Aleppo, Syria – Insurgents managed to breach the limits of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, after detonating two car bombs on Friday. According to reports from a Syria war monitor and fighters on the ground, clashes erupted between these opposition forces and government troops on the western edge of the city. This marked the first time since 2016 that the city faced an attack from opposition fighters, who were previously ousted from Aleppo’s eastern neighborhoods following an intense military campaign supported by Russia, Iran, and allied groups.
Residents of Aleppo city witnessed missiles and gunfire exchange in neighborhoods on the western edge, leading to an exodus of civilians from the area. Despite these developments, the government did not issue any official statements regarding the breach of insurgents into the city. The Syrian Armed Forces, however, reported engaging with insurgents in the surrounding countryside of Aleppo and Idlib, destroying drones and heavy weapons belonging to the opposition fighters. They committed to repelling the attack and accused the insurgents of spreading false information about their progress.
Following a surprise offensive launched by thousands of insurgents on Wednesday, these forces steadily advanced towards Aleppo city, seizing control of several towns and villages along the way. Meanwhile, Iran-linked groups, who had been supporting Syrian government forces since 2015, were preoccupied with internal conflicts. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted that insurgents set off two car bombs at the western edge of Aleppo on Friday, as reported by witnesses within the city.
An insurgent commander released a recorded message urging cooperation from Aleppo’s residents with the advancing forces. Reports from Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency mentioned that opposition insurgents had successfully entered the city center of Aleppo on Friday, breaking through defense lines along various axes on the outskirts of the city. The insurgents now held about 70 locations in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, solidifying their foothold in the region.
Syria’s state media reported earlier that projectiles from insurgents struck student accommodations at Aleppo University in the city center, resulting in casualties. Public transportation to the city was rerouted from the main highway connecting Aleppo to the capital Damascus to avoid clashes. In addition, fighters made significant advances in Saraqab, a strategic town in northwestern Idlib province critical for securing supply lines to Aleppo. This recent offensive by opposition factions, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), marked some of the most intense fighting in northwestern Syria since 2020 when government forces reclaimed areas previously held by opposition fighters.
In violation of a 2019 agreement aimed at de-escalating conflict in the area, the Syrian Armed Forces accused insurgents of breaching boundaries that had kept the region as the last opposition stronghold for years. The observatory monitoring the war reported casualties on both sides since the clashes began on Wednesday, with the insurgents seizing control of over 50 villages in their push, catching government forces off guard.
Amid these developments, Hezbollah, a key player in the Iran-linked alliance supporting Syria’s government, found itself in a heightened conflict with Israel. The recent ceasefire announcement coincided with the Syrian opposition’s offensive. Insurgents claimed to have taken control of the Scientific Research Center neighborhood, showcasing advancements in their arsenal by utilizing drones. Turkish reports confirmed insurgent attacks on a military airbase southeast of Aleppo city, highlighting their successful use of drones and capture of government weaponry during the operation.
The fighting displaced numerous families and disrupted essential services as aid groups and opposition fighters worked towards retaking areas to allow the return of displaced individuals. The Aleppo conflict has significance in the broader Syrian war landscape, as it was a pivotal battleground in the conflict between government forces and rebel fighters in recent years. International support for various factions, including Turkey’s backing of opposition forces, has further complicated the situation, with consequences rippling across the region.
