Rather than coming out of nowhere, the dynamics that led to the HTS rebels' offensive in Syria have been building for a long time. The post The Rebel Offensive in Syria Was Hiding in Plain Sight appeared first on World Politics Review.

The 13-year civil war in Syria has roared back into prominence with a surprise rebel offensive on one of Syria’s largest cities and ancient business hub.

On "Forbes Newsroom," Gregory Brew, Senior Analyst at the Eurasia Group, discussed the ongoing conflict in Syria.

Eight years ago, Syria’s civil war shifted in President Bashar Al-Assad’s favor after a Russian blitzkrieg on Aleppo helped him regain control over the country’s second biggest city.

A lightning offensive in Syria last week broke a prolonged stalemate 13 years into Syria's civil war and emphasized the vulnerability of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Why it matters: Rebels last week reclaimed nearly all of Aleppo,

Airstrikes also hit residential buildings in the city of Idlib, which has become a refuge for people displaced by the civil war, killing at least 12 civilians, according to the White Helmets, an independent rescue organization.

As the anti-Assad rebel forces’ surprise counteroffensive against regime forces stretches into its fifth day, Russia and Syria have stepped up their aerial bombardment campaign to slow it down. Adding to the challenge,

Rebels in Syria took control of the Nayrab Military Airport in Aleppo, Al Jazeera reported, citing opposition officials on December 2.Footage from local news outlet Shaam Network shows abandoned military planes and a helicopter at the base.

Syria carried out airstrikes targeting the rebel forces that seized the country's second largest city of Aleppo in a surprise advance last week that caught the government off guard.