AdvertisementHow The Syrian Regime Keeps Winning Territory, From An Army Defector's PerspectiveMarch 24, 2018Ruth SherlockLama Al-ArianfacebookEmailSyrian President Bashar Assad, center, speaks with Syrian troops in newly captured areas of eastern Ghouta, near the capital Damascus, Syria, Sunday. Al-Ikhbariya TV broadcast images of Assad surrounded by soldiers on a street in eastern Ghouta, where a Syrian offensive has been underway over the past month. It was not clear where in eastern Ghouta Assad was. (Syrian presidency Facebook page via AP)