Aleppo insurgent offensive/ Syrian civil war update/ Assad regime setback/ Aleppo Citadel captured/ Syrian rebels Aleppo takeover/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Syrian insurgents entered Aleppo in a shocking offensive, seizing key landmarks and forcing government forces to retreat. The takeover marks a significant setback for President Bashar Assad, who regained full control of the city in 2016.
Syrian Insurgents Seize Aleppo: Quick Looks
- Major Offensive: Insurgents gain control of Aleppo landmarks after minimal resistance from Assad forces.
- Strategic Withdrawal: Syrian government troops retreat to regroup for a counterattack.
- Civilians Displaced: Thousands flee the fighting; Kurdish-led areas receive 3,000 refugees.
- Insurgent Flags Raised: Rebels celebrated by raising flags over Aleppo Citadel.
- International Impact: Russia and Turkey under scrutiny for their roles in the conflict.
Aleppo Falls to Insurgents Amid Major Setback for Syria’s Assad
Deep Look: Syrian Insurgents Take Aleppo in Major Blow to Assad
In a dramatic and unexpected turn, Syrian insurgents entered the city of Aleppo on Friday, gaining control of key areas and forcing government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad into a hasty retreat. The offensive marks the first insurgent incursion into Aleppo since Assad’s forces reclaimed the city in 2016.
Insurgents Take Control of Aleppo
Rebel fighters rolled into Syria’s largest city with improvised armored vehicles and quickly seized landmarks, including the iconic Aleppo Citadel and police headquarters. Civilians reported little resistance from government forces, who withdrew to secure positions at the city’s airport and a nearby military academy.
The rebels celebrated their advance by tearing down and burning posters of Assad. Fighters were filmed raising flags over the medieval Aleppo Citadel, a potent symbol of the city’s history and strategic significance.
Government Forces Regroup
The Syrian military issued a statement acknowledging the insurgent advance but described the withdrawal as a tactical redeployment to “absorb the large attack” and prepare for a counteroffensive.
“We will work to guarantee the security and peace of all our people in Aleppo,” the statement read.
Despite these assurances, Aleppo residents described a mix of fear and disbelief. Many stayed indoors as schools and government offices were shuttered, while bakeries remained open to serve the population.
Civilians Flee and Aid Efforts Struggle
The insurgent push into Aleppo and surrounding areas has displaced thousands. Kurdish-led administration officials in eastern Syria reported receiving nearly 3,000 refugees, most of them students.
Meanwhile, Aleppo’s two public hospitals were reportedly filled to capacity on Friday, with many private medical facilities closed due to the violence. The city’s airport has been shut down, suspending all flights.
Insurgents’ Offensive Gains Momentum
The insurgents launched their offensive earlier in the week, capturing dozens of villages and towns in Aleppo and Idlib provinces. Their success has been attributed to weakened Syrian government forces, whose key backer, Hezbollah, has been preoccupied with its own conflict against Israel.
The timing of the insurgents’ advance coincided with a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, which diverted resources and focus from the Assad regime’s allies.
International Reactions and Military Response
Russia, a key ally of Assad, has reportedly begun airstrikes to counter the insurgent offensive. According to Russian state media, airstrikes on Friday killed 200 militants in northwest Syria.
On Syrian state television, commentators blamed Turkey for supporting the insurgent push, citing Ankara’s long-standing ties to opposition forces. The government-controlled Al-Watan newspaper reported that Russian and Syrian airstrikes targeted rebel supply lines on the outskirts of Aleppo, killing 20 fighters.
Witness Accounts: Hope and Uncertainty
Abdulkafi Alhamdo, a teacher who fled Aleppo in 2016, returned to the city Friday night. “It felt surreal,” he said, describing his walk through the streets he hadn’t seen in years. “I shouted, ‘We are your sons!’ as I walked through the city.”
Fighter Mohammad Al Abdo, speaking from Aleppo’s Saadallah Aljabri Square, expressed optimism. “God willing, the rest of Aleppo province will be liberated,” he said, reflecting on the city’s symbolic importance.
A Blow to Assad’s Authority
The loss of Aleppo is a significant embarrassment for Assad’s government, which touted its 2016 victory as a turning point in Syria’s long-running civil war. The city’s fall to insurgents raises questions about the regime’s ability to maintain control amid shifting alliances and competing priorities for its backers, including Russia and Iran.
As government forces prepare for a counteroffensive, the battle for Aleppo underscores the fragility of Syria’s post-war landscape, with no resolution to the conflict in sight.
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