On Saturday morning, Syrian war observers report that rebel groups have taken control of large parts of Aleppo.
At the same time, they report Russian airstrikes against the city.
“Russian warplanes began bombing areas of the city of Aleppo overnight for the first time since 2016,” reports the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
In addition, Russia has promised military supplies to help prevent jihadists and rebels from taking control of Aleppo.
the supplies are expected to arrive at a Russian airbase near the coastal city of Latakia within 72 hours.This was stated by two Syrian military sources to the news agency Reuters early Saturday morning.
A military source also told the news agency that Syrian authorities have closed the airport in Aleppo and that all flights to and from the city have been canceled.
Syrian jihadists in the streets of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on November 30, 2024.
Foto: BAKR AL KASSEM / AFP / NTB
SOHR: Over 200 killed in fighting
Jihadist groups and allied rebel groups attacked Syria’s largest city on Friday morning and throughout the day.
According to the exile group SOHR,“the groups bombarded a student residence at the University of Aleppo on Friday morning.”
On Friday afternoon
SOHR reported that the jihadists have taken control of five neighborhoods in Aleppo, which is the second-largest city in Syria.
At least 225 people are reported to have been killed in the fighting.Most of the victims are government soldiers or rebels, but according to the UN, at least 27 are civilians.
The Sunni Muslim rebel group <span class="note" data-content="
The name is Arabic for the Organization for the Liberation of the Levant. HTS is listed as a terrorist organization by both the USA and Turkey, and has long been in conflict with the assad regime in Syria.
” data-term=”Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)”>Hayat tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied Turkish-supported factions are saeid to be behind this.
The attack is said to be part of an effort to enter the city, which is controlled by President Bashar al-assad’s government forces.
The rebel groups are “bombing” a student residence at the University of Aleppo, SOHR writes on X.The clip was compared with the image shared by SOHR for verification.
reported to have entered Aleppo
On Friday morning, the rebel groups are reported to have entered the city of Aleppo, <a href="https://www.ajnet.me/news/2024/11/29/%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A7-2" ec-id="https://www.ajnet.me/news
This is day three of their lightning offensive in northwestern Syria.
But this week, HTS managed for the first time to push back government forces outside Aleppo, which is the largest city in the contry.
Together with the Turkish-supported Syrian National Front (SNA), they launched a lightning offensive in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib.
They have quickly taken control of 50 government-controlled villages.
The jihadist group has taken control of parts of the M5 motorway west of Aleppo. The clip has been verified by NRK News.
On Wednesday, they cut off an important highway between Damascus and Aleppo, before taking control of a military base and other strategic points in aleppo.
Many civilians have been driven to flee, and over 240 have been killed in the fighting between the rebel groups and government forces, according to SOHR.
Al-Assad’s government forces and allied forces have responded by bombing the rebel-controlled areas from the air.
They received support from Russia, which has sent Russian warplanes.
“Syria has every right to restore order in Aleppo,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday morning.
Old conflict lines flare up
Russia, along with Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah, has supported the Assad regime since the civil war in Syria broke out in 2012.
Opposition groups have received and continue to receive support from Turkey and Western countries.In addition, there are several jihadist groups that are also working against Assad, and sometiems against each other.
In the chaos and power vacuum that followed the civil war, the jihadist group <span class="note" data-content="
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
” data-term=”ISIL”>ISIL gained a foothold. They took control of Aleppo in 2013.
Since then, Assad has managed to regain control over most parts of Syria, but the province of Idlib has remained the last bastion of the opposition.
Fighting between government forces and rebel groups in recent days has been the deadliest as 2020. At that time, Russia and Turkey agreed to a ceasefire in Idlib that effectively froze the conflict lines.
Terror-listed organization
HTS is listed as a terrorist organization by both the USA and Turkey and has long been in conflict with the Assad regime.
truls Tønnessen at FFI has researched jihadist groups and Islamism.
The group was previously known as the Nusra Front and had ties to Al-Qaeda, but they claim to have severed those ties.
“They are dominant in the idlib province and want to establish an Islamic governance there. In addition, they are engaged in the fight against the Assad regime,” says Tønnessen.
Published
29.11.2024, at 09.20
Updated
30.11.2024, at 08.31
How has the international community responded too the recent escalation of violence in aleppo?
Time.news Interview: The Current Crisis in aleppo
Editor: Good morning, and welcome to this edition of Time.news. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Sarah Malik, an expert in Middle Eastern politics and conflict resolution. Dr. Malik, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Malik: thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here, especially to discuss such an urgent and critical situation.
Editor: The recent reports coming out of Aleppo are alarming. Rebel groups have reportedly gained control of meaningful parts of the city, while at the same time, Russian airstrikes have begun again for the first time since 2016. Can you give us some context about what’s happening on the ground?
Dr. Malik: Absolutely. Aleppo has been a flashpoint in the Syrian conflict for many years. The recent push by jihadist groups, particularly hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), indicates a serious escalation. Their control over several neighborhoods is significant as it highlights a shift in power dynamics. The fact that Russian airstrikes have resumed complicates this further, given Russia’s role in supporting the Assad regime.
Editor: Right. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported over 200 fatalities due to this fighting. What does this level of violence indicate about the current state of affairs in Syria?
Dr. Malik: The violence underscores the fragility of the situation in Syria. With over 225 reported deaths, including civilians, it suggests that the conflict is intensifying rather than diminishing. This escalation is concerning, as it reflects the ongoing humanitarian crisis and immense suffering among Syrian civilians. The resumption of airstrikes also raises fears of further collateral damage.
Editor: Russian military support has been promised to help prevent jihadists and rebels from taking Aleppo entirely. How effective do you think this sort of military assistance will be in the long-term?
Dr. Malik: military support can provide a temporary advantage, but it often fails to address the underlying issues that fuel these conflicts. The Assad government’s reliance on external military support reflects it’s weakened position, as it struggles to maintain control over key areas. In the long run, without a political solution that includes all factions and addresses the needs and grievances of the Syrian people, military intervention alone is unlikely to lead to stability.
Editor: The airport in Aleppo has reportedly been closed amidst the fighting. What impact does this have on both humanitarian efforts and the local populace?
Dr. Malik: Closing the airport is a significant move that further isolates aleppo. it not only hampers humanitarian efforts—most aid relies on air transport during conflict—but also affects civilians who need to flee or seek medical assistance elsewhere. This closure exemplifies the broader strategy of encirclement that armed groups often use in conflict zones, which can exacerbate the humanitarian situation.
Editor: As an expert, what do you believe is necessary for a path forward in this crisis?
Dr.Malik: A multi-faceted approach is crucial. First, there must be an immediate ceasefire to halt the bloodshed and allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need. Second, renewed diplomatic efforts—including international players like Russia and Turkey—are essential for a lasting solution. Ultimately, a political settlement that includes representatives from all sides, including civil society groups, is necessary to foster lasting peace in Syria.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Malik. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate this complex situation. Is there any final thought you’d like to share with our readers?
Dr. Malik: I’d like to emphasize the human aspect of this conflict. Behind the statistics and headlines, there are countless individuals facing unimaginable hardships. It’s crucial that we don’t lose sight of the human cost of war and continue to advocate for peace, justice, and a brighter future for the people of Syria.
Editor: Thank you once again, Dr. Malik. We appreciate your expertise and look forward to more updates as this situation unfolds.
Dr. Malik: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a resolution soon.