The Daily Star Ireland
For the first time since the Syrian conflict began, Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city, is no longer under the control of President Bashar al-Assad’s government, according to a war monitor. The city is now in the hands of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied rebel factions, except for areas controlled by Kurdish forces. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, confirmed that Aleppo is no longer under regime control.
The rebel forces, led by jihadist groups, have taken control of Aleppo’s airport and several surrounding towns, after making significant gains in the city. In response, Syria’s ally Russia launched its first air strikes on Aleppo since 2016. These strikes came as the rebels, backed by Turkey, pressed an aggressive offensive that coincided with a ceasefire in Lebanon.
In a conversation with the Emirati leader, President al-Assad vowed to defeat the “terrorists” despite the scale of their attacks. The ongoing fighting has resulted in at least 327 deaths, including 44 civilians, according to the Observatory. Additionally, government forces are reported to have pulled out of Hama, Syria’s fourth-largest city, in the face of the rebel advance, although state media sources have denied this, claiming that troops are still holding their ground.
Rebel fighters were seen outside Aleppo’s famous citadel, while the Syrian army acknowledged that the rebels had entered significant portions of the city. The army confirmed that many of its troops had been killed or wounded in the fighting.
HTS, an alliance led by former Al-Qaeda operatives, has long controlled a region in northwest Syria. As the conflict escalates, the Observatory noted that Russia and Iran, key allies of the Syrian regime, seem to have largely abandoned the government, with Russia’s air strikes in Aleppo appearing to be mostly symbolic. The Syrian government has faced significant territorial losses, with the Observatory reporting that the rebels have seized numerous towns in the north, including Maaret al-Numan and Khan Sheikhun.
Amid the violence, the Syrian army reported that the rebels launched coordinated attacks from multiple directions on Aleppo and Idlib. Casualties on both sides have been heavy, with the government losing 100 soldiers and militia fighters, and the rebels suffering 183 losses.
A pro-regime radio station reported that armed groups were present in several areas of Aleppo, with most civilians staying indoors as fighting raged. Public and private institutions were largely closed, and local leaders, including the governor, had reportedly withdrawn from the city center.
Celebratory gunfire was heard from rebel forces as they reached the heart of the city, where they raised their flag in a symbolic gesture. The western districts of Aleppo were under rebel control until 2016, when a government siege led to a negotiated evacuation.
Russia and Iran expressed grave concern over the situation, with Russia reaffirming its support for Syria’s sovereignty. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the developments, and Araghchi was set to visit Syria for talks. Both countries also pledged to coordinate with Turkey to stabilize the region, following Turkey’s call for an end to Russian air strikes on the rebel enclave in Idlib.
The situation remains tense, with continued diplomatic efforts to address the escalating conflict.
