"Unfortunately it had a very negative impact on the factions and on the internal situation," said an official in another Aleppo rebel group, the Jabha Shamiya, speaking from Turkey. Fastaqim said Zinki was trying to crush mainstream groups in Aleppo in collaboration with the jihadists of the Fateh al-Sham group. "In some ways, the relations among the Aleppo factions deteriorated even as the pro-regime offensive was ramping up," said Noah Bonsey, senior analyst with International Crisis Group. "That may have played a role in the opposition's limited ability to defend against the opening stages of the offensives. "The rebels have been on the back foot since the Russian air force intervened on Assad's behalf in September, 2015.

Source: Economic Times December 04, 2016 13:33 UTC