Syrian rebels have regained control of Aleppo from the government forces, leading to fresh escalations in the civil war. The surprise offensive, initiated by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, took government forces by surprise, altering the longstanding frontlines. The situation poses risks of deeper regional conflict involving powers like Russia and Turkey. Continued geopolitical tensions may hinder peace efforts further.
The Syrian military, supported by Russian airstrikes, has launched assaults on positions seized by Islamist rebels, particularly focusing on areas around Aleppo. This offensive has reignited the war, marking a significant shift in the conflict that risks involving regional powers such as Russia and Turkey. The recent developments surrounding Aleppo have drawn attention back to the seven-year civil war, highlighting changing power dynamics in the region.
The rebels commenced their surprise offensive on November 26, 2023, attacking from the north and northwest, rapidly overtaking Aleppo between November 29 and 30. This marks the first shift in control of the city since government troops, aided by Russia and Iran, regained it in 2016. The rebels are now fortifying their positions, making advances in the surrounding provinces, prompting the government to vow a strong response.
The rebel group leading the charge is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), known previously as the Nusra Front, which was formally associated with al-Qaeda. HTS, under the leadership of Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has established itself prominently in the Idlib province, remaining a sizable force amid ongoing governmental advances. Both the United States and Russia classify HTS as a terrorist organization.
Another faction of rebels, supported by Turkey, has launched a separate offensive from northern territories. Despite a long-stagnant front, the geopolitical landscape has shifted due to external conflicts, particularly the clashes between Israel and Iran. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan noted the weakened state of the Syrian government’s supporters, including Iran and Hezbollah, which may have prompted the current rebel resurgence.
Despite prior agreements between Russia and Turkey stabilizing the northwest, tensions have reemerged as Turkey expresses dissatisfaction with Bashar al-Assad’s lack of negotiations with the opposition. Ankara’s primary worry involves the strengthening influence of Kurdish-led groups, deemed terrorist organizations by Turkey, while also advocating for compromises between Assad and the rebel factions.
Since the U.N. Security Council initiated peace efforts in 2015, unresolved issues have continued to plague the path to a durable political solution. The escalation in violence reflects a failure to engage in meaningful discourse, with U.N. envoy Geir Pedersen urging for a recommencement of negotiations to alleviate the ongoing conflict.
The Syrian civil war, ongoing since 2011, erupted following protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Over the years, the conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and hundreds of thousands killed. Initially, the war drew in foreign powers, complicating the situation and emboldening various rebel and extremist factions. Recent escalations, especially the capture of Aleppo, underscore the volatile nature of the conflict and the unstable regional power dynamics, particularly involving Russia and Turkey.
The recent rebel advances in Aleppo have reignited critical attention to the Syrian civil war. With shifting control dynamics and the involvement of major regional powers, the path towards peace remains complex. The ongoing conflict emphasizes the need for robust diplomatic efforts to establish stability, as well as the necessity for genuine negotiations among the involved parties to create a lasting resolution to the war.
Original Source: www.france24.com
