Aleppo: Jihadist Groups Take Control of Large Parts of the City, Reports OSDH

A Lightning Offensive Shakes Northwestern Syria

On Friday, jihadist fighters entered the city of Aleppo after two days of a rapid and intense offensive, breaking years of relative calm in the region. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH), these groups have taken control of the majority of the city, including several government buildings and prisons.

Troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad retreated without resistance, allowing the attackers to advance to the historic Aleppo citadel. This information was confirmed by Rami Abdel Rahmane, director of the UK-based NGO, who relies on an extensive network of sources in Syria.

A Heavy Human Toll and a Major Strategic Breakthrough

These clashes, among the most violent since 2020, have resulted in at least 277 deaths according to the OSDH. They take place in a region where the province of Aleppo, largely controlled by the Syrian regime, borders the last major rebel and jihadist stronghold in Idlib.

The jihadists and their allies have also taken control of Saraqeb, a strategic town located south of Aleppo at the intersection of two main highways connecting Damascus to Aleppo and Latakia.

Jihadist Advances and Regime Response

The jihadist group HTS, supported by allies including some with ties to Turkey, reached the gates of Aleppo on Friday after two car bomb suicide attacks. Since Wednesday, this offensive has enabled them to capture around 70 towns, including about 20 on just Friday.

In response to this advance, the Syrian army deployed reinforcements to Aleppo and claimed to have repelled a major offensive by terrorist groups while reclaiming certain positions. Russian aircraft, allied with the regime, intensified their strikes, while the Syrian military conducted heavy bombings in the Idlib region, according to the OSDH.

The situation remains tense, with the prospect of further escalation in the days to come.