Extremist insurgents seize control over Syria’s Aleppo

In one of the most intense escalations in Syria’s long-running conflict, extremist rebels have seized full control of the province of Aleppo, amid ongoing fighting, news reports said.

The offensive, described as one of the largest in years, has left over 180 people dead, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Other reports suggest the death toll could exceed 200, with the majority being combatants.

The insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, launched the surprise attack late Wednesday under the banner “Deterring the Aggression.” The offensive marks a significant development in Aleppo, which was attacked from the city from Idlib, a region that has been a rebel stronghold since 2019 and is home to millions displaced by the war.

In a critical blow to the Syrian government, the rebels reportedly severed a key motorway connecting Damascus and Aleppo, a vital supply route. The clashes have drawn significant international attention. Local and international news outlets reported that Syrian and Russian forces responded with heavy airstrikes targeting advancing rebel positions.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, previously aligned with al-Qaeda under the name Jabhat al-Nusra, has undergone rebranding efforts in recent years, claiming to have distanced itself from extremist ideology. However, experts argue this shift is superficial, citing continued violent crackdowns on dissent within areas under the group’s control.

The group claims the offensive was retaliation for Russian and Syrian attacks on civilian areas in Idlib, where drone strikes and artillery shelling have become routine. The region is also grappling with severe food shortages, compounding the humanitarian crisis.

Syrian state media described the offensive as a “large-scale terrorist attack” involving heavy weapons, stating that government forces had inflicted “significant casualties” on the insurgents.

This latest escalation underscores the fragile state of Syria’s long-standing conflict, with the potential to reshape dynamics in the war-torn country. Analysts warn that further advances by rebel forces could deepen the instability and draw in additional international actors with competing interests.