Rebel forces gain ground in northwest Syria as government faces challenges

The Syrian civil war, which began 13 years ago, has seen a recent shift as rebel forces rapidly captured significant territory in northwest Syria, including Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, advancing towards the capital, Damascus. The Syrian government, led by President Bashar al-Assad, has faced challenges as its key allies, Iran and Russia, have been distracted by other conflicts. Iran has begun evacuating military personnel from Syria, indicating a reduced capacity to support Assad's regime. Turkey has expressed support for the rebel advance, while Kurdish forces continue to control parts of northeastern Syria. The U.S. maintains a military presence in the region, focusing on preventing the resurgence of the Islamic State group.