A lightning advance by insurgents in northern and central Syria was surprising due to a strengthened opposition and a rapid collapse of Assad's forces, impacting the war's dynamics.
"This has to do with geopolitics and local opportunity... The rebellion at large had regrouped, rearmed and retrained for something like this," said Emile Hokayem, highlighting the preparedness of opposition forces.
"They probably didn't realize how brittle the regime's front lines and forces were... They were on board with a limited operation - but now they see the unexpected results," reflecting on Turkey's underestimated involvement.
Video footage indicated the government troops had retreated or melted away, marking an unexpected advancement for the opposition forces in a previously stagnant conflict.
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