Rebels Make Surprise Advances in Syria. Who are They and What Does it Mean?

Syria's bloody civil war against the government of Bashar al-Assad started in 2011 but it had been in a stalemate for years. All that changed recently when rebels lead by a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rapidly routed government forces seizing the second most populous Syria city, Aleppo. We hear reaction from Syrians and about the group behind the revival of the conflict. Support NPR and get sponsor-free episodes of State of the World. Sign up for NPR+ at plus.npr.org Or donate to NPR this Giving Tuesday at donate.npr.org Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy