Probably, this is how tribalism and war work. People will almost always side with there in group even if they are the obvious aggressor. Any attack on your in group, even in retaliation, will tend to reinforce bonds and further entrench you rather then make you “wake up” and leave the group or turn against the agitators. You want revenge and you aren’t going to turn against the one guy who’s shown he’s willing to help you get that revenge.