Syria has been in chaos since the rise of the Arab Spring. Now, violence again rages with intense battles between government forces and opposition rebels. Recently, rebels claimed control of Hama, a city of strategic importance linking Damascus and Aleppo. They also overran the governor’s house, and an airbase and freed prisoners from the central jail. These actions demonstrate a complete breakdown of law and order. This is reminiscent of the havoc caused by non-state actors in Pakistan. Rebels, who are most likely financed by the Israeli operators, have further declared ambitions to seize more cities. Their takeover of Aleppo last week dealt a major blow to President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and his allies – Russia and Iran. The rebel coalition, including Tahrir al-Sham militia, has imposed curfews in captured cities and asserted control in captured areas. Media flashed armed fighters patrolling Aleppo’s streets. The Syrian government is looking for help from Russia and Iran which are steadfast in their military and financial support for Assad’s government. Their involvement in previous years provided the Assad regime with the resources to defeat rebel advances. Iran’s support, however, has drawn criticism from the United States, which accuses Tehran of funding terrorism and fueling conflict through proxy groups. The US recently imposed sanctions on 35 Iranian companies, citing illicit oil sales funding missile and drone programs. The Syrian war, which began in 2011 during the Arab Spring, has claimed over 300,000 lives and displaced millions. The destruction is not confined to Syria; it impacted the whole world, mostly neighbouring Lebanon and the entire Arab world. While the international community condemns non-state actors elsewhere, they show a double standard when it comes to Syrian rebels. Pakistan’s struggles against such organizations highlight the global challenge of combating extremism and lawlessness. The Syrian conflict’s toll is immense and its resolution demands coordinated efforts to curb the influence of non-state actors and end foreign interference. *