In a recent escalation of the Syrian conflict, President Bashar al-Assad has declared his intent to decisively counter an offensive by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in northern Syria. The offensive, which began last week, saw HTS and its allies penetrating Northern Syria, including the strategic city of Aleppo.
Assad, in a conversation with the acting president of Abkhazia, stressed that the government would ”continue to defend the stability and territorial integrity” of Syria, asserting that only through force can terrorism be addressed.
”Terrorism only understands the language of force, and that is the language which we will break and eliminate it with, along with whoever its supporters and sponsors are,” Assad stated, as reported by the Syrian state news agency SANA.
The offensive led by HTS, previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra, targeted areas around Aleppo and Idlib, overrunning numerous towns and villages before entering Aleppo itself, a city that had been under government protection since 2016.
The Syrian army confirmed significant casualties among its ranks due to this unexpected assault, describing it as one of the most important challenges to Syria in recent years.
In response to the terrorist incursion, Russian military aircraft, a key ally of Assad, conducted strikes against the insurgents in Aleppo and Idlib. According to statements from Russia’s Defence Ministry, these actions were part of broader efforts to support the Syrian army.
The strikes were aimed at militant gatherings, command posts, and logistical assets, reportedly resulting in the deaths of about 300 terrorists.
The situation has drawn international attention, with the U.S. White House National Security Council monitoring developments. NSC spokesperson Sean Savett noted that the current crisis stemmed from Assad’s refusal to engage in political dialogue and his reliance on foreign military support from Russia and Iran, thus irritating Washington.
The conflict, now in its 13th year, has not only devastated the country but also displaced millions. Aleppo once symbolised the government’s dominance over the terrorists following a siege in 2016.
Despite the terrorist’s advances, the Syrian military has been reorganizing, preparing for a counteroffensive. Airstrikes have already commenced, targeting terrorist positions within Aleppo, with reports of casualties in areas like Basel Square. The Syrian forces are focusing on fortifying defence lines to protect both military personnel and civilians from further attacks.
This recent flare-up underscores the ongoing volatility in a war that has seen numerous ceasefires and peace talks fail to bring lasting peace, highlighting the complex web of local and international interests at play in Syria.
Sources and related
- Aljazeera: Mapping who controls what in Syria
- Reuters: Syrian rebels sweep into Aleppo, Russia conducts strikes in support of Assad
- Newsweek: Putin ’Letting Syrian Rebels Overthrow Assad’: Ex-Trump Intel Chief
- CNN: The illusion of Assad’s grip on Syria shatters, as Russia, Iran and Hezbollah let their guard down
- Press TV: Syrian president vows to eliminate terrorism with force
- RT: Syria will ‘eliminate’ terrorists and their sponsors – Assad
- ABC News: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vows to ’crush’ rebels after government loses control of Aleppo