Insurgents have seized Aleppo and entered Hama, major government strongholds, breaking a decade-long stalemate. These advances could disrupt Iran's supply route to Hezbollah and impact the regime's control.
Residents in Aleppo, under insurgent control, report improved civil services like garbage collection and electricity. They express hope for a return to normalcy after years of violence.
HTS, once linked to al-Qaeda, has shifted focus to civilian governance and military strength, though it retains fundamentalist elements. The group aims to provide better living conditions for residents.
Aleppo's economy, once the heart of Syria, suffered as businessmen fled due to militia governance. However, with HTS now in control, some are returning, and families are reuniting.
Main concerns include regime airstrikes and the desire for a better quality of life. Residents seek freedom, dignity, and a functioning civil society.
If insurgents maintain momentum, they could significantly pressure the regime, potentially leading to its collapse. The government's recent setbacks have raised questions about its survival.
Syrian anti-government insurgents claim they have entered the city of Hama — a major Syrian government stronghold.This continues their momentum over the last week, when they also seized Syria's second largest city, Aleppo. Since the war started in 2011, half a million people have been killed and many millions of others displaced.The Syrian Civil War has been locked in a stalemate for years. Now, rebel forces are gaining ground against the oppressive regime of Bashar al-Assad. Will the group ultimately end his control over the country?For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org).Email us at [email protected]).Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)