Syrian rebels have swept through parts of the country at lightning pace, taking control of the the second-largest city, Aleppo. But who are they and what are their aims?

Since rebel and jihadist groups took control of the Syrian city of Aleppo November 30, the Christian community has been living in fear. Traumatized by years of war, part of the community has fled while the rest waits,

Syrian and Russian jets are stepping up strikes on opposition forces in northern Syria in retaliation for the sudden offensive that has cost the regime control of the country’s second largest city, Aleppo.