Rebel forces in Syria have reportedly seized control of approximately half of Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city, as indicated by the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). The offensive, which began on Wednesday, has resulted in the deaths of 277 individuals, including over 20 civilians.
This current offensive marks the most significant challenge to the Syrian government in years, and it is the first time since being ousted by government forces in 2016 that rebels have made such advances in Aleppo. According to SOHR director Rami Abdel Rahman, the rebels achieved this control without facing substantial resistance from regime forces, who reportedly withdrew without a fight.
As the situation escalated, military sources announced that Aleppo’s airport and all routes leading into the city have been closed. Following the rebel offensive, government forces claimed to have regained positions in various towns within Aleppo and the neighboring Idlib provinces.
Video footage affiliated with the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) shows rebel fighters moving through the city, which has been verified by the BBC as taking place in a western suburb of Aleppo.
The ongoing civil war, which erupted in 2011 after the government cracked down on pro-democracy protests, has led to over half a million deaths. Various armed factions, including jihadist groups, have since capitalized on the chaos to claim significant territories. Although the Syrian government, with assistance from Russia and other allies, regained control of many lost areas, Idlib remains the last significant stronghold for opposition forces, predominantly controlled by HTS along with Turkish-backed factions.
On Friday, SOHR reported several air strikes carried out near Idlib by Syrian and Russian aircraft, which reportedly resulted in civilian casualties, including four deaths and 19 injuries. Russian military officials claimed they targeted “extremist forces.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated support for the Syrian government, emphasizing the need to restore order in the country and defending its sovereignty against perceived attacks.
Rebel-affiliated channels reported that their forces were advancing into Aleppo city. Verified video footage captured armed men in the streets approximately seven kilometers from Aleppo’s historical citadel, while other clips showed civilians fleeing from areas surrounding Aleppo University amid fears of renewed conflict.
Residents like Sarmad expressed growing anxiety about the situation: “We can hear missiles and artillery shelling non-stop. We’re terrified that war will erupt, forcing us from our homes once more.”
David Carden, the UN’s deputy regional humanitarian coordinator for Syria, expressed grave concern over the rising hostilities, highlighting the deaths of at least 27 civilians, including young children, in recent days.
Fighting in Idlib had significantly decreased since 2020 following a ceasefire agreement facilitated by Turkey and Russia. However, HTS and allied groups launched this recent offensive, claiming it was necessary to “deter aggression” from the Syrian government and its militias.
The resurgence of conflict coincides with the Syrian government and its allies dealing with additional pressures, including an ongoing military campaign in Lebanon by Israel targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah, which had played a crucial role in the Syrian civil war. Israel has intensified air strikes on Iranian-linked targets within Syria, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict.
Credit: BBC News
