In a stunning development, Islamist insurgents have stormed into the outskirts of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, just three days after launching a major offensive from their stronghold in Idlib province. The sudden assault has shattered the fragile status quo in the region, with rebels recapturing key territory and dozens of civilians, including children, killed in the intense fighting.
Rebels Rapidly Advance, Entering Aleppo
The rebel offensive, spearheaded by fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has made startling gains in just 72 hours. According to sources on the ground, insurgents have captured dozens of towns and villages in the Aleppo countryside, seizing military bases, weapons, and tanks from Syrian government forces. In a dramatic escalation, HTS fighters entered the outskirts of Aleppo on Friday, the first time rebels have set foot in the city since being driven out four years ago.
Unverified images and videos circulating online show armed militants in uniform patrolling the streets of Aleppo, while residents report hearing missiles striking the city’s perimeter. The sudden incursion has sent shockwaves through the region, with many fearing a return to the brutal urban combat that devastated Aleppo during the height of Syria’s civil war.
Heavy Civilian Toll as Fighting Intensifies
The surprise rebel offensive has come at a heavy cost for civilians caught in the crossfire. According to the UN, at least 27 civilians, including eight children, have been killed in the fierce clashes over the past three days. Syrian government forces have responded with a blistering campaign of airstrikes and shelling across rebel-held areas in Idlib and western Aleppo, displacing an estimated 14,000 people.
The regime’s lines of defense have crumbled, I think they were taken aback. No one anticipated how fast the rebels would reach towards the edge of Aleppo.
Dareen Khalifa, International Crisis Group
Shifting Balance of Power Amid Regional Turmoil
The rebel offensive has exposed the increasingly fragile balance of power in Syria, which has been strained by escalating regional tensions and the fallout from conflicts in neighboring countries. Analysts point to Israel’s intensified airstrikes against Iranian forces in Syria, as well as the recent influx of refugees fleeing violence in Lebanon, as factors that may have emboldened the rebels to launch their surprise assault.
The response from Syria’s key allies, Russia and Iran, remains a critical question. Moscow, which has been focused on the war in Ukraine, issued a statement condemning the rebel offensive as a violation of Syria’s sovereignty. However, it remains unclear how forcefully Russia will intervene to shore up the Assad regime’s defenses. Meanwhile, Iran, which has troops fighting alongside Syrian government forces, has vowed to strike back against the rebels, raising the specter of a wider regional confrontation.
Uncertain Future for War-Weary Syrians
For the millions of Syrians who have endured more than a decade of relentless conflict, the rebel offensive is a grim reminder of the enduring instability that haunts their country. Many fear a return to the darkest days of the civil war, when Aleppo was reduced to rubble and its residents faced unimaginable suffering. As the fighting continues to rage, the fate of Syria’s second city, and the countless civilians caught in the crosshairs, hangs in the balance.
The shock rebel advance has upended the fragile status quo in Syria, raising urgent questions about the future of the war-torn country and the immense human cost of the ongoing conflict. As regional powers jockey for influence and the civilian death toll mounts, the international community faces renewed pressure to find a path towards lasting peace for the Syrian people. But with no end in sight to the fighting, and the specter of an even wider conflagration looming, the road ahead remains perilous and uncertain.
