Syria Aleppo Falls to Rebels in Bold Offensive Amid Renewed Violence
In a dramatic escalation of Syria’s ongoing civil war, rebel forces launched a major offensive on Friday, breaching the city of Aleppo and claiming control of large parts of the region. The assault, led by groups such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has marked the most intense fighting in the area in years, with fierce clashes and shifting control over key neighborhoods.
Rebels Capture Key Aleppo Neighborhoods
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the rebels swiftly seized more than half of Aleppo, facing minimal resistance from the Syrian government forces. Independent media outlets have shared videos and images of rebels celebrating in captured neighborhoods and at notable landmarks across the city.
However, Syrian state media has disputed these claims, asserting that government forces detained several individuals filming in rebel-held areas, alleging that these were attempts to mislead the public into thinking the rebels had taken full control.
Government Response: Airstrikes and Ground Operations
In retaliation, Syrian forces, bolstered by Russian airpower, launched a series of airstrikes targeting opposition-held territories. The Observatory reported 23 airstrikes on the city of Idlib and confirmed that Russian and Syrian forces had captured over 200 rebels during coordinated military operations in the Aleppo and Idlib suburbs.
Further intensifying the violence, anti-government factions carried out two car bomb attacks on government soldiers in western Aleppo, breaching five neighborhoods. The Syrian state news agency SANA also reported that rebel attacks near Aleppo University resulted in the deaths of at least four civilians.
Dire Humanitarian Crisis in Aleppo
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has raised alarms about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Aleppo, with several hospitals nearing capacity and the city’s international airport now closed. Security conditions have worsened dramatically, exacerbating the suffering of civilians trapped in the midst of ongoing violence.
Wider Regional Implications
The timing of the rebel offensive raises important questions about the broader regional dynamics at play. Iran, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has seen its influence diminished due to regional conflicts involving its proxies, including Hezbollah and Hamas. Meanwhile, Russia, another major supporter of Assad, remains embroiled in its own conflict with Ukraine, which could limit its ability to intervene decisively in Syria.
Civil War Resurgence
Since the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011, the conflict has caused immense devastation and displaced millions. While fighting had largely stagnated in recent years, this new offensive harkens back to earlier phases of the war, when rebel forces frequently captured key territories and issued calls for defections within Assad’s ranks.
Following a fragile ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey in 2020, the recent clashes have reignited the flames of large-scale combat. The Syrian Observatory reports that over 250 combatants have been killed during three days of intense fighting, alongside numerous civilian casualties confirmed by the White Helmets rescue organization.
Rebel Motivations and Government Denials
Rebels have framed their assault as a direct response to ongoing airstrikes on opposition-held regions. Lt. Col. Hassan Abdulghany, a military commander within the opposition, stated, “It is our obligation to defend our people and their land.”
In contrast, Syrian state media claims that government forces successfully repelled the rebel assault, inflicting heavy losses on the opposition. These claims remain unverified, fueling the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the situation.
A Fragile Balance in Syria
The recent developments in Aleppo underscore the fragile nature of the peace that has held in certain parts of Syria. Mohammed Alaa Ghanem, a senior policy adviser for a Syrian advocacy group, pointed out that the latest violence exposes the Assad regime’s deep vulnerabilities and its lack of popular legitimacy.
As fighting continues, Aleppo and its residents are left bracing for an uncertain future, with the threat of renewed violence threatening to undo years of relative stability in Syria’s war-torn landscape.
