Map of civil war 'split into seven parts' in Syria

(CLO) The new rebel alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has taken control of most of Aleppo, one of Syria's largest cities.

Syrian opposition fighters, led by HTS, have stormed the city of Aleppo and advanced south towards Hama, just days after launching a surprise offensive that could mark a new phase in the 13-year-old Syrian war.

On November 30, the Syrian army announced a "temporary withdrawal" from Aleppo, Syria's second largest city, and said it would regroup to prepare for reinforcements and a counterattack.

President Bashar al-Assad’s army has controlled Aleppo since 2016 with the support of Iran and Russia. Currently, there are four main groups competing for control of territory in Syria, including:

Syrian Government Forces: The Syrian Army along with the National Defense Forces, a pro-government paramilitary group.

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF): A Kurdish-led group, supported by the US, controls several areas in eastern Syria.

HTS and allied rebel groups: HTS is a new version of al-Nusra Front, which pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda before breaking ties in 2016.

Türkiye and Türkiye-aligned rebel forces: Turkish-backed forces, such as the Syrian National Army, fighting in northern Syria.

The attack progress

On November 27, while the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was in effect, Syrian opposition fighters led by HTS launched an attack from Idlib province in northwestern Syria. HTS claimed that these attacks were in retaliation for recent Syrian army attacks on Idlib cities such as Ariha and Sarmada, which killed many civilians, including children, and to prevent future attacks on rebel strongholds.

The offensive marks the first major operation against President Assad's forces since a ceasefire in Idlib was brokered in 2020 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

By the evening of November 27, opposition fighters had seized at least 19 towns and villages from pro-regime forces, including military sites, as they advanced into western Aleppo province. The Syrian army responded by shelling rebel-held areas, while the Russian air force carried out airstrikes.

By November 28, rebel forces had captured more territory and expelled government forces from villages in eastern Idlib, then began advancing toward the M5 highway, a strategic route leading to the capital Damascus, about 300 kilometers away.

Opposition forces entered several areas of Aleppo on November 29 after detonating two car bombs and clashing with government forces in the western part of the city, monitoring groups said. Syrian state TV said Russia was providing air support to the Syrian army.

By November 30, images and videos circulating online showed rebel fighters posing for photos next to the Old City of Aleppo as they entered the city. After capturing Aleppo, opposition forces continued to advance south, although there were conflicting reports as to whether they had reached the city of Hama.

Opposition groups say their offensive is aimed at expanding safe zones and allowing displaced people in Idlib to return to their homes in newly "liberated" territories.

Hoai Phuong (according to AJ)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ban-do-noi-chien-chia-nam-xe-bay-o-syria-post323820.html