Syrian rebels have staged their biggest advance in years, capturing Aleppo – the country’s largest city before the war. This rapid move has left President Bashar al-Assad and his allies stunned and is further destabilizing a region already ravaged by conflict.
The rebels’ assault on Aleppo began last week, with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Abu Mohammed al-Golani, making significant gains. The group’s leader was shown touring the city’s ancient citadel in a symbolic moment that underscores their growing power. HTS has been regarded as a terrorist group by Damascus and its allies, but Western countries see it as a more mainstream faction.
The rebels’ rapid advance has led to the capture of several military bases and the abandonment of significant amounts of equipment by fleeing government forces. However, the insurgents are now facing new challenges in governing the newly acquired territory, with food and fuel shortages already reported in Aleppo.
Regional powers Moscow and Tehran have scrambled to support Assad, intensifying air strikes and deploying Iranian-backed militia groups to front lines. However, their efforts may be limited by conflicts in Ukraine and other parts of the Middle East.
The situation remains “extremely fluid and dangerous,” according to U.N. Syria envoy Geir Pedersen. The Syrian civil war has already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions of people. As the conflict continues to evolve, its impact on regional stability and global security is becoming increasingly clear.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrian-military-rebels-battle-north-hama-2024-12-04