Wed Dec 04 11:37:13 UTC 2024: ## Syrian Rebels Stage Stunning Offensive, Reclaiming Aleppo After Years of Conflict

**BEIRUT, SYRIA –** In a dramatic turn of events, Islamist militants in Syria’s northwest have launched a surprise offensive, seizing the city of Aleppo and making significant territorial gains against President Bashar al-Assad’s forces. This marks a major escalation of the Syrian civil war, which had largely been in a state of frozen conflict since 2016.

The offensive, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group led by the U.S.-designated terrorist Abu Mohammad al-Joulani, began last week from the Idlib province. Initially targeting Aleppo’s western suburbs, the rebels rapidly overwhelmed regime forces, capturing the entire city in just four days—a stark contrast to the four years it took Assad to recapture Aleppo in 2016. The swift advances have continued, with militants pushing towards Hama, a regime stronghold, and even capturing territory from Kurdish rebels in the northeast.

The unexpected success of the HTS offensive is attributed to several factors. Russia’s preoccupation with the war in Ukraine has led to a withdrawal of troops from Syria, weakening the Assad regime’s military capabilities. Furthermore, the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020 and subsequent Israeli airstrikes have significantly hampered Iranian and Hezbollah support for Assad’s forces. Turkey’s reported backing of the rebels further complicates the situation.

The current conflict sees three main players: the Assad regime (backed by Iran and Russia), the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and the HTS, along with its Turkish-backed ally, the Syrian National Army (SNA). The recapturing of Aleppo represents a major blow to Assad, reigniting the civil war and potentially emboldening other rebel groups across the country.

The Assad regime, facing a full-blown resurgence of conflict, is reportedly coordinating with Iran for reinforcements, with Iraqi militias already deployed. The situation remains volatile, with both sides prepared for a prolonged and bloody conflict, raising serious concerns about regional stability and a potential humanitarian crisis.

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