Rebel forces have taken control of the majority of Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city, marking a significant blow to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the rebels’ advance is the largest offensive against the Syrian government in years, and it has unfolded with startling speed. The battle for Aleppo, which was once the focal point of intense fighting in the civil war, is now witnessing the return of armed opposition forces to a city they were ousted from in 2016.
The offensive began earlier this week, and by Saturday, the rebels were reported to have captured large swathes of the city with little resistance. SOHR confirmed that government forces, including Syrian troops, police, and intelligence units, had withdrawn from the majority of the city, leaving key sites like police stations, government offices, and city council buildings empty. “This has never happened before,” a spokesperson for the opposition said, emphasizing the scale of the Syrian government’s retreat. As the government forces pulled back, the city’s airport and all major roads leading into Aleppo were closed, further isolating the city.
The rapid progress made by the rebel forces is attributed to several factors, including the weakening of Syrian allies like Iran and Hezbollah, whose strength has been compromised by recent Israeli strikes in the region. Additionally, the rebel factions—led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allied groups appeared to face minimal resistance as they advanced into the heart of Aleppo, with some sources reporting that government forces had already begun to retreat before the clashes escalated.
Russia, a key ally of the Syrian government, responded to the rebels’ success with air raids in parts of Aleppo, marking the first Russian airstrikes on the city since 2016. The Russian military claims to have targeted “extremist forces,” although civilian casualties have been reported. Over 300 people, including more than 20 civilians, have died since the offensive began, with the toll expected to rise as fighting continues. The UN has expressed alarm over the civilian casualties, with at least 27 civilians, including children, killed in the past three days.
Aleppo’s capture is a symbolic victory for the opposition forces, who have suffered significant setbacks since 2016, when the Syrian government, bolstered by Russian and Iranian support, regained control of the city. The loss of Aleppo in 2016 marked a critical point in the Syrian civil war, with the Assad regime’s forces slowly regaining control over much of the country. However, Aleppo’s recapture by the rebels indicates a potential shift in the balance of power, as the Syrian government has been weakened by internal and external pressures.
On the ground, Aleppo residents are once again caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict. One resident described hearing “the sounds of missiles and artillery shelling around the clock” while expressing fear of being displaced once more. The situation has become increasingly dire, as civilians in the city scramble to escape the fighting, while humanitarian organizations warn of a looming crisis.
The offensive in Aleppo comes on the heels of escalating tensions in Idlib, Syria’s last remaining opposition stronghold, which is controlled primarily by HTS. Syrian and Russian planes carried out airstrikes in the area on Friday, killing several civilians and injuring many more. The latest round of violence is a stark reminder of the persistent instability that continues to plague Syria, nearly 13 years after the outbreak of its devastating civil war.
As the situation in Aleppo continues to evolve, the broader regional dynamics, including the role of Russia, Iran, and Turkey, will likely play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the conflict. For now, the fate of Aleppo remains uncertain, and its capture by rebel forces signals a new chapter in Syria’s ongoing struggle.
