Russian and Syrian aircraft intensify bombardment of rebel-held northwest Syria

Russian and Syrian aircraft targeted the rebel-controlled city of Idlib on Sunday, marking the second consecutive day of heavy bombardment in northern Syria. This military action aims to counter the insurgents who have advanced towards Aleppo, according to sources within the Syrian army.

Local residents reported that one of the airstrikes struck a densely populated residential area in central Idlib, the largest city within a rebel enclave near the Turkish border, home to approximately four million individuals living in temporary shelters.

Rescue teams on the ground confirmed that at least four individuals lost their lives, with many others sustaining injuries.

The Syrian military, along with its Russian allies, asserts that their operations focus on insurgent hideouts and refutes claims of targeting civilians.

On Saturday, airstrikes by Russian and Syrian forces also hit other towns in Idlib province, which has been entirely under rebel control following a significant offensive, marking a notable escalation in the civil war that had seen front lines largely static since 2020.

Insurgents made significant gains by entering Aleppo, located east of Idlib province, on Friday night, prompting the army to reposition its forces in what represents a major challenge to President Bashar al-Assad’s authority in recent years.

The Syrian army reported that numerous soldiers were killed during the assault.

On Sunday, the military announced the recapture of several towns that had recently fallen to rebel forces. The insurgent coalition includes Turkey-backed secular groups alongside Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist faction recognized as the most powerful military entity within the opposition.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is classified as a terrorist organization by the United States, Russia, Turkey, and several other nations. Bashar al-Assad maintains a close alliance with Moscow.

The ongoing conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and the displacement of millions, has persisted since 2011 without a formal resolution. However, significant combat has largely ceased in recent years following the support of Iran and Russia, which enabled Assad’s government to regain control over most territories and major urban centers.

CIVILIANS FLEE ALEPPO

In Aleppo city, the streets were largely deserted on Sunday, with many businesses shuttered as anxious residents chose to remain indoors. Nevertheless, there was a notable exodus of civilians leaving the city, as reported by witnesses and locals.

Syrian forces that had previously retreated from the city are now regrouping, with additional reinforcements being dispatched to support a counter-offensive, according to military sources. Since a pivotal victory in 2016, when Russian-backed Syrian troops besieged and devastated the rebel-held eastern sections of Aleppo, the government has maintained firm control over the city.

On Sunday, rebel factions claimed to have advanced further south of Aleppo and taken the town of Khansir, aiming to disrupt the army’s primary supply line to the city. They also reported the capture of the Sheikh Najjar industrial zone, a significant area for the country’s manufacturing.

Throughout the Syrian conflict, Iran has deployed thousands of Shi’ite militias to support Assad, and in conjunction with Russian air support, has played a crucial role in suppressing the insurgency and reclaiming much of the territory. The recent rapid withdrawal of Syrian army forces has been attributed, in part, to a shortage of manpower to counter the rebel offensive, as noted by two military insiders. Iranian-aligned militias, particularly Hezbollah, maintain a strong presence in the Aleppo region.

In recent months, Israel has intensified its airstrikes on Iranian installations in Syria while also conducting operations in Lebanon, which it claims have diminished Hezbollah’s military strength.