Syrian rebels launched one of the largest and most ambitious operations of the Syrian civil war April 22. Around 9,000-12,000 fighters from 40 rebel groups assembled for a wide-scale offensive stretching across the northwestern provinces of Idlib and Hama. The operation brings together rebel factions with extremely diverse ideologies and strengths, ranging from the powerful jihadist Jabhat al-Nusra faction to smaller units affiliated with the Free Syrian Army. While determined and daring, the offensive — labeled “The Battle of Victory” — is risky: The rebels are going up against significant loyalist forces, including a number of highly trained and motivated elite units. Analysis The roots of the offensive lie in the rebels’ successful capture of the city of Idlib on March 28. As Stratfor previously noted, the capture […]