There is no precedent in the Syrian war for ground forces’ quickly rolling into an area that rebels have held for years. PhotoThe messy mosaic of ground fighters on both sides has challenged Washington’s tangled allegiances. PhotoSouth of Aleppo, Iraqi clerics have given rousing speeches to militiamen in fatigues urging them to fight in the name of faith and Islamic law. In turn, both Russians and the foreign Shiite fighters have complained about a lack of discipline among Syrian conscripts. “He won us the big victories.”On the video’s soundtrack, a singer then declared that when they see the militia’s fighters, “The people of Aleppo are happy.”

Source: New York Times October 06, 2016 17:19 UTC