Sun Dec 01 22:38:06 UTC 2024: ## Russian General in Syria Replaced After Rebel Advance in Aleppo
**Moscow, December 2, 2024** – Russia has dismissed General Sergei Kisel from his command of forces in Syria following a significant rebel advance into Aleppo, marking the biggest challenge to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in years. The news was reported by Russian military blogs close to the defense ministry, although the ministry itself has yet to comment.
Kisel, who previously commanded Russian forces in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region where they suffered a major setback, has been criticized for his performance in Syria. Unnamed sources suggest Colonel General Alexander Chaiko will replace him. The blogs suggested Kisel’s removal is part of a pattern of replacing unsuccessful generals from the Ukraine conflict. Speculation even arose about the potential return of General Sergei Surovikin, known for his ruthlessness, though he remains under investigation.
The rebel offensive, involving a coalition of Turkish-backed groups and the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, marked the first major escalation in the Syrian conflict since a 2020 ceasefire. While the Syrian army claims to have retaken several towns, the insurgents’ penetration into Aleppo represents a major blow to Assad’s forces. Aleppo’s recapture by government forces in 2016 was a pivotal moment in the war. The situation underscores the ongoing instability in Syria and the significant role Russia plays in supporting the Assad regime.
First Piper 