Syrian Rebels Advance Amid Fierce Clashes

According to the reports on Thursday (28 November), on Wednesday (27 November), Syrian rebels launched a surprise offensive against government forces in Aleppo province, marking their first significant territorial gains in years. The attack was led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a jihadist group tied to Al-Qaeda, along with allied factions. The rebels overran 10 areas near Aleppo, advancing 10 kilometers and nearing Nubl and Zahra, strongholds of pro-Iranian militias, including Hizbollah. Clashes left 57 combatants dead, with 26 rebel fighters and 31 regime soldiers among the casualties.

The operation comes after intensified airstrikes by Russian and Syrian forces targeting rebel-held areas in Idlib. Rebels claim their offensive was both retaliation for these strikes and a preemptive move against a Syrian army troop buildup near the front lines. In response, Syria and Russia launched airstrikes, their first in years on these positions, further escalating the violence in the region.

The fighting displaced hundreds of families who fled toward safer areas near the Turkish border. Witnesses reported large-scale evacuations as the situation in the last opposition stronghold worsened. Despite the ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia and Turkey in 2020, tensions have persisted, with HTS clashing frequently with Syrian government forces and competing with Turkey-backed rebel factions in the region.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, designated as a terrorist group by the U.S., has been a primary target of Syrian and Russian airstrikes. The recent escalation highlights the fragility of the ceasefire and the continued humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria. Infrastructure remains devastated, and the ongoing conflict has left over 500,000 dead and millions displaced since its onset in 2011.

References

• Syrian Rebels Launch Deadly Offensive in Aleppo Province