In a dramatic escalation of the Syrian conflict, jihadist-led rebels have seized control of Aleppo’s airport and numerous towns in the vicinity, significantly overrunning much of Syria’s second-largest city. The assault was reported by a war monitor on Saturday and marked the first resurgence of violence in Aleppo since government forces had regained control several years prior.
The offensive began as a ceasefire took hold in neighboring Lebanon, prompting an alliance of jihadists, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), to launch a rapid attack beginning Wednesday. This coordinated assault has drawn the ire of Damascus’s primary ally, Moscow, which responded with its first air strikes on Aleppo since 2016—a move that coincides with the rebels’ alarming advance.
President Bashar al-Assad, in a telephone conversation with his Emirati counterpart, reaffirmed his commitment to defeat what he termed “terrorists,” regardless of the scale of their attacks. The fighting has already claimed the lives of at least 327 individuals, with a majority being combatants but also including 44 civilians, as reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
According to the Britain-based war monitor, HTS and allied factions managed to take control of the majority of Aleppo, as well as key governmental centers and prisons, with minimal resistance from the Syrian military. The capture of Aleppo airport further exemplified this rapid shift in power dynamics as government forces reportedly withdrew, although state media denied claims of a complete pullout, asserting that troops remained in strategic positions to counter the rebel offensive.
Witnesses described scenes of mayhem, with rebel fighters parading outside the historic citadel of Aleppo and ordering a curfew to ensure the safety of residents. An AFP photographer documented the aftermath of the fighting, capturing images of charred vehicles and civilian casualties, including a woman found deceased in her car.
The Syrian army has acknowledged that rebels have overrun large sections of the city, which previously housed a population of around two million. The chaos on the ground is compounded by a lack of civilian movement, as many avoid venturing outside amid the ongoing violence.
Contributing to the complexity of the situation, claims have emerged that the Syrian government has been effectively abandoned by its main allies, Iran and Russia. This has escalated concerns among regime supporters, leading to Russian air strikes that reportedly resulted in additional civilian casualties.
In the broader context of international relations, France has urged parties involved in the fighting to safeguard civilians, while the United States criticized Assad for his reliance on Moscow and Tehran, suggesting it has contributed to the deterioration of control in Aleppo.
As the clashes continued, rebel fighters celebrated their gains, expressing determination to expand their territorial control throughout Syria. The loss of Aleppo holds significant implications, as the city has historically been a crucial industrial hub, instilling hopes among the rebels that they can reclaim more territory across the war-torn nation.
Meanwhile, both Russia and Iran have expressed apprehension regarding the ongoing losses faced by the Syrian regime. The Iranian foreign minister is set to travel to Damascus for talks on the situation, signaling the urgency of diplomatic efforts amid the chaos.
In a conversation between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart, strong support for Syria’s sovereignty was emphasized. Simultaneously, Ankara has voiced concerns regarding the situation, advocating for the cessation of retaliatory airstrikes that have further exacerbated instability in the region.
The escalating conflict and the significant territorial losses for the Assad regime add to the already complicated geopolitical landscape of Syria, as neighboring countries and international powers weigh their interests and potential involvement in the volatile situation.
