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201701251049991458-russia-strategic-bombers-daesh/
“On Saturday, Russian strategic bombers started targeting Daesh positions in Deir ez-Zor. This is the fourth time Russian long-range aircraft carry out the operation in the area.”