A renewed and intense bombing campaign by Russian and Syrian jets struck the rebel-held city of Idlib in northern Syria on Sunday, as government forces sought to counter a major insurgent offensive in Aleppo. The strikes come amidst escalating violence in a civil war that, despite years of relative stasis, remains deeply unresolved.
According to residents and rescue workers, airstrikes targeted residential areas in Idlib, which serves as the largest city in the rebel-held northwest. The densely populated enclave, housing approximately four million people, witnessed significant casualties, with at least seven individuals killed and dozens injured. Rescuers described scenes of devastation, with makeshift dwellings and tents destroyed.
The Syrian government and its Russian ally claim to be targeting insurgent strongholds, denying accusations of indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas. However, the intensity of the bombardment has raised fears of further civilian displacement in a region already burdened by years of conflict.
Rebels Seize Ground in Aleppo
The escalation follows a surprise offensive by a coalition of rebel forces, including Turkey-backed factions and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist group designated a terrorist organisation by the United States, Russia, Turkey, and other countries. On Friday night, insurgents entered Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city and a strategic stronghold for the Assad regime.
The offensive marks the boldest rebel advance in years. The Syrian army, which suffered heavy losses during the attack, was forced to redeploy and abandon key positions. Aleppo, firmly under government control since 2016, is now experiencing upheaval. Residents reported empty streets, shuttered shops, and a steady exodus of civilians fleeing the city in fear of renewed conflict.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene. Rebel fighters, waving opposition flags, patrolled the city while taking up positions at critical intersections. Some residents expressed shock at the rapid withdrawal of government forces. “I am shocked at how they fled and abandoned us,” said Ahmad Tutenji, a merchant in Aleppo’s affluent New Aleppo district.
Syrian Government Vows Retaliation
President Bashar al-Assad, addressing the situation through state media, vowed to “crush” the insurgents, asserting that “terrorists only know the language of force.” Syrian army sources reported that reinforcements were being deployed to Aleppo as part of a counter-offensive.
In the past two days, government forces have reportedly recaptured several towns initially overrun by rebels, although these claims remain unverified. Insurgents also claim gains, including the capture of Khansir, a critical town on the army’s supply route to Aleppo, as well as Sheikh Najjar, a significant industrial zone.
The conflict, which began in 2011, has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions. While major fighting largely ceased after Assad regained control of most of the country with Russian and Iranian support, recent developments highlight the fragility of the region’s tenuous stability.
Regional Implications and Military Realignments
The lack of immediate reinforcements from Iranian-backed militias, historically a key element of Assad’s military strategy, has been noted as a factor in the army’s swift retreat. Sources within the Syrian army indicated that manpower shortages, compounded by an ongoing Israeli offensive against Iranian forces in the region, have left government troops vulnerable.
Iranian-backed militias, including Hezbollah, have maintained a significant presence in Aleppo and its environs. However, recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian military bases in Syria and a parallel offensive in Lebanon have reportedly weakened Hezbollah’s operational capabilities, further complicating the Syrian government’s response.
The Humanitarian Toll
The renewed violence is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria. The region remains one of the last rebel strongholds, with millions living in overcrowded and under-resourced camps. The prospect of further displacement looms large as civilians brace for intensified conflict.
In Aleppo, memories of the 2016 siege, during which Russian-backed forces reclaimed the city at a heavy human cost, weigh heavily on residents. Abdullah al-Halabi, a pensioner from the Qasr al-Baladi neighbourhood, expressed fears of a repeat of the widespread destruction and civilian casualties witnessed during the earlier campaign.
A Protracted War with No End in Sight
Despite the relative lull in fighting over recent years, the conflict remains far from resolution. With no formal peace agreement in place and ongoing hostilities between rebels and the government, Syria’s war continues to draw in regional and international actors, each pursuing divergent interests.
