Syrian insurgent groups launched a large-scale attack on government-held territories in the northwest of the country on Wednesday, making significant territorial gains, according to opposition sources. The offensive, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, is the latest chapter in the ongoing conflict, which has seen increased violence in recent weeks. As of Thursday, the Syrian government forces, supported by Russian airstrikes, have been engaged in fierce clashes with the insurgents, attempting to repel the advances.
Opposition groups claimed control of more than 15 villages in northwestern Aleppo, seizing a military base, capturing soldiers, and confiscating military hardware from government forces. The fighting has since spread to Idlib province, home to the last remaining stronghold of opposition factions, including HTS, which controls much of the region. The groups involved in the offensive have vowed to continue their push to retake areas lost to government forces in recent months.
In response, Syrian government forces and their Russian allies launched airstrikes and shelling campaigns, with the Syrian Civil Defence (White Helmets) reporting at least 18 civilian casualties, including three children and two women, in airstrikes on two villages in western Aleppo. Activists have confirmed that Russian warplanes were responsible for the air raids, further escalating the tensions in the region.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported that the offensive is a violation of a de-escalation agreement reached in 2019 between Turkey, which supports the opposition, and Russia and Iran, who back the Syrian government. The agreement had effectively frozen the frontlines in Idlib, halting further government advances. However, recent escalations have prompted a shift in the balance of power on the ground.
The Syrian army issued a statement confirming that the HTS-led offensive is ongoing, targeting villages and military positions across the northwest. “Our forces are confronting the terrorist organizations with different power and in collaboration with friendly forces to ensure the situation returns to how it was,” the army said. The ongoing attacks have been met with strong condemnation from government officials, who are determined to regain control of the strategic areas seized by the insurgents.
The offensive has led to widespread displacement, with humanitarian groups reporting that at least 7,000 families have been forced to flee their homes due to the escalating violence. Schools and health facilities in the area have suspended their operations, including some of those run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which has had to halt field operations as a result of the growing hostilities.
This latest escalation comes amidst rising tensions between Turkey and Syria. Turkish officials stated on Thursday that they were closely monitoring the situation, especially after the offensive expanded from its initial limited focus on Aleppo. Turkish security sources indicated that the opposition groups had long planned the operation in order to expel Syrian government forces and militias from the region, thus protecting civilians from the ongoing bombardments by Syrian forces.
According to Turkish officials, the aim of the offensive is to re-establish the boundaries of the de-escalation zone agreed upon in 2019. Turkey had previously attempted to prevent such offensives to avoid escalating tensions further, particularly amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in the region. However, Turkish diplomatic efforts to prevent government attacks have been unsuccessful, prompting the insurgent groups to take action.
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HTS, formerly known as the Nusra Front, is the Syrian affiliate of al-Qaeda, although the group has since distanced itself from its parent organisation. Russia and Iran have supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since 2015, providing crucial military and logistical support that has helped turn the tide in the government’s favour. Turkey, on the other hand, has backed a wide range of opposition groups and established a military presence in parts of northwestern Syria, particularly around Idlib.
The Syrian conflict, now in its 13th year, shows little sign of ending. With key powers like Russia, Iran, and Turkey backing opposing sides in the war, the region remains a focal point of international tension. The latest flare-up in northwest Syria underscores the fragility of ceasefires and the ongoing struggle for control of territory, while the civilian population continues to bear the brunt of the violence.
As the situation unfolds, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with aid groups struggling to provide assistance amid the ongoing hostilities. The international community has called for renewed efforts to address the root causes of the conflict and find a peaceful solution, but with competing interests in play, prospects for lasting peace remain uncertain.
