1018: Chapter 1003 Historical Process 1018: Chapter 1003 Historical Process PS: To learn the exclusive story behind “War of Mercenaries” and to provide more suggestions about the novel, follow the QiDian Chinese Network official account (add on WeChat by searching “qdread”) and tell me quietly!
Over two nights, three operations occurred; none of them yielded the result Gao Yang most desired.
For Gao Yang, the prisoners captured during the second operation might be of great value, but as for the first and the third operations, other than providing some satisfaction, they were essentially meaningless.
Hence, Gao wasn’t urgently seeking the answer to Dani’s question.
“Um, were there any good outcomes last night?”
Dani caught his breath, clenched his fists, and said excitedly, “Last night, you blew up a building that wasn’t occupied by IS members.”
Gao waved his hand in frustration, “That’s not good news for me.
Abach’s testimony claimed that it was an important IS base.”
Dani waved his fist, then continued to Gao, “Ever heard of Mba Mahni?”
Gao shook his head, “Never heard of him.”
Dani smiled and said deliberately, “Mba Mahni is the second-in-command of the Victory Front!”
Gao was startled, “Oh, the Victory Front?
What are they doing inside an IS base?”
Dani didn’t answer Gao’s question but lowered his voice, visibly excited, “The Victory Front has fallen out with IS, and now, they are fighting each other!”
Gao knew of the Victory Front as it was one of the strongest militant factions among the Syrian Rebels, alongside the Patriotic Alliance and the Syrian Free Army.
In terms of strength and scale, IS was weaker than these three.
Speaking of the relationship between IS and the Victory Front, as well as other Rebel Army factions, it was quite complex and would require a thorough explanation.
IS, actually, is a branch of AQI established in Iraq in 2006.
They had publicly pledged allegiance to Zawahiri.
The first organizer was named Badadi.
In 2010, Badadi and his deputy were killed in an American military operation, but IS appointed a new leader and continued using the name Badadi.
After the Syrian Civil War began, IS moved to Syria, whereas the Victory Front was established in Homs after the war began in 2011.
The Victory Front expanded quickly, and while they were numerically fewer than the Syrian Patriotic Alliance and the Syrian Free Army, their combat strength made them one of the top three Syrian rebel factions.
The Victory Front always declared their loyalty to Qaeda’s Zawahiri.
In April 2013, IS, belonging to the Iraqi branch of Qaeda, announced its merger with the Victory Front, but the Victory Front immediately issued a statement that they, while loyal to Zawahiri, had not merged with IS.
Afterward, Syria’s Patriotic Alliance and Free Army quickly issued statements disassociating themselves from both the Victory Front and IS.
Although the two groups did not merge, they remained close collaborators and also had some cooperative relations with other Syrian rebel factions.
To put it simply, Syria’s rebels comprise various factions that formed a loose alliance, with the Victory Front and IS being closely connected allies within this alliance.
And now, these closely connected organizations had fallen out and were fighting each other.
“Weakening IS is good news,” Gao remarked with surprise.
“Why are they fighting now?
What’s the reason?”
Dani exhaled and smiled, “Last night, when you bombed that building, it was initially occupied by IS members.
However, yesterday afternoon, they were all replaced by members of the Victory Front.
The reason is simple, the Victory Front was supposed to cooperate with IS in an operation, and those people had just arrived from Homs, including Mba Mahni, the second-in-command of the Victory Front.”
Gao whistled and then chuckled, “So the second-in-command of the Victory Front died last night, right?”
Dani snapped his fingers, smiling, “The rebels found about a dozen bodies in that building, then assumed no one could have survived and gave up on further rescue efforts.
Mba Mahni was among those inside.”
Gao nodded continuously, “Understood, so then the Victory Front and IS started fighting.”
Dani swung his fist excitedly, “Now you know why you were promoted from major to colonel yesterday!
Do you get it?
Your operation destroyed an alliance, turning our two most troublesome groups from allies into enemies!”
Gao was pleased to have struck at his enemies, so he smiled, “Why did they fight?
Was it a small skirmish or an all-out war?”
Dani laughed heartily, “Why the fallout, you ask?
It’s quite interesting.
During the first operation, you guys killed many and captured Abach.
By chance, among those killed were members of the Victory Front, although their ranks weren’t particularly high.
Yet, capturing Abach was critical.
Then, yesterday, you eliminated the second-in-command of the Victory Front.
That was impressive.
You must know that Mba Mahni was in charge of military affairs, just like Abach.
He had a lot of very loyal followers.
During the First Kindness Palace operation, IS’s second-in-command vanished, and other groups were wiped out.
In the third operation, you killed Mba Mahni just as he had arrived.
If you were a member of the Victory Front, what would you think?”
Gao Yang was stunned for a moment, then, pointing with his finger, he said with a wry smile, “Betrayal!
Shameful betrayal and treason!
Haha.”
Dani, excited, said, “Yes, that’s exactly what the people of the Victory Front think.
So, without any hesitation, Mba Mahni’s men started fighting.
Right now, they’re still fighting!
We’re in no rush, let them fight it out, and then our army will move in.
Haha, this feeling, it’s just too good.”
For Syria, both the first and the third operations were unequivocal grand victories, spectacular in their outcomes.
No praise would be considered an exaggeration for these operations.
It can be said, although these operations were not of significant personal importance to Gao Yang, the effects achieved by these special operations pushed the purpose of special operations to their limits.
Gao Yang chuckled, and Dani extended his hand to him.
After shaking hands with Gao Yang, Dani said seriously, “It’s no exaggeration to say, your operations have changed the course of the battle.
Damascus is facing great danger, and yet, without a major battle having begun, you have helped us secure victory in this campaign.
Thank you, and I must congratulate you on the outstanding outcomes you’ve achieved.”
After finishing, Dani, both excited and emotional, said, “You have changed the history of Syria.
It’s not just me saying this; someone else said it too.
Therefore, I must congratulate you again.”
Gao Yang and Dani, holding hands, laughed, “Don’t say that.
This is our victory, and you’re complimenting yourself too.”
Dani laughed heartily again, “Yes, it’s also flattering for me.
To be honest, I’m really very happy.
It’s certain that I’ll be commended and promoted.
But, actually, these are not important.
What’s important is my role played a key part in this war.
It truly is, well, just too awesome!”
Gao Yang shrugged and replied, “Although I haven’t yet received the results I want, I’m also quite happy.”
Dani waved his hand, resolutely stating, “You’ll be happy with what lies ahead.”
“Oh, I like that.
Go on, tell me more.”
“Firstly, your rank has been promoted once again.
Of course, I’m only verbally passing this message to you.
There’ll be a formal ceremony for the new insignia, um, the format and content of the ceremony you can decide to avoid any unneeded complications.
Also, you’re certainly going to receive at least one Medal.”
Just an honorific rank, Gao Yang wasn’t too thrilled about it, and as for medals, they were even less useful to him.
Of course, even though uninterested, he pretended to be, and Gao Yang smiled, “Not bad, pretty good.”
Dani smiled again, mysteriously saying, “The next part will interest you even more.
The results were too astonishing, so of course, they’ll receive more attention.
You know, the thing you want most might soon be yours.”
Gao Yang was taken aback and asked, “My most wanted thing?
What is it?”
Dani, mysteriously as ever, responded, “Who are our allies?”
Gao Yang shrugged and answered, “If it’s on the national level, I’d say Russia and Iran.”
Dani nodded and then whispered, “We can get a batch of aid, but it’s always been urgent needs rather than impractical things for us.
However, now, it seems that the new aid request list included laser-guided bombs.”
Gao Yang gasped, “Really?”
Syria did not have laser-guided bombs, or perhaps it did, but Gao Yang definitely had no access to them.
Until now, government forces in the Syrian civil war hadn’t used such weapons.
For Gao Yang, having laser-guided bombs would make many things convenient, much more convenient.
Dani, smiling, said, “This news was passed down from the top to me; it’s certainly true.
But, we still have to wait for the outcome.
I think Russia will probably agree.
Don’t worry, once we have the laser-guided bombs, you will definitely get all the necessary accessories.
So, just wait, we should have confirmation of the news very soon.”
Gao Yang exhaled, “That’s great, the faster, the better.
As soon as you have news about the laser-guided bombs, let me know immediately.”
Dani waved his hand, laughing, “It’ll be very soon, because everyone is anxious.
Also, what other equipment do you need?
Mention it, and we’ll do our best to fulfill it.
If we can’t find it, you buy, and we’ll pay.
The funds have already been approved, so this time, you won’t have to dip into your own pocket to upgrade your weapons and equipment.”