Syrian rebels capture more than half of Aleppo

Syrian rebels, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, breached the major city of Aleppo on Friday, capturing more than half of the city within hours.

The swift advance, marked by little resistance from Syrian government forces, has raised alarms that the long-running civil war in Syria may be intensifying. This surge in rebel activity is seen as the most serious challenge to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in years and has sparked concerns about the potential for further escalation.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the rebels were able to seize control of several key districts in Aleppo’s western part, following the detonations of car bombs targeting government soldiers. The capture of more than half the city has significantly altered the balance of power, with Aleppo’s international airport and some hospitals now closed due to the fighting. The United Nations reported that the remaining hospitals are near full capacity, and security within the city is deteriorating rapidly.

The rebel offensive, which began Wednesday, has caused heavy casualties on both sides, with over 250 combatants killed, including at least 140 rebels and 87 government soldiers and Iran-backed fighters. Despite the claims of rebel successes, the Syrian government, supported by Russia, has launched airstrikes on opposition-held territory, including 23 attacks on Idlib city on Friday.

This latest offensive marks a significant shift in the conflict, which had been largely dormant for years. The timing of the attack has led analysts to speculate that the rebels may be seeking to capitalize on the weakening of Assad’s allies, including Iran and Hezbollah, who have been involved in ongoing conflicts with Israel. Additionally, Russia, another key Assad ally, is stretched thin due to its involvement in the war in Ukraine, which has impacted its ability to provide consistent military support to the Syrian regime.

However, rebels claim that they had been planning the assault for months, preparing to challenge Assad’s forces during a period of perceived vulnerability. Lt. Col. Hassan Abdulghany, the military commander of the opposition’s operations room, stated in a video message that the offensive was necessary to defend the Syrian people against government airstrikes. “It has become clear to everyone that the regime militias and their allies, including the Iranian mercenaries, have declared an open war on the Syrian people,” he said.