The Syrian top brass were furious, but they also understood that Hamed was just flexing his advantage at this point, having demonstrated how superior his forces were in a fight.

Indeed, his demands were extortion and more than that, meant to humiliate—just as invading countries would demand reparations for their campaigns after a successful conquest.

The top brass themselves rose to power through rebellion, and had hardly any experience in politicking. If they maintained their old rebel spirit