Rebel Forces Gain Ground in Aleppo as Syrian Army Faces Setbacks

Rebels led by HTS claim to have entered Aleppo, reigniting Syria’s conflict. The Syrian army reports heavy losses and redeployment as Russia launches airstrikes. The US calls for de-escalation amid accusations of foreign interference

The Syrian army reported on Saturday that dozens of its soldiers were killed in a large-scale assault led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Rebel forces claim to have entered Aleppo for the first time since the government reclaimed the city in 2016, marking a significant challenge to President Bashar al-Assad’s rule.

The Syrian military confirmed it had redeployed troops to bolster defenses amid the offensive, which it called a “major attack” involving heavy weaponry and drones. Russia, Assad’s key ally, launched airstrikes targeting rebel positions in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, reportedly killing 300 fighters. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the strikes hit “command posts, depots, and artillery positions,” underscoring Moscow’s continued support for Assad’s regime.

Rebel forces, operating under the newly formed Military Operations Command, announced the capture of the Aleppo Military Scientific Research Center and Aleppo International Airport. They also seized control of Marat al-Numan in Idlib province, consolidating their hold on the region. Images circulating online show opposition fighters celebrating in Aleppo’s streets, toppling statues, and raising flags.

The Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which dominate northeastern Syria, claimed to have expanded their presence in Aleppo as government forces pulled back. The Syrian Civil Defense reported that Russian and Syrian airstrikes on rebel-held areas in Idlib killed four civilians and injured six, highlighting the human toll of the renewed conflict.

The rebel coalition framed the offensive as retaliation against intensified strikes on civilians in recent weeks and as a preemptive move against Syrian army attacks. The US, distancing itself from HTS, urged de-escalation while criticizing Assad’s reliance on Russia and Iran, which it said created the conditions for the current crisis.

The offensive marks a dramatic turn in Syria’s long-stalemated conflict, drawing in Russia, Turkey, Iran, and the US. Russian and Turkish foreign ministers discussed the situation on Saturday, agreeing on the need for coordinated efforts to stabilize the region. Iran, however, accused the US and Israel of orchestrating the rebel advance as part of a broader plan to destabilize the Middle East.