‘This regime is dead’: Why Assad’s collapse would be a setback for Putin

Syrian rebels, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), are rapidly advancing, capturing Hama and Aleppo, posing a severe threat to the Assad regime. HTS aims to establish itself as an alternative to Assad, exploiting the Syrian military’s vulnerabilities. The potential fall of Homs could isolate Assad from his strongholds, raising questions about his regime’s survival.