Rebel General Ahmed Hamzi

Good morning. Yeah, well, the rebels launched this surprise offensive and made sudden massive gains. You know, the war in Syria, it's been stalemated for many years. But then in just about 72 hours, opposition militias seized the huge city of Aleppo and a string of villages around there. And then they pressed even further south, racing down towards the central city of Hama.

Good morning. Yeah, well, the rebels launched this surprise offensive and made sudden massive gains. You know, the war in Syria, it's been stalemated for many years. But then in just about 72 hours, opposition militias seized the huge city of Aleppo and a string of villages around there. And then they pressed even further south, racing down towards the central city of Hama.

Good morning. Yeah, well, the rebels launched this surprise offensive and made sudden massive gains. You know, the war in Syria, it's been stalemated for many years. But then in just about 72 hours, opposition militias seized the huge city of Aleppo and a string of villages around there. And then they pressed even further south, racing down towards the central city of Hama.

Rebel General Ahmed Hamzi talked to me about how quickly this all happened.

Rebel General Ahmed Hamzi talked to me about how quickly this all happened.

Rebel General Ahmed Hamzi talked to me about how quickly this all happened.

He's saying they broke through the regime's first line of defence, then the second line and then the third. Even the rebels seemed shocked by their successes. And there was this brief moment where people thought they might be able to carry on towards the capital, Damascus. But then by Sunday, the offensive had slowed. The government says it's taken back some territory in central Syria.

He's saying they broke through the regime's first line of defence, then the second line and then the third. Even the rebels seemed shocked by their successes. And there was this brief moment where people thought they might be able to carry on towards the capital, Damascus. But then by Sunday, the offensive had slowed. The government says it's taken back some territory in central Syria.

He's saying they broke through the regime's first line of defence, then the second line and then the third. Even the rebels seemed shocked by their successes. And there was this brief moment where people thought they might be able to carry on towards the capital, Damascus. But then by Sunday, the offensive had slowed. The government says it's taken back some territory in central Syria.

And there's also videos now that seem to show convoys of militias backed by the regime's ally, Iran, coming down from Iraq into Syria. to help President Assad. The regime's other ally, Russia, has stepped up airstrikes on rebel-held areas, but for now, rebels still hold most of Aleppo city and large swathes of more territory.

And there's also videos now that seem to show convoys of militias backed by the regime's ally, Iran, coming down from Iraq into Syria. to help President Assad. The regime's other ally, Russia, has stepped up airstrikes on rebel-held areas, but for now, rebels still hold most of Aleppo city and large swathes of more territory.

And there's also videos now that seem to show convoys of militias backed by the regime's ally, Iran, coming down from Iraq into Syria. to help President Assad. The regime's other ally, Russia, has stepped up airstrikes on rebel-held areas, but for now, rebels still hold most of Aleppo city and large swathes of more territory.

Well, it's an umbrella group, some of whom are backed by Turkey. The biggest in this group is an Islamist militia. It's called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or HTS. And it has some members who have had links to al-Qaeda. And for this reason, the U.S. and Russia have designated them a terror organization.

Well, it's an umbrella group, some of whom are backed by Turkey. The biggest in this group is an Islamist militia. It's called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or HTS. And it has some members who have had links to al-Qaeda. And for this reason, the U.S. and Russia have designated them a terror organization.

Well, it's an umbrella group, some of whom are backed by Turkey. The biggest in this group is an Islamist militia. It's called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or HTS. And it has some members who have had links to al-Qaeda. And for this reason, the U.S. and Russia have designated them a terror organization.

But HDS has really tried to rebrand itself as a less hardline group, though it is still religiously conservative. And, you know, there are many in Syria who would welcome a rebel takeover because Syria is run by a brutal dictatorship.

But HDS has really tried to rebrand itself as a less hardline group, though it is still religiously conservative. And, you know, there are many in Syria who would welcome a rebel takeover because Syria is run by a brutal dictatorship.

But HDS has really tried to rebrand itself as a less hardline group, though it is still religiously conservative. And, you know, there are many in Syria who would welcome a rebel takeover because Syria is run by a brutal dictatorship.

But this is also a country with lots of different religious sects, and there are some people who are terrified to see these gains that these Islamist factions are making. We managed to reach one woman in the government-held city of Hama, and she's from the minority Alawite sect, That's the same as the Assad families. And she was too afraid to give her name.

But this is also a country with lots of different religious sects, and there are some people who are terrified to see these gains that these Islamist factions are making. We managed to reach one woman in the government-held city of Hama, and she's from the minority Alawite sect, That's the same as the Assad families. And she was too afraid to give her name.