A rebel commander said a fall in Iran-backed manpower created an opening this week's assault. Iran's ally Hezbollah has suffered big losses to Israel.

Syrian opposition forces have taken control of the majority of the country’s second largest city Aleppo, according to video verified by CNN and residents in the city.

Rebels opposed to President Bashar al-Assad roamed the streets of Syria's Aleppo on Friday night. Fighters led by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, swept through government-held towns and reached Aleppo nearly a decade after having been forced out by Assad.