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The swift downfall is attributed primarily to severe institutional rot and demoralization within the Syrian Arab Army. Observations from recent events indicated that military units were collapsing under pressure, with signs of internal dysfunction becoming apparent. For example, during a recent rebel advance across a major river, instead of destroying a strategically important bridge as one might expect in a disciplined retreat, the Syrian Arab Army retreated and resorted to aircraft bombing the bridge—an ineffective and symbolic act highlighting their disarray.