The Syrian army faced a major attack by rebels led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Aleppo, resulting in significant casualties for the army. This attack marked the boldest rebel assault in years in a civil war that has been ongoing since 2011, despite most major fighting halting years ago. The rebels managed to enter large parts of Aleppo, prompting the army to prepare a counterattack and carry out airstrikes in the city.
The rebels also took control of Aleppo airport and the city of Maraat al Numan in Idlib province. The fighting in Aleppo revived the long-standing Syrian conflict, which is further complicated by involvement from Russia, Iran, Turkey, and other regional players. Russian and Turkish officials discussed the situation and expressed concerns about the escalating violence.
The Syrian Civil Defense reported airstrikes on residential neighborhoods in rebel-held Idlib, resulting in civilian casualties. Russia promised Damascus additional military aid in response to the rebel attacks. Rebel fighters cited a lack of Iran-backed manpower in Aleppo province as a contributing factor to their successful advance.
The ongoing conflict in Syria is further exacerbated by wars in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as geopolitical complexities involving various regional players. The situation remains tense, with the rebels gaining ground in Aleppo and the Syrian army preparing to respond to the escalating violence.
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