In the northern regions of Syria, intense clashes between jihadists and the Syrian army have resulted in over 200 fatalities, marking one of the deadliest outbreaks of violence in recent years. The extremist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched attacks on territories controlled by government forces. Among the deceased is an Iranian general from the Revolutionary Guards, highlighting Iran's involvement in supporting Assad's regime.
Reports indicate that 121 HTS fighters and their allies, along with 61 government troops and supporters, were killed. Russian military aircraft, allied with the Syrian government, conducted airstrikes, claiming the lives of at least 19 civilians in the Aleppo region. This marks a significant escalation, with Syrian forces also participating in aerial assaults for the first time in years.
HTS, a Syrian offshoot of Al-Qaeda, controls significant areas in Aleppo and Idlib provinces. Their recent offensive captured several villages in these regions, intensifying the conflict. The fighting has been fierce, with clashes occurring close to Aleppo's outskirts and heavy exchanges east of Idlib.
The Syrian government described the assault as a 'large-scale attack,' targeting military and civilian areas with medium and heavy weaponry. Meanwhile, jihadists have obstructed a vital highway linking Damascus and Aleppo, exacerbating regional instability.
The conflict's resurgence has displaced thousands, with the UN reporting that many civilians have been forced to flee the violence. Russia and Iran's continued military support for Assad's government underscores the international dimensions of this protracted civil war. The fighting has devastated Syria's infrastructure, leaving millions displaced and the nation fractured, with no immediate resolution in sight.
