ALEPPO, Syria – Rebel forces in Syria have taken control of the majority of Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city, in a dramatic resurgence of fighting against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, SOHR, reported Saturday, November 30, 2024, that the rebels’ rapid advance occurred with minimal resistance from government forces, marking the first time opposition forces have entered Aleppo since being ousted in 2016.
The offensive, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied factions, began Wednesday and has left more than 300 people dead, including at least 20 civilians.
Government Withdrawal and Russian Air Strikes
Syrian military sources confirmed a temporary withdrawal from Aleppo, stating that troops were regrouping for a counteroffensive.
Meanwhile, Russia, Assad’s key ally, launched its first air strikes on Aleppo since 2016, targeting rebel-controlled areas overnight.
SOHR reported that 23 strikes in Aleppo and nearby Idlib killed four civilians and injured 19 others.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscow’s support for the Syrian government, emphasising the need to “restore order” and accusing opposition forces of undermining Syria’s sovereignty.
Scenes of Displacement and Destruction
Footage verified by the BBC showed armed rebels advancing through western suburbs of Aleppo, while other clips captured civilians fleeing areas near Aleppo University with belongings in hand.
The UN’s deputy regional humanitarian coordinator for Syria, David Carden, expressed alarm at the escalating violence, noting that 27 civilians, including children as young as eight, had been killed in the past three days.
“We’re scared that war will break out and we’ll be displaced from our homes again,” said Sarmad, a 51-year-old Aleppo resident, in an interview with AFP.
A Turning Point in the Syrian Civil War
The rebel offensive represents the largest challenge to Assad’s authority in years.
Analysts attribute their rapid advance to weakened government allies, including Iran and Hezbollah, due to recent Israeli air strikes.
The offensive also marks a significant shift in the dynamics of the Syrian conflict, which had largely stabilised since a 2020 ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Russia.
HTS, which controls much of Idlib, framed the offensive as a response to government escalation in the region.
“Our forces have begun entering the city of Aleppo,” the group declared Friday in a statement on a rebel-affiliated channel.
The strategic capture of Aleppo, a city that has long been a symbol of resistance and regime control, could reshape the trajectory of the civil war, now in its 14th year.
Humanitarian Crisis Looms
As fighting intensifies, humanitarian organisations warn of dire consequences for civilians in Aleppo and surrounding regions.
With roads and airports closed, many residents face limited options for escape.
The UN and international actors have urged restraint and called for renewed efforts to protect civilians.
However, with the ceasefire agreement in tatters and both sides preparing for further clashes, the prospects for peace appear increasingly distant.
