Thousands of Syrian insurgents have entered Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, with little resistance from government troops. The insurgents were seen deploying to landmarks such as the old citadel, tearing down posters of President Bashar Assad along the way. This surprise takeover is a major setback for Assad, who had regained control of the city in 2016 after a grueling military campaign supported by Russia, Iran, and allied groups.
The push into Aleppo followed weeks of simmering violence, with government attacks on opposition-held areas. Turkey’s diplomatic efforts to prevent the attacks were unsuccessful, leading to the insurgents’ offensive. The offensive coincided with a ceasefire in Hezbollah’s conflict with Israel, allowing Iran-linked groups to focus on their own battles at home.
Witnesses reported that government troops have mostly left the city, with Syrian Kurdish forces remaining in two neighborhoods. The redeployment is said to be a temporary measure to ensure the security of Aleppo’s residents. Despite the insurgents’ control of large parts of the city, there was light traffic in the city center, with no signs of clashes or government troop presence.
Aleppo residents described mixed feelings of pain, sadness, and old memories as they witnessed the insurgents’ entry into the city. Schools and government offices were closed, and city hospitals were reportedly full of patients. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that the city’s airport was shut down, and all flights were suspended.
In social media posts, insurgents were seen outside the Aleppo Citadel, engaging with residents and reassuring them that they mean no harm. The Syrian Kurdish-led administration in the country’s east reported that nearly 3,000 people, mostly students, had fled the fighting in Aleppo. State media reported that government troops had arrested some individuals posing as terrorists near city landmarks.
On a state TV morning show, commentators blamed Turkey for supporting the insurgents’ push into Aleppo and Idlib provinces. Russian warplanes were reported to have targeted and killed 200 militants who launched the offensive in the northwest. The situation in Aleppo remains tense, with the Syrian government preparing for a counterattack to regain control of the city.
As the conflict in Aleppo continues to unfold, the residents of the city are left with uncertainty and fear for their safety. The insurgents’ sudden takeover has disrupted the fragile stability that had been established since Assad regained control in 2016. The international community is closely watching the situation, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Aleppo.
