What is happening in Syria?

Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have mobilized in Syria to support the government’s counteroffensive against a surprise insurgent advance that resulted in the capture of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, last week, according to a militia official and a war monitor.

The Syrian civil war, now in its 13th year, has reignited following a coordinated attack by insurgents led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

This offensive targeted Aleppo and expanded into rural areas of Idlib and Hama provinces, marking one of the rebels’ most significant campaigns in recent years.

The escalation threatens to open another volatile front in the Middle East, amidst the ongoing conflict between U.S.-backed Israel and Iranian-aligned groups, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

This attack marks the first assault on Aleppo by opposition forces since 2016, when Russian airstrikes enabled Syrian President Bashar Assad to recapture the city. Assad’s hold over 70% of Syria has been maintained through the intervention of Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, and other allied forces.

Who are Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)?

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, leading the current offensive, is designated as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the U.N.

The group originated as Jabhat al-Nusra, an Al-Qaeda affiliate established in 2011. Known for its effectiveness and brutality, the group initially clashed ideologically with other rebel factions, including the Free Syrian Army.

In 2016, Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, its leader, formally severed ties with Al-Qaeda and rebranded the organization. Jabhat al-Nusra dissolved, merging with other factions to form HTS. Despite these changes, HTS remains rooted in its jihadist ideology and is considered one of the most formidable forces opposing Assad’s government.