Thes are the heaviest clashes in years in the ongoing civil war between Islamist rebels and government troops in the north-west of the country. The fighting began on Wednesday after an alliance of jihadists said they had launched an offensive called a “deterrence attack.”
On Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said fighters from the jihadist group Hajat tahrir al-Sham (HTS) were in neighborhoods in the southwest and west of the city. They would control “five districts of Aleppo” wiht allied groups. They advanced “without significant resistance” from the Syrian army. The Observatory later said that large parts of the city were already in rebel hands.
APA/AFP/Aaref Watad
In the Khan al-Assal area of Aleppo,the fierce fighting is visible in the immediate vicinity
Two residents told AFP news agency of street fighting and panic. According to an AFP journalist, the jihadists also advanced with tanks. A video geolocated by CNN also purports to show an Islamic rebel fighter driving through the deserted streets in the west of the city. Not all details could be independently verified.
Government: repel offensive
The Syrian government, for its part, declared that it was continuing to reverse the “major offensive by armed terrorist groups” on Aleppo and that it had succeeded in recapturing “certain locations”. Reinforcements were also sent to Aleppo, according to a Syrian army security official. According to the Observatory,the Syrian air forces and their Russian allies carried out “23 air strikes” on the Idlib region,which is considered a Jihadist stronghold.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights is based in the UK.He gets his information from a network of different sources in Syria.However, your information can hardly be independently verified. According to the Observatory, at least 250 people have been killed as the attack began on Wednesday. The majority of them are fighters on both sides, but also civilians. The UN reported about 14,000 people displaced as of Wednesday.
Control of critically important supply channels
The Observatory had previously said that the Jihadists captured many towns and villages in the north and north-west of Syria which are under government control. “more than 50 villages and towns in Aleppo and Idlib regions are now under the control of HTS and allied factions,” the Observatory said on Friday. The fighting is mainly about controlling important supply routes.
between Aleppo and the capital Damascus,300 kilometers to the south – is said to have already been cut by the rebels. There are fears that fuel prices could rise due to road blocking. There are also fears that more goods may not reach Aleppo.This information could not be independently verified either.
The divided country of Syria
More than half a million people have been killed in Syria’s civil war, which began after the government violently suppressed peaceful democracy protests in 2011. The war has also fully divided the country.
Long-time ruler and dictator Bashar al-Assad has come under heavy pressure at times, but with the help of his allies in Russia and Iran he now once again controls two-thirds of the country. The north-west is partly under the control of opposition Islamist rebel groups. There is no political solution to the conflict in sight.
AP/Omar Album
Rebel fighters on their way to the Aleppo region controlled by the government
Aleppo and Idlib
The towns and villages have been recaptured by the Islamic rebel groups, especially the HTS, in the regions of Aleppo and Idlib. The city of the same name, Aleppo, was heavily contested from 2012 to 2016, but has been controlled by syrian government troops since late 2016. Russia intervened in the Syrian civil war in 2015, turning the tide. in favor of Assad.
Conversely, Idlib is the last remaining opposition stronghold and is home to more than four million people, according to the BBC. Many of them were displaced during the conflict and live in dire circumstances. The enclave is largely controlled by HTS – but also by turkish-backed jihadists operating under the banner of the Syrian National Army (SNA). Turkish forces are also stationed there.
In 2020, Turkey, on the side of the opposition groups, and Russia, on the side of Assad’s forces, agreed to a ceasefire to stop the government’s push to retake Idlib. This resulted in a long lull in the violence. However, isolated clashes, airstrikes and shelling continued.
Russia, Iran and hezbollah went astray
But last month, the UN’s special representative for Syria, Geir pedersen, warned that the increasingly volatile situation in the Middle East region – notably the wars in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon – was disturbing on the relatively calm conflict in north-west Syria, the conflict could rise again. dangerous ways.
“Pro-area militias have stepped up attacks in the region,trying to discourage Islamist rebel groups as Israel has weakened Syrian regime allies such
The success so far also shows the fragility of the Syrian government and the growing strength of the various opposition factions. “Years ago, the regime would have launched attacks of this magnitude,” Charles Lister, director of the Middle East think tank, told the NYT.
According to him, opposition forces such as the HTS, which emerged from the Jabhat al-Nusra al-Qaeda affiliate, have invested heavily in resources and training for night operations. “It basically levels the playing field,” Lister said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the jihadists’ attacks in Moscow on Friday as an “attack on Syrian sovereignty” and offered the government’s support. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi also emphasized his country’s “continued support” for the syrian government.
What are the key factors contributing to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Aleppo amid the recent escalations in conflict?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Sara El-Aref, Middle East Conflict Expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Dr. El-Aref. Thank you for joining us today. The recent clashes in Aleppo signify a notable escalation in the syrian Civil War. Can you provide some context regarding the current situation and what triggered this “deterrence attack”?
Dr. El-Aref: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. The situation in Aleppo is indeed alarming. The recent offensive launched by Hajat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) marks one of the heaviest confrontations we’ve seen in years. This escalation seems to be a strategic maneuver by the jihadist groups, likely intended to strengthen their control over key areas and disrupt supply channels between Aleppo and Damascus. This conflict has been ongoing since 2011, with HTS and various rebel factions vying for dominance against the Syrian government and its allies.
Time.news Editor: It’s reported that HTS has taken control of several districts with little resistance from the Syrian army. What does this indicate about the current state of the Syrian military?
Dr. El-aref: The rapid advance of HTS raises meaningful questions about the Syrian army’s operational capabilities and morale. It may suggest a depletion of their forces or a strategic withdrawal to conserve resources. Additionally,the constrained nature of the conflict,due partly to a lack of international intervention and support,can leave troops demoralized,especially when faced with well-coordinated attacks from jihadist groups.
Time.news Editor: The humanitarian toll has also escalated, with reports of over 250 casualties and approximately 14,000 people displaced. how critical is the humanitarian situation in Aleppo right now?
Dr. El-Aref: The humanitarian situation is dire. With the fighting intensifying, civilian populations are caught in the crossfire. Many families have already endured years of conflict,and now their security is further compromised. Access to basic necessities and safety is perilous, especially in an area where supply routes are being contested. The displacement exacerbates existing humanitarian issues, leading to a looming crisis as thousands may struggle to find shelter, food, and medical care.
Time.news editor: The Syrian government claims it’s successfully repelling this offensive. Given their recent history and alliances, can they genuinely maintain control over further advances by HTS and other factions?
Dr. El-Aref: While the Syrian government, with support from Russia and Iran, has managed to regain some control over parts of the country, the ongoing conflict presents numerous challenges. The government’s narrative of success in repelling attacks often stands in stark contrast to on-the-ground realities. If HTS continues to gain territory and influence, it could undermine the Assad regime’s claims to legitimacy and stability, notably in strategically significant areas like Aleppo.
Time.news Editor: The control over supply routes appears to be a critical aspect of the current conflict. how significant is this for both the rebel and government forces moving forward?
Dr. El-Aref: Control over supply routes is absolutely essential. For the rebels, securing these routes not only enhances their ability to sustain their operations but also serves as a bargaining chip in any future negotiated settlements. For the government, losing these routes threatens their logistical capabilities and could lead to higher fuel prices, which would have ripple effects on the civilian population.It’s a crucial strategic game that both sides are acutely aware of.
Time.news Editor: As the syrian civil war drags on, what potential solutions or pathways do you foresee that might lead to a resolution of this prolonged conflict?
Dr. El-Aref: Unluckily, the path to resolution appears convoluted. A durable peace will require concerted efforts internationally, including a revisitation of diplomatic engagements and negotiations that take into account the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. However, given the complexities, such as the intertwined interests of regional and global powers, this remains a challenging prospect. Ultimately, renewed peace talks and humanitarian assistance will be essential, but it will take a sustained commitment from all parties involved to create a real change.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. El-Aref, for shedding light on this critical and evolving situation. It’s clear that the ramifications of the latest clashes in Aleppo will have lasting impacts on both the region and its people.
Dr. El-Aref: Thank you for having me. It’s imperative we continue to highlight these issues,as awareness and international attention can be powerful forces for change.