The Syria insurgency has just been dealt what could be a fatal blow, by Hezbollah forces aligned with Assad.
The key town of Qusair is now back in the dictator's hands. Qusair is a town wherefrom rebels obtain most of the arms they need as they pass through from their point of origin, be that Saudi Arabia, or other middle eastern country.
Without that passage, the rebels in essence will see their weapon refurnishments go dry. And with that, Assad will be one step closer from winning his battle against the Syrian people.
Qusair in fact, is the conduit that links Damascus to the sea. It is near the Lebanese border, and links it to the Mediterranean sea. It is also the seat of the Alawite sect, so that it bears a symbolic value for Assad, if not just a strategic one.
But the re-taking of Qusair has far larger implications. Having succeeded in securing the town, Bashar al Assad is not under the same pressure to be present or concede anything at the international talks scheduled to resolve the conflict. In fact, Assad has already declared he will not step down at the end of his 'mandate', in 2014.
He also reiterated the fact that only 'election' results can change the course of the country's political destiny and that the United States must not interfere with it.
The more worrisome point however, is the wider consolidation of power by Hezbollah, who has gained enormous clout through this conflict. The Assad regime has in substance taken a localized rebel group with terroristic affiliation and transformed it into a powerfully armed 'constituency'.
Israel, concerned with the growing strength in Hezbollah, has already told of its intention to act unilaterally if more sophisticated weaponry is shipped from Iran to Hezbollah.
The brutal advance that resulted in the town's retaking, was begun on Sunday, and resulted in the death of at least 52 people. A ground offensive followed the airstrikes.
Source : France 24/ 5.20.13
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