HTS seizes Aleppo escalating Syria conflict

According to the reports on Friday (6 December), Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a coalition of rebel groups, has launched a major offensive in Syria, capturing the city of Aleppo and threatening further advances toward Damascus. This marks a significant escalation in Syria’s long-standing civil war, which has displaced millions and left the Assad regime weakened. HTS, originally linked to al-Qaeda, now seeks to establish an Islamic state, oust Iranian militias, and dismantle President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The group’s actions have placed thousands of minorities, including Kurds and Christians, in grave danger.

The offensive, dubbed “Operation Repelling the Aggression,” has benefited from the diminished capabilities of Assad’s allies, including Russia and Iran, due to ongoing conflicts elsewhere. Syrian and Russian forces are retaliating with airstrikes and reinforcements, but HTS’s rapid gains indicate a major power shift. Turkey’s role has been pivotal, as it has long supported HTS with resources and territory access, using the group to exert influence over Syria and its future governance.

HTS’s rise underscores the complexities of the Middle Eastern conflict, where external powers like Turkey and Iran vie for control. Turkey, while engaging in negotiations with Assad, has refused to withdraw from Syria, further complicating the situation. HTS’s ambitions extend beyond Syria, with its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, expressing a vision that includes the capture of Jerusalem. The group’s success could intensify regional instability and sectarian violence.

Despite efforts to present itself as a local movement, HTS remains a globally recognized terrorist organization. Its brutal tactics, including targeting civilians, raise concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in areas under its control. The fall of Assad’s regime, long sought by some in the West, may trigger a cycle of chaos and vengeance, destabilizing the entire region. The evolving conflict reflects the failure of nation-state structures in the Middle East, with broader implications for international security.

References

• HTS takes Aleppo sparking fears of regional escalation