Diminished support for the Syrian government from Iran, Hezbollah and Russia enabled opposition forces to take the initiative and seize new territory.

Syrian rebels have launched a surprise offensive against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, a significant escalation in Syria’s civil war, which is raising concerns about a potential wider regional conflict in the Middle East.

The Syrian authorities rely on the help of allies to try to repel the offensive of anti-government forces that have launched a large-scale campaign in the Aleppo province. Anti-Assad forces have already taken control of dozens of villages and towns,

The Syrian military rushed in reinforcements Sunday (December 1) in an attempt to push back insurgents from advancing farther after seizing Aleppo and surrounding strategic locations in an adjacent province in a surprise offensive.

The swift and surprise offensive is a huge embarrassment for Syria's President Bashar Assad and raised questions about his armed forces' preparedness.