Jihadist fighters launched a surprise offensive on government-held territories in northern Aleppo province on Thursday in a dramatic escalation of the Syrian civil war. Fierce fighting has erupted, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which said about 200 people have been killed, both civilians and combatants.
Casualties include, 102 fighters from the dominant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, responsible for leading the attack, while 61 were regime members and allies. Other developments in clashes include that there have been 19 civil casualties in Russian airstrikes against the area, a worst toll of its kind experienced in years.
Russia, a major backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has been involved in airstrikes against rebel positions in the Aleppo countryside. These strikes have claimed the lives of multiple civilians, as HTS and allied factions clash with regime forces. Russia has been instrumental in turning the tide of the Syrian civil war in Assad’s favor, but its air support for the government has fueled anger and contributed to the current escalation.
The violence has displaced over 14,000 people, many of whom are children, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The fighting is centered in areas straddling Idlib and Aleppo provinces, and has significantly affected the civilian population. Both the airstrikes and ground clashes continue to threaten the stability of the region, with widespread destruction of infrastructure and homes.
The surprise assault is believed to be a preemptive strike by HTS and its allies to thwart any planned offensive by Syrian forces in the Aleppo region. HTS has vowed to continue its push, citing the need to defend against what they claim are attempts to “pre-empt” their actions. Some analysts suggest that Turkey, which backs certain rebel factions, is sending a message to both Damascus and Moscow to de-escalate their military efforts in northwest Syria.
As the conflict escalates, an Iranian general was killed in Syria during the fighting, highlighting Iran’s continued involvement in supporting the Syrian government. Iran has long backed Assad’s regime with both military support and personnel, including fighters from Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group. The death of the Iranian general underscores the ongoing regional complexities and the involvement of various foreign powers in the Syrian conflict.
Syria’s civil war, which began in 2011 following violent crackdowns on anti-government protests, has left over 500,000 people dead and displaced millions. Foreign intervention, including the support of Russia, Iran, and various jihadist factions, has transformed the conflict into a protracted and multi-faceted war. The latest escalation comes after the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, with analysts suggesting the offensive was carefully timed to take advantage of Hezbollah’s reduced focus on Syria.
The Idlib region, which remains a stronghold for HTS and other rebel groups, is officially subject to a ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Russia in 2020. However, violations of the ceasefire have been frequent, and the situation remains unstable. The Syrian government’s efforts to reclaim these regions, particularly Aleppo, continue to be met with stiff resistance from both domestic and foreign-backed forces.
As Syria’s conflict continues, the humanitarian crisis grows, with no clear resolution in sight.
