Rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have launched a surprise assault, entering Aleppo for the first time in years. The offensive began earlier this week from HTS’s stronghold in Idlib, with fighters advancing rapidly and capturing territory around Syria’s second city. Civilians, including children, have been caught in the escalating violence.
Rapid Advances and Government Struggles
HTS fighters quickly overran dozens of towns and villages, seizing a military base and weaponry from Syrian government forces. By Friday, reports emerged of insurgents entering Aleppo, with videos showing militants and armored vehicles in the streets. “The regime’s defenses crumbled faster than expected,” said Dareen Khalifa from the International Crisis Group.
Syrian forces launched over 125 airstrikes in retaliation, targeting rebel-controlled areas in Idlib and western Aleppo. The attacks killed 12 civilians, wounded dozens, and displaced 14,000 people. Damascus has turned to Moscow for support, expecting Russian military reinforcements within 72 hours.
Regional and Global Implications
The renewed fighting underscores shifting dynamics in Syria’s decade-long conflict. Russia’s focus on the war in Ukraine has reduced its political and military presence in Syria, leaving the Assad regime vulnerable. Meanwhile, Turkey, which supports some rebel groups but has sought to normalize ties with Assad, has called for calm, emphasizing civilian protection.
The offensive also comes amid regional instability, with Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian forces in Syria and rising tensions in neighboring Lebanon. Khalifa noted that rebels are exploiting this moment of distraction. “The Russians are focused on Ukraine, and Iranian forces are stretched thin, creating an opportunity for the rebels,” she said.
As Aleppo’s fragile stability crumbles, civilians bear the brunt of the renewed violence, with health and aid services in rebel-held areas paralyzed by the fighting. The outcome of this offensive remains uncertain, as both sides brace for what could become a prolonged and deadly confrontation.