Ömer Özkizilcik

"While current US partners in Syria are stunningly silent, former US-vetted Syrian rebels & figures of the Syrian opposition cheered the killing of Soleimani. The most intriguing silence came from the YPG, which is perceived as the most effective local partners of the US."

"Mustafa Sejari, the political head of Firka Muattasim, an armed faction officially supplied by the US with $5,346,800 of stipends in the fight against Daesh, used the American flag in his tweet. He said: "Thank you America. Thank you, Trump. This is a great job for the USA."

Sayf Abu Bakr, leader of Firka Hamza, officially backed by Pentagon with $8,821,150 against Daesh: “While I congratulate the Trump Administration for eliminating this butcher, I once again condemn the Obama Administration, which paved the way for Iranian militias in the region.”

The commander of Jabhat Shamiyah, Abu Ahmad Nour wrote: “This is a blessing of God. I think the third of the three most criminals against the Syrian people were he, Bashar al-Assad & Suhail al-Hassan. Today millions of Syrians & Iraqis rejoice at the death of this damned person.”

"The leader of Sultan Murad, Fehim Issa, welcomed the news but expressed his wish that his killing would be from the hands of the Syrians instead of the US. All of them are part of the SNA & the American public condemned them for fighting against their local partner in Syria."

"It seems the most effective local US partner wants to avoid a confrontation with Iran. Interestingly, no videos or images emerged from SDF-held areas of people celebrating the death of Soleimani either, but areas held by the opposition had many events of civilians celebrating."

"While a further escalation with the US & Iran may be on the horizon, the US needs to rediscover the armed Syrian opposition to balance Iran in Syria. The current US partner forces in Syria were not created to fight or limit Iran, nor do they have the willingness to do so."