Summary

Syrian troops withdrew from southern provinces of Daraa and Sweida to reinforce Homs, a key city under threat from insurgents.

The rapid advances by opposition fighters, led by the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, aim to overthrow Assad’s government and threaten Syria’s territorial integrity.

The situation is further complicated by the withdrawal of Iran’s military advisers and fighters, leaving Assad’s government with limited access to the outside world.