“Their method worked well in the rest of Syria when combatants could be sent to Idlib.”
That phase was probably easier for the Turks to agree to, especially in return for the prize of Kurdish Afrin.
The value received by Turkey for each jihadi loss will likely decline as the war continues, until only the Kurdish areas remain in Turkish/jihadi control.
Then it will likely be more of a head to head, win or lose confrontation between Erdogan and Assad.
t don’t think Russia (or, lessly, the US) will ever let it come to a head to head. Maybe Turkey will cede back Irbil for Afrin - though that complicates the other need which is for a peace between Erd and the Kurds.
Other than Afrin and some western border cities, I see the Kurds coming out alright. Though that is no success it is no disaster. We seem determined to give them the oil to buy their peace.