© The Australian News
Syrian rebels have launched a major offensive, seizing control of multiple neighbourhoods within Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports rebels now hold over half the city, marking the most significant challenge to President Bashar al-Assad’s government in years. This marks the first rebel incursion into Aleppo since their expulsion in 2016.
Video footage, geolocated by the BBC to a western Aleppo suburb, shows rebel fighters within the city. While rebels claim significant gains, government forces report retaking positions in Aleppo and Idlib provinces following Wednesday’s HTS-led offensive.
The ongoing conflict, stemming from the 2011 crackdown on pro-democracy protests, has claimed over half a million lives. Various armed groups, including jihadists, exploited the ensuing chaos, seizing large territories. With Russian and allied support, the Syrian government eventually regained much of the lost ground. Idlib, the last major opposition stronghold, remains largely under HTS control, alongside Turkish-backed rebels and Turkish forces.
Verified videos show armed men near Aleppo’s citadel and civilians fleeing near Aleppo University. The government claims to have dispatched reinforcements to Aleppo and is pushing back against the rebels. All flights from Aleppo airport have been suspended. SOHR reports 23 Syrian and Russian airstrikes on Friday, resulting in 255 reported deaths, marking the deadliest clash in years. A ceasefire brokered in 2020 between Turkey and Russia had brought relative calm to Idlib until Wednesday’s renewed offensive.
The escalation comes amid other regional conflicts. Israel’s military campaign in neighbouring Lebanon has severely weakened the Iran-backed Hezbollah, a significant player in the Syrian war. Increased Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian interests within Syria further complicate the situation.
