Although the recent air strikes of the United States and the coalition formed to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria militants, also known as ISIL, have killed numerous jihadists, Syrian leaders discussed the opportunities and perils of the attacks on Syrian soil.

According to analysts and allies of the Syrian government, one of the opportunities that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his inner circle believe is that their government has been granted because of the air strikes U.S. President Barack Obama ordered against ISIL.

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Assad and his advisers said that the decision of America signifies the victory for his government's venerable strategy, that destroys those who disagree with his rule. He also said the world that should choose between him and ISIL.

The Syrian leaders are now in Damascus and according to those in talks with them, the leaders also have doubts.

These leaders are not yet sure whether the Syrian government forces or the Syrian rebels, together with separatist Kurds, would benefit from the strikes the U.S. leads.

However, it has been clear that the air strikes did not immediately weaken the ISIS militants. Syrian Army remains unable to retake the lands it lost during the skirmishes. The most affected areas are Raqqa and Deir al-Zour bordering Iraq, explains Amine Hoteit, a retired Lebanese general.

According to Yezid Sayigh, a military analyst from the Carnegie Middle East Center located in Beirut, the U.S. is unlikely to launch more strikes and will carefully plan any further strategies to avoid more civilian casualties.

Sayigh adds that unless the airstrikes would kill the key commanders of ISIL, the military impact will continue to be limited.

On Thursday, President Obama has announced that he will be aid Syrian insurgents on the ground to weaken ISIL militants.

Also, Syrian insurgents are said to be stronger whenever they are near ISIL positions, specifically those in Aleppo province.

The Syrian army is also in those positions, which means the attacks will benefit Assad's group.

However, Obama made it clear that he is opposed to helping Assad, adds Sayigh.

Another Damascus journalist who supports the Syrian government said in a phone interview that American strikes against ISIL are just designed as a political strategy because elections in the U.S. are just around the corner.

The journalist adds that the U.S. should force Turkey and NATO to stop sending fighters across their borders if they really want to dismantle the ISIS militants.

Assad and his inner circle are positive that Obama will soon be asking for their help to defeat the ISIS militants.

TagsISIS militants, United States President Barack Obama, Bashar al-Assad, air strikes, Kurds, Syrian insurgents