During the last several months of the Obama administration, the Russians increased their assault on the Syrian city of Aleppo which was held by rebels who were fighting against the Assad regime. During that time, the Syria stopped making the kind of headlines it previously had, with the media focusing on the incoming Trump administration and what it could mean to the conflict. It was then that the Russian military would finally help Syria's President Bashar al-Assad take Aleppo back with the assistance of Syrian troops and Hezbollah fighters from Lebanon who enjoy the financial backing of Iran.
Syria once again became the center of focus when Assad attacked his own people on April 4, with chemical weapons over which the U.S. military responded with 59 tomahawk cruise missiles. From the beginning of the conflict, the U.S. and its allies have all held the view that Assad should not longer stay in power and recent events have started that conversation again. Blasting News provided some analysis about the future of Syria as viewed by pundits and government officials. In the discussion, other "actors" involved in the fight are referred to as either fighting for or against Assad and how when one falters, there will always be some support available. Currently, it appears that Hezbollah is going through some changes in helping Assad win his war.
Hezbollah fighters hand off to Lebanese army
Currently, Hezbollah fighters are trying to push off a rebel offensive in Hama province but in the meantime, UPI reported last week that many of these fighters might be freed up to fight for Assad as they are releasing military bunkers along the Lebanese-Syrian border to the Lebanese Army.
Other reports say that both Hezbollah, the Lebanese Army, and the Syrian Army have taken control of their border to target militants. Reasons as to why Assad used these forces is apparently due to the Syrian troop's mass defections, losses and that no one seems to be willing to enlist. For these shortcomings, it's believed this is the reason why Assad used the chemical attack on Khan Shaykhun where an al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham are said to be located.
It's important to point out that this group, like ISIS, are Sunni which identifies more with the Muslim beliefs of Saudi Arabia as opposed to Iran's Shiite base. Saudi Arabia is also arming rebel groups in Syria against Assad and as Blasting News recently reported, a Russian delegation was apparently discussing the possible ouster of Assad.
Hezbollah re-adjusting priorities?
Hezbollah has prioritized targeting Israel as their main enemy. Since 2013, they had devoted 8,000 of their fighters and have lost 2,000 in the Syrian Civil War. Their reason for protecting Assad is over Syria's support of the Lebanese cause, who Israel also sees as an enemy. But the militant group and political party have taken damage on the political front with public support for Assad waning, which could lead up the reasons for as to why they seem to gradually be pulling away.
But they still have to contend with extremists along the border and prevent them from coming into Lebanon from Syria. The Lebanese Army has reportedly bombarded militants, creating a firing line to keep them from coming in.
According to one report by NPR, Hezbollah is grandstanding in public to remind the people there that they are prioritizing their focus on Israel. At a checkpoint, UN officials positioned themselves in the area to keep the peace between Israel and Lebanon. Israel fears that Hezbollah could fire missiles at them at some point in the future and have been digging in to monitor the situation. At this time, Israel doesn't feel that there's going to be a confrontation, yet.
