It is a bit confusing to see jihadis condemning Turkey for sacrificing Aleppo.
But see, this is when all those who talked about “tawakkul” and about how a weaker force can defeat a stronger force if they just have good ‘Aqeedah, and how you don’t need strategy or planning or anything of that sort, collide with reality.
Turkish-backed rebel groups withdrew from Aleppo on orders from Ankara; that is an established fact, based on an agreement between Turkey and Russia. They complied with this order because, in reality, they are dependent upon Turkish support. Even if they or their cheerleaders pretend that Tawakkul means that you just fling yourself blindly against impossible odds armed with nothing but a rifle and a takbir; in real life, and in real Deen, everyone knows that is not what it means; and at some point you will have to face that fact.
If they really believed in the ideology they claim to believe in, well, they would have said, “We don’t need Turkey. Cut off the funding and arms and logistical assistance; who cares?” And they would have been slaughtered, along with most of the 46,000 people Turkey helped evacuate.
Fortunately for everyone, the rebels opted to be realists instead of fanatical ideologues.
Rebel-held Aleppo was already well on its way to collapse before Turkey made the agreement with Russia; let’s be honest. The triumphalism in August 2016 declaring that the rebels had broken the regime’s siege of the city was both exaggerated and premature. By early September, almost all rebel gains had been reversed, and by the end of that month, the regime had captured up to 20% more of rebel territory in the city. By the end of October, rebels had lost almost half the territory they previously held; and the regime was determined to decimate whatever remained. By December, only about 5% of Aleppo was in rebel control. Erdogan had the right to make the decision, and the decision he made was right. The decision saved the lives of not only civilians, but the fighters as well.
Now you may say that Turkey should have undertaken military action itself to defend Aleppo, or that they should have increased their aid to the rebels to enable them to take back the territory they had lost. But both suggestions are extremely myopic. Direct military intervention by the Turkish armed forces, frankly, is a ludicrous idea for too many reasons to list. I am sure that the US would have very much liked to see that happen, by the way. Increasing support for the rebels, with this being the only way for them to maintain any presence in the city, would also make very little sense. It was simply a losing battle, and the best tactical option was to cut the losses and withdraw under an agreement that would save lives.
But, of course, now the Jihadis blame Turkey for the fall of Aleppo; but the fact that they do blame Turkey is a tacit recognition that their interpretation of aspects of the religion are flawed, which is also to say that aspects of their religious rationale for taking up arms against the regime without a reasonable chance of winning were also flawed; or at least disingenuous. Why? Because, at the end of the day, they were relying on outside help, Turkish support, to deliver their liberation. So when they cited Badr and the Battle of Mu’tah, and other instances of tiny Muslim forces taking on larger armies; they didn’t really mean it, because they were counting on the Turks to back them up.
Well, Turkey has supported them, they are dependent on Turkey, and, yes, that gives Turkey decision-making authority; and frankly, we should all be thankful for that.