The recent escalation in Aleppo marks an important shift in the Syrian civil war dynamics, as rebel forces, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, gain ground against President Assad's government. Despite Russia's air support, over 300 lives have been lost since the offensive began.
Rebel Advances Force Syrian Troops to Retreat from Aleppo Amid Renewed Conflict
Rebel Advances Force Syrian Troops to Retreat from Aleppo Amid Renewed Conflict
A significant offensive by opposition forces in Syria leads to government troop withdrawal from Aleppo, raising questions about the future of the region.
The Syrian city of Aleppo has witnessed a marked shift in control as rebel forces, primarily led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and supported by Turkey, have mounted a significant offensive against President Bashar al-Assad's government. This offensive, which began earlier in the week, has resulted in the withdrawal of government troops from the city, the second largest in Syria, marking a notable change in the ongoing civil war landscape.
Russia, a key ally of Assad, has conducted air strikes targeting areas in Aleppo after the rebels gained important territory. These air attacks were their first on Aleppo since 2016, following a ceasefire instated in 2020. According to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the escalating conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 300 individuals, including at least 20 civilians, as the rebel and government forces clash for control over the city and its surroundings.
Although the civil war had remained relatively stagnant in recent years, multiple rebel factions still maintained control over the northwestern region of Idlib, situated just 55km from Aleppo. The offensive has seen the rebels take control of Aleppo's airport and several neighboring towns, and they have implemented a curfew from 17:00 local time (14:00 GMT) until Sunday.
In response to the situation, the Syrian military acknowledged that they had suffered considerable losses and that rebel forces had made significant advances into Aleppo. While they have temporarily retracted their presence from the city, the government claims it is preparing a counteroffensive. Meanwhile, images captured on Saturday revealed crowded roads as residents attempted to flee from the escalating violence in Aleppo, reflecting the growing anxiety in the city amidst the conflict.
