Syrian Rebels Seize Control in Aleppo Amid Fierce Fighting
Rebel forces in Syria have reportedly gained control of key areas in Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). This marks the most significant challenge to government forces in years.
Rebels Push Forward in Aleppo
As of Friday evening, SOHR announced that rebels now dominate more than half of Aleppo. This advance represents the largest insurgent push against the forces of President Bashar al-Assad since their retreat from the city in 2016.
Videos shared by channels affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist militant group, appear to show fighters driving through Aleppo’s outskirts. BBC Verify confirmed the location of the footage to be a western suburb of the city.
Government Forces Fight Back
In response, Syrian government troops have launched counterattacks, reclaiming territory in Aleppo and the neighboring Idlib province. Military reinforcements have also been dispatched to Aleppo, with state forces vowing to expel the rebels.
Airstrikes intensified in the region on Friday, with Syrian and Russian jets reportedly conducting 23 strikes on rebel positions. SOHR estimated that at least 255 people have died in the recent fighting, making it the bloodiest confrontation in years.
Civilians on the Move
Verified footage showed residents fleeing conflict zones near Aleppo University, about 3 kilometers from rebel-held areas. Crowds carrying personal belongings were seen heading away from the violence. The Aleppo airport has also been shut down, with all flights canceled due to safety concerns.
Idlib: A Tense Stalemate Broken
Idlib, the last major rebel stronghold, has been largely under the control of HTS, though Turkish-backed factions and Turkish forces also have a presence. The region had seen relative calm since a 2020 ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Russia. However, the new offensive by HTS and its allies has reignited fierce battles.
Rebels claim the assault was launched to “deter aggression” amid escalating government attacks. Meanwhile, the Assad regime and its allies have faced distractions from conflicts elsewhere, including Israeli airstrikes on Iranian-linked targets in Syria and clashes with Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon.
A War with No End in Sight
More than 12 years of civil war have devastated Syria, claiming over 500,000 lives. Initially sparked by a government crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011, the conflict has drawn in various factions, including jihadist groups, foreign powers, and local militias.
While Assad’s forces, backed by Russia and Iran, have regained much of the country, the latest developments in Aleppo underscore the persistent volatility and the enduring cost of this prolonged war.
