Syrian Air Strikes Kill Dozens as Clashes Erupt in Rebel-Held <a href="https://www.archyde.com/in-syria-idlib-province-again-targeted-by-russian-bombing/" title="In Syria, Idlib province again targeted by Russian bombing”>Idlib
At least 25 people have been killed in air strikes carried out by Syrian and Russian jets targeting Idlib, a rebel-held city in northern Syria.
The attacks followed a stunning rebel offensive that saw the group Hayat Tahrir al Sham seize control of most of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, on Saturday. Syrian military sources, speaking anonymously, said the air strikes were launched as President Assad vowed to crush the insurgency threatening his regime.
“We’re not talking about negotiations or deals; we’re talking about crushing them,” Assad reportedly stated.
Civilians Tragically Caught in the Crossfire
The assault led to frantic scenes in Idlib, where terrified civilians sought shelter from the relentless bombardments.
Residents reported that one strike hit a densely populated residential area in the city center. At least seven people lost their lives, while dozens more were injured, according to rescuers at the scene.
Idlib, home to approximately four million people, is the largest city within a rebel enclave near the Turkish border. Residents have been living in makeshift tents, forced to flee their homes due to the ongoing conflict.
The Syrian army maintains that their strikes were deliberately aimed at insurgent hideouts and refuted any claims of targeting civilians.
The Syrian military also announced the loss of dozens of its soldiers during the fighting in Aleppo.
A Complex Conflict Intensifies
This latest escalation in violence comes at a time when Russia, already stretched militarily due to its involvement in the Ukraine war, finds itself entangled in yet another conflict alongside its Syrian ally.
A decade ago, in 2015, Russia intervened in the Syrian civil war, intervening militarily to prop up President Assad’s regime. In return, the Syrian government granted Putin unlimited access to military bases, a strategic move that extended Russia’s influence across a much broader region and established a significant military stronghold for Putin.
The irony isn’t lost on observers who note the parallel with the conflict in Ukraine, where Russia faces international condemnation for its intervention.
As the situation in Syria continues to deteriorate, the international community watches with growing concern, grappling with the complexities of a war that refuses to end.
Who is carrying out the air strikes on Idlib?
## Interview: Syrian Air Strikes on Idlib
**Host:** Joining us now is [Guest Name], an expert on the Syrian conflict.
Thank you for being with us. The situation in Idlib seems to be escalating rapidly. Can you tell us what’s happening there?
**Guest:** Certainly. This past Saturday witnessed a significant offensive by therebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn5w0ype0vlo)]. They managed to seize control of a large part of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city. This success appears to have triggered a harsh response from the Syrian government and its ally Russia, who have launched a series of air strikes on Idlib, a major rebel stronghold in the north.
**Host:** We understand these air strikes have resulted in significant civilian casualties.
**Guest:** Tragically, yes. Reports indicate at least 25 people have been killed in these air strikes, and we fear the actual toll could be even higher. [Guest Name] expresses concern for the safety of civilians caught in the crossfire.
**Host:** Hopefully, there will be space for a diplomatic solution. Has there been any reaction to these events from the international community?
**Guest:** The international community has expressed concern over the escalating violence. President Assad, however, appears determined to crush the insurgent threat, stating “We’re not talking about negotiations or deals; we’re talking about crushing them.[“]
**Host:** A chilling statement. This is indeed a tense situation. Thank you for your insights, [Guest Name].
