These are the same units McRINO demanded we give heavy weapons to.

BEIRUT (AFP) – Syria’s army has been making advances against the opposition in recent days by exploiting divisions among rebel fighters and by relying on elite fighters from Lebanon’s Hezbollah, analysts say.

On Sunday, the regime seized the rebel bastion of Yabroud, near the Lebanese border, dealing a powerfully symbolic and strategic blow.

And on Thursday, its forces recaptured the famed Krak des Chevaliers Crusader castle in central Homs province, which had been seized by rebels shortly after the uprising began in March 2011.

The advances have been aided by a new strategy developed in the wake of truces negotiated between the government and opposition in areas around Damascus, an army official told AFP.

“The army has learned the lessons of the truces around Damascus,” where exhausted fighters have laid down their arms.

“It completely encircles an area and allows fighters to leave if they turn over their arms and pledge not to resume fighting,” he added.

“That creates serious divisions between the local rebels and the hardliners, particularly the jihadists, and then the army attacks.”

The description accords with accounts given by fighters and activists in both Yabroud, where jihadists accused moderate rebels of abandoning the town, and the Krak des Chevaliers battle.