I watched a convoy of T-72s and BMPs roll through Aleppo. The only explosions I saw on the video were those originating from the barrels of the T-72s.
Assad isn't trying to "pacify" anyone. He's f'ing killing them!
The Russians may have better things to do, than prop up Assad, but if that is necessary to hold on to Tartus? They will prop up Assad.
The proper thing for a guerilla force is to avoid fighting columns of tanks and APCs. Other than with mines and demolitions of course. Even if they have RPG-22’s.
Let the Assad troops fire their tank guns as they like. The insurgents should be somewhere else, to kill the regime supporters who don’t have tanks and APCs. They will learn that eventually. Most insurgencies do.
Mao had it right strategically and tactically.