President Bashar al-Assad acknowledged in an unusually frank public admission on Sunday that the Syrian military is unable to hold on to some parts of the country because his forces have been depleted by desertions and defections. Mr. Assad attributed the regime’s recent battlefield setbacks to this shortage of manpower and the need to defend areas deemed more strategic and vital than others. “The idea that we were going to win all battles everywhere at the same time is unrealistic, impossible and not doable,” said Mr. Assad in a televised speech delivered at the presidential palace in Damascus to members of trade and professional unions. “This is why priorities were set.” He said the decision on where to mobilize forces was based on the military, political, economic and strategic importance of the area, among other factors. “When we want to concentrate our forces in an important area, what happens […]