Originally Posted by Barry-xlovecam

Mosul is another story but no one contests that it is an ISIS stronghold.

Allepo is partly held by rebel factions but they are not part of ISIS. Parties hostile to Ass-ad.

Ass-ad don't like these rebels they took his toys.
Putin could give two-fucks about Ass-ad or the Syrians. Putin just wants to be secure in his Mediterranean Port and military facilities.

Putin should just take his lands in Syria for the Russian Military -- make a deal with Ass-ad and the Opposition -- a Truce and a partition of a part of Syria -- and non-interference in Syrian internal problems. An arms embargo on both parties. Let them fight with sticks and stones in the bitter end if they want to.

Truth is Russia is controlling the airspace over Allepo.
The Russians are helping Ass-ad commit war crimes.