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Syrian Army Struggles to Reassume Control in Northern Syria
(Wall Street Journal) Jonathan Spyer - Despite the proclamation of a ceasefire last month, the Turkish army and its Syrian rebel allies are still clashing with the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Assad regime. The Turkish assault that began on Oct. 9 has carved out a 75-mile-long, 20-mile-deep zone of control. The Syrian Kurds invited regime and Russian forces into their area. The SDF remains vigorous and strong. But the Assad regime is decrepit and lacking in manpower. Assad's troops are poorly equipped, their uniforms threadbare. SDF fighters report that regime soldiers beg for food because their rations are so meager. The writer is director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis.