Syrian Rebels Make Major Gains in Aleppo, Shifting War Dynamics

Rebel forces, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have launched a significant offensive in Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, posing a major threat to President Bashar al-Assad's regime. This development highlights the regime's vulnerabilities amid ongoing domestic and international pressures. The rebels reportedly took control of over half of Aleppo with little resistance, marking a setback for Assad, who had regained control of the city in 2016 with Russian support. The conflict has resulted in significant civilian displacement and casualties.