>>>”A strange relationship developed between Syrian generals, international jihadists and former Iraqi officers who had been loyal to Saddam — a joint venture of deadly enemies, who met repeatedly to the west of Damascus.”<<<
I believe that. Those loyal to Saddam were mostly Sunni and Baathists. Many Saddam ‘officials’ found their way into Syria about 2003 and thereafter. Although Syrian Baathists have been a different grp to Iraqi ones under Saddam.
Noteworthy is during Iran-Iraq war, Syrian gov’t was the only Arab country which supported the Mullahs regime in Iran.
Today I am very sure there is a massive power struggle going on in that region. It’s a region where loyalties change daily and very quickly.
Here is piece from a British General:
Yes, but...both sides have been stoking this sectarian fire. It’s not just the Sunnis or just the Shia; they both use proxies and covert terrorists. In Yemen, it’s broken wide open.