Fri Dec 06 09:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Syrian Rebels Seize Aleppo in Surprise Offensive, Reshaping Regional Power Dynamics

**Aleppo, Syria –** A surprise offensive by Syrian rebels has dramatically shifted the lines of control in Syria, seizing the key city of Aleppo after a three-day assault beginning November 26th. The attack, launched from the north and northwest, overwhelmed government forces, shattering a largely static frontline that had persisted since 2020.

The rapid rebel advance marks a significant turning point in the decade-long Syrian civil war. The conflict has seen the country partitioned into zones of influence, with Russia and Iran supporting the Syrian government in the largest territory, the United States backing the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeast, and Turkey maintaining a presence in the rebel-held northwest.

The recent offensive has been attributed to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group, a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, who have made significant gains in the Idlib region concurrently. This surge comes amidst heightened regional tensions stemming from the recent conflict between Israel and Iran and its proxies. The weakening of Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, after its two-month war with Israel, is seen as a contributing factor.

Further complicating the situation, hundreds of Iran-backed Iraqi militia fighters reportedly entered Syria to bolster the Syrian government’s forces in response to the rebel advance. The increased military activity has resulted in deadly airstrikes on hospitals in Aleppo and Idlib, reportedly carried out by Russian and Syrian government forces, according to rescue workers.

The escalating conflict has raised concerns about further destabilization in a region already reeling from the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. The rebel offensive and the ongoing fighting threaten to further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Syria, where millions have been displaced since the war began in 2011. The international community faces a renewed challenge in addressing the complex political and military dynamics shaping the ongoing Syrian conflict.

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