The war monitor reported that Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, has fallen from government control for the first time since the conflict began over a decade ago. This came after a surprise advance by rebels.
An Islamist-dominated rebel alliance launched a rapid offensive against the Iranian- and Russian-backed Syrian government. This occurred on the same day a ceasefire began in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah after months of intense fighting.
In 2016, the Syrian army, with Russian air support, reclaimed rebel-held areas of Aleppo, a city known for its landmark citadel.
Damascus had previously relied on Hezbollah fighters to regain territory lost to rebels early in the conflict that began in 2011. However, Hezbollah suffered significant losses in its conflict with Israel.
The jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and allied rebel factions now control Aleppo city, except for areas held by Kurdish forces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Several northern districts in Aleppo are predominantly populated by Syrian Kurds under the authority of the People’s Protection Units (YPG), a key component of the Syrian Democratic Forces.
The Syrian Democratic Forces are the main military force in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northeast Syria. They were supported by the US in the fight against ISIS before the group’s defeat in Syria in 2019.
Additionally, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and allied rebel factions captured Aleppo’s airport and numerous nearby towns. This occurred after taking control of most of Aleppo, as reported by the Observatory.
Tanks seized
Following the rebel advances, Moscow conducted air strikes on Aleppo, marking the first such strikes since 2016.
Prior to this offensive, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham controlled portions of the Idlib region—the last area not under President Bashar al-Assad’s control. They also held parts of Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia provinces. Turkish-backed rebel factions were also involved in the offensive.
The fighting resulted in over 370 deaths, including combatants and civilians. The Observatory noted that rebel forces encountered little resistance during their advances.
Images from AFP showed fighters posing with captured tanks.
The Observatory reported that the Syrian army reinforced its positions in Hama and sent reinforcements to the northern province, given the rebel advances in Aleppo.
Rebels captured several towns across the north, including Khan Sheikhun and Maaret al-Numan, located between Aleppo and Hama.
Some residents welcomed the rebels’ arrival, celebrating the liberation of Maaret al-Numan.
‘Weak’ government
In Idlib, bodies were seen in hospitals and vehicles were burnt in the streets after alleged Russian air strikes, according to AFP images.
In Aleppo, AFP photographers witnessed charred vehicles, including a minibus, and the body of a woman slumped in a car’s back seat.
Analysts noted that Russia’s presence in Syria has reduced significantly, and the recent rebel offensive highlighted the weakness of the Syrian regime.
According to a US National Security Council spokesman, Syria’s reliance on Russia and Iran, as well as its failure to progress with the 2015 UN peace process, led to the current situation.
The United States has maintained troops in Syria’s northeast as part of an anti-ISIS coalition.
Diplomacy
Iran’s Foreign Minister traveled to Damascus to express support for Syria’s government and armed forces, alleging that the rebel offensive was orchestrated by the US and Israel.
Syrian President Assad vowed to defeat the “terrorists” behind the attacks.
Russia and Iran expressed extreme concern over Syria’s losses and reaffirmed their support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Since 2020, the Idlib rebel enclave has been subject to a Turkish- and Russian-brokered truce despite occasional violations.
Russian and Turkish officials agreed on the need for coordinated action to stabilize the situation in Syria.
