Assad's regime, dominated by the radical Islamists of Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham, has seized most of the major northern city. This breakthrough was facilitated by the weakening of the pro-Iranian camp, thanks to the war in Lebanon.

Rebels in Syria have made rapid advances towards the country’s second biggest city, Aleppo, reigniting a conflict that had largely laid dormant for years. After making only limited gains in recent years,