The military in Syria sent in reinforcements and launched airstrikes on Idlib city in a bid to repel insurgents who had made significant advances on Sunday.
The rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, had swiftly seized control of most of Aleppo on Saturday, as well as key strategic locations in the surrounding province. They also claimed to have entered the city of Hama, though this has not been independently verified. The rapid and unexpected offensive has been a major blow to President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, raising serious doubts about their readiness and ability to defend key areas.
This surge in rebel activity comes at a time when Assad’s allies, including Iran and Russia, are preoccupied with their own challenges. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who visited Damascus later on Sunday, reassured Assad of Tehran’s continued support for his government and military. Arab leaders, such as Jordan’s King Abdullah II and the UAE’s President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, also expressed solidarity with Syria during calls with Assad.
Turkey, a key supporter of opposition groups, condemned the ongoing Syrian government attacks on opposition-held regions in recent weeks, acknowledging that its diplomatic efforts to stop the assaults had failed. Turkish officials stated that the rebels initially planned a limited offensive to counter the government attacks and allow civilians to return to their homes. However, the operation quickly expanded as Syrian forces began to pull back from their positions.
The insurgents, which include Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Turkey-backed fighters, launched a coordinated two-pronged assault on Aleppo and Idlib on Wednesday, before advancing towards Hama. In Aleppo province, they captured a vital town located along the main highway linking Aleppo to Damascus and the coast.
Rebel commander Colonel Hassan Abdulghani reported that, despite the Syrian government’s counteroffensive, his fighters were continuing to make gains. He confirmed that they had taken control of key areas, including the Aleppo Industrial City (Sheikh Najjar), the military academy, and the field artillery college, as well as capturing 65 Syrian troops in eastern Aleppo.
Meanwhile, the insurgents also made significant progress in Idlib province, ultimately seizing control of the entire region. The United Nations’ special envoy for Syria warned that the unexpected rebel push posed a serious risk to regional stability, calling for renewed diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict.
“I have repeatedly warned of the risks of escalation in Syria, of the dangers of mere conflict management rather than conflict resolution,” Geir Pedersen said in a statement.
He stated that the truth is that no Syrian faction or group of actors can settle the conflict through military actions.
