The Syrian war

Bashar al-Assad blames the US after the lightning offensive

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad accuses the rebels who are conducting an offensive in the country of wanting to "redraw the map" in the region, reports AFP. In a statement, he says that this ambition "is in line with the goals of the United States and the Western world".

On Monday, he spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the phone at the same time as Syrian and Russian airstrikes were carried out against areas controlled by the rebels.

The United States, through Sean Savett, spokesman for the National Security Council, said it had nothing to do with the offensive. Instead, they point out that the rebels are led by Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and that Syria's cooperation with Russia and Iran has contributed to the development.

Pro-Iranian militia groups to help Syria in the north

Pro-Iranian militia groups have entered Syria during the night to help the government forces fighting back against the rebels in the country, Reuters reports citing Syrian army sources.

The reinforcements are being sent to the northern parts of the country, where rebel groups have, among other things, taken control of the country's second largest city, Aleppo.

Iran, through various militia groups, has supported the regime in the conflict for many years. During the Syrian war, aid from Iran and Russia made it easier for President Bashar al-Assad to fight back against rebels.

A lack of aid has been pointed out as one of the reasons for the rebels' rapid advance.