The Global Story Who are the rebels threatening Assad's grip on Syria?
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Dec 3, 2024 
Mina Al-Lami, a jihadist media specialist with BBC Monitoring, and Barbara Plett Usher, a BBC correspondent with deep insights from Beirut, dive into the resurgence of conflict in Syria. They discuss the recent rebel offensive in Aleppo and its implications for Assad's regime. The dialogue explores the transformation of rebel factions like HTS and the hope for reform among the Syrian people. Additionally, the strategic significance of Aleppo emerges, highlighting a complex web of geopolitics and the resilience of civilians amidst renewed violence.
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Syrian Civil War Origins
- The Syrian civil war began in 2011 with anti-government protests, inspired by the Arab Spring.
- Jihadist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS eventually hijacked the revolution.
Foreign Involvement
- Foreign involvement complicated the Syrian war, with Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah supporting Assad.
- Various rebel groups received support from Turkey and Gulf countries, though this decreased due to jihadist presence.
Brutality of the War
- The Syrian war was marked by extreme brutality, including barrel bombs and alleged chemical weapon use.
- This violence created deep communal tensions and widespread civilian casualties.