Syrian rebels have launched a large-scale offensive in the Aleppo region.
Syrian armed groups opposing the government forces and the regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad have launched a large-scale offensive in the Aleppo province. The rebels have gained control over several settlements in the northwest of the country.
This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing Associated Press.
During this offensive, government troops and Assad’s allies conducted airstrikes and attempted to halt the advance of the rebels with shelling. It is noted that the attacks by the rebel groups are specifically directed at several villages and military bases.
The outbreak of hostilities has already resulted in the displacement of thousands, and several volunteer groups have been forced to suspend some of their humanitarian services.
According to the Syrian Civil Defense volunteers ("White Helmets"), at least 18 people (including children and women) have died in two different villages in western Aleppo due to airstrikes.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that the airstrikes were carried out by Russian military aircraft.
Who is leading the offensive
The Syrian Armed Forces announced on Thursday that the rebel offensive is being led by the group "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" (HTS), which controls a large part of northwestern Syria.
It should be noted that HTS, formerly known as "Jabhat al-Nusra," is the Syrian branch of "Al-Qaeda." It has changed its name several times and later distanced itself from "Al-Qaeda."
The Syrian army claims that the current offensive actions are a violation of the de-escalation agreement. These clashes between government forces and rebels in Syria are the first major confrontations since 2020.
Resumption of hostilities after a four-year "pause"
This refers to an agreement made at the end of 2019 between Syrian opposition groups supported by Turkey and the government forces of the Assad regime, which were aided by Iran and Russia.
This agreement effectively froze the line of conflict and prevented the advance of Syrian government forces in Idlib province, which was the last stronghold of mixed radical groups and Turkish-backed Syrian rebels.
Progress of the rebel offensive in Syria
According to the rebels themselves, the offensive by the armed groups of opposition factions began on Wednesday morning. They claim to have gained control over more than 15 settlements in northwestern Aleppo.
Rebels in Syria are now at the gates of Aleppo and tearing down Assad regime and Putin posters all over the place. #freesyria pic.twitter.com/x3MZ6k47OS
— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) November 28, 2024
Additionally, the rebels state that they have managed to capture a military base and equipment from the Syrian Armed Forces, as well as taken several soldiers prisoner.
Rebel and Opposition Forces in Northern Syria are claiming to have Captured a Massive amount of Military Equipment from the Syrian Arab Army, during their ongoing Offensive against the City of Aleppo, including at least a Dozen T-55 and T-72 Tanks, several 2S1 “Gvozdika” 122mm… pic.twitter.com/kCPSEmt4lA
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 28, 2024
According to the Syrian Observatory, on Thursday the rebel offensive expanded to encompass the rural areas of Idlib province, where government forces control the main highway and a strategic city previously held by the rebels.
This offensive was preceded by several weeks of "intensified violence in the area, where, according to activists, the government and allied Russian forces increased bombing of the last opposition stronghold," as reported by AP.
Moreover, the offensive began amid the "distraction" of groups linked to Iran that have supported the Assad regime since 2015, engaging in combat operations outside of Syria.
Rebels closing in on Aleppo
On Thursday, Turkey stated that it is closely monitoring the rebel advance in northern Syria. Unnamed officials from the Turkish Ministry of Defense, quoted by the state agency Anadolu, stated that Turkish military has taken "all measures" to protect its troops in Syria.
Turkish security representatives also mentioned that Syrian opposition groups initially began a "limited" offensive on Aleppo. However, the operation expanded as Syrian government forces began to retreat from their positions.
Additionally, Anadolu reports that armed groups opposing the Assad regime in Syria have approached within 1 km of the outskirts of Aleppo city.
During two days of clashes with government troops in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, the rebels took control of 400 square kilometers of territory.
Following overnight clashes, anti-government groups have advanced close to the New Aleppo district (one of the suburbs of Aleppo). As a result, the armed groups have approached within one kilometer of the outskirts of Aleppo city.
Sunni rebels enter the city of Aleppo. Turkey has opened the border crossings to Syria, facilitating the flow of Turkish-backed multinational forces into Idlib and western Aleppo.
— dan linnaeus (@DanLinnaeus) November 28, 2024
Video documentation: Syrian opposition’s Al-Shaheen Brigade targeted Assad regime positions with… pic.twitter.com/Kn36zp4nR8
It is also noted that the rebels may have gained control of 56 settlements in Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
It is worth mentioning that Syria is one of the few countries supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine. Following the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, there have been numerous reports of Moscow recruiting Syrian citizens to participate in the war against Ukraine in the ranks of the Russian army.
Additionally, it should be noted that Russia began its military operation in Syria, where hostilities were ongoing between government forces, various rebel groups, and jihadists, in September 2025.
Russian aviation actively bombed Aleppo at that time, and the battle for this city became tragically famous. Notably, Russian pilots who leveled Aleppo to the ground also participated in airstrikes on cities in Ukraine.