On July 17 local time, after the Syrian National Army, HTS fighters, and foreign mercenaries withdrew from the Suwayda province in southern Syria, the "Great President" of Syria, Joulani, called Turkish President Erdogan to report on the matter. In the call, Turkish President Erdogan strongly condemned Israel's attacks on Syria and said it was unacceptable, which posed a danger to regional stability. He reiterated that Turkey would continue to support the Syrian people and welcomed the ceasefire with the Druze. According to the Turkish side citing information from the Turkish Ministry of Defense, the Turkish military is willing to assist the Syrian National Army when requested.
For this failure in the attack, it was indeed a setback for Joulani. Compared to the former president of Syria, Bashar, who first tried to ensure people's livelihood, Bashar at least found ways to use aid from Iran and Russia to get cheap bread to feed the Syrians. It is uncertain whether Joulani will turn the aid funds into the bread that Syria urgently needs. Will Turkey dare to clash with Israel on Syrian territory? Does it have the courage? Turkey's goal is interests in northern Syria, not the south. Israel wants the south, not the north. The goals of Israel and Turkey do not conflict. The Turkish military can only bully the Kurds and Armenians, and when facing Israel, they usually just talk big. Not to mention Israel, even dealing with Greece is not in Turkey's favor.
Regarding the severe defeat of the Syrian National Army, Joulani also admitted it was because of Israel. According to Joulani's account, this war was instigated by Israel. Joulani warned Israel to be ready to face the consequences of getting stuck in a war quagmire. He stated that the war in southern Syria is of no benefit to the Syrians. Joulani addressed the Druze, believing that the Druze are part of Syria, firmly opposing foreign intervention, calling it a civil war in Syria. Joulani thanked the United States, Turkey, and Arab countries for their intervention. Joulani also clearly stated that he would not go to war with Israel.
Joulani thus found some face and gave a way out, so he could step down. He originally took over the throne easily, and if necessary, he could return to his old base in Idlib. In short, gaining the country was too easy; compared to previous days of being confined to a small area, the current territory was like a gift. He wouldn't feel any pain giving up a piece of land. After all, under the circumstances of many warlords in Syria, if he really pushed hard, Joulani would lose his loyal forces of HTS, and then he couldn't be the "great general." From the strength perspective, it was only possible to "surrender," and neither HTS fighters nor foreign mercenaries were brave enough to fight to the death.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837923528981504/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.