The Syrian army has reported significant casualties following a major attack by Islamist factions in the city of Aleppo. The offensive, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has prompted swift military responses and is regarded as one of the most formidable challenges faced by President Bashar al-Assad in recent years.
On Saturday, Syrian military sources revealed that dozens of soldiers had been killed during the surprise assault, which caught the army off guard and forced it to redeploy its forces across the strategic urban landscape. The sudden surge of rebel aggression marks a significant shift in a long-standing stalemate that has persisted since the front lines stabilised in 2020.
As the situation in Aleppo deteriorated, Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed that its air force was undertaking targeted strikes on rebel positions to bolster the Syrian army’s efforts on the ground. “Our air operations aim to neutralise threats against government forces,” said a spokesperson, highlighting Moscow’s commitment to its ally, Bashar al-Assad. The airstrikes came on the heels of HTS’s audacious move against what has predominantly been a frozen front in the prolonged civil war.
HTS, previously known as the Nusra Front, is classified as a terrorist organisation by multiple countries, including the U.S., Russia, and Turkey. Its resurgence underscores a volatile landscape where extremist factions remain potent threats. The offensive in Aleppo, a city that has witnessed some of the fiercest battles in the conflict, poses alarm bells not only for the Assad regime but also for international observers monitoring the evolving dynamics of power and influence in Syria.
For Assad, whose regime has been bolstered significantly by Russian military support over the years, the recent events may shake the belief that his government remains in a predominantly secure position. Analysts warn that if HTS’s push gains traction, it could inspire other rebel groups to follow suit, further complicating an already fraught situation in a country wrought by years of violence.