Is The Syrian Army On The Verge of Collapse?

Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad hold their weapons as they walk in Aleppo's historic citadel October 1, 2014.

Jeremy Bender, Business Insider -- The Syrian military is on the verge of collapse

The Syrian Army is facing its most serious challenges since the start of the Syrian Civil War.

Fatigued, over-stretched, and losing the support of its base constituency, the Syrian Army is conceivably nearing the point of collapse. Major rebel offenses have taken control of the strategic cities of Idlib and Jisr al-Shegour in the north. Meanwhile, a second rebel offensive in the south has been steadily working its way towards Damascus, the capital.

These steady rebel gains have demoralized the Syrian military, created fissures within the regime of president Bashar al-Assad, and force Damascus to accept greater foreign assistance in propping an ailing government, according to an April 30th New York Times report.

Here's why the regime may be nearing its most serious crisis yet.

WNU Editor: If they are having trouble gaining recruits .... Assad regime struggles to find new military recruits (Al Arabiya) .... this war of attrition will ultimately force Assad to be completely dependent on Hezbollah and Iran .... an alliance that would only embolden the Sunni rebel groups and further escalate this sectarian civil war.