Syrian rebels, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have launched a surprise offensive, capturing territory around Aleppo and entering Syria’s second-largest city. This development marks a significant escalation, as Aleppo had been under firm government control since 2016. The insurgents’ rapid advance has shaken Syrian regime forces, who withdrew from parts of the city without significant resistance, according to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The offensive originated in Idlib, a rebel stronghold in northwestern Syria. It has led to intense clashes and the displacement of thousands, with reports of civilian casualties, including children. In retaliation, Syrian government forces, supported by Russian airstrikes, have launched over 125 airstrikes, killing at least 12 civilians and displacing thousands.
HTS has captured strategic towns near Aleppo and targeted Iranian forces aligned with the Assad regime. The group, which has its origins in al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, has declared its intent to push further. Analysts suggest that the Assad regime’s defensive lines were unprepared, partly due to distractions like Israel’s intensified airstrikes on Iranian assets in Syria and Russia’s preoccupation with the war in Ukraine.
Russia has promised to deliver military aid to Damascus within days, signaling a strong response to the rebel advance. Meanwhile, Turkey, which supports some rebel factions, has called for calm and emphasized the need to prevent civilian harm.
The offensive underscores the fragility of Syria’s decade-long conflict, with shifting alliances and external pressures creating a volatile and unpredictable landscape. The outcome of this escalation remains uncertain, particularly as international actors weigh their responses.
