What seemed to be a conflict halted in time has been dramatically altered by the rapid offensive initiated by Syrian opposition forces.
This development serves as a powerful reminder of the intricate nature of the Syrian conflict.
What was a deadlock has unveiled that the regime of President Bashar al Assad may indeed be more vulnerable than previously thought.
It remains to be seen whether the rebels can maintain this momentum and escalate into a broader campaign – yet its implications, both politically and militarily, are substantial.
Aleppo, which was once the nation’s largest city, has played a critical role in the civil war and has served as a bastion for the regime.
Rebels position themselves in front of University of Aleppo. Pic: Reuters
Current developments present a significant blow to the government, highlighting the fragility of its power.
This situation also illustrates that the rebels possess both the resolve and military prowess to contest regime control in critical strategic regions.
The opposition encompasses a variety of factions that have resisted the regime since the onset of the Syrian uprising.
The most significant among them is Hayat Tahrir al Sham, which oversees the majority of the northwestern territories currently held by the opposition.
Opposition forces seize control of regions adjoining Aleppo. Pic: AP
This faction had connections to the terrorist organization al Qaeda but has since distanced itself from those affiliations.
Much of the footage surfacing mirrors the violent revolt against the Assad regime that erupted in 2011, which spiraled into a bloodbath following the so-called ‘Arab Spring’.
Officially, the offensive was characterized as a means to halt regime airstrikes targeting opposition-held regions.
The rebels may be taken aback by the minimal response from the government and the level of success they’ve achieved in just a few short days.
The Syrian government has labeled the events as a “large-scale terrorist assault” and has pledged to counteract the territorial losses.
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Syrian rebels take flag from monument
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Naturally, broader questions arise regarding why this is occurring at this juncture?
President Assad would likely have faced defeat without the intervention of the Russian air force, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, and a network of militant factions – including Hezbollah.
Russia is currently grappling with resource constraints in Ukraine and has redirected its air force away from the Syrian conflict.
Iran and its allied groups have suffered significant setbacks due to Israeli actions, particularly following attempts to capitalize on the chaos resulting from the October 7 Hamas assault on Israel.
With these forces not as formidable as before, a vulnerability has emerged within the regime, prompting the rebels to seize the moment and act decisively.
The pressing question now is whether the opposition forces can sustain their offensive and reinforce their positions, possibly even initiating further strikes against centers of power.
At present, the situation is exceedingly unstable and unpredictable.
The advance certainly disrupts the established order, but it remains uncertain whether this represents a setback for the regime or the beginning of a significant escalation.
