Syrian Rebels Gain Ground as Putin's Support for Assad Wavers
The Syrian conflict has taken a dramatic turn as rebel forces continue their lightning advance, capturing key territories and strategic locations, including the city of Aleppo. The fall of Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, is a significant blow to the Assad regime, which had wrested control of the city from rebels in 2016 after a devastating siege ¹.
The rebels' success can be attributed, in part, to the weakness of the Assad regime's allies, including Iran and Hezbollah, which have been damaged by the conflict with Israel. Russia, another key ally, is preoccupied with its war in Ukraine and has reduced its military presence in Syria. This has created a power vacuum that the rebels are eager to exploit ¹.
The Kremlin's response to the rebels' advances has been muted, with Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, issuing a bland statement about "restoring order." The Russian Defense Ministry has claimed that Russia is providing air support to the Syrian army, but it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to stem the rebels' tide ¹.
The rebels' gains have significant implications for the regional balance of power. Türkiye, which has long been a key player in the Syrian conflict, stands to gain the most from the rebels' success. The fall of Aleppo makes it increasingly unlikely that Assad will be able to demand the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria, and Ankara will likely use its newfound leverage to push for a normalization of ties between Damascus and Ankara ¹.
The situation in Syria is also likely to become a key issue in talks between Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. With Russia's influence in the region waning, Erdoğan will likely use the opportunity to press his advantage and push for a resolution to the conflict that favors Turkish interests ¹.
As the situation in Syria continues to unfold, it is clear that the Assad regime is facing its most significant challenge yet. With Putin's support wavering and the rebels gaining ground, it remains to be seen whether the regime will be able to survive the latest onslaught.
- *Bashar al-Assad*: The President of Syria, whose regime has been fighting a brutal civil war since 2011.
- *Vladimir Putin*: The President of Russia, whose support for the Assad regime has been crucial in the conflict.
- *Recep Tayyip Erdoğan*: The President of Türkiye, whose country has played a key role in the conflict and stands to gain from the rebels' success.
- *Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)*: A powerful rebel group that has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States ¹.
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