Islamist-led rebel forces in Syria have made significant gains over the past week, capturing major cities strategic to President Bashar al-Assad and his seat in the country's capital, Damascus.
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00:00Anti-government fighters make major territorial gains in Syria, now claiming to have reached
00:08the central city of Homs, a strategic location in Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's grip
00:14on power.
00:15In just over a week, the Islamist-led anti-government offensive has taken over major cities Aleppo,
00:22Hama, and in the east, U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters took Deir el-Zor.
00:28Rebel forces say they've also reached Homs and Daraa in the south, near Jordan.
00:33It's the biggest loss of key cities for Assad since the civil war began 13 years ago, after
00:39his regime's violent crackdown on democracy protests.
00:43The ongoing war has killed over 500,000 people and displaced over half the population.
00:51As rebels captured the cities, a glimmer of hope for residents.
00:55We're painting the world of the revolution with I Love You, because we love the revolution.
01:02God willing, we will paint the world of the revolution with the flag of democracy in Damascus.
01:09We live in oppression, and I don't know what else to say.
01:15No water, no electricity, no oil, no gas.
01:18These advancements break years of deadlock in Syria's ongoing war, and they're being
01:23closely watched by countries like the United States.
01:26Washington has about 900 troops stationed in Syria to support its Kurdish allies.
01:33Meanwhile, Iran, Iraq, and Syria have jointly condemned the opposition advances, calling
01:39them a serious danger.
01:40Russia, an important ally for Assad's regime, also launched airstrikes against rebel forces.
01:47And Moscow has been focusing on its own war in Ukraine, reducing its military support
01:52to Assad.
01:53Today, Russia does not seem to be as interested in supporting Assad the same way they supported
01:59him nine years ago.
02:00The image of Assad and his regime is different now, not only in the eyes of the opposition
02:05and those who are against him, even in the eyes of the loyalists and those who supported
02:10Assad during this war.
02:13They feel now he is weaker, he does not have a vision, and he probably won't be able to
02:18shape the outcome of this conflict.
02:23As some celebrate the fresh gains made by the anti-government alliance, eyes are on
02:28the capital, Damascus.
02:30According to Reuters, rebel sources claim they've reached a deal with the Syrian army
02:35to allow its military officials safe passage there in what would be a significant threat
02:41to the Syrian president.
02:43Lianlian and Joyce Chen for Taiwan Plus.