An offensive launched by extremist rebels in Syria aims to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, as stated by their leader, Abou Mohammed al-Jolani, in a CNN interview. The assault has displaced 280,000 people in just over a week, severely challenging Assad’s government. The Syrian army has responded with airstrikes on strategic targets while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed hope for the rebels’ advance to continue without incident. Control of Homs could significantly impact the Assad regime’s dominance in the region.