Aleppo Falls to Rebel Forces as City Faces New Uncertainties
The latest reports indicate that rebel forces have taken control of Aleppo, marking a significant turning point in the ongoing Syrian conflict. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), multiple factions within the rebel coalition, including the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—which has ties to al-Qaeda—have capitalized on the Syrian army's unexpected retreat. Accompanying these advances, reports emerged highlighting the rebels’ acquisition of military equipment abandoned by regime soldiers, including armored vehicles and artillery, as noted by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
In the aftermath of the takeover, Aleppo's streets were eerily quiet, with most shops closed and civilians opting to stay indoors. Traffic jams of fleeing residents were reported as the city braced for potential escalations in violence. This marks the first time Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, is out of government control since 2012.
The Syrian government appears to have been caught off-guard by the rapid advances of the rebels throughout the past week, prompting a so-called ordered retreat command from the Syrian army. As news of the rebels' territorial gains spread, it became clear that Aleppo's fate hangs precariously in the balance, with many residents now facing an uncertain future.
In response to the rebels' surge, the regime sought to regain control with the assistance of Russian airpower. On Sunday, Russian and Syrian fighter jets launched bombing campaigns over Idlib, a major city within the rebel-controlled northeastern enclave. Reports from rescue workers indicated at least four fatalities and numerous injuries resulting from the bombings, which targeted densely populated areas. The Syrian and Russian governments categorically deny allegations of targeting civilians, insisting that their operations focus solely on rebel positions.
The Kremlin has characterized the rebel advances as violations of Syrian sovereignty but faces its own challenges in reinforcing the al-Assad regime. This is particularly relevant against the backdrop of ongoing resource-intensive operations in Ukraine, which might limit Russia's ability to deploy military support to Syria.
For context, HTS has a convoluted history, emerging from al-Qaeda affiliations in 2011. Originally known as al-Nusra, it was a branch of al-Qaeda, and its leadership played pivotal roles in the organization's broader ambitions. After breaking from al-Qaeda in 2016, HTS rebranded itself but continues to operate with jihadist ideology influencing its actions. Despite being labeled a terrorist organization, HTS is acknowledged as one of the most effective factions within the Syrian opposition, challenging President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
As the situation evolves, Aleppo remains in the spotlight for what it signifies in the broader context of the Syrian civil war. The shifting power dynamics and the presence of aggressive rebel forces raise concerns about further destabilization in the region.
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