Aleppo, Syria – In a significant escalation of the Syrian conflict, rebels led by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have captured large areas of Aleppo, marking the most substantial rebel advance in years. The Syrian army reported on Saturday that dozens of its soldiers were killed during the coordinated attacks, which forced government forces to redeploy.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that its air force carried out strikes against the rebels in support of Syrian government forces. The ministry stated that missile and bomb strikes targeted militant concentrations, command posts, depots, and artillery positions in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, claiming about 300 rebel fighters were killed in the operations.
HTS, formerly known as the Nusra Front, is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, Russia, and Türkiye. The group’s bold offensive shattered years of relative calm in the region, where front lines had largely remained static since 2020.
The prolonged conflict in Syria, which began in 2011, has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and the displacement of millions. Aleppo, once the nation’s largest city and commercial hub, had been firmly under government control since a decisive victory in 2016 backed by Russian forces.
Ali Jumaa, a rebel fighter and native of Aleppo, expressed his elation in footage filmed within the city. “I am a son of Aleppo and was displaced from it eight years ago, in 2016. Thank God we just returned. It is an indescribable feeling,” he said.
The Syrian military acknowledged the rebel gains, stating that militants attacked in large numbers from multiple directions. “Our armed forces carried out a redeployment operation aimed at strengthening defense lines to absorb the attack and preserve the lives of civilians and soldiers,” the army command said.
Reports indicate that the rebels have also taken control of Aleppo’s international airport and the city of Maraat al Numan in Idlib province. Footage from Aleppo showed rebel fighters gathered in Saadallah al-Jabiri Square, with some posing atop a toppled statue of Bassil al-Assad, the late brother of President Bashar al-Assad.
In response to the escalating situation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held phone discussions with his Türkiye counterpart, Hakan Fidan. Both officials expressed serious concerns over the developments and agreed on the necessity of coordinating joint actions to stabilize the region.
Türkiye had earlier indicated efforts to prevent operations by opposition groups to avoid further tensions. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi conveyed to Lavrov that the rebel offensives were part of an alleged plan by Israel and the United States to destabilize the area, according to Iranian state media.
The United States stated that it is monitoring the situation closely. The resurgence of intense fighting raises concerns about a new chapter of conflict in Syria, potentially undermining years of efforts to bring about a lasting resolution.
Reference(s):
Syrian rebels sweep into Aleppo, Russia strikes in support of Assad
cgtn.com
