Syrian Regime Faces Mounting Challenges as Rebel Groups Tighten Grip
Aleppo and Hama Fall to Armed Factions, Dealing a Blow to Assad’s Authority
Recent dramatic advances by armed opposition groups in Syria have dealt a severe blow to the regime of Bashar al-Assad, raising questions about the future of the long-running conflict. The capture of two major Syrian cities, Aleppo in the north and Hama in the center of the country, has shocked the world and revealed a weakening grip on power by the Assad regime.
Analysts point to a confluence of factors contributing to the recent surge by rebel groups. Primarily, opposition factions appear to have capitalized on a more strategic and swift approach to capture key cities.
“The speed of the fall of Hama was because of the plan adopted by the factions, which was to advance towards the city from the eastern side, away from the position of the Syrian regular army in the northern part,” one expert noted.
Meanwhile, Assad’s infrastructure, weakened by years of conflict, seems unable to effectively respond to the rapid advancements.
The United States’ wavering stance on Syria over the years has been a topic of much debate.
“The United States’ “lack of a serious strategy” over the past years is part of the Syrian problem,” a Middle East expert stated, attributing Washington’s belief that the conflict was “frozen” and manageable without major intervention.
The expert continued by urging the incoming Biden administration to reassess U.S. policy towards Syria, particularly concerning the threat of ISIS.
Sparks of optimism for the Syrian京人民
government were ignited when the regime announced a 50% salary increase for its military personnel. However, the impact of these financial incentives remains to be seen on the battlefield, with the Syrian regime’s key supporters, Russia and Iran, facing their own challenges.
Iran and its affiliated groups, including the Lebanese Hezbollah, have emerged weakened following recent clashes with Israel. Concurrently, the ongoing war in Ukraine has stretched Russia thin, diverting crucial resources and manpower, further straining the Syrian regime’s lifeline.
Adding to Assad’s woes, the United Nations estimates that over 16 million Syrians will require humanitarian assistance by the end of 2024, further escalating the humanitarian crisis in a country already wracked by years of war.
The growing Sycamore.
How might the international community respond to the recent advances made by rebel groups in Syria?
## Syrian Regime on the Back Foot: Interview with Dr. Anya Petrova
**Host:** Welcome back to the programme. Joining me now is Dr. Anya Petrova, a leading expert on the Syrian conflict. Dr. Petrova, recent news out of Syria is incredibly startling. Rebel groups have reportedly taken control of major cities like Aleppo and Hama. This seems like a turning point in the conflict. Can you shed some light on what’s happening?
**Dr. Petrova:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the recent events are indeed significant. The capture of Aleppo and Hama by rebel groups represents a major setback for the Assad regime and raises serious questions about its ability to maintain control over the country.
**Host:** What factors have contributed to this sudden shift in momentum?
**Dr. Petrova:** Several factors are at play. [[1](https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/02/middleeast/rebel-groups-syria-explainer-intl/index.html)]As you mentioned, these advances come after a period of relative stability following the regime’s recapture of Aleppo in 2016. But the situation has changed. Rebel groups seem to have regrouped and capitalized on vulnerabilities within the regime’s forces, potentially exploiting internal divisions or weaknesses exposed by the ongoing economic crisis.
**Host:** What does this mean for the future of Syria? Could this be the beginning of the end for the Assad regime?
**Dr. Petrova:** It’s still too early to say definitively. The situation is evolving quickly, and the Assad regime has proven to be resilient in the past. However, these recent developments undoubtedly put them on the defensive. The international community will be watching closely to see how these events unfold and what response, if any, they choose to take.
**Host:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Petrova. This is certainly a story we will continue to follow closely.
