The Syrian conflict has erupted into a new phase as antigovernment rebels have claimed control over the majority of Aleppo, marking one of the most significant advancements in recent years only days into a surprise offensive. This escalation has prompted responses from government forces, including airstrikes in a city previously marked by heavy fighting years ago.
Rebels Seize Control of Aleppo Amid Intensifying Conflict
Rebels Seize Control of Aleppo Amid Intensifying Conflict
Antigovernment forces make unprecedented gains in Syria's largest city, reigniting tensions in a largely dormant civil war.
By Raja Abdulrahim
November 30, 2024
Antigovernment rebels have captured the bulk of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, in a rapid assault that began just four days ago, according to information from both the rebels and an associated war monitoring group. Reports indicate minimal resistance from government troops, leading to this surprising shift in power dynamics. Following the rebel advances, Syrian government aircraft conducted their first airstrikes on Aleppo neighborhoods since 2016, as reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The recent revolt represents one of the most serious threats to President Bashar al-Assad's regime since a period of relative quiet in the civil war, which had seen diminished combat intensity. The Syrian government, alongside its allies, including Russian forces, also targeted rebel-held regions in both Aleppo and Idlib provinces with airstrikes, though it remains unclear whether these strikes extended to Aleppo itself.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the governor of Aleppo and security officials have fled the central city area, marking a dramatic turn of events in a conflict that has been ongoing for over a decade. Videos and images circulating on social media show rebels and returning residents celebrating in front of notable landmarks, including the historic citadel of Aleppo, which had previously served as a stronghold for government forces.
In defense of its position, Syrian state media has contested the reports of a rebel takeover, asserting that government forces have detained alleged "terrorists" who were purportedly attempting to misrepresent the situation by filming in neighborhoods they claimed to control. This public relations battle highlights the ongoing narrative from the Syrian regime that derides all opposition forces as terrorists—a strategy it has employed since the onset of the uprising.
As this situation continues to unfold, it underscores the fragile state of governance and the deepening divide in Syria, linking impassioned local conflicts with broader geopolitical implications in the region.
November 30, 2024
Antigovernment rebels have captured the bulk of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, in a rapid assault that began just four days ago, according to information from both the rebels and an associated war monitoring group. Reports indicate minimal resistance from government troops, leading to this surprising shift in power dynamics. Following the rebel advances, Syrian government aircraft conducted their first airstrikes on Aleppo neighborhoods since 2016, as reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The recent revolt represents one of the most serious threats to President Bashar al-Assad's regime since a period of relative quiet in the civil war, which had seen diminished combat intensity. The Syrian government, alongside its allies, including Russian forces, also targeted rebel-held regions in both Aleppo and Idlib provinces with airstrikes, though it remains unclear whether these strikes extended to Aleppo itself.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the governor of Aleppo and security officials have fled the central city area, marking a dramatic turn of events in a conflict that has been ongoing for over a decade. Videos and images circulating on social media show rebels and returning residents celebrating in front of notable landmarks, including the historic citadel of Aleppo, which had previously served as a stronghold for government forces.
In defense of its position, Syrian state media has contested the reports of a rebel takeover, asserting that government forces have detained alleged "terrorists" who were purportedly attempting to misrepresent the situation by filming in neighborhoods they claimed to control. This public relations battle highlights the ongoing narrative from the Syrian regime that derides all opposition forces as terrorists—a strategy it has employed since the onset of the uprising.
As this situation continues to unfold, it underscores the fragile state of governance and the deepening divide in Syria, linking impassioned local conflicts with broader geopolitical implications in the region.
