Syrian forces have captured the rebel stronghold of Idlib, while President Bashar Assad has set parliamentary elections for May 7. Political analyst Chris Bambery, however, believes the conflict is far from over.

­Syrian forces Tuesday concluded a three-day operation to capture the northern city of Idlib, located near the country’s border with Turkey. This followed a month-long siege of the Baba Amr district in the city Homs. These apparently successful operations seem to give Assad's government momentum in crushing the rebellion.

But with heavy criticism coming from the West and neighboring countries, many analysts and politicians have come to the conclusion that Assad will, sooner or later, have to leave office.

“Assad will leave power – it's not a question of if, but when,” US President Barack Obama said during a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron.