A recent offensive by Syrian rebel forces has seen them capture much of northwest Syria from the government, overturning a stagnant civil war that had been at an impasse for years. The rebels have taken control of significant territories, including major cities, airports, military bases, and villages that were previously under government control. This comes after a period of relative calm in the conflict, which had largely frozen territorial lines since 2020. The rebels, a mix of extremist Islamic and moderate factions, had seen their territory shrink until this recent offensive.
The conflict in Syria began in 2011 when President Bashar al-Assad brutally crushed anti-government protests, leading to the rise of rebel forces that managed to take control of large parts of the country. However, the situation shifted in favor of pro-government forces in recent years, with the help of Russian airstrikes and support from Iran and Hezbollah. Despite initial successes, the rebels were pushed back and cornered in Idlib Province until their recent offensive.
The Islamic State also played a significant role in the conflict, taking over large parts of Syria and Iraq with its ultra-extremist interpretation of Islam before being defeated by Kurdish-led forces and Western coalition airstrikes. Kurdish forces also became a key player in the conflict, fighting against the Islamic State and then losing territory to Turkish-backed forces.
Overall, the recent offensive by Syrian rebels marks a significant shift in the balance of power in the conflict, which had previously been in favor of the government and its allies. The situation on the ground in Syria continues to evolve as various factions vie for control of territory.
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