Syrian Insurgents Mount Surprise Offensive, Seizing Key Cities
Syrian government forces are scrambling to contain a whirlwind advance by rebel groups, who have seized control of large swaths of territory across the country. The surprise offensive has seen insurgents capture key cities, including Aleppo and reportedly the city of Hama, inflicting a major blow to President Bashar Assad’s regime at a critical juncture.
The sudden surge of violence has left the Syrian government scrambling for a response. The Syrian army has launched counterattacks against the insurgent groups, with the Syrian state TV reporting government forces have killed nearly 1,000 insurgents. However, these claims could not be independently verified.
The Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, a rescue group operating in opposition-held areas, alleged that the counterattacks involve joint operations with Russian forces. Fighter jets reportedly pounded the insurgents, killing at least 18 people and wounding dozens more. Russia, a key backer of Assad, has not commented on its involvement in the campaign.
Russia and Iran have both been staunch allies of President Assad, providing both political and military support throughout Syria’s ongoing civil war. The unexpected rebel offensives raise serious questions about the preparedness of Assad’s forces. This unexpected turn comes at a time when both Russia and Iran are focused on their own conflicts, limiting their ability to directly aid Assad.
Adding to the burgeoning instability in the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to travel to Türkiye on Monday. There, he’s scheduled to meet with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, where they are expected to discuss the escalating conflict and its regional repercussions.
The new violence coincides with a period of high political instability across the Middle East.Israel is actively engaged in combat with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both of which have issued warnings about potential wider regional entanglement.
The instability raises the concerning prospect of another regional power being drawn into the conflict. Both Russia and Türkiye have their own interests to safeguard in Syria, with each nation supporting different sides in the protracted conflict. Should either country become directly involved, it could have catastrophic consequences for the already volatile political landscape of the region.
The mounting siege on Aleppo, a critical and symbolic city, shows how the balance of power can quickly shift in the complex Syrian conflict.
The insurgents attacked Aleppo on Wednesday, causing the Syrian army to temporarily withdraw, regroup, and prepare for a counteroffensive. What followed was a rapid pushing south and eastwards by the rebel forces.
By Saturday, insurgents were seen controlling much of Aleppo and claiming to have entered Hama, though this assertion hasn’t been independently confirmed. Rebel commander Col. Hassan Abdulghani stated the insurgents seized Sheikh Najjar, northeast of Aleppo, as well as the military academy and field artillery college.
The rapidity and unexpected nature of this recent rebel surge have embarrassed President Assad and, critics argue, casts doubt on his military’s readiness.
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How has this Syrian insurgency impacted the relationship between the Syrian government and its key allies, Russia and Iran?
## Syrian Insurgency Reignited: An Interview
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. As we’ve been reporting, Syria is once again engulfed in violence as rebel groups have launched a surprise offensive, seizing control of key cities like Aleppo.
Joining us to shed light on this sudden resurgence of fighting is Dr. Anya Petrova, a Middle East expert from the Institute for International Studies.
Dr. Petrova, welcome to the show.
**Dr. Petrova:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Can you help us understand the context of these latest developments? Syria’s civil war has been simmering for years. What led to this sudden escalation?
**Dr. Petrova:** Well, Syria’s civil war has indeed been a long and complex conflict, [[1](https://apnews.com/article/syria-hts-assad-aleppo-fighting-2be43ee530b7932b123a0f26b158ac22)]. While violence had decreased in recent years, the underlying tensions never truly disappeared. This recent offensive appears to be a culmination of several factors, including potentially a weakening of the Syrian government’s grip on power.
**Host:** You mentioned a weakening grip on power. This offensive has reportedly caught the Syrian government off guard. What does this say about the Syrian government’s military strength?
**Dr. Petrova:** This offensive certainly raises questions about the Assad regime’s military preparedness. The fact that they’ve been taken by surprise by these rebel advances is concerning, especially considering the longstanding support from staunch allies like Russia.
**Host:** Speaking of Russia, what role are they currently playing in this conflict?
**Dr. Petrova:** That’s a crucial question. Officially, Russia has remained silent on its involvement in this current wave of fighting. However, there are allegations from the Syrian Civil Defense, known as the White Helmets, that Russian fighter jets are participating in counterattacks against the insurgents.
**Host:** Given that both Russia and Iran have been key supporters of Assad in the past, how might this turn of events impact their relationship with the Syrian government?
**Dr. Petrova:** It’s a delicate situation. Both Russia and Iran are heavily invested in the Syrian regime’s survival. However, both are currently facing their own challenges – Russia with its war in Ukraine and Iran with domestic unrest. These factors might limit their ability to provide immediate and decisive military support to Assad.
**Host:** Dr. Petrova, this is clearly a developing situation. Thank you for providing insightful commentary on this critical moment in Syria’s ongoing conflict.
**Dr. Petrova:** My pleasure. It’s a situation that we will all be watching closely.