The legendary Palmyra again won thanks to the Syrian special forces and the help of Russian troops. This victory is not just symbolic, it is a crucial step in the whole history not only of the war in Syria and partly Iraq, but a crushing defeat of the Islamists LIH (banned terrorist organization) who, scaring half the world blown away like a balloon. Mostly due to the effectiveness of the military opposition, which could provide terrorists the Syrian government army, not without support, of course, Russia.
Peace is a fragile state of relative calm between armed conflict. Even the ancients said that if you want peace, prepare for war. The availability of power ensures that you will not infringe another force. ISIS gave birth to the Americans who created this organization as a means of confrontation with the unwanted regime of Saddam Hussein, had no idea what the bloody “East gin” was released from the pitcher. When they came to the understanding that “I gave birth to you, I’ll kill you”, the forces of the founding fathers was too small. The ISIS, like the Taliban before, he was absolutely uncontrollable in his ambitions, mostly built on religious motives, and in complete disobedience to anyone.
Remember the events at least two years ago. ISIS (DAISH), rapidly grows fat on the nourishment received (directly or indirectly) weapons with the stamp “Made in USA”, the proceeds from the sale of oil and actively spreading across Iraq and Syria. Money and weapons, the only true way to achieve any adventurous purpose. And in a short time fed and energized religious fanatics take control of a huge territory in the middle East who declare not just their territory but also a springboard to establish dominance in the world. These “pranks” probably could lead to unpredictable result, which would put the whole world on the threshold of a new severe struggle, in which there could remain no winners or losers.
The situation changed after the intervention of Russia. Not direct, but, nevertheless, with the use of force. The operation of the Russian VKS authorized by the Russian President in response to a request from the legitimate President of Syria for help, proved to be very effective. Still the pathetic attempts of the coalition forces, led by the US to combat ISIS militants, was replaced by real measures of the impact of armed Russian aircraft and special operations Forces. First, was foiled source of funding of militants through the sale of smuggled oil. Second, targeted strikes had paralyzed the entire military structure of ISIS, which even the night could not carry out redeployment. Thirdly, the position of Russia was forced to recognize and support as the participants of the armed conflict, in the face of moderate opposition, and neighboring countries – Turkey and Iran. But most importantly, the local population saw in Russia really caring and helping partner, which, in contrast to the Western countries and extremists, and some bread feed, and the bandits will protect.
And the present, the second is already on the account, the release of Palmyra troops of the Syrian army against Islamists is to a greater extent is the merit of all the huge military and humanitarian work carried out by Russia in the middle East country. And the capture of Palmyra by the forces of the government army – it’s not just the release of a specific, albeit a strategically important town in HOMS province, and the change of the General situation in combating ISIL, which is actually conceded defeat.
“The statement of the Caliph al-Baghdadi, better known in the media as the leader of ISIS, is interesting not only because it appeals to the militants to retreat and hide, – says the expert-Arabist, historian and scholar of the East Alexander Zimovsky – Then we could all be happy. But al-Baghdadi almost quoted Ar-rum, or the 30th Sura of the Koran, which, in particular, calls for patience in the name of future victory, that is, States lose. The treatment ends with fighters coming from other countries are invited to return to continue the fight secretly. Well, wishing to stand to the end the Caliph recalled that the 72 houris are still waiting for everyone in heaven. About the “72 houris” is the quote.
In General, here we see how the military-religious movement, even based on bigotry, breaks down when confronted with real force. In our case, this force by Russia.
Why is the epicenter of the war against terrorists of ISIS was Syria? Precisely because the ideology and practice of this group entirely appealed to the earliest version of Islam to the roots. Hence its extreme fundamentalism, which has had a direct impact on the military strategic objectives of the terrorists. Palmyra, then Damascus is the direction of the blows which inflicted the Arabs of the Roman Empire in the 12th and 13th year of the Hijra (634-635.), in full compliance with the covenants of the prophet Muhammad who died in 632.
It is Damascus became the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate, who in Islamic tradition is considered the time when the Arabs of the blood ruled the Ummah (community of Muslims United by religion). Indeed, all subsequent caliphs, including the famous Harun ar-Rashid, were sons of slaves, whereas their predecessors were born of free women from Arab tribes.
In General, Syria was the nucleus of the Caliphate, even when the capital moved to Baghdad and then to Constantinople. That is why it has become the scene of the most heavy and bloody fighting, the main purpose of the IG. Assuming that at some point terrorists could raise its own flag over Damascus, their credibility in the Islamic world would have increased extraordinarily. And, of course, did not faint, and the West, Israel, and the Shiites of Iran.”
Now fighting the ISIS troops, whose combat power has greatly diminished, thanks to good strikes of the Russian HQs in Syria and the onslaught of the Iraqi army in the Mosul area, has lost its “gloss”. They already can not afford not to keep the strategically important city, but just stay safe on the first controlled area. Thus it is necessary to be aware that the jihadists have not broken down completely and only change tactics of struggle that goes to underground and guerrilla activities. And again try to assert themselves.
“In short, ISIS could not exist if not wins, continues the historian. – That was the leitmotif of this fundamentalist movement. The basis of the social doctrine of the Quran as if you are doing everything by the Book, that is, the principles of Islam, you can’t fail. If the system fails – then you have violated the Canon. The defeat undermined the very essence of faith in the system, where success has a sacred value.
While the rebels have progressed success is supported not only high morale but also channels financial support. And if the number of countries in the West were invested in IG as a tool for weakening of Russia’s positions, the philanthropists from the oil kingdoms to solve their local tasks, namely on the basis of high evaluation of combat readiness of the armed forces of the is. Formally, they do not carry any commitments to fighters, and if it’s not accompanied razadine militants under the blows of the Russian space forces, then it is the will of Allah, and the tap can be screwed”.
“In General, the historical parallel here is obvious – continues Alexander Zimouski. – Putin did not repeat the mistakes of the Second Rome, when the Emperor Heraclius was unable to stop the victorious advance of the Saracen cavalry. It fully showed themselves to be flexible, but resolute diplomacy of the Kremlin, reinforced by the inexorable military might, which Russia unexpectedly projected on the farthest distance.
The terrorists, before which recently shook the whole world, and which couldn’t handle the combined forces of major Western powers led by USA, quickly blown away to hiding in remote corners and caves of the Middle East a handful of fanatics. They just broke the crushing blows that struck Russia on IG”.
Remember has not a long history with the Afghan Mujahideen in Afghanistan, whose activity has been associated with the Western support, primarily from the United States. The Soviet army withdrew, the funding stopped. Came to the territory of Afghanistan for the Americans who met in this country the active opposition from the Taliban, which is funded by Saudi Arabia. It can last indefinitely, even with varying degrees of success. Similar to the situation with ISIS is USA they have ceased to Finance, but also can not affect the “tap” to pour oil on the flames of war in the middle East.
And the Palmyra – Palmyra is now free. And she, like all of Syria, is the guarantor of security in the face of Russia, which though not very simple way, but it returns a peace in the region. And a new concert on the ruins of the Roman theatre will take place. As a symbol of peace.
Author: Viktor Sokirko
Author: Viktor Sokirko
Photo: Eva Dora Schroder / Globallookpress, Medyan Dairieh / Globallookpress, Bassem Tellawi / Globallookpress, Dabiq / Globallookpress, The Russian Defense Ministry, Rabe Hasan Amer Al / Globallookpress, Vadim Savitsky / Globallookpress, Ibrahim Joudeh / Twitter