ASSESSMENTS

In Syria, Support for Rebel Unity Carries Risks

Apr 30, 2015 | 09:16 GMT

Fighters from a coalition of Islamist forces walk through the Syrian city of Idlib on March 29.
Fighters from a coalition of Islamist forces walk through the Syrian city of Idlib on March 29.

(ZEIN AL-RIFAI/AFP/Getty Images)

Summary

The Syrian rebel offensive in Idlib and Hama has unified a number of disparate factions and yielded success against forces loyal to President Bashar al Assad. As the advantages of cooperation became apparent, rebel forces across the country attempted to replicate this model by setting up joint operations rooms across Syria. Foreign backers have responded as well. Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council are moving to coordinate their support of the Syrian rebels. These two trends toward rebel unity and coordination between foreign backers will yield positive results on the battlefield against Damascus. But the unified rebel fronts are inherently unstable and carry the risk of strengthening Islamist groups.

Foreign efforts to coordinate rebel support and consolidate forces will lead to victories in the field but risk strengthening Islamist and jihadist groups....

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