Rebel forces in Syria have enjoyed meaningful success in fighting against the regime of Bashar Assad in the last few weeks. Numerous videos uploaded to YouTube document dozens of Syrian army tanks and APCs that the rebels have destroyed, as well as ambushes of mobile forces and attacks on positions in which dozens of officers and soldiers were killed.

In addition, defections of officers and soldiers from Assad’s forces are continuing, including some by senior commanders.

A member of the rebel Syrian National Council told Saudi newspaper Al Sharq that the rebels expect to topple the Assad regime soon. The man, who asked for anonymity, said that rebel forces currently control large parts of northern Syria. He said Assad’s forces have lost control of over 80% of the northern Haleb district.

Fierce fighting is taking place just a few kilometers from Assad’s palace, he added.