In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the region, Islamist militants from the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have seized control of large swathes of the Syrian city of Aleppo in a lightning offensive that caught government forces off guard. The sudden rout of Syrian army troops marks the most serious challenge to President Bashar al-Assad’s grip on power in years.
Islamist Rebels Roam Streets of Central Aleppo
Footage from the embattled city shows heavily armed HTS fighters, many of whom were once exiled to remote pockets of the Syrian countryside, openly patrolling the streets of central Aleppo. The militants were seen tearing down symbols of Assad’s rule and raising their own flags over key buildings and landmarks, including the historic citadel that overlooks the ancient city center.
According to sources on the ground, clashes between rebel forces and pro-government troops continue to rage in several neighborhoods as the Syrian army mounts a desperate bid to prevent the city from falling entirely into militant hands. However, the speed and scale of the rebel advance suggest that without major reinforcements, Assad’s forces may struggle to maintain their remaining foothold.
Rebel Offensive Shifts Balance of Power
The HTS offensive has dramatically redrawn the map of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and former commercial hub that has been ravaged by years of civil war. Just days ago, government troops appeared to be in firm control, with rebel forces largely confined to the countryside. But in a stunning reversal, the militants have now seized key districts and look poised to expand their gains.
“The rebels appeared out of nowhere and swept across the city like a flood,” said one Aleppo resident reached by phone, who asked not to be named for security reasons. “The army just melted away. No one expected this.”
– Aleppo resident
The offensive is a stunning turnaround for HTS, a militant group with ties to al-Qaeda that had been on the back foot in recent years as Assad’s forces, backed by Russian airpower and Iranian militias, steadily chipped away at rebel territory. But analysts say the group used the period of relative calm to regroup, forge new alliances, and plan for a major assault.
Assad’s Control Hangs in the Balance
The fall of Aleppo to HTS would represent a catastrophic blow to Assad’s regime, which has long touted its control over the city as proof that it was winning the war. Aleppo holds immense symbolic and strategic value, and its loss would fundamentally undermine Assad’s claim to be the legitimate ruler of all of Syria.
- Aleppo is Syria’s largest city and a key economic hub
- The city has been a major battleground throughout the Syrian civil war
- Control of Aleppo is seen as crucial for both sides in the conflict
According to some observers, the rebel offensive may have benefited from a redeployment of government troops to other fronts, including the ongoing campaign against ISIS remnants in eastern Syria. There are also reports of discontent within Assad’s ranks, with some suggesting that poor morale and leadership failures contributed to the swift collapse in Aleppo.
As the fighting continues, fears are mounting of a humanitarian catastrophe, with thousands of civilians trapped in the crossfire. Aid agencies are warning of a major exodus from the city if the rebels solidify their grip, which could send a new wave of refugees streaming toward the borders of neighboring Turkey.
International Response Remains Uncertain
The international community has responded to the events in Aleppo with a mix of alarm and resignation. Western powers, long critical of Assad, have condemned the rebel offensive but show little appetite for direct intervention. Meanwhile, Assad’s key allies Russia and Iran have vowed to stand by the regime, setting the stage for a potential escalation.
“The developments in Aleppo are deeply troubling and could lead to a dangerous new phase in the Syrian conflict,” warned a senior UN diplomat. “All sides must show restraint and remember their obligations under international law to protect civilians.”
– Senior UN diplomat
As the world watches anxiously, the battle for Aleppo appears far from over. But with every passing day, the once unthinkable prospect of the city—and perhaps the wider country—falling out of Assad’s control is becoming increasingly real. The coming days and weeks could prove decisive in determining the fate of Aleppo, and with it, the future of Syria itself.
According to sources on the ground, clashes between rebel forces and pro-government troops continue to rage in several neighborhoods as the Syrian army mounts a desperate bid to prevent the city from falling entirely into militant hands. However, the speed and scale of the rebel advance suggest that without major reinforcements, Assad’s forces may struggle to maintain their remaining foothold.
Rebel Offensive Shifts Balance of Power
The HTS offensive has dramatically redrawn the map of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and former commercial hub that has been ravaged by years of civil war. Just days ago, government troops appeared to be in firm control, with rebel forces largely confined to the countryside. But in a stunning reversal, the militants have now seized key districts and look poised to expand their gains.
“The rebels appeared out of nowhere and swept across the city like a flood,” said one Aleppo resident reached by phone, who asked not to be named for security reasons. “The army just melted away. No one expected this.”
– Aleppo resident
The offensive is a stunning turnaround for HTS, a militant group with ties to al-Qaeda that had been on the back foot in recent years as Assad’s forces, backed by Russian airpower and Iranian militias, steadily chipped away at rebel territory. But analysts say the group used the period of relative calm to regroup, forge new alliances, and plan for a major assault.
Assad’s Control Hangs in the Balance
The fall of Aleppo to HTS would represent a catastrophic blow to Assad’s regime, which has long touted its control over the city as proof that it was winning the war. Aleppo holds immense symbolic and strategic value, and its loss would fundamentally undermine Assad’s claim to be the legitimate ruler of all of Syria.
- Aleppo is Syria’s largest city and a key economic hub
- The city has been a major battleground throughout the Syrian civil war
- Control of Aleppo is seen as crucial for both sides in the conflict
According to some observers, the rebel offensive may have benefited from a redeployment of government troops to other fronts, including the ongoing campaign against ISIS remnants in eastern Syria. There are also reports of discontent within Assad’s ranks, with some suggesting that poor morale and leadership failures contributed to the swift collapse in Aleppo.
As the fighting continues, fears are mounting of a humanitarian catastrophe, with thousands of civilians trapped in the crossfire. Aid agencies are warning of a major exodus from the city if the rebels solidify their grip, which could send a new wave of refugees streaming toward the borders of neighboring Turkey.
International Response Remains Uncertain
The international community has responded to the events in Aleppo with a mix of alarm and resignation. Western powers, long critical of Assad, have condemned the rebel offensive but show little appetite for direct intervention. Meanwhile, Assad’s key allies Russia and Iran have vowed to stand by the regime, setting the stage for a potential escalation.
“The developments in Aleppo are deeply troubling and could lead to a dangerous new phase in the Syrian conflict,” warned a senior UN diplomat. “All sides must show restraint and remember their obligations under international law to protect civilians.”
– Senior UN diplomat
As the world watches anxiously, the battle for Aleppo appears far from over. But with every passing day, the once unthinkable prospect of the city—and perhaps the wider country—falling out of Assad’s control is becoming increasingly real. The coming days and weeks could prove decisive in determining the fate of Aleppo, and with it, the future of Syria itself.
