Rebels Gain Ground in Northwestern Syria Amid Ongoing Conflict

Armed rebels in northwest Syria claim new territorial gains after taking control of a significant portion of Aleppo. Verified images on social media back their claims. However, the situation on the ground remains unclear due to the lack of journalists actively reporting in the war zone.

The Syrian army has announced a major counter-offensive. President Assad has publicly responded to the rapid advance of the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), stating that he will continue to defend the country against “terrorists and their supporters.”

HTS has gained ground near the city of Hama, approximately 120 kilometers southwest of Aleppo. The group has seized a village about 20 kilometers from Hama, as established through video footage on Telegram. The government denies reports that its troops have fled Hama, showing videos of military vehicles operating in the northern area of the city. However, the government acknowledged its withdrawal from parts of Aleppo, a city long contested in the conflict.

Reports from Kurdish militias indicate that the Syrian army is retreating in more areas around Aleppo. Turkey closely monitors the civil war, with HTS receiving support from armed groups directed by Turkish authorities. These groups have reportedly stymied advances by Kurdish forces.

Information regarding the fighting in Syria is often biased. Russian forces claim to have killed 300 militants in Aleppo and Idlib over the past day. Russia, a supporter of the Syrian regime, has conducted airstrikes in the region.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that four civilians were killed by Russian airstrikes in Idlib, with additional casualties in Aleppo. In total, at least 23 civilians have died, including 80 government soldiers and over 180 rebels, according to reports not independently verified.

The Syrian civil war began in 2011 when Syrians protested against the Assad regime. The protests were brutally suppressed, leading to prolonged conflict. With assistance from Iran and Russia, President Assad regained control over most of Syria. The war has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and remains unresolved. Jihadist groups have continued to operate in northwestern Syria, launching a large-scale offensive recently. In northern Syria, Kurdish forces dominate the area, which Turkey views as a threat.