Assad preserves the infrastructure which om convinced Israel wants destroyed. These rebel will have to operate a government now and perhaps face an insurgency of their own that is very subtle and one which they aren't equipped to counter. This is going to be in future text books. Deescalation through withdrawal leaving the rebels with more ro chew than they can handle. It's not over but it must really interfere with the enemy plan. Once the leaders are bin place exposed then Assad and company come back and cut off the head.