Key players in Syria’s long-running civil war, reignited by a shock rebel offensive

Tue Dec 03 00:00:56 UTC 2024: ## Rebel Forces Seize Aleppo in Major Blow to Assad Regime

**BEIRUT, December 3, 2024** – Syria’s civil war has escalated dramatically with rebel forces seizing Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, and dozens of surrounding towns and villages. This marks the most significant advance by opposition forces since a 2020 ceasefire and represents a major setback for President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

The offensive has exploited the distraction of several key players in the conflict. Russia, a staunch Assad ally, is heavily involved in the war in Ukraine, limiting its ability to fully support the Syrian government. Iran, another key backer of Assad, is also facing internal pressures and the aftermath of its recent conflict with Israel, weakening its support for Syrian government forces. While Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have been deployed to Syria, this has not been enough to stem the tide of the rebel advance.

The insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch, is leading the offensive. While HTS has attempted to improve its image in recent years, it remains a powerful force controlling much of northwestern Syria. Other insurgent groups, including some formerly backed by the U.S., are also participating in the fighting.

The Syrian government, backed by Russian airstrikes, is attempting to counter the rebel advance, but the scale of the rebel gains suggests a significant shift in the balance of power. The loss of Aleppo, which the Syrian government captured in 2016, is a major blow to Assad’s regime and could significantly alter the course of the war.

The conflict involves multiple foreign actors, including the U.S., which has troops stationed in eastern Syria and supports the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and Turkey, which controls parts of northern Syria and backs other factions. The complexities of the alliances and shifting allegiances underscore the challenges in resolving the protracted Syrian conflict. The future of the SDF’s control of parts of Aleppo remains uncertain. The situation remains volatile, and further clashes are expected.