Part 4/7:
According to Alistair Bunkle, Sky News' Middle East correspondent, this shift signifies more than just a change in military fortunes; it hints at broader geopolitical ramifications in the Middle East. The rebels' ability to professionalize their military capabilities contrasts sharply with the deterioration of the Syrian Army, which has been plagued by economic collapse and rampant corruption. The prospects of Assad retaining power wane even further as the rebels gain ground.
The leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a prominent rebel group, expressed a hopeful sentiment about retaking Hama as a means to address the "wound" left in Syria for decades. However, the long-term sustainability of rebel gains remains to be seen.