In a stunning turn of events that has dramatically shifted the balance of power in Syria’s long-running civil war, Islamist rebels have seized control of large swaths of the country’s second largest city, Aleppo, in a surprise offensive that caught government forces off guard. The militants, once exiled to remote pockets of the countryside, now roam the streets of central Aleppo, tearing down symbols of President Bashar al-Assad’s rule in what marks the most serious challenge to his power in years.
Rebel Forces Launch Multi-Pronged Assault
The offensive, spearheaded by the militant Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), saw insurgents rapidly capture territory across northwestern Syria, including much of Aleppo, in a sudden rout of Syrian army forces. Fighters pushed deep into government-controlled areas, seizing key locations like the civilian airport and closing in on the ancient citadel at the heart of the city.
According to sources on the ground, Syrian forces appeared to withdraw from several strategic positions as the rebels advanced. Footage emerged showing militants celebrating in Aleppo’s central plaza, with some seen tearing down a statue of Bashar al-Assad’s brother to the sound of gunfire. One man, allegedly freed from prison by the rebels, wept on camera.
Simultaneous Offensives Overwhelm Defenses
The HTS-led forces also claimed to have captured an important military base to the south of Aleppo while seizing control of Saraqib, a town situated on the critical highway connecting Aleppo to the capital, Damascus. Meanwhile, Turkish-backed Syrian rebels launched a coordinated operation targeting Kurdish militants and government troops near a military airport to the east, as Assad’s forces struggled to contain the multi-pronged assault.
No one expected Aleppo to be taken, which means there were no real defensive lines within the city. Once they got there it seems like it was all open.
– Jerome Drevon, International Crisis Group
Damascus Reeling, Allies Scramble to Respond
The speed and scale of the rebel advance appeared to catch the Syrian government and its key allies, Russia and Iran, by surprise. As insurgents celebrated in Aleppo’s streets, reports emerged of urgent diplomatic activity, with the Iranian foreign minister due to visit Damascus on Sunday before heading to Turkey. Russia, which has provided critical air support to Assad, discussed the situation with Turkish officials.
With fighting still ongoing in parts of Aleppo, a Syrian military source acknowledged that the “multiplicity of battlefronts” had forced loyalist troops to regroup in order to “strengthen the defence lines.” But as the Syrian army scrambled to mount a counterattack, experts warned that the loss of Aleppo would represent a devastating blow to Assad’s prestige and a major boost to an emboldened opposition.
Rebel Victory Transforms Conflict Dynamics
The rebel offensive has dramatically redrawn the battle lines in a conflict that has raged for over a decade, reversing years of steady government advances. Aleppo, once the country’s commercial capital, has long been seen as a key prize, with Assad’s forces finally wresting control of the city in 2016 after a prolonged and brutal siege.
That victory had been widely seen as a turning point, ushering in a period of relative calm as the government consolidated its grip over much of Syria. Even regional states like Saudi Arabia, once staunch foes of Assad, had begun to normalize relations with Damascus. But this latest rebel surge has shattered any sense of stability, demonstrating the continued volatility of a war that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions more.
An Uncertain Future for Aleppo
For now, the focus is on the unfolding situation in Aleppo, amid urgent questions about the rebels’ capacity to hold their newly won ground. HTS and its allies have proven adept at insurgent warfare but doubts remain over their ability to govern a city of Aleppo’s size and complexity. The group’s hardline Islamist ideology has also raised concerns among some Syrians exhausted by years of draconian militant rule.
With reports of Russian and Syrian airstrikes around Aleppo, a ferocious battle to retake the city may be looming. Much will depend on the scale of the counterattack and the rebels’ ability to withstand it. Some areas, especially on the city’s outskirts, could prove harder to defend if subjected to intense bombardment. But if the opposition can consolidate its grip, it would mark a stunning upheaval in a war that has already seen so many momentous twists and turns.
Wider Implications of Rebel Resurgence
Beyond the immediate impact on the ground, the rebel offensive is likely to have far-reaching geopolitical consequences. Turkey, which has backed elements of the Syrian opposition, will see its influence enhanced, while Russia and Iran, Assad’s key allies, will be forced to reassess their strategies. The stunning developments in Aleppo have also cast fresh doubts on the viability of any political settlement that leaves Assad in power.
As the international community grapples with this latest upheaval, Syrians will be watching to see if Aleppo’s transformation marks a fleeting moment of triumph for the long-struggling opposition, or the start of a more fundamental shift in the grinding conflict’s trajectory. With the battle for Syria’s second city entering a volatile new phase, only one thing seems certain — the country’s tragic war is far from over.
