It has nothing to do with gas pipelines. Syria has been Russia’s ally/client for over 50 years. The Russians, whatever their flaws, stick with their allies until the last dog dies. Look at Cuba.
And there is no secular opposition to Assad. Whatever there was wouldn’t have lasted two minutes against ISIS. There are assorted jihadists and Assad.
A Gulf gas pipeline removes Russian monopoly on the European market. Of course they are very interested in stopping that.
Syria is Russia’s toe hold in the ME. They’ll dump Assad in a second if it furthers Putin’s interests. You think they care about him? LOL.
Whatever his public image, Putin is consistent---if nothing else.
Putin also decried Christian slaughter by Muzzies in Egypt and defended Egyptian President al-Sisi in his efforts to drive the Muslim Brotherhood out of Egyptian politics.
Putin was there for al-Sisi when al Sisi vowed to rebuild the 63 churches torched by Christian-hating Muslims who rampaged over Christian homes and businesses in Egypt.