Al Jazeera Podcasts.

Today, a shock offensive by rebel forces in Syria.

There is a lot of happiness. It's indescribable the happiness of liberating the city of Aleppo.

We have been waiting for this for 10 years.

So with the lines of conflict redrawn, where does serious civil war go next?

I'm Natasha del Toro, and this is The Take.

After years of a static war, Syrian rebel forces seized control of Aleppo over the weekend.

For the first time in eight years, rebel forces have entered Aleppo, Syria's second largest city.

Along the way, the fighters say they freed political prisoners and even took control of the

headquarters for the city's police force.

And hours earlier, they took control of a highway that links Aleppo to the capital Damascus

that's been used by government forces to transport weapons.

And now they're pushing further toward the city of Hama.

The joy is indescribable, this resident said.

God willing, Aleppo is just the beginning.

It's a move that surprised many,

even those who follow Syria on a daily basis,

like my guest today.

My reaction to the news was a mix of shock and hope.

The moment areas of Aleppo and Eastern Idlib were liberated,

displaced families have packed their bags and closed their tents and just went back to their homes,

which give you really an indication about how much really people are invested in this, but shows you how much people really, even 14 years after Syria's uprising, they still have hope and democracy

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