The north-west based militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham makes quick progress in Syriaʼs southern areas after getting strong positions in Aleppo region. The fast-moving operation shows the groups growing influence in multiple parts of the country
The Syrian government didnt stay quiet - it moved its troops around and started counter-attacks (including air-strikes on rebel spots) during this past weekend. The military response shows Damascusʼ wish to keep control of its territories
This push by HTS - which runs most of Idlib province - became the biggest test for Bashar al-Assadʼs leadership since early-2010s. The islamist groupʼs quick advance makes many experts think about possible power-balance changes in the war-torn middle-eastern country: the situation looks different from previous small-scale conflicts