A surprise offensive launched by a coalition of rebel groups in Syria’s northwestern Aleppo region has reignited tensions in a country already battered by a 13-year-long civil war. As rebel militants advanced southward after seizing control of most of Aleppo over the weekend, government forces mounted a counteroffensive in central Syria, reclaiming key areas from the rebels.
Rapid Rebel Advance
On Wednesday, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an al-Qaida-linked extremist organization, alongside allied opposition factions, initiated a major offensive in the western countryside of Aleppo. Their aim: to penetrate government-held territories. By Friday, they had pushed into parts of Aleppo for the first time since 2016, prompting the Syrian army to announce a temporary redeployment of its forces in the face of overwhelming militant attacks.
The rebels continued their advance into Hama province, taking control of multiple towns and villages in the northern part of the region. Notably, the HTS seized Aleppo International Airport on Saturday—the first civilian airport to fall under HTS control—marking a significant escalation in the conflict.
Civilians Bear the Brunt
The human cost of the renewed fighting is mounting. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), at least 372 people, including at least 20 civilians, have been killed since the offensive began. The heavy fighting has forced countless people, many already displaced by years of war, to flee once again, leaving behind their homes and livelihoods.
“Even more lives now need to be urgently saved,” said Adam Abdelmoula, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis. Prior to the recent escalation, over 16.7 million people in Syria were already in need of humanitarian assistance, a number likely to rise as the conflict intensifies.
International Calls for De-escalation
The resurgence of violence has sparked grave concern from the international community, with many fearing the reopening of a new violent front in the Middle East. Regional and global leaders are urging for immediate de-escalation and a return to dialogue.
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates expressed support for Syria, stating that the UAE “stands with the Syrian state and supports it in combating terrorism, extending its sovereignty, unifying its territories, and achieving stability.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani emphasized the link between Syria’s security and regional stability, noting that Syria’s situation plays “a crucial role in regional security and efforts to establish stability in the Middle East.”
Similarly, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reiterated support for Syrian national institutions and stressed Syria’s vital role in fostering regional stability and combating terrorism.
Other nations, including Iran, Jordan, Türkiye, Russia, and Venezuela, have also called for de-escalation and expressed support for Syria’s territorial integrity. The United States, while denying involvement in the offensive, called for immediate de-escalation and the protection of civilians and minority groups.
A Fragile Path Forward
The renewed conflict comes at a time when the Middle East is seeing tentative steps toward peace, following the recent Lebanon truce. The developments in Syria threaten to destabilize the region further and exacerbate the existing humanitarian crisis.
With the international community watching closely, the hope is that dialogue and diplomacy will prevail over violence, paving the way for a lasting resolution to the long-standing conflict in Syria.
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Int'l community urges de-escalation amid rebel offensive in Syria
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