In a significant development in the ongoing Syrian conflict, rebels opposed to President Bashar al-Assad have captured most of Aleppo in a major offensive, marking the first major challenge to the Assad regime since 2020. The surprise attack led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has jolted the front lines of the Syrian civil war that have largely been frozen for years, reviving fighting in a corner of the country near the Turkish border.
The Syrian army has acknowledged that rebels have entered large parts of Aleppo, with dozens of soldiers reportedly killed in the offensive. The army is preparing a counteroffensive to restore state authority over the city. The rebels have also captured the city of Maarat al Numan in Idlib province, further expanding their control.
The Syrian military, supported by Russian and Iranian forces, is planning a counterattack to expel the rebels and restore control over Aleppo. Russian and Syrian warplanes have already targeted insurgents in an Aleppo suburb. Iran has accused the United States and Israel of being behind the insurgent attack.
The rebels' swift advance has been attributed to a lack of Iranian-backed manpower supporting the government in Aleppo province. Turkey, which supports the rebels, has reportedly given a green light to the offensive. The fighting in Aleppo comes amidst wider regional conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, where a truce between Israel and Hezbollah has taken effect.
The situation in Aleppo remains fluid, with thousands of civilians fleeing the city as the rebels consolidate their control. The international community, including Turkey and Russia, is closely monitoring the situation to prevent further escalation of tensions in the region. The conflict in Syria continues to be a complex and volatile issue with implications for the wider Middle East.