Jihadist factions, along with their Turkish-backed allies, have made significant advances in Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, amid an aggressive campaign against forces loyal to the Iranian- and Russian-backed government. Reports indicate that they have seized control of approximately half of Aleppo as regime forces reportedly retreated.
The offensive commenced on Wednesday, coinciding with the initiation of a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, where tensions had heightened between Israel and the Iran-supported militant group Hezbollah. As clashes erupted, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported a staggering death toll, with 277 casualties confirmed, including 28 civilians primarily due to Russian air strikes.
By Friday, the jihadist fighters had captured more than 50 towns and villages in northern Syria and entered the western districts of Aleppo, which was once a manufacturing hub with a population of about two million before the onset of the civil war. The Observatory’s director, Rami Abdel Rahman, noted that the capture of Aleppo was disturbingly unopposed, stating, “there has been no fighting, not a single shot was fired, as regime forces withdrew.” However, clashes were observed in New Aleppo district.
In a troubling development, state media reported that shelling by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist alliance led by Al-Qaeda’s former branch in Syria, resulted in the deaths of four civilians at a student residence. As concerns escalated, the Syrian army dispatched reinforcements to Aleppo, with a security official confirming that additional troops were arriving. Earlier statements by the military claimed that some positions had been retaken from the attackers.
Simultaneously, the jihadists made further progress in the north, including taking the strategic town of Saraqib, which lies on the crucial route to Aleppo. In response, Syrian and Russian air forces intensified bombardments on rebel-held areas around Idlib, launching 23 strikes targeted at what they describe as “extremist” forces, exacerbating the already precarious situation.
Turkey has voiced concerns over the escalating violence, calling for a halt to the bombardment, with its foreign ministry characterizing the clashes as an “undesirable escalation of tensions.” The region surrounding Idlib has been under a precarious truce brokered by Turkey and Russia since 2020, though recent hostilities threaten its stability.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported the displacement of more than 14,000 individuals due to the ongoing violence, nearly half of whom are children. Local residents expressed their fears of further displacement, with one individual, Sarmad, citing the constant sounds of missile strikes and shelling. Another resident, Nasser Hamdo, worried that blocked roads could lead to soaring fuel prices and restrict the flow of goods into the city.
Internationally, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the recent developments in Aleppo, labeling them an infringement on Syria’s sovereignty, while affirming support for the Syrian government in restoring order. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi communicated his country’s unwavering support for the Syrian government in discussions with his Syrian counterpart.
As images emerged of abandoned military equipment in the area, reports indicated that the jihadists were operating under a unified command with their Turkish allies. Analysts suggest that these groups are attempting to preempt any potential military response from the Syrian government, which, alongside Russian support, appears to have been caught off guard by the recent offensive.
The situation is further complicated by the presence of Iranian-backed militias in the Aleppo region, which have historically supported the Syrian government. Analysts contend that anti-government forces currently demonstrate better preparedness and capability to capture villages than the Russian-backed Syrian forces, indicating a shift in the balance of power.
As the chaotic situation unfolds, the Assad regime faces growing challenges while navigating a landscape in which it seems increasingly “totally unprepared” for the latest aggressive campaigns against it.
