By William Tucker
Opposition forces in Syria have complicated the ability of regime to resupply its forces operating in the north of the country. Considering the massive amount of resources the Assad regime has poured into the fight for Aleppo, this is certainly problematic for the regime. Complicating matters further is the continuing assault by the opposition against the regime’s intelligence infrastructure. Earlier today, the jihadist movement al-Nursa Front, struck the Syrian air force intelligence headquarters in Damascus using several vehicle borne explosive devices. According to eyewitnesses the blasts were followed by a firefight between the regime and forces linked to the opposition. Al-Nursa may have chosen this target for more symbolic reasons as air force intelligence has been the among the worst perpetrators of human rights abuses in the midst of the conflict. That being said, there is a strategic purpose behind the attack despite the lack of coordination with larger opposition entities such as the FSA.
By striking at the Syrian intelligence apparatus, the opposition can break up collection and collaboration activities that were likely going on inside the building. This coupled with the disruption of supply lines will greatly complicate the movement and functionality of the Syrian military. Furthermore, this disruption in logistics and communications will also begin to isolate the Alawite strongholds on the Syrian coast around the port city of Latakia. Assad has relied heavily on Alawite support; however with rumors of Alawite infighting, the possibility of isolation from Damascus may force the Alawite community to consider a political solution to remain politically viable. This solution, mind you, would most certainly exclude Assad. As the opposition makes strides in securing strategic objectives it will also lead to political negotiations between parties that may have been intractable just a few months prior. Indeed, such recalculating may lead credence to rumors that Assad is considering his exit.
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