What is happening in syria?

Topic: Civil War. Rebel fighters have launched a lightning offensive against the Syrian government. Reuters: Mahmoud Hasano. Rebel forces are claiming victory in Syria after sweeping through the country over the past week and reaching the capital of Damascus today. The climax of the armed uprising unfolded rapidly and we're now trying to make sense of what happened and how it will impact the wider region.

The rebels entered the strategic Syrian city of Hama on Thursday and advanced onwards to capture Homs by Saturday night.

What is happening in syria?: Nearly 6, Syrians lost their

The HTS is considered a terrorist organisation by the United Nations and has its origins in Al Qaeda — a Sunni Islamist religiously motivated violent extremist group founded in the late 80s. But it's unclear what will happen if the rebels do drive out the Assad regime. Syrian opposition fighters travel on the streets of Hama on Friday. AP: Ghaith Alsayed.

Officially, Bashar al-Assad is Syria's president, but is he considered by the wider global community to be a dictator.