Syrian rebels, primarily from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group, made significant territorial gains in Aleppo on Friday, raising the stakes in the ongoing conflict between anti-government factions and the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
The rebels’ lightning-fast offensive, which reached the heart of Syria’s second-largest city, threatened to undermine Assad’s control, with fighters advancing into the city’s iconic citadel.
By early Saturday morning, social media videos showed rebels celebrating their apparent control over Aleppo, which has been a key battleground in Syria’s civil war.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the rebels had taken control of more than half of Aleppo, a dramatic shift in a city that had been under regime control since 2016.
The rebels reportedly entered Aleppo with minimal resistance from government forces, who appeared to be retreating from their positions.
The offensive began with rebel forces capturing more than 50 towns and villages in northern and northwestern Syria, marking the most significant rebel advances in years.
They seized large amounts of military hardware, including 31 Russian tanks, BMP armoured personnel carriers, and artillery pieces. Rebel commanders claimed they had also captured anti-aircraft missiles and inflicted substantial casualties on government forces.
By Friday, fighting had intensified in the Al-Rashidin district on the western edge of Aleppo, with explosions from twin suicide bombings targeting regime positions.
Rebels pushed into the New Aleppo and Al-Hamdaniya districts, and videos reportedly showed rebel forces taking down regime flags and advancing towards key locations, such as Aleppo International Stadium. One clip purportedly showed the rebels driving a captured tank near the stadium.
Despite the gains, the offensive has led to widespread displacement, with thousands of civilians forced to flee. Aid agencies reported that several services had been suspended, and a student residence in Aleppo was shelled, killing four civilians.
The rebels have vowed to protect religious minorities, including Christians, urging them to remain at home and “live normally” under their control.
The rebel push towards Aleppo is part of a broader effort to re-establish the boundaries of the de-escalation zones agreed upon in past negotiations between Turkey, Russia, and Iran.
Turkish officials indicated that the initial goal of the offensive was a limited strike against Aleppo, in response to regime shelling that targeted civilians. However, as government forces began retreating, the offensive escalated, putting significant pressure on Assad’s military.
The battle for Aleppo is emblematic of the broader geopolitical dynamics at play. Russia, a key ally of Assad, condemned the rebel assault as a violation of Syrian sovereignty and called for swift action by the government to regain control.
Meanwhile, Iran, another staunch ally of Assad, expressed continued support for the Syrian government and accused the U.S. and Israel of orchestrating the rebel push.
Aleppo has long been a symbol of the Syrian conflict, with both sides suffering tremendous losses in the city’s streets. In 2016, after years of intense fighting, rebel forces were pushed out and Aleppo was recaptured by regime forces with Russian support.
The city, once home to millions, has since been a stronghold of the Assad regime, making the recent rebel advances a significant blow.
The escalating violence, particularly around Aleppo and in the surrounding Idlib province, could further destabilize the already fragile frontlines in Syria.
The increasing involvement of external powers such as Turkey, Russia, and Iran has complicated the dynamics of the conflict, with each supporting different factions and vying for influence in the region.
As the situation remains fluid, the residents of Aleppo are once again bracing for the impact of war. One resident, identified as Sarmad, described hearing constant missile and artillery shelling, expressing fear of being displaced once more.
As the conflict evolves, the fate of Aleppo and the broader war in Syria will depend on the outcome of the rebel offensive and the responses of both the Syrian government and its foreign backers.
