First: How the regime creates a rift: 1. Between the residents 2. Between the fighters 3. Between the residents and the fighters Second: How did some besieged areas succeed in confronting these schemes? Eight reasons for success and steadfastness.
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. This message is for my besieged brothers in the Syrian regions regarding what is called "reconciliation" with the machine of destruction. He who has his hand in water is not like he who has his hand in fire, and he who counts the sticks is not like he who receives their blows; I know that well, my brothers, and therefore I have not come to speak to you about patience and steadfastness, for there are children among you who teach me and the nation these meanings in practice.
Rather, I would like to remind you of what is being plotted against you so that you make your decisions with foresight, and that we study how some areas have succeeded in dealing with the siege to generalize the factors of success. I have not come to say that you should be patient with the loss of your worldly life for the sake of your hereafter, but rather beware of a plot that seeks to take away both your worldly life and your hereafter. Let us see how we can save what we can of our worldly life and hereafter. This message is more of an awareness than a sermon. Allah the Almighty says: "O you who have believed, take your precautions."
Let us understand the plan of the Alawite machine of destruction with the besieged areas in the past period, which relied on several axes:
The regime began with a comprehensive siege that lasted for two years in Homs and eight months in the countryside of Damascus, with continuous bombing. Then, the regime offered some areas to bring in a little food, pretending to be humane, and asked the fighters not to fire from the side through which the aid passes. This request appeared logical, with no surrender or betrayal, so the people pressured the fighters to accept.
Here, the plot began; so the people of other areas that did not reconcile came to share the food with their brothers, so the food ran out quickly, especially since the regime was bringing in very limited quantities. And with the scarcity of food, some of the people of the reconciled areas became tired of their incoming brothers, and they began to form forces preventing them from coming to share the food. Here, the regime succeeded in creating a rift among the people, and the others began to pressure their fighters to accept a similar truce after seeing their brothers monopolizing the food for themselves.
The regime worked to undermine morale through:
The regime achieved this by allowing armed men to leave in exchange for surrendering their weapons, while refusing the exit of civilians and killing those who tried to leave. So, some of the people began to compete to obtain a piece of weapon to surrender it in exchange for a safe exit, which created a huge gap between the fighter and his family.
What are the factors of success for Muslims in some areas that have foiled the regime's plans? Several points have emerged that were the reason for the steadfastness of these areas:
The fighters in these areas did not despair but rather stood together and adapted to the new situation, moving from defense to offense. They had cards of strength to negotiate with, which pushed the regime to accept truces in which it made concessions to reduce its losses. In Eastern Ghouta and Al-Mazzeh, the regime was forced to bring in food daily in exchange for a ceasefire only, without surrendering any person or piece of weapon.
The people of Al-Mazzeh set a wonderful example; despite their reconciliation and the introduction of food for them, they shared it with their neighbor "Darayya" which did not reconcile. The people of Al-Mazzeh knew that the truce took them temporarily out of the circle of fighting, so the regime directed its weight towards Darayya, but they did not stint their brothers from provisions, which foiled the regime's plan to use hunger as a weapon to divide them.
The Mujahideen are mistaken if they think that their mission is confined to the military aspect only; this helps the regime to pull the rug from under their feet. In "Douma" in Eastern Ghouta, the factions cooperated to:
Firmness was necessary with those who advocate individual truces that divide the ranks, as happened in "Jobar." However, this firmness must have two prerequisites:
In cases of severe siege such as in Homs, a collective decision must be taken. A unified collective decision - even if it is not as desired - is better than the fragmentation of individuals and their surrendering individually, which allows the regime to obtain information that harms those who remain steadfast.
It should not be forgotten that the regime that claims to provide humanitarian aid is the same one that killed 1,200 men at the "Yalda Crossing" south of Damascus, arrested 700 women, and raped 70 of them. Treachery is its inherent nature, and if it reconciles today, it will open everyone's files tomorrow, for it has not forgotten the files of 1982, and it will not forget those who rebel against it today. The international system is not only silent about it but is also conspiring with it.
My brothers, our battle against falsehood is long, and the options presented do not offer a comfortable life or absolute safety from the evil of criminals, even if concessions are made. The "paradise" that the regime offers to besieged areas for appeasement is like the paradise of the Dajjal; whoever enters it will find it to be fire, even if later.
Negotiations do not stop the evil of the regime, but rather give it time to isolate the steadfast and then return with treachery against the peaceful. Let our brothers take all of this into account, and let them strive for unity and harmony, for God's aid is with the group. Remember that victory is with patience, and relief is with hardship, and with hardship comes ease.
I ask Allah to relieve the distress of our brothers in ways they do not expect, and to help us and the nation in fulfilling our duty towards them.
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.