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Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/us-syria-crisis-israel-idUSBRE98H09H20130918?rpc=401
Israeli General: Assad Could Survive in Syria for Years
(Reuters) Dan Williams - Syrian President Assad could cling to power for years despite having lost overall control of his country, Maj.-Gen. Yair Golan, Israel's top commander on the frontier with Syria, told Yediot Ahronot on Wednesday. "I don't see any force toppling him tomorrow morning - though he deserves to pass from this world, and the quicker that happens, the better," Golan said. He added that Assad's army had suffered 15,000 fatalities, fired off 40-50% of its long-range missiles and seen some of its anti-aircraft batteries overrun by insurgents. Golan warned against exaggerating the threat from the radical Sunni jihadis who Israel estimates make up around 10% of those fighting Assad. "The Global Jihad is a bad enemy, but it is a relatively primitive enemy that does not enjoy the backing of a regional power."