Over the past four years, HTS and its allies have invested in professionalizing their forces and acquiring drones, analysts say. This has created a force that Assad’s regime has struggled to defend against. HTS has also worked on strengthening diplomatic ties, negotiating with various groups and regime military commanders. Reports indicated that HTS-led forces were advancing towards northern Homs, while the Syrian defense ministry targeted rebels in Hama.
The ongoing conflict in Syria has been marked by heavy Russian-led bombing of civilian infrastructure and attacks on rebel-held areas. Israel’s military also conducted airstrikes on Syrian border crossings, roads, and infrastructure near the Syrian-Lebanese border to target Hezbollah’s smuggling routes. Hezbollah and Iran have been supporters of the Assad regime and the re-eruption of the Syrian civil war follows a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) seized government positions in major eastern cities like Raqqa and Deir Ez-Zour. The situation in Syria is complex with various parties involved in the conflict, including HTS, Assad’s regime, Russia, Israel, Hezbollah, Iran, and the SDF. The Assad regime has long received support from Moscow, while Hezbollah has been a key ally in the region. The conflict has seen constant shifts in control of territories and ongoing military operations by various factions.
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