🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 51 (from laksa137)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa051.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/30/middleeast/syrian-civil-war-reignited-explainer-intl\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/30/middleeast/syrian-civil-war-reignited-explainer-intl\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/11\/30\/middleeast\/syrian-civil-war-reignited-explainer-intl","crawl_time":1774988857,"first_indexed_time":1733239508,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,cnn!www,\/2024\/11\/30\/middleeast\/syrian-civil-war-reignited-explainer-intl s443","src_root_hash":"2312100192101524051","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"What’s happening in Syria? A simple guide | CNN","meta_descriptions":["Syria’s civil war is back in the spotlight after a new rebel coalition launched a surprise attack, sweeping into the country’s second largest city, Aleppo."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"CNN\n — \nSyria’s civil war is back in the spotlight after a new rebel coalition launched\na surprise attack\n, capturing two major cities, shattering the stalemate of a war that never formally ended.\nThe renewed conflict, which has killed more than 300,000 and sent nearly 6 million refugees out of the country, has wide ramifications across the region and beyond.\nHere’s what you need to know.\nAd Feedback\nAd Feedback\nAt the height of the Arab Spring in 2011, pro-democracy demonstrators took to the streets in Syria calling for the ouster of its authoritarian President Bashar al-Assad.\nThe protesters were met with deadly force. As Assad’s forces crushed the pro-democracy movement, an armed opposition began to form made up of small organic militias and some defectors from the Syrian military.\nThe opposition forces – decentralized, made up of different ideologies, but with a common goal of toppling Assad – were supported in various ways by foreign powers including neighboring Turkey, regional giants Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the United States.\nAs the anti-government forces grew, Syria’s allies Iran and Russia stepped up their support. On the ground, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as well as its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah helped fight the armed rebel groups. In the skies, the Syrian Air Force was  bolstered by Russian warplanes.\nExtremist Islamists including al Qaeda took an interest in Syria, taking up a common cause with the moderate Syrian opposition who did not welcome jihadist involvement.\nBut by 2014 the extremists dominated and ISIS began sweeping across the country. Fearing Syria would become a permanent terror hotbed, an international coalition led by the US stepped in with a focus on eliminating the group but without confronting the Syrian regime.\nThe Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – a US partner made up of Kurdish fighters - fought against ISIS, effectively ending the group’s territorial existence.\nIn 2020, Russia and Turkey\nagreed\na ceasefire in the last remaining opposition-held province, Idlib, agreeing to establish a security corridor with joint patrols.\nThere have been no major flare-ups since then but Syria’s government never regained all of its territory. And as events in Aleppo show, armed resistance never went away.\nThe offensive began last week after rebels formed a new coalition called the “Military Operations Command.”\nThey quickly swept through villages outside Aleppo and residents have now said they control much of the city, meeting little resistance on the way.\nMore than a week after the offensive began, the rebels on Thursday entered Hama, a strategically important city about 150 kilometers (90 miles) south of Aleppo. Syria’s army said it was withdrawing from the city.\nAfter taking Hama, the rebels said they plan to push further south to the city of Homs.\nThe fighters say they are seeking to liberate occupied territory and were responding to stepped up attacks from government forces and pro-Iranian militia groups.\nThe rebels may be seeking to capitalize on a weakened government whose key allies are heavily preoccupied with other conflicts.\nRussia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has ploughed manpower and resources into the war. Russia is Assad’s main partner in the sky.\nMeanwhile Iran has suffered a series of attacks from Israel, in particular landing heavy blows on Hezbollah. Analysts\ntold CNN\nthat the Syrian rebels are using a vacuum left by the group to advance in Syria.\nLosing Aleppo marks a significant setback for Assad’s forces. Once Syria’s largest city by population and its economic capital, it is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Hama provides direct supply lines between the capital Damascus and Aleppo and rebels had until now been unable to capture the city.\nThe new grouping is made up of a broad spectrum of opposition forces, from Islamist factions to moderates.\nLeading them is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate in Syria that used to go by the name Al-Nusra Front.\nThe group officially cut ties with al Qaeda and has been the de facto ruler in Idlib. They have been joined by groups backed by Turkey and others previously supported by the US.\nComplicating the situation is that some of the rebel groups are also fighting the Syrian Democratic Forces.\nThe Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army, which is part of the rebel coalition that took control of most of Aleppo city, said Sunday it had seized control of the city of Tal Rifaat and the towns of Ain Daqna and Sheikh Issa in the northern part of the Aleppo governorate. It also claimed to have captured the villages of Shaaleh and Nairabiyyeh in Aleppo’s northern countryside. Those territories were previously held not by the government of Bashar al-Assad but by the Syrian Democratic Forces.\nThe Syrian Democratic Forces are largely made up of Kurdish fighters from a group known as the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG), which is considered a terrorist organization by neighboring Turkey.\nSyrian and Russian jets have been striking the rebels in Aleppo and Idlib, a tactic that was crucial in winning back territory during the civil war.\nAssad has vowed that Syria will continue “to defend its stability and territorial integrity in the face of all terrorists and their supporters” and the defense ministry said it was preparing to launch a counteroffensive.\nHowever the full extent of government ability or willingness to respond is unclear at this stage and much will depend on the support its key backers can bring.\nThere have been signs of Syria’s allies rallying around the government, with Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi traveling to Damascus from Tehran on Sunday.\nWith rebels in control of Aleppo, including key military sites and the airport, any counterattack will be difficult for the Syrian army. The city held out for nearly two years under near continuous siege from government forces before being captured in 2016.\nCNN’s Eyad Kourdi, Ben Wedeman, Mostafa Salem and Christian Edwards contributed to this report.","attrs_markdown":"Thank You\\!\n\nYour effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.\n\nClose\n\nAd Feedback\n\n[World](https:\/\/cnn.com\/world)\n\n[Africa](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/africa)\n\n[Americas](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/americas)\n\n[Asia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/asia)\n\n[Australia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/australia)\n\n[China](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/china)\n\n[Europe](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/europe)\n\n[India](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/india)\n\n[Middle East](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/middle-east)\n\n[United Kingdom](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/united-kingdom)\n\n[More]()\n\n[Africa](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/africa)   [Americas](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/americas)   [Asia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/asia)   [Australia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/australia)   [China](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/china)   [Europe](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/europe)   [India](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/india)   [Middle East](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/middle-east)   [United Kingdom](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/united-kingdom)\n\n[Watch](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/subscription\/all-access)   [Listen](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio)\n\nSubscribe\n\nSign in\n\nMy Account\n\n- [Settings](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/account\/settings)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters)\n- [Topics you follow](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/follow?iid=fw_var-nav)\n- [Sign out](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/11\/30\/middleeast\/syrian-civil-war-reignited-explainer-intl)\n\nYour CNN account Sign in to your CNN account\n***\nSign in\n\nMy Account\n\n- [Settings](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/account\/settings)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters)\n- [Topics you follow](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/follow?iid=fw_var-nav)\n- [Sign out](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/11\/30\/middleeast\/syrian-civil-war-reignited-explainer-intl)\n\nYour CNN account Sign in to your CNN account\n***\n[Listen](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio)   [Watch](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/subscription\/all-access)\n***\nEdition\n\n[US](https:\/\/us.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n\n[International](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n\n[Arabic](https:\/\/arabic.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n\n[Español](https:\/\/cnnespanol.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n\nEdition\n\n- [US](https:\/\/us.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n- [International](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n- [Arabic](https:\/\/arabic.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n- [Español](https:\/\/cnnespanol.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n***\n[Africa](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/africa)\n\n[Americas](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/americas)\n\n[Asia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/asia)\n\n[Australia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/australia)\n\n[China](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/china)\n\n[Europe](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/europe)\n\n[India](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/india)\n\n[Middle East](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/middle-east)\n\n[United Kingdom](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/united-kingdom)\n***\nFollow CNN\n\nDownload the CNN App\n***\n\n- [US](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us)\n  - 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A simple guide\n[![Lauren Kent](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/profiles\/lauren-kent)   [![Sophie Tanno](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/profiles\/sophie-tanno)\n\nBy [Lauren Kent](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/profiles\/lauren-kent), [Sophie Tanno](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/profiles\/sophie-tanno) and [Christian Edwards](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/profiles\/christian-edwards), CNN\n\n5 min read\n\nUpdated 12:31 PM EST, Thu December 5, 2024\n\nLink Copied\\!\n\nFollow:\n\nThe Middle East\n\n[See your latest updates](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/follow?iid=follow_see_all_article&source=acq_web_experiments_follow_card-social-bar-all)\n\n**Unable to load video**\n\nPlease try again later.\n\nError occurred while fetching labs\n\nSubtitles\n\n- Off\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nSyrian rebel vows to clear country after attack in Aleppo\n\n02:46   • Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\nWorld News  11 videos\n\n![Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro looks on during a meeting at the National Assembly in Caracas on August 22, 2025. Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro on August 22, 2025, denounced the US military deployment in Caribbean waters as an \"immoral, criminal, and illegal\" plan against his country, seeking \"regime change.\" (Photo by Juan BARRETO \/ AFP) (Photo by JUAN BARRETO\/AFP via Getty Images) ](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nJudge won’t dismiss charges against ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro\n\n01:13\n\nNow playing\n\n• Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\n![Funeral of two paramedics killed in an Israeli strike on Tuesday (March 24) according to Lebanese ministry of health.](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nLebanese medics in emptied town fear strikes\n\n02:28\n\nNow playing\n\n• Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\n![Chinese leader Xi Jinping, left, and US President Donald Trump. ](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nWhite House says Trump-Xi summit is back on\n\n02:29\n\nNow playing\n\n• Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\n![Syrian opposition fighters stand in formation after entering the village of Anjara, western outskirts of Aleppo, Syria, Thursday Nov. 28, 2024, part of their major offensive on government-controlled areas in the country's northwestern Syria. 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Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro on August 22, 2025, denounced the US military deployment in Caribbean waters as an \"immoral, criminal, and illegal\" plan against his country, seeking \"regime change.\" (Photo by Juan BARRETO \/ AFP) (Photo by JUAN BARRETO\/AFP via Getty Images) ](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nJudge won’t dismiss charges against ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro\n\n01:13\n\nNow playing\n\n• Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\n![Funeral of two paramedics killed in an Israeli strike on Tuesday (March 24) according to Lebanese ministry of health.](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nLebanese medics in emptied town fear strikes\n\n02:28\n\nNow playing\n\n• Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\n![Chinese leader Xi Jinping, left, and US President Donald Trump. ](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nWhite House says Trump-Xi summit is back on\n\n02:29\n\nNow playing\n\n• Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\n![Syrian opposition fighters stand in formation after entering the village of Anjara, western outskirts of Aleppo, Syria, Thursday Nov. 28, 2024, part of their major offensive on government-controlled areas in the country's northwestern Syria. (AP Photo\/Omar Albam)](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nSyrian rebel vows to clear country after attack in Aleppo\n\n02:46\n\nNow playing\n\n• Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\n![260331\\_HegsethTellAlliesToHelp\\_digvid\\_THUMB.jpg](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nTrump and Hegseth tell US allies to help open Strait of Hormuz\n\n01:05\n\nNow playing\n\n• Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\n![Panetta.jpg](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nIf Trump puts troops on the ground ‘we will be trapped,’ warns fmr. CIA chief\n\n11:13\n\nNow playing\n\n• Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\nSee more videos\n\nCNN\n\n—\n\nSyria’s civil war is back in the spotlight after a new rebel coalition launched [a surprise attack](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/11\/30\/middleeast\/syrian-rebels-control-aleppo-city-intl\/index.html), capturing two major cities, shattering the stalemate of a war that never formally ended.\n\nThe renewed conflict, which has killed more than 300,000 and sent nearly 6 million refugees out of the country, has wide ramifications across the region and beyond.\n\nHere’s what you need to know.\n\nAd Feedback\n\nAd Feedback\n\n## What happened in Syria’s civil war?\nAt the height of the Arab Spring in 2011, pro-democracy demonstrators took to the streets in Syria calling for the ouster of its authoritarian President Bashar al-Assad.\n\nThe protesters were met with deadly force. As Assad’s forces crushed the pro-democracy movement, an armed opposition began to form made up of small organic militias and some defectors from the Syrian military.\n\nThe opposition forces – decentralized, made up of different ideologies, but with a common goal of toppling Assad – were supported in various ways by foreign powers including neighboring Turkey, regional giants Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the United States.\n\n[![Smoke billows in the distance as damaged cars are seen at the site of Syrian regime airstrikes targeting opposition fighters in Aleppo, in northern Syria, on November 30, 2024.](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Smoke billows in the distance as damaged cars are seen at the site of Syrian regime airstrikes targeting opposition fighters in Aleppo, in northern Syria, on November 30, 2024. Aaref Watad\/AFP\/Getty Images Related article Syrian and Russian jets step up strikes on rebels after opposition seize much of Aleppo](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/12\/01\/middleeast\/syrian-regime-airstrikes-opposition-forces-intl)\n\nAs the anti-government forces grew, Syria’s allies Iran and Russia stepped up their support. On the ground, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as well as its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah helped fight the armed rebel groups. In the skies, the Syrian Air Force was bolstered by Russian warplanes.\n\nExtremist Islamists including al Qaeda took an interest in Syria, taking up a common cause with the moderate Syrian opposition who did not welcome jihadist involvement.\n\nBut by 2014 the extremists dominated and ISIS began sweeping across the country. Fearing Syria would become a permanent terror hotbed, an international coalition led by the US stepped in with a focus on eliminating the group but without confronting the Syrian regime.\n\nThe Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – a US partner made up of Kurdish fighters - fought against ISIS, effectively ending the group’s territorial existence.\n\nIn 2020, Russia and Turkey [agreed](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2020\/03\/05\/middleeast\/russia-turkey-syria-ceasefire-intl\/index.html) a ceasefire in the last remaining opposition-held province, Idlib, agreeing to establish a security corridor with joint patrols.\n\nThere have been no major flare-ups since then but Syria’s government never regained all of its territory. And as events in Aleppo show, armed resistance never went away.\n\n## Why has the conflict reignited now?\nThe offensive began last week after rebels formed a new coalition called the “Military Operations Command.”\n\nThey quickly swept through villages outside Aleppo and residents have now said they control much of the city, meeting little resistance on the way.\n\nMore than a week after the offensive began, the rebels on Thursday entered Hama, a strategically important city about 150 kilometers (90 miles) south of Aleppo. Syria’s army said it was withdrawing from the city.\n\nAfter taking Hama, the rebels said they plan to push further south to the city of Homs.\n\nThe fighters say they are seeking to liberate occupied territory and were responding to stepped up attacks from government forces and pro-Iranian militia groups.\n\nThe rebels may be seeking to capitalize on a weakened government whose key allies are heavily preoccupied with other conflicts.\n\nRussia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has ploughed manpower and resources into the war. Russia is Assad’s main partner in the sky.\n\nMeanwhile Iran has suffered a series of attacks from Israel, in particular landing heavy blows on Hezbollah. Analysts [told CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/11\/28\/europe\/syria-rebels-government-iran-analysis-intl\/index.html) that the Syrian rebels are using a vacuum left by the group to advance in Syria.\n\nLosing Aleppo marks a significant setback for Assad’s forces. Once Syria’s largest city by population and its economic capital, it is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Hama provides direct supply lines between the capital Damascus and Aleppo and rebels had until now been unable to capture the city.\n\n## Who are the rebels?\nThe new grouping is made up of a broad spectrum of opposition forces, from Islamist factions to moderates.\n\nLeading them is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate in Syria that used to go by the name Al-Nusra Front.\n\nThe group officially cut ties with al Qaeda and has been the de facto ruler in Idlib. They have been joined by groups backed by Turkey and others previously supported by the US.\n\nComplicating the situation is that some of the rebel groups are also fighting the Syrian Democratic Forces.\n\nThe Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army, which is part of the rebel coalition that took control of most of Aleppo city, said Sunday it had seized control of the city of Tal Rifaat and the towns of Ain Daqna and Sheikh Issa in the northern part of the Aleppo governorate. It also claimed to have captured the villages of Shaaleh and Nairabiyyeh in Aleppo’s northern countryside. Those territories were previously held not by the government of Bashar al-Assad but by the Syrian Democratic Forces.\n\nThe Syrian Democratic Forces are largely made up of Kurdish fighters from a group known as the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG), which is considered a terrorist organization by neighboring Turkey.\n\n## How will Syria respond?\nSyrian and Russian jets have been striking the rebels in Aleppo and Idlib, a tactic that was crucial in winning back territory during the civil war.\n\nAssad has vowed that Syria will continue “to defend its stability and territorial integrity in the face of all terrorists and their supporters” and the defense ministry said it was preparing to launch a counteroffensive.\n\nHowever the full extent of government ability or willingness to respond is unclear at this stage and much will depend on the support its key backers can bring.\n\nThere have been signs of Syria’s allies rallying around the government, with Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi traveling to Damascus from Tehran on Sunday.\n\nWith rebels in control of Aleppo, including key military sites and the airport, any counterattack will be difficult for the Syrian army. The city held out for nearly two years under near continuous siege from government forces before being captured in 2016.\n\n*CNN’s Eyad Kourdi, Ben Wedeman, Mostafa Salem and Christian Edwards contributed to this report.*\n\nAd Feedback\n\nAd Feedback\n\nAd Feedback\n\nSubscribe\n\nSign in\n\nMy Account\n\n- [Settings](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/account\/settings)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters)\n- [Topics you follow](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/follow?iid=fw_var-nav)\n- [Sign out](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/11\/30\/middleeast\/syrian-civil-war-reignited-explainer-intl)\n\nYour CNN account Sign in to your CNN account\n***\n[Listen](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio)   [Watch](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/watch)\n***\n- [US](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us)\n  - [Crime & Justice](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/crime-and-justice)\n  - [Immigration](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/immigration)\n  - [Education](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/education)\n  - [Transportation](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/transportation)\n  - 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All Rights Reserved.   \n CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.\n\n## Download the CNN app\nScan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play.\n\n![Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/google-play-cnn-app-qr-code.png)\n\n## Download the CNN app\nScan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.\n\n![Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/app-store-cnn-app-qr-code.png)\n\n![CNN Logo](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn.svg)\n\n## Legal Terms and Privacy\nBy clicking Agree, you have read and agree to the Terms of Use and agree to the collection and use of your information by cookies and similar technologies, as set forth in our Privacy Policy.\n\nBy clicking \"Agree\", you have read and agree to the [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/terms) and agree to the collection and use of your information by cookies and similar technologies, as set forth in our [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/privacy).\n\n[Agree](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/11\/30\/middleeast\/syrian-civil-war-reignited-explainer-intl)","attrs_readable_markdown":"CNN —\n\nSyria’s civil war is back in the spotlight after a new rebel coalition launched [a surprise attack](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/11\/30\/middleeast\/syrian-rebels-control-aleppo-city-intl\/index.html), capturing two major cities, shattering the stalemate of a war that never formally ended.\n\nThe renewed conflict, which has killed more than 300,000 and sent nearly 6 million refugees out of the country, has wide ramifications across the region and beyond.\n\nHere’s what you need to know.\n\nAd Feedback\n\nAd Feedback\n\nAt the height of the Arab Spring in 2011, pro-democracy demonstrators took to the streets in Syria calling for the ouster of its authoritarian President Bashar al-Assad.\n\nThe protesters were met with deadly force. As Assad’s forces crushed the pro-democracy movement, an armed opposition began to form made up of small organic militias and some defectors from the Syrian military.\n\nThe opposition forces – decentralized, made up of different ideologies, but with a common goal of toppling Assad – were supported in various ways by foreign powers including neighboring Turkey, regional giants Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the United States.\n\nAs the anti-government forces grew, Syria’s allies Iran and Russia stepped up their support. On the ground, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as well as its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah helped fight the armed rebel groups. In the skies, the Syrian Air Force was bolstered by Russian warplanes.\n\nExtremist Islamists including al Qaeda took an interest in Syria, taking up a common cause with the moderate Syrian opposition who did not welcome jihadist involvement.\n\nBut by 2014 the extremists dominated and ISIS began sweeping across the country. Fearing Syria would become a permanent terror hotbed, an international coalition led by the US stepped in with a focus on eliminating the group but without confronting the Syrian regime.\n\nThe Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – a US partner made up of Kurdish fighters - fought against ISIS, effectively ending the group’s territorial existence.\n\nIn 2020, Russia and Turkey [agreed](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2020\/03\/05\/middleeast\/russia-turkey-syria-ceasefire-intl\/index.html) a ceasefire in the last remaining opposition-held province, Idlib, agreeing to establish a security corridor with joint patrols.\n\nThere have been no major flare-ups since then but Syria’s government never regained all of its territory. And as events in Aleppo show, armed resistance never went away.\n\nThe offensive began last week after rebels formed a new coalition called the “Military Operations Command.”\n\nThey quickly swept through villages outside Aleppo and residents have now said they control much of the city, meeting little resistance on the way.\n\nMore than a week after the offensive began, the rebels on Thursday entered Hama, a strategically important city about 150 kilometers (90 miles) south of Aleppo. Syria’s army said it was withdrawing from the city.\n\nAfter taking Hama, the rebels said they plan to push further south to the city of Homs.\n\nThe fighters say they are seeking to liberate occupied territory and were responding to stepped up attacks from government forces and pro-Iranian militia groups.\n\nThe rebels may be seeking to capitalize on a weakened government whose key allies are heavily preoccupied with other conflicts.\n\nRussia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has ploughed manpower and resources into the war. Russia is Assad’s main partner in the sky.\n\nMeanwhile Iran has suffered a series of attacks from Israel, in particular landing heavy blows on Hezbollah. Analysts [told CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/11\/28\/europe\/syria-rebels-government-iran-analysis-intl\/index.html) that the Syrian rebels are using a vacuum left by the group to advance in Syria.\n\nLosing Aleppo marks a significant setback for Assad’s forces. Once Syria’s largest city by population and its economic capital, it is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Hama provides direct supply lines between the capital Damascus and Aleppo and rebels had until now been unable to capture the city.\n\nThe new grouping is made up of a broad spectrum of opposition forces, from Islamist factions to moderates.\n\nLeading them is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate in Syria that used to go by the name Al-Nusra Front.\n\nThe group officially cut ties with al Qaeda and has been the de facto ruler in Idlib. They have been joined by groups backed by Turkey and others previously supported by the US.\n\nComplicating the situation is that some of the rebel groups are also fighting the Syrian Democratic Forces.\n\nThe Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army, which is part of the rebel coalition that took control of most of Aleppo city, said Sunday it had seized control of the city of Tal Rifaat and the towns of Ain Daqna and Sheikh Issa in the northern part of the Aleppo governorate. It also claimed to have captured the villages of Shaaleh and Nairabiyyeh in Aleppo’s northern countryside. Those territories were previously held not by the government of Bashar al-Assad but by the Syrian Democratic Forces.\n\nThe Syrian Democratic Forces are largely made up of Kurdish fighters from a group known as the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG), which is considered a terrorist organization by neighboring Turkey.\n\nSyrian and Russian jets have been striking the rebels in Aleppo and Idlib, a tactic that was crucial in winning back territory during the civil war.\n\nAssad has vowed that Syria will continue “to defend its stability and territorial integrity in the face of all terrorists and their supporters” and the defense ministry said it was preparing to launch a counteroffensive.\n\nHowever the full extent of government ability or willingness to respond is unclear at this stage and much will depend on the support its key backers can bring.\n\nThere have been signs of Syria’s allies rallying around the government, with Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi traveling to Damascus from Tehran on Sunday.\n\nWith rebels in control of Aleppo, including key military sites and the airport, any counterattack will be difficult for the Syrian army. The city held out for nearly two years under near continuous siege from government forces before being captured in 2016.\n\n*CNN’s Eyad Kourdi, Ben Wedeman, Mostafa Salem and Christian Edwards contributed to this report.*","meta_canonical":null}

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URL	https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/30/middleeast/syrian-civil-war-reignited-explainer-intl
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Meta Title	What’s happening in Syria? A simple guide \| CNN
Meta Description	Syria’s civil war is back in the spotlight after a new rebel coalition launched a surprise attack, sweeping into the country’s second largest city, Aleppo.
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Boilerpipe Text	CNN — Syria’s civil war is back in the spotlight after a new rebel coalition launched a surprise attack , capturing two major cities, shattering the stalemate of a war that never formally ended. The renewed conflict, which has killed more than 300,000 and sent nearly 6 million refugees out of the country, has wide ramifications across the region and beyond. Here’s what you need to know. Ad Feedback Ad Feedback At the height of the Arab Spring in 2011, pro-democracy demonstrators took to the streets in Syria calling for the ouster of its authoritarian President Bashar al-Assad. The protesters were met with deadly force. As Assad’s forces crushed the pro-democracy movement, an armed opposition began to form made up of small organic militias and some defectors from the Syrian military. The opposition forces – decentralized, made up of different ideologies, but with a common goal of toppling Assad – were supported in various ways by foreign powers including neighboring Turkey, regional giants Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the United States. As the anti-government forces grew, Syria’s allies Iran and Russia stepped up their support. On the ground, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as well as its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah helped fight the armed rebel groups. In the skies, the Syrian Air Force was bolstered by Russian warplanes. Extremist Islamists including al Qaeda took an interest in Syria, taking up a common cause with the moderate Syrian opposition who did not welcome jihadist involvement. But by 2014 the extremists dominated and ISIS began sweeping across the country. Fearing Syria would become a permanent terror hotbed, an international coalition led by the US stepped in with a focus on eliminating the group but without confronting the Syrian regime. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – a US partner made up of Kurdish fighters - fought against ISIS, effectively ending the group’s territorial existence. In 2020, Russia and Turkey agreed a ceasefire in the last remaining opposition-held province, Idlib, agreeing to establish a security corridor with joint patrols. There have been no major flare-ups since then but Syria’s government never regained all of its territory. And as events in Aleppo show, armed resistance never went away. The offensive began last week after rebels formed a new coalition called the “Military Operations Command.” They quickly swept through villages outside Aleppo and residents have now said they control much of the city, meeting little resistance on the way. More than a week after the offensive began, the rebels on Thursday entered Hama, a strategically important city about 150 kilometers (90 miles) south of Aleppo. Syria’s army said it was withdrawing from the city. After taking Hama, the rebels said they plan to push further south to the city of Homs. The fighters say they are seeking to liberate occupied territory and were responding to stepped up attacks from government forces and pro-Iranian militia groups. The rebels may be seeking to capitalize on a weakened government whose key allies are heavily preoccupied with other conflicts. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has ploughed manpower and resources into the war. Russia is Assad’s main partner in the sky. Meanwhile Iran has suffered a series of attacks from Israel, in particular landing heavy blows on Hezbollah. Analysts told CNN that the Syrian rebels are using a vacuum left by the group to advance in Syria. Losing Aleppo marks a significant setback for Assad’s forces. Once Syria’s largest city by population and its economic capital, it is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Hama provides direct supply lines between the capital Damascus and Aleppo and rebels had until now been unable to capture the city. The new grouping is made up of a broad spectrum of opposition forces, from Islamist factions to moderates. Leading them is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate in Syria that used to go by the name Al-Nusra Front. The group officially cut ties with al Qaeda and has been the de facto ruler in Idlib. They have been joined by groups backed by Turkey and others previously supported by the US. Complicating the situation is that some of the rebel groups are also fighting the Syrian Democratic Forces. The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army, which is part of the rebel coalition that took control of most of Aleppo city, said Sunday it had seized control of the city of Tal Rifaat and the towns of Ain Daqna and Sheikh Issa in the northern part of the Aleppo governorate. It also claimed to have captured the villages of Shaaleh and Nairabiyyeh in Aleppo’s northern countryside. Those territories were previously held not by the government of Bashar al-Assad but by the Syrian Democratic Forces. The Syrian Democratic Forces are largely made up of Kurdish fighters from a group known as the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG), which is considered a terrorist organization by neighboring Turkey. Syrian and Russian jets have been striking the rebels in Aleppo and Idlib, a tactic that was crucial in winning back territory during the civil war. Assad has vowed that Syria will continue “to defend its stability and territorial integrity in the face of all terrorists and their supporters” and the defense ministry said it was preparing to launch a counteroffensive. However the full extent of government ability or willingness to respond is unclear at this stage and much will depend on the support its key backers can bring. There have been signs of Syria’s allies rallying around the government, with Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi traveling to Damascus from Tehran on Sunday. With rebels in control of Aleppo, including key military sites and the airport, any counterattack will be difficult for the Syrian army. The city held out for nearly two years under near continuous siege from government forces before being captured in 2016. CNN’s Eyad Kourdi, Ben Wedeman, Mostafa Salem and Christian Edwards contributed to this report.
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A simple guide [![Lauren Kent](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/lauren-kent) [![Sophie Tanno](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/sophie-tanno) By [Lauren Kent](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/lauren-kent), [Sophie Tanno](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/sophie-tanno) and [Christian Edwards](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/christian-edwards), CNN 5 min read Updated 12:31 PM EST, Thu December 5, 2024 Link Copied\! Follow: The Middle East [See your latest updates](https://www.cnn.com/follow?iid=follow_see_all_article&source=acq_web_experiments_follow_card-social-bar-all) Unable to load video** Please try again later. Error occurred while fetching labs Subtitles - Off Video Ad Feedback Syrian rebel vows to clear country after attack in Aleppo 02:46 • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) World News 11 videos ![Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro looks on during a meeting at the National Assembly in Caracas on August 22, 2025. Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro on August 22, 2025, denounced the US military deployment in Caribbean waters as an "immoral, criminal, and illegal" plan against his country, seeking "regime change." (Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP) (Photo by JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images) ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Judge won’t dismiss charges against ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro 01:13 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Funeral of two paramedics killed in an Israeli strike on Tuesday (March 24) according to Lebanese ministry of health.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Lebanese medics in emptied town fear strikes 02:28 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Chinese leader Xi Jinping, left, and US President Donald Trump. ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback White House says Trump-Xi summit is back on 02:29 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Syrian opposition fighters stand in formation after entering the village of Anjara, western outskirts of Aleppo, Syria, Thursday Nov. 28, 2024, part of their major offensive on government-controlled areas in the country's northwestern Syria. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Syrian rebel vows to clear country after attack in Aleppo 02:46 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![260331\_HegsethTellAlliesToHelp\_digvid\_THUMB.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Trump and Hegseth tell US allies to help open Strait of Hormuz 01:05 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Panetta.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback If Trump puts troops on the ground ‘we will be trapped,’ warns fmr. CIA chief 11:13 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![delta.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Delta flight engine malfunctions moments after takeoff 00:26 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![OPPMAN THUMBNAIL .png](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Fidel Castro’s influencer grandson, Sandro Castro, invites CNN into his home amid Cuba's energy crisis 05:37 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![118383\_SaudiPlane 16x9 Clean Thumb.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Images show vital US radar aircraft damaged after Iranian strike 00:17 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![STP\_IDF\_PKGH.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback 'Revenge': Israeli soldiers echo settler ideology 06:14 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Trump touts productive talks with the people who "seem to be running" Iran.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Trump touts productive talks with the people who 'seem to be running' Iran 05:45 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro looks on during a meeting at the National Assembly in Caracas on August 22, 2025. Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro on August 22, 2025, denounced the US military deployment in Caribbean waters as an "immoral, criminal, and illegal" plan against his country, seeking "regime change." (Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP) (Photo by JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images) ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Judge won’t dismiss charges against ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro 01:13 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Funeral of two paramedics killed in an Israeli strike on Tuesday (March 24) according to Lebanese ministry of health.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Lebanese medics in emptied town fear strikes 02:28 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Chinese leader Xi Jinping, left, and US President Donald Trump. ](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback White House says Trump-Xi summit is back on 02:29 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Syrian opposition fighters stand in formation after entering the village of Anjara, western outskirts of Aleppo, Syria, Thursday Nov. 28, 2024, part of their major offensive on government-controlled areas in the country's northwestern Syria. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Syrian rebel vows to clear country after attack in Aleppo 02:46 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![260331\_HegsethTellAlliesToHelp\_digvid\_THUMB.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback Trump and Hegseth tell US allies to help open Strait of Hormuz 01:05 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Panetta.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Video Ad Feedback If Trump puts troops on the ground ‘we will be trapped,’ warns fmr. CIA chief 11:13 Now playing • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) See more videos CNN — Syria’s civil war is back in the spotlight after a new rebel coalition launched [a surprise attack](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/30/middleeast/syrian-rebels-control-aleppo-city-intl/index.html), capturing two major cities, shattering the stalemate of a war that never formally ended. The renewed conflict, which has killed more than 300,000 and sent nearly 6 million refugees out of the country, has wide ramifications across the region and beyond. Here’s what you need to know. Ad Feedback Ad Feedback ## What happened in Syria’s civil war? At the height of the Arab Spring in 2011, pro-democracy demonstrators took to the streets in Syria calling for the ouster of its authoritarian President Bashar al-Assad. The protesters were met with deadly force. As Assad’s forces crushed the pro-democracy movement, an armed opposition began to form made up of small organic militias and some defectors from the Syrian military. The opposition forces – decentralized, made up of different ideologies, but with a common goal of toppling Assad – were supported in various ways by foreign powers including neighboring Turkey, regional giants Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the United States. [![Smoke billows in the distance as damaged cars are seen at the site of Syrian regime airstrikes targeting opposition fighters in Aleppo, in northern Syria, on November 30, 2024.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Smoke billows in the distance as damaged cars are seen at the site of Syrian regime airstrikes targeting opposition fighters in Aleppo, in northern Syria, on November 30, 2024. Aaref Watad/AFP/Getty Images Related article Syrian and Russian jets step up strikes on rebels after opposition seize much of Aleppo](https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/01/middleeast/syrian-regime-airstrikes-opposition-forces-intl) As the anti-government forces grew, Syria’s allies Iran and Russia stepped up their support. On the ground, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as well as its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah helped fight the armed rebel groups. In the skies, the Syrian Air Force was bolstered by Russian warplanes. Extremist Islamists including al Qaeda took an interest in Syria, taking up a common cause with the moderate Syrian opposition who did not welcome jihadist involvement. But by 2014 the extremists dominated and ISIS began sweeping across the country. Fearing Syria would become a permanent terror hotbed, an international coalition led by the US stepped in with a focus on eliminating the group but without confronting the Syrian regime. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – a US partner made up of Kurdish fighters - fought against ISIS, effectively ending the group’s territorial existence. In 2020, Russia and Turkey [agreed](https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/05/middleeast/russia-turkey-syria-ceasefire-intl/index.html) a ceasefire in the last remaining opposition-held province, Idlib, agreeing to establish a security corridor with joint patrols. There have been no major flare-ups since then but Syria’s government never regained all of its territory. And as events in Aleppo show, armed resistance never went away. ## Why has the conflict reignited now? The offensive began last week after rebels formed a new coalition called the “Military Operations Command.” They quickly swept through villages outside Aleppo and residents have now said they control much of the city, meeting little resistance on the way. More than a week after the offensive began, the rebels on Thursday entered Hama, a strategically important city about 150 kilometers (90 miles) south of Aleppo. Syria’s army said it was withdrawing from the city. After taking Hama, the rebels said they plan to push further south to the city of Homs. The fighters say they are seeking to liberate occupied territory and were responding to stepped up attacks from government forces and pro-Iranian militia groups. The rebels may be seeking to capitalize on a weakened government whose key allies are heavily preoccupied with other conflicts. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has ploughed manpower and resources into the war. Russia is Assad’s main partner in the sky. Meanwhile Iran has suffered a series of attacks from Israel, in particular landing heavy blows on Hezbollah. Analysts [told CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/28/europe/syria-rebels-government-iran-analysis-intl/index.html) that the Syrian rebels are using a vacuum left by the group to advance in Syria. Losing Aleppo marks a significant setback for Assad’s forces. Once Syria’s largest city by population and its economic capital, it is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Hama provides direct supply lines between the capital Damascus and Aleppo and rebels had until now been unable to capture the city. ## Who are the rebels? The new grouping is made up of a broad spectrum of opposition forces, from Islamist factions to moderates. Leading them is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate in Syria that used to go by the name Al-Nusra Front. The group officially cut ties with al Qaeda and has been the de facto ruler in Idlib. They have been joined by groups backed by Turkey and others previously supported by the US. Complicating the situation is that some of the rebel groups are also fighting the Syrian Democratic Forces. The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army, which is part of the rebel coalition that took control of most of Aleppo city, said Sunday it had seized control of the city of Tal Rifaat and the towns of Ain Daqna and Sheikh Issa in the northern part of the Aleppo governorate. It also claimed to have captured the villages of Shaaleh and Nairabiyyeh in Aleppo’s northern countryside. Those territories were previously held not by the government of Bashar al-Assad but by the Syrian Democratic Forces. The Syrian Democratic Forces are largely made up of Kurdish fighters from a group known as the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG), which is considered a terrorist organization by neighboring Turkey. ## How will Syria respond? Syrian and Russian jets have been striking the rebels in Aleppo and Idlib, a tactic that was crucial in winning back territory during the civil war. Assad has vowed that Syria will continue “to defend its stability and territorial integrity in the face of all terrorists and their supporters” and the defense ministry said it was preparing to launch a counteroffensive. However the full extent of government ability or willingness to respond is unclear at this stage and much will depend on the support its key backers can bring. There have been signs of Syria’s allies rallying around the government, with Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi traveling to Damascus from Tehran on Sunday. With rebels in control of Aleppo, including key military sites and the airport, any counterattack will be difficult for the Syrian army. The city held out for nearly two years under near continuous siege from government forces before being captured in 2016. CNN’s Eyad Kourdi, Ben Wedeman, Mostafa Salem and Christian Edwards contributed to this report. 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Readable Markdown	CNN — Syria’s civil war is back in the spotlight after a new rebel coalition launched [a surprise attack](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/30/middleeast/syrian-rebels-control-aleppo-city-intl/index.html), capturing two major cities, shattering the stalemate of a war that never formally ended. The renewed conflict, which has killed more than 300,000 and sent nearly 6 million refugees out of the country, has wide ramifications across the region and beyond. Here’s what you need to know. Ad Feedback Ad Feedback At the height of the Arab Spring in 2011, pro-democracy demonstrators took to the streets in Syria calling for the ouster of its authoritarian President Bashar al-Assad. The protesters were met with deadly force. As Assad’s forces crushed the pro-democracy movement, an armed opposition began to form made up of small organic militias and some defectors from the Syrian military. The opposition forces – decentralized, made up of different ideologies, but with a common goal of toppling Assad – were supported in various ways by foreign powers including neighboring Turkey, regional giants Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the United States. As the anti-government forces grew, Syria’s allies Iran and Russia stepped up their support. On the ground, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as well as its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah helped fight the armed rebel groups. In the skies, the Syrian Air Force was bolstered by Russian warplanes. Extremist Islamists including al Qaeda took an interest in Syria, taking up a common cause with the moderate Syrian opposition who did not welcome jihadist involvement. But by 2014 the extremists dominated and ISIS began sweeping across the country. Fearing Syria would become a permanent terror hotbed, an international coalition led by the US stepped in with a focus on eliminating the group but without confronting the Syrian regime. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – a US partner made up of Kurdish fighters - fought against ISIS, effectively ending the group’s territorial existence. In 2020, Russia and Turkey [agreed](https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/05/middleeast/russia-turkey-syria-ceasefire-intl/index.html) a ceasefire in the last remaining opposition-held province, Idlib, agreeing to establish a security corridor with joint patrols. There have been no major flare-ups since then but Syria’s government never regained all of its territory. And as events in Aleppo show, armed resistance never went away. The offensive began last week after rebels formed a new coalition called the “Military Operations Command.” They quickly swept through villages outside Aleppo and residents have now said they control much of the city, meeting little resistance on the way. More than a week after the offensive began, the rebels on Thursday entered Hama, a strategically important city about 150 kilometers (90 miles) south of Aleppo. Syria’s army said it was withdrawing from the city. After taking Hama, the rebels said they plan to push further south to the city of Homs. The fighters say they are seeking to liberate occupied territory and were responding to stepped up attacks from government forces and pro-Iranian militia groups. The rebels may be seeking to capitalize on a weakened government whose key allies are heavily preoccupied with other conflicts. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has ploughed manpower and resources into the war. Russia is Assad’s main partner in the sky. Meanwhile Iran has suffered a series of attacks from Israel, in particular landing heavy blows on Hezbollah. Analysts [told CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/28/europe/syria-rebels-government-iran-analysis-intl/index.html) that the Syrian rebels are using a vacuum left by the group to advance in Syria. Losing Aleppo marks a significant setback for Assad’s forces. Once Syria’s largest city by population and its economic capital, it is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Hama provides direct supply lines between the capital Damascus and Aleppo and rebels had until now been unable to capture the city. The new grouping is made up of a broad spectrum of opposition forces, from Islamist factions to moderates. Leading them is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate in Syria that used to go by the name Al-Nusra Front. The group officially cut ties with al Qaeda and has been the de facto ruler in Idlib. They have been joined by groups backed by Turkey and others previously supported by the US. Complicating the situation is that some of the rebel groups are also fighting the Syrian Democratic Forces. The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army, which is part of the rebel coalition that took control of most of Aleppo city, said Sunday it had seized control of the city of Tal Rifaat and the towns of Ain Daqna and Sheikh Issa in the northern part of the Aleppo governorate. It also claimed to have captured the villages of Shaaleh and Nairabiyyeh in Aleppo’s northern countryside. Those territories were previously held not by the government of Bashar al-Assad but by the Syrian Democratic Forces. The Syrian Democratic Forces are largely made up of Kurdish fighters from a group known as the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG), which is considered a terrorist organization by neighboring Turkey. Syrian and Russian jets have been striking the rebels in Aleppo and Idlib, a tactic that was crucial in winning back territory during the civil war. Assad has vowed that Syria will continue “to defend its stability and territorial integrity in the face of all terrorists and their supporters” and the defense ministry said it was preparing to launch a counteroffensive. However the full extent of government ability or willingness to respond is unclear at this stage and much will depend on the support its key backers can bring. There have been signs of Syria’s allies rallying around the government, with Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi traveling to Damascus from Tehran on Sunday. With rebels in control of Aleppo, including key military sites and the airport, any counterattack will be difficult for the Syrian army. The city held out for nearly two years under near continuous siege from government forces before being captured in 2016. CNN’s Eyad Kourdi, Ben Wedeman, Mostafa Salem and Christian Edwards contributed to this report.
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