The Syrian army faced a major attack by rebels led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the city of Aleppo, resulting in the death of dozens of soldiers. The rebel assault was the boldest in years, challenging President Bashar al-Assad’s rule. The war in Syria has been ongoing since 2011, with no formal end. Aleppo had been firmly held by the government until this recent rebel advance.
Following the attack, the Syrian army prepared a counterattack, targeting rebel gatherings and convoys in the city with airstrikes. The rebels managed to take control of Aleppo airport and the city of Maraat al Numan in Idlib province.
Russian and Iranian support for Assad, as well as Turkish support for some rebel groups, has complicated the conflict’s geopolitics. The situation has raised concerns among regional powers, with Russian, Turkish, and Iranian officials discussing the developments in Syria.
The fighting in northwest Syria has escalated, despite a de-escalation agreement reached between Turkey and Russia in 2020. Russian promised additional military aid to Damascus, while the YPG expanded their control in Aleppo as government troops withdrew.
Opposition fighters have cited increased airstrikes on civilians by Russian and Syrian airforces as motivation for their campaign. The region has seen a series of destabilizing events, including the Israeli-U.S. plan to disrupt the region. The conflict highlights the complex nature of the Syrian war and its impact on the wider region.
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