In brief
As reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, antigovernment rebel fighters have captured the majority of Aleppo, Syria's largest city, with minimal resistance from government forces. This quick advance, marked by a significant escalation in violence, comes just four days after a surprise rebel offensive began. Warplanes from the Syrian government launched airstrikes in response, targeting neighborhoods in Aleppo, a tactic not seen since 2016 when government forces regained control after a protracted and brutal siege.
Reports indicate that Russian airstrikes were also directed towards opposition-controlled regions in Aleppo and neighboring Idlib province. However, it remains uncertain if these strikes directly targeted the city itself. Eyewitness accounts from Aleppo reveal a chaotic shift in control with regime forces, including local security and police commanders, reportedly abandoning the city center.Rebels and returning residents have shared images and footage documenting their presence at iconic landmarks such as the ancient citadel, which once served as a stronghold for government troops. In contrast, Syrian state media refuted claims of rebel dominance, arguing that government forces have detained several individuals purportedly staging their own narrative of control in the city. The recent developments in Aleppo mark a substantial challenge to President Bashar al-Assad's regime, raising fears of a renewed cycle of conflict in a civil war that had remained comparatively dormant in recent years, with the ramifications likely to impact the broader region.
