Syrian Rebels Launch Surprise Offensive Against Regime in Northwest Syria

Syrian rebels have launched a surprise military operation against regime forces in northwest Syria, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The operation, named ‘Deterring Aggression,’ was initiated by rebel groups, including the hardline Islamist Hayaat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which dominates the region.

The rebels reported capturing several villages in western Aleppo province, including Sheikh Aqil, Jamiyat Al-Maari, and Bala, following intense clashes with regime forces. They also claimed to have seized the strategic Base 46 in the area. This offensive is seen as a response to the regime and its allies massing troops and launching attacks in the northwest over the past few weeks.

Regime forces and their Russian allies have retaliated with airstrikes and artillery bombardments on rebel-held towns in Idlib and western Aleppo provinces. The regime dropped cluster bombs on the rebel-held town of Sarmada, and Russian forces launched airstrikes on the town of Kafr Taal, resulting in hundreds of families fleeing their homes. The Ghazawiya crossing, which links rebel-held and regime-held areas, was closed, along with schools and universities in opposition towns.

The conflict in northwest Syria is part of the broader civil war that began in 2011, which has resulted in over 500,000 deaths, mostly due to regime bombardment of civilian areas. The region is the last stronghold of anti-Assad rebels, with the regime having regained control of most areas with crucial help from Russia and Iran.