Although the SDF officially still exists, little remains of its former strength following the defection of Arab tribal forces in recent days, and it is now a military body composed mainly of Kurdish YPG forces. This change in nature has been reflected in the raising of Rojava flags to replace the organization's own yellow flag. But in addition to this, it should also be understood as the strengthening of a Kurdish identity in opposition to the Syrian identity, which is monopolized by the terrorist authorities in Damascus and rejected by yet another Syrian minority, following in the footsteps of the Alawites and Druze before them.

As with Hmeimim, Russia reached an agreement with Damascus in 2019 to deploy a base at the city's airport for 49 years. However, the withdrawal of equipment and personnel in recent days reflects Moscow's intention not to negotiate a new agreement with the new Syrian authorities and to abandon its remaining zone of influence in eastern Syria and focus on the coast, once again leaving the United States with undisputed influence east of the Euphrates. During the withdrawal process, Russian forces managed to evacuate hundreds of Kurdish civilians, who, like the Alawites who survived the March 2025 massacre, will be relocated to Russia as refugees in the future.

Ne joue pas la carte du victimisme maintenant. Accepte les conséquences de tes actes. C'est ainsi que fonctionne la vie en dehors des réseaux sociaux. Je ne vais pas respecter un jeune homme qui se donne des airs d'analyste renommé alors qu'il a encore beaucoup à apprendre. Sur son domaine et sur la vie.

True, Russia bombs the positions closest to the front in order to advance. What a discovery!
I thought it was going to bomb its own rear.
It's a matter of attacking Suriyak and exposing itself. Constantly. What patience one must have.

🚨 PERSONAL ANALYSIS | Why ISIS Never Truly Dies: The Strange Pattern of "Normal" Men Turned Into Terror Leaders

📍 Middle East & Beyond 🇺🇸🇮🇱🇮🇶🇸🇾 (Jan 25, 2026)

One thing that's always stuck with me After tracking jihadist groups — why does ISIS (or its predecessors) never get completely erased? We hear "defeated" in 2019, caliphate gone, leaders droned... but then prison breaks, cells in Africa, new attacks, and suddenly they're back in the headlines.

My personal theory, after watching this cycle repeat: There's a consistent pattern where ordinary or low-level guys get caught up in US actions (wars, detentions, indirect support), spend time in American-run prisons or environments, and emerge as full-blown, bearded terrorist masterminds. And ISIS stays "alive enough" because it's strategically useful — a perpetual threat for military presence, oil control, and pressure on rivals like Iran.

This isn't proven conspiracy, just my dot-connecting from open sources, biographies, declassified reports. The coincidences are too many to ignore. Let me explain each case in detail, with the timelines and facts that make me think this way.

➡️ Osama bin Laden: From Privileged Saudi to the Face of Global Jihad

Start with the original. Osama was born 1957 into one of Saudi Arabia's richest families — billions from construction. Educated, polite, even shy as a young man. No "terrorist" label early on.

Then 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Bin Laden goes there in early 1980s, not as fighter at first but fundraiser/logistics for mujahideen. Here's the key: US Operation Cyclone pours $3-6 billion (declassified estimates) in arms/training through Pakistan ISI to anti-Soviet fighters.

Bin Laden's "Afghan Arabs" group benefits indirectly — weapons, camps, momentum. He gets battle experience, networks with radicals. By 1988, founds al-Qaeda.

Post-1989, he turns anti-US/Saudi after Gulf War (sees US bases in holy land as occupation). The "big beard" icon phase begins — fatwas, bombings, 9/11.

Proof points: CIA declassified docs confirm massive mujahideen support but deny direct bin Laden funding (he self-financed). But blowback acknowledged — many US-backed fighters later anti-West. Bin Laden himself said in interviews the Afghan jihad "prepared" him.

Without that US-fueled war environment, does he become the symbol? Hard to say no.

❗ Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: From Quiet Imam and Football Fan to ISIS "Caliph"

This one fits the pattern even closer. Born 1971 Iraq, real name Ibrahim al-Badri. Pre-2003 US invasion: Religious scholar, PhD in Islamic studies, led mosque prayers, known as calm family man who loved football. Neighbors described him as "normal, not extreme."

2003 invasion changes everything. He joins early insurgency against US forces. Captured 2004, sent to Camp Bucca — infamous US detention camp holding 26,000 at peak.

Bucca wasn't just prison — reports (Guardian, NYT investigations) call it "jihadi university." Mixed low-level guys with hardliners; detainees networked, planned, radicalized. Baghdadi there ~10 months, assessed "low threat," released.

Post-release: Joins al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI under Zarqawi), rises fast. By 2010, leads Islamic State of Iraq. 2013 rebrands ISIS, 2014 declares caliphate — black flags, territory, horrors.

Proof points: US military docs (leaked) confirm his Bucca time. Former inmates/interviews say he organized prayers, built alliances there. ISIS #2 later said Bucca "graduated" many leaders. Nine of ISIS top command spent time in US prisons.

From soccer-loving imam to caliph executing thousands — that prison stretch the catalyst?

➡️ Al-Jolani (Ahmed al-Sharaa): Detainee to "President" of Syria's Northwest

Latest example. Born 1982 Syria, moves to Iraq post-2003 to fight US occupation. Captured 2006, spends 5 years in Bucca and other US camps.
Released 2011 (as Arab Spring/Syria war starts). Immediately goes to Syria, sent by ISI (ISIS precursor) to found Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Qaeda affiliate).
Continued, Follow US

Regarding the locality itself I have to ask. However, Zoka is right about the bigger grey zone there. Also whoever is in charge of this section on the Russian side should be removed from office for the decision that has cost the lives of more than a dozen Russians.

Российские военные начали процесс вывода техники и оборудования из аэропорта Камышлы на авиабазу Хмеймим в провинции Латакия, сообщает курдский телеканал K24.