Russian and Syrian military aircraft targeted insurgents in a suburb of Aleppo on Saturday, according to two Syrian military sources. This action followed a surprise assault by rebel fighters who had infiltrated the city’s core the day before.

The offensive, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, represents a significant challenge to President Bashar al-Assad, disrupting frontlines that have remained largely static since 2020.

The Syrian Civil Defense, a rescue organization operating in opposition-controlled areas, reported on X that airstrikes by Syrian government and Russian planes hit residential areas, a gas station, and a school in rebel-held Idlib, resulting in four civilian fatalities and six injuries.

Since deploying its air force to Syria in 2015 to assist Assad, Russia has pledged additional military support to Damascus to counter the rebels, with supplies expected to arrive within the next 72 hours, according to the military sources.

The insurgent group initiated its unexpected offensive earlier this week, advancing through government-controlled towns and reaching Aleppo nearly ten years after government forces, supported by Russia and Iran, expelled rebels from the city.

On Saturday, Syrian authorities closed Aleppo airport and all access routes to the city, as confirmed by the two military sources and a third army source.

The Syrian army has been instructed to execute “safe withdrawal” protocols from the primary areas of the city that the rebels have occupied, according to the three military sources.

On Friday, Syrian state television refuted claims that rebels had entered the city, asserting that Russia was providing air support to the Syrian military. The Syrian military also stated on Friday that it was countering the attack and had inflicted significant losses on the insurgents in the Aleppo and Idlib countryside.

Additionally, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked on Friday that Moscow views the rebel assault as a breach of Syria’s sovereignty.

The Syrian authorities’ efforts to restore order and constitutional governance in the region are supported, he stated.

The rebels initiated their offensive on Wednesday, operating under a coalition that includes groups supported by Turkey. By Friday, this coalition reported that its forces were conducting operations across various neighborhoods in Aleppo.

In 2016, Assad regained complete control of Aleppo city from rebel factions, with significant assistance from Russian air support and Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias, leading to the insurgents’ withdrawal after enduring extensive bombardment and siege.

Despite this, insurgents have retained a presence near Aleppo in Idlib province and in areas along the Turkish border to the north.

IMPACT OF THE GAZA CONFLICT

Mustafa Abdul Jaber, a commander in the Jaish al-Izza rebel brigade, noted that their rapid progress this week was facilitated by a shortage of Iran-backed forces in the wider Aleppo province. Iran’s regional allies have faced numerous setbacks due to Israeli actions as the Gaza conflict has escalated throughout the Middle East.

The opposition fighters have indicated that their campaign was a direct response to increased attacks on civilians in recent weeks by the Russian and Syrian air forces in rebel-held Idlib, as well as a preemptive measure against potential assaults by the Syrian army.

Opposition sources connected to Turkish intelligence have indicated that Turkey, a supporter of the rebels, has approved the offensive.

Turkish officials were not available for comment on Saturday.

On Friday, Turkey’s foreign ministry stated that the clashes between rebels and government forces in the northwest had led to an undesirable increase in tensions.

Spokesperson Oncu Keceli emphasized that Turkey’s main concern is to prevent further instability in the region, noting that recent assaults on Idlib have compromised the spirit and execution of de-escalation agreements.

This insurgent attack marks the most significant escalation since March 2020, when Russia and Turkey reached an agreement to reduce hostilities in the conflict.