Aleppo: Syrian and Russian jets are increasing airstrikes on opposition forces in northern Syria after a surprise rebel offensive that has led to the capture of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city. The offensive has also seen rebels take control of important military bases and large areas in Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
The offensive, which faced little resistance from Syrian government forces, has dealt a major blow to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. It comes at a time when Syria’s main allies, Russia and Iran, are focused on other conflicts. The new rebel coalition, called the Military Operations Command, has made significant gains, including capturing the Aleppo airport. Videos verified by CNN showed rebels inside the airport terminal.
The rebels have also secured key military positions in eastern Aleppo, but some neighborhoods are still held by Kurdish forces. The regime’s planned counteroffensive is now considered difficult due to the rebels’ control of Aleppo.
In response, government aircraft, supported by Russian jets, have launched bombing raids against rebel positions in Aleppo and Idlib. On Sunday, an airstrike near Aleppo University killed at least four people. It is unclear whether Syrian or Russian jets carried out the strike. A previous airstrike on Saturday also killed several people in western Aleppo. The White Helmets, a volunteer rescue group, reported four deaths in Idlib city from airstrikes on Sunday. Idlib is now almost entirely under rebel control.
In his first comments since the attack, Assad vowed to defend Syria’s territorial integrity, calling the rebels “terrorists.” He stated that Syria, with the help of its allies, could defeat the opposition and eliminate their threat.
The rebels’ success has reignited the ongoing Syrian civil war, which has killed over 300,000 people and displaced millions. This recent escalation is the most significant since 2020, when Russia and Turkey agreed to a ceasefire in Idlib.
The opposition is mainly led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, along with other groups backed by Turkey and the U.S. This raises questions for Western governments about whether to support the rebels or worry about the rise of Islamist groups in Syria.
Experts say the situation reflects a shift in power dynamics, with Turkey emerging as a key player and Russia and Iran losing influence.
