ⓒ CBC News
Aleppo’s airport and all access roads were shut down on Saturday following a surprise rebel assault, according to three military sources who spoke to Reuters. Rebels opposing President Bashar al-Assad declared they had reached the city’s center. The offensive, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militant group, involved a rapid advance through government-controlled areas, culminating in the rebels’ unexpected return to Aleppo after nearly a decade of absence.
The speed of the rebel advance has raised concerns about the Syrian government’s military capabilities. Robert Ford, former U.S. ambassador to Syria, described the government forces as “extremely weak,” suggesting they had been “almost routed” in some areas. Russia, a close ally of Assad, has pledged additional military aid to Syria, with new equipment expected within 72 hours.
The Syrian army has reportedly received orders for a “safe withdrawal” from areas now under rebel control. The assault, which began on Wednesday, saw residents fleeing Aleppo’s outskirts due to missile attacks and gunfire. The UN reported at least 27 civilian deaths in recent days, and Syrian state media confirmed additional casualties from rebel shelling.
The rebels claim their offensive is a response to increased airstrikes on civilian areas in Idlib by Russian and Syrian forces. Analysts suggest that the rebels’ success is partly due to Russia and Iran’s involvement in other conflicts, diverting resources and attention away from Syria. While Turkey denies direct involvement, some sources suggest that it may have tacitly approved the offensive.
This attack marks the most significant escalation since a 2020 de-escalation agreement between Russia and Turkey. The Syrian government denies the rebels’ claims of reaching Aleppo’s heart, maintaining that it is actively fighting back and inflicting heavy losses on the insurgents.
