There wasn't really any sort of plausible protest movement going on at the time, and the strikes did result in an upswell of regime support in the short term.

It was advantagous for them to strike when they did, so they did. Its much less advantageous in this moment, so it seems less likely they will now. Or at least not overtly.

> But now they are playing it cool like a cucumber?

Well yes. Countries tend to do things they think will make them more powerful. Sometimes that means blowing shit up, but that is not always the right play.