The offensive highlights the fragility of the Syrian regime's control, especially in light of reduced support from traditional allies like Russia and Hezbollah, who are currently preoccupied with other conflicts.
The timing of the attack suggests a strategic calculation by HTS and its allies, taking advantage of perceived weaknesses in the Assad regime and the geopolitical landscape, particularly the distractions faced by Iran and Russia.
The loss of Aleppo's neighborhoods is symbolically significant, as the city was a focal point of the regime's earlier victories in the Syrian civil war, marking a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict.
If the rebels manage to maintain their territorial gains, it could lead to a reevaluation of Turkey's involvement and support for these factions, potentially altering the balance of power in northern Syria.
The ongoing violence may prompt renewed international diplomatic efforts to address the situation in Syria, particularly as humanitarian crises escalate due to displacement and civilian casualties.
The situation could further destabilize the region, with increased tensions between various factions and their international backers, potentially leading to more extensive military engagements.
In a rapid and unprecedented offensive, jihadists and rebel factions have seized control of a significant portion of Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, previously held by the regime of Bashar al-Assad. This offensive, which began on Wednesday, has resulted in over 300 fatalities, marking the most intense violence in the region since 2020, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
The assault was led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an alliance primarily composed of former Al-Qaeda members, alongside Turkish-backed rebel groups. Within three days, they captured approximately 70 localities, including key neighborhoods and government buildings in Aleppo. The strategic M5 highway, which connects Damascus to Aleppo, has also been cut off by the rebels, significantly impacting regime supply lines.
The Syrian regime's response has included airstrikes by both Syrian and Russian forces targeting the advancing jihadists. However, analysts suggest that the regime's defenses were weakened due to a false sense of security following a period of relative calm in the region. The offensive coincided with a truce in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, indicating a potential shift in regional dynamics that may have emboldened the attackers.
