Rebel General Ahmed Hamzi

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.

She says she's standing on her balcony, watching people streaming out of their homes to their cars, packing and preparing to escape as they hear the news of the rebel advance towards them. There have been sectarian massacres committed by regime militias and opposition forces in this war. Rebels here are trying to show their accepting of different groups.

She says she's standing on her balcony, watching people streaming out of their homes to their cars, packing and preparing to escape as they hear the news of the rebel advance towards them. There have been sectarian massacres committed by regime militias and opposition forces in this war. Rebels here are trying to show their accepting of different groups.

She says she's standing on her balcony, watching people streaming out of their homes to their cars, packing and preparing to escape as they hear the news of the rebel advance towards them. There have been sectarian massacres committed by regime militias and opposition forces in this war. Rebels here are trying to show their accepting of different groups.

In Aleppo, in the Christian neighborhood this weekend, when some fighters knocked down a Christmas tree on the street, the militia made a point of putting it back up and filming itself doing it.

In Aleppo, in the Christian neighborhood this weekend, when some fighters knocked down a Christmas tree on the street, the militia made a point of putting it back up and filming itself doing it.

In Aleppo, in the Christian neighborhood this weekend, when some fighters knocked down a Christmas tree on the street, the militia made a point of putting it back up and filming itself doing it.

Well, one reason is that Assad's key ally, Russia, is especially stretched in Ukraine. And then there's also been intense Israeli airstrikes on the regime's other ally, the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. So neither has been able to protect the regime as it has in the past in this war. And Damascus, therefore, is more exposed than it has been for many, many years.

Well, one reason is that Assad's key ally, Russia, is especially stretched in Ukraine. And then there's also been intense Israeli airstrikes on the regime's other ally, the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. So neither has been able to protect the regime as it has in the past in this war. And Damascus, therefore, is more exposed than it has been for many, many years.

Well, one reason is that Assad's key ally, Russia, is especially stretched in Ukraine. And then there's also been intense Israeli airstrikes on the regime's other ally, the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. So neither has been able to protect the regime as it has in the past in this war. And Damascus, therefore, is more exposed than it has been for many, many years.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.