Clashes in northwest Syria have escalated dramatically, resulting in the deaths of over 130 combatants in what has been described as the most intense fighting in years. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, reported that the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allied factions launched a surprise offensive against Syrian government forces in the northern province of Aleppo.
On Wednesday, the fighting, which has raged for approximately 24 hours, has claimed the lives of 132 combatants. This includes 65 fighters from HTS, 18 from allied groups, and 49 members of the Syrian army. The clashes are taking place in an area located less than 10 kilometers southwest of Aleppo city, further complicating an already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
HTS, which evolved from Al-Qaeda’s former Syrian branch, exerts control over significant portions of the northwest, including Idlib, and parts of Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia provinces. Reports indicate that intense and continuous fighting has been observed east of Idlib city, complemented by air strikes.
A military statement from the Syrian government, as reported by state news agency SANA, confirmed that “armed terrorist organisations,” specifically referencing the “Nusra terrorist front,” initiated a wide-ranging assault on Wednesday morning aimed at civilian areas as well as military sites using medium and heavy weaponry.
The Syrian army, in conjunction with allied forces, responded to the attack, claiming to inflict substantial losses on the armed groups involved, though they did not disclose any casualties on their side. The Observatory has noted that HTS has managed to advance in Idlib province, seizing control of critical locations such as Dadikh, Kafr Batikh, and Sheikh Ali. These areas hold strategic importance due to their close proximity to the M5 international highway, a vital route for transportation and commerce.
The fighting has also seen an increase in Russian air support, with Russian warplanes reportedly intensifying air strikes in areas like Sarmin, alongside heavy artillery bombardments. The developments come against the backdrop of Syria’s complex conflict, which began in 2011 after President Bashar al-Assad cracked down on anti-government protests. The conflict has resulted in over 500,000 fatalities, displaced millions, and devastated the country’s infrastructure.
Despite the ongoing hostilities, the Idlib region has been under a ceasefire, negotiated by Turkey and Russia, since a Syrian government offensive in March 2020. This ceasefire has been repeatedly violated, but it has largely remained in place, creating a fragile stability in a region plagued by ongoing violence and humanitarian crises.
