The Syrian army suffered heavy losses in a surprise attack by rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Aleppo, marking the biggest challenge to President Bashar al-Assad in years. The attack disrupted the frontline stability that had been in place since 2020 in the ongoing civil war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Aleppo had been under government control since 2016 when Syrian forces, backed by Russia, defeated rebels in the city. The rebels managed to enter large parts of Aleppo, prompting the Syrian army to prepare a counterattack while airstrikes targeted rebel positions.
The rebels also captured Aleppo airport and the city of Maraat al Numan in Idlib province. This escalation in fighting has revived the Syrian conflict amidst regional unrest, including the recent truce between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. As Russia pledges additional military aid to Damascus, Turkish and Iranian officials express concerns about the situation.
The Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) expanded their control in Aleppo as government troops retreated, leading to a lack of Iran-backed manpower in the area. The rebel advance was prompted by intensified attacks by Russian and Syrian air forces on civilians in Idlib province. The rebels believe the campaign was essential to preempt any potential attacks by the Syrian army. This development highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics of the conflict involving Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the United States.
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