Syrian President Bashar al-Assad moved to consolidate support from allies on Sunday following a major setback in Aleppo, where rebel forces gained control of the city for the first time since the onset of the civil war.
The dramatic development comes after an Islamist-led rebel alliance launched a coordinated offensive on Wednesday, coinciding with a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon.
Rebels Take Control of Aleppo
The rebel coalition, dominated by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, has seized most of Aleppo, with only Kurdish-controlled neighbourhoods remaining under non-rebel control. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said, “For the first time since the civil war started more than a decade ago, the country’s second city is out of control of Syrian regime forces.”
HTS, led by Al-Qaeda’s former Syrian affiliate, also controls large parts of the Idlib region and areas in neighbouring Hama and Latakia provinces. The Observatory reported minimal resistance to the rebel advance, with fighters capturing strategic towns such as Khan Sheikhun and Maaret al-Numan between Aleppo and Hama.
Assad and Allies Respond
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to Damascus on Sunday to meet with Assad, reaffirming Tehran’s “firm support” for the Syrian government. Following the talks, Assad emphasised the need for allied backing to combat what he called “foreign-backed terrorist attacks.”
Russian and Syrian forces launched retaliatory air strikes on Sunday, targeting rebel positions in Aleppo and Idlib. Russian military officials confirmed their involvement, stating they were helping Syrian forces “repel terrorist aggression.” The strikes reportedly killed dozens, with the Observatory documenting at least 12 deaths in Aleppo and nine civilian fatalities in Idlib.
Humanitarian Impact
The airstrikes wreaked havoc in Aleppo and Idlib, leaving vehicles ablaze and hospitals overwhelmed. Umm Mohamed, a resident in Idlib, said her daughter-in-law was killed in the strikes, leaving behind five children. “Thank God their injuries were minor,” she told AFP from a hospital.
The renewed fighting has claimed more than 412 lives, including 61 civilians, according to the Observatory. The UN envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed grave concern, warning, “The latest developments pose severe risks to civilians and have serious implications for regional and international peace and security.”
International Reactions
Western nations, including the United States, France, Germany, and Britain, have called for an immediate de-escalation. In a joint statement, the US State Department said, “The current escalation only underscores the urgent need for a Syrian-led political solution to the conflict, in line with UNSCR 2254.” The United States continues to maintain troops in northeast Syria as part of an anti-jihadist coalition.
Strategic and Political Implications
The loss of Aleppo marks a significant blow to the Assad regime, which recaptured the city in 2016 with the help of Russian air power and Hezbollah fighters. Analysts suggest the regime’s hold on power is increasingly fragile. Aron Lund of Century International remarked, “Aleppo seems to be lost for the regime, and unless they manage to mount a counteroffensive soon, or unless Russia and Iran send much more support, I don’t think the government will get it back.”
Aaron Stein, president of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, echoed this sentiment, noting, “Russia’s presence has thinned out considerably, and quick reaction air strikes have limited utility.” He described the rebel advance as a stark reminder of the regime’s vulnerabilities.
Parallel Offensives
Meanwhile, pro-Turkey factions in northern Syria launched attacks on Kurdish forces in Aleppo province, seizing the strategic town of Tal Rifaat and nearby villages. This development further complicates the already volatile situation, raising concerns about wider regional instability.
A Decade of War
The Syrian civil war, now in its 13th year, began in 2011 following the government’s violent crackdown on protests. The conflict has drawn in multiple regional and international actors, leading to widespread devastation and the displacement of millions. Despite past military gains, Assad’s grip on power remains precarious, with the fall of Aleppo underscoring the persistent volatility of the region.