Civilians in Aleppo and Idlib are bearing the brunt of escalating violence as armed groups and the Assad regime clash in northern Syria. Over the past three days, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), and allied factions have launched a major offensive to reclaim territory lost to government forces in 2020. The operation has resulted in significant advances into Aleppo, displacing thousands and sparking fears of further violence.
Civilians Caught in Crossfire
According to local reports, residential areas, including Aleppo University, were attacked during the clashes, causing civilian casualties. The perpetrators of these specific attacks remain unidentified. The White Helmets reported over 75 regime and Russian attacks in northwest Syria within just three days, targeting markets, schools, and homes. These strikes have killed at least 23 civilians, injured 82, and displaced thousands, leaving families to endure freezing conditions with minimal resources.
A resident of Aleppo described the situation:
“The regime’s artillery were everywhere: schools, hospitals, neighborhoods. They were hitting all night on the advancing armed groups. We fear the regime will retaliate by bombing civilian areas in Aleppo as they have done in the past years.”
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The surge in violence has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation. Camps for displaced families are overcrowded, and medical systems in Idlib province are on the brink of collapse. Hospitals lack essential medicines and equipment, with medical staff overwhelmed and treatments unaffordable for most. An anesthesiologist in Idlib stated:
“Many medicines are scarce, and most treatments are now paid. Critical procedures, like cardiac care, are unaffordable, and free medicine for war injuries is almost nonexistent.”
Strategic Gains and Heavy Casualties
HTS and allied groups have made significant territorial gains, including capturing the Syrian army’s 46th Regiment base and cutting off the critical M5 highway between Aleppo and Damascus. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), over 200 people have been killed since the offensive began, including 121 HTS fighters and 40 government troops.
The rebels claim to have seized the town of Khan al-Assal and killed over 200 pro-government forces. Meanwhile, a Syrian military statement confirmed ongoing battles, citing heavy losses among the attackers, while Iranian media reported the death of Brigadier General Kioumars Pourhashemi, a senior commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, in Aleppo province.
Regional and International Implications
The escalation in northern Syria comes amid regional instability. Iran-backed Hezbollah, a critical ally of Assad, is currently entangled in a conflict with Israel in neighboring Lebanon. Simultaneously, Russia, another key Assad ally, remains preoccupied with its war in Ukraine, reducing its direct involvement in the Syrian conflict.
Turkey’s support for some rebel factions signals its intent to counterbalance Damascus and Moscow’s military activities in northwest Syria. Analysts suggest the offensive was timed to exploit vulnerabilities in the regime’s defenses, as Hezbollah forces shift focus back to Lebanon following a recent truce with Israel.
Calls for Action
The International Rescue Committee and UN officials have expressed deep concern over the crisis, calling for immediate de-escalation and the protection of civilians. The White Helmets, who continue to save lives amid relentless airstrikes, have urged international support.
The unfolding events underscore the failure of international mechanisms to protect civilians and secure a lasting political solution to Syria’s devastating conflict.
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