Syrian troops make gains amid new strategy

It has been more than two years and neither of the warring sides appears to be winning the conflict in Syria.

The rebels have made gains, but it seems the military is now on the offensive and picking battles that would ensure control over strategic territories.

Analysts say the regime knows they cannot regain control of lost territory in the north, northeast and south, so they are now concentrating the fight in Damascus and surrounding areas along with Homs all the way to the coast

Over recent days, the armed opposition has suffered setbacks that could delay their ultimate goal of storming the capital.

The government also seems to be not only relying on its conventional army but also on so-called National Defence Forces.

Activists say the armed groups specialise in urban and street warfare and have been trained by Iran and Hezbollah.

Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reports.