Syria’s 13-year civil war sees renewed intensity with a surprise rebel offensive in Aleppo. This attack, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, occurs after years of control by Assad’s forces, raising concerns of further regional destabilization. The conflict’s implications highlight external influences, especially from Israel and Russia, and the complexities of Syria’s intertwined factions, including rising threats from ISIS and changing dynamics within the opposition.
The ongoing civil war in Syria has intensified following a recent rebel offensive in Aleppo, a historically significant city that has not seen such an assault since 2016. This uprising marks a substantial increase in opposition activity against President Bashar Assad, who maintains control over approximately 70% of Syria, assisted by military support from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. The outbreak of violence comes amid regional tensions involving U.S.-backed Israel’s conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah, raising concerns about further destabilization in the Middle East.
The renewed fighting has significant implications for the conflict’s landscape. It threatens to create additional violent fronts, particularly if the ongoing hostilities draw in neighboring powers like Russia and Turkey. Charles Lister, a Syrian analyst, notes that the shift in territorial control could have profound consequences, especially if government forces fail to secure their positions. The possibility of the Islamic State exploiting this chaos has heightened the stakes for all involved.
The offensive is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an organization that has been labeled as a terrorist group by the U.S. and the U.N. Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has sought to distance his faction from its violent past, renouncing al-Qaida affiliations and taking steps to portray HTS as a more moderate presence in the region, even allowing for non-Muslim worship under specific circumstances.
Aleppo has a rich historical significance as a center for trade and culture, with a population of 2.3 million before the war. Opposition forces initially captured the eastern part of the city in 2012, but a brutal siege enforced by Assad’s forces, supported by Russian airpower, resulted in its recapture in 2016. The devastation wrought by the conflict has made Aleppo a focal point in the war, symbolizing both the struggle of opposition forces and the brutal tactics employed by the Assad regime, which continues to face external pressures through Israeli military actions aimed at disrupting Hezbollah supplies and Syrian military targets.
The recent rebel advances in Aleppo signify a critical turning point in the Syrian civil war, possibly reopening longstanding regional conflicts. The involvement of external players like Israel, Russia, and Iran complicates the situation, raising fears of escalation. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s leadership and their attempts to present a reformed image highlight the shifting dynamics within the opposition. The historical backdrop of Aleppo underscores the deep cultural and economic impacts of the ongoing conflict, with potential repercussions far beyond Syria’s borders.
Original Source: apnews.com
