Major Rebel Offensive in Northwest Syria Marks Territorial Gains

The conflict in Syria intensifies as rebel factions launch a major offensive in northwest Syria, capturing key territories from the Assad regime, resulting in substantial casualties and civilian displacements.

Rebel forces in northwestern Syria have launched a major offensive against President Bashar al-Assad's troops, successfully seizing territory for the first time in years. Led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), these forces have captured numerous towns and villages across Aleppo and Idlib provinces since the offensive began Wednesday. In response, the Syrian military claims to be engaging a large-scale assault by "terrorists," inflicting heavy costs on them.

The violence has been deadly; a UK-based monitoring group reported over 180 combatants have lost their lives in the clashes, alongside at least 19 civilians perishing in airstrikes from Syrian and Russian forces targeting opposition-held regions. The ongoing civil war has claimed more than half a million lives since it began in 2011 following the government's violent suppression of peaceful protests.

Idlib remains the final significant foothold for opposition forces and harbors over 4 million displaced individuals facing dire living conditions. The area is primarily controlled by HTS, along with Turkish-backed factions known as the Syrian National Army (SNA). A ceasefire, brokered by Turkey and Russia in 2020, had momentarily reduced violence but sporadic clashes, air strikes, and shelling persisted.

Recent warnings from the UN special envoy for Syria indicated that conflicts in neighboring regions, including Gaza and Lebanon, are exacerbating the situation in northwest Syria. Geir Pedersen noted a surge in hostilities, with significant attacks by HTS into government territories and a resumption of Russian air strikes.

As the offensive unfolded, rebels advanced into the western Aleppo countryside, capturing strategic locations and closing in on Aleppo city. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), they have taken control of the Syrian Army's 46th Regiment base and several villages, while cutting off critical transportation routes between Aleppo and Damascus.

Reports indicate that at least 121 rebels, predominantly from HTS, perished, along with 40 government troops and 21 allied militias within just two days. On their Telegram channel, rebels stated that they had retaken Khan al-Assal, located 5 kilometers from Aleppo, claiming to have killed over 200 pro-government fighters.

The Syrian military issued statements asserting that they were responding effectively to the ongoing assault, with Iranian sources confirming the death of a top commander from Iran's Revolutionary Guards in Aleppo province.

The International Rescue Committee revealed that nearly 7,000 families have been displaced due to the renewed hostilities. Meanwhile, the Syria Civil Defence, better known as the White Helmets, reported that Syrian and Russian airstrikes have devastated civilian neighborhoods and shopping areas, leading to multiple civilian casualties.

David Carden, the UN's Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, expressed deep concern regarding the humanitarian impact of the escalating conflict, while the International Rescue Committee called for immediate de-escalation and protections for civilians and humanitarian operations in the volatile region.