The Syrian opposition recently launched a large-scale attack on the northwestern region of Syria and captured the country’s largest city, Aleppo. On Sunday (December 1), Syria launched airstrikes on Aleppo with the support of Russia. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vowed to repel the rebel forces entering Aleppo.
Aleppo, located in a rebel-controlled area near the Turkish border, is the largest city in the region with a population of about four million. Due to the long-standing conflict, many residents can only live in temporary tents and shelters.
Reports indicate that the streets of Aleppo are deserted, with many shops closed and residents choosing to stay indoors for safety. Witnesses and local residents say that many civilians are still leaving the city to avoid the escalating conflicts and airstrikes.
Local residents reported that in the airstrikes the following day, a bomb hit a crowded residential area in the city center. Rescue workers on the scene revealed that the attack resulted in at least 7 deaths and dozens of injuries.
However, Syrian and Russian forces stated that the airstrikes targeted hideouts of rebel groups and denied accusations of targeting civilians.
Russian and Syrian warplanes began bombing other towns in Idlib Province on Saturday (November 30) and intensified airstrikes on Sunday (December 1). Reports indicate that Aleppo Province is now completely under rebel control, marking the fiercest internal conflict in Syria since 2020.
Rebels entered Aleppo on Friday night, forcing the Syrian army to redeploy. According to Syrian media reports, the Assad government responded firmly to the rebel forces, stating, “Terrorists only understand the language of force, and this is the language we use to defeat them.”
The Syrian army announced on the 1st that they had regained several towns recently taken by rebel forces, with dozens of soldiers losing their lives in the assault on Aleppo.
The rebel forces, led by the radical Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have been reported to be engaged in the resistance.
Since 2016, when Assad recaptured Aleppo with the support of allies Russia and Iran, this is the first time rebel forces have returned to the city. Back then, after months of bombing and siege, the rebels eventually agreed to withdraw.