The conflict in Syria is back in the headlines after being ignored by the media for years. This renewed attention comes after a sudden attack by jihadist forces on the city of Aleppo, located in northern Syria. Aleppo is a key city because of its strategic location and historical importance, making it a major center for trade, culture, and control in the region.
What took place there?
- On November 27, fighters from the al-Qaeda-linked group Tahrir al-Sham and the ‘Syrian National Army’ launched an attack aimed at the city of Aleppo.
- Tahrir al-Sham : A militant group in Syria linked to al-Qaeda, known for its extremist ideology. It controls parts of northern Syria and aims to establish an Islamic state.
- Syrian National Army : A coalition of opposition forces backed by Turkey, fighting against the Syrian government. It includes various groups and operates mainly in northern and northwestern Syria.
- The jihadist groups prepared for their attack in Idlib, a province in northwestern Syria that has been under the control of terrorist groups and outside the Syrian government’s authority since 2015. It’s important because it’s near the Turkish border and connects major roads in the region.
- The militants moved through villages west of Aleppo, taking control of important areas. Reports say they also blocked the M5 highway, a major road that connects Aleppo to Damascus.
- The Syrian army carried out air and artillery attacks in the provinces of Idlib and Aleppo. These strikes targeted the city of Idlib and towns such as Ariha and Sarmada.
- Russian jets, supporting the Syrian government, targeted terrorist positions in Atarib, Darat Izza, and Mare. At the same time, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are not aligned with the Syrian government and have had tensions with it in the past, joined in defending Aleppo from the militant offensive.
- The strikes reportedly eliminated two high-ranking jihadist leaders.
- Iran announced that Brigadier General Kioumars Pourhashemi, a senior member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and an advisor to Syrian forces, was killed on the first day of the militants’ attack. Iran, which supports the Syrian government, has been actively involved in helping it fight against rebel and terrorist groups.
- On Friday, November 29, terrorist forces broke through the defenses in Aleppo city. They carried out suicide bombings, fought with defenders, and by Saturday morning, November 30, reportedly took control of Aleppo’s famous Citadel. The Citadel is a historic fortress and one of the oldest and largest in the world, symbolizing Aleppo’s cultural and historical importance. Its capture holds both strategic and symbolic value.
- Syrian forces launched a counterattack on Friday, November 29. The army reported destroying dozens of armored vehicles and eliminating hundreds of fighters in Idlib and Aleppo. They claimed that some of the fighters were foreign mercenaries—hired soldiers from other countries who were fighting alongside the militants.
- On Saturday, November 30, the Syrian army admitted that terrorists had managed to advance into “several areas” of Aleppo. However, they stated that battles were ongoing to stop them from securing control.
- The army reported that “dozens” of Syrian soldiers were killed or injured while defending against “thousands of foreign terrorists.” These militants were heavily armed with heavy weapons and many drones.
Why is this happening here and now?
- The attack on Aleppo by terrorist groups started on the same day that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon came into effect. However, the terrorists claim their assault was in response to recent Syrian airstrikes that targeted their leaders in Idlib. In Idlib, there has been a fragile ceasefire in place since 2020, brokered by Russia and Turkey, but tensions in the area have remained high.
- Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, told Syria’s Foreign Minister, Bassam al-Sabbagh, on Friday, November 29, that Iran will keep supporting Syria in its fight against terrorist groups. He reassured Syria of Iran’s commitment to helping them combat jihadist forces.
- Araghchi described the rise of terrorism in northern Syria as part of a plan by the US and Israel to create instability in the West Asia region, especially after the Israeli military struggled in its clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon. This view was also shared by Seyed Mohammad Marandi, a well-known expert on international affairs, during an interview with Sputnik.
The terrorist attack on Aleppo adds more challenges for the Syrian government, which is already dealing with multiple problems. These include a long-running war backed by foreign powers trying to remove President Assad, illegal US military bases in the east and south of Syria, and a long-standing conflict with Israel.
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