11/30 – International News Story & Update

Rebel forces have launched a significant offensive in Syria’s second-largest city, Aleppo, posing a critical challenge to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in the ongoing civil conflict. The attack, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), marked a major turning point, with fighters reportedly advancing swiftly through the city and its surrounding areas.

Assad’s state media reported that over 200 “terrorists” were killed in a joint operation by Russian and Syrian forces. Despite these countermeasures, the rebels’ rapid advance indicates diminished Iranian-backed manpower in Aleppo province, weakened by ongoing Israeli airstrikes and broader regional instability.

Syrian authorities have shut down Aleppo airport and sealed off all access roads to the city as opposition forces make significant advances. [Reuters]

Opposition-linked social media shared images on Friday night showing HTS militants in front of Aleppo’s citadel, signaling their incursion into the city’s core. The group claimed to have expanded its control over much of Aleppo after initiating the assault on Wednesday.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that HTS had seized over half the city within hours, encountering little resistance from government forces. [Financial Times]

The rebel offensive, which began on Wednesday, has seen opposition forces reclaim several neighborhoods within Aleppo. This development comes after years of the city being under government control, which was solidified in 2016 following a protracted siege by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, supported by Russia, Iran, and regional militias.

The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 following a popular uprising, has left Syria fractured. Assad, with notable support from allies Russia, Iran and its funded proxy militant groups like Hezbollah, initially regained control of Aleppo in 2016 through intense bombardment and siege tactics.

Russia, a loyal backer of Assad, has pledged additional military aid to counter the rebel advance. New equipment is expected to arrive within days, military sources reported. Meanwhile, Syrian army units have been ordered to execute a “safe withdrawal” from key parts of Aleppo that have come under rebel control.

Turkey, a supporter of Syrian rebels, is reported to have given approval for the offensive, despite officially calling for regional stability. The attack is the largest since 2020, when Russia and Turkey reached a de-escalation agreement.