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Syrian opposition forces have taken control of much of the country's second largest city, Aleppo.

NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports,

rebel forces say they're closing in on the government stronghold city of Hama.

Thousands of Syrian opposition rebels have moved into Aleppo, Syria's second most populous city.

Videos show them at the old citadel, burning posters of Syrian president

Bashar Assad. It's a sudden and stunning development in Syria's 14-year civil war. The Syrian regime

backed by Russia and Iran was heralded as having largely won the conflict, with opposition

militias pushed to rural areas along the border with Turkey. There they were funded and received military training by Turkey.

And now, in just three days, these rebels have stormed deep into Syria

and are now targeting the government stronghold of Hammer in the centre of the country.

The Syrian military says it's regrouping to launch a counteroffensive.

One reason for the regime's sudden loss may be intensified

...