Syria Makes Major Gains against Rebels, But There's an Ominous Downside...

Syria, backed by Russia and the United States, is making major gains in the battle against anti-government forces in the country. It could soon open more corridors for the delivery of humanitarian relief.

But as the jihad against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is crushed, the FBI director warns more terrorists could pour out of Syria and into Europe.

This week, Syrian government troops were seen celebrating in Aleppo, shouting, "My soul, my blood, I give myself for Syria!"

They had just recaptured a major section of Syria's second largest city – one that has been occupied by ISIS and other anti-government rebels.

The Syrian state news agency reported dozens of jihadists have laid down their weapons in the northern section of the city known as Bani Zeid.

An estimated 300,000 residents were believed to be trapped and isolated in the eastern part of Aleppo. The government's victory led Assad to announce the opening of a humanitarian corridor so food, water and other relief can get in and people can get out.

On a recent visit to Damascus, CBN News asked the Apostolic Nuncio to Syria, Archbishop Mario Zenari, if humanitarian aid is getting to people in need throughout the country.

"With some difficulties in some areas, but smoothly and we do hope with the ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid, the situation will a little bit improve. It's a long way – it's a long way – but I think it's a good start," he explained.

When asked about how Christians in Aleppo are doing, Zenari said, "The Christians in Aleppo are living under a difficult situation, like everybody, and we do hope the situation will not get worse."

More than five years into Syria's civil war, the people in Damascus and elsewhere in Syria are growing tired. They want peace, but so far the talks in Geneva are a bit shaky and the ceasefire is barely holding.

And for people in many areas of the country, life has gotten worse. This week, ISIS claimed responsibility for a major bomb blast in northern Syria near the Turkish border. The attack took place in Qamishli, the capital of Syria Kurdistan. At least 50 people were killed and dozens more injured.

The Syrian government, however, is making important gains on the battlefield.

If it regains control of all of Aleppo, it would be a major blow to ISIS and other anti-government groups. It would be considered Assad's most significant victory of the civil war.

Meanwhile, FBI Director James Comey warns as the Islamic State is crushed in Syria and Iraq, hundreds of terrorists will flow out of the region and into Western Europe. The diaspora will be 10 times worse than the one out of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

In the meantime, the United Nations hopes to convene a new round of Syrian peace talks next month.