Russian and Syrian forces have intensified airstrikes in northwest Syria, targeting the rebel-controlled city of Idlib and surrounding areas after insurgents captured parts of Aleppo in a major offensive. Idlib, where nearly four million displaced civilians live in makeshift shelters, recently suffered deadly strikes that hit crowded residential areas. Rescue workers confirmed at least seven fatalities and dozens of injuries from the attacks.
Now former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad responded to the rebel advances by vowing to crush the insurgents, calling them “terrorists” who understand only “the language of force.” Syrian military sources reported that troops were regrouping to reclaim lost territory, with reinforcements sent to counter the coalition of Turkey-backed rebels and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a U.S.-designated terrorist group. Rebel fighters continued to press south of Aleppo, capturing key areas such as Khansir and threatening the army’s supply lines.
While the Syrian and Russian governments assert that their airstrikes target militant strongholds, civilian casualties remain high. Residents of Aleppo, which had been under government control since a decisive 2016 offensive, expressed fear of a repeat of the widespread destruction that displaced thousands during that period.
This escalation underscores the fragility of the uneasy stalemate in Syria’s civil war. Although major combat largely ended after Assad regained control of most of the country with Russian and Iranian support, recent rebel advances reveal vulnerabilities in the government’s military position. Analysts suggest that diminished Iranian militia support and Israel’s recent strikes on Iranian-linked bases in Syria may have contributed to the Syrian army’s swift retreat.
With the war entering its 14th year, the ongoing violence continues to exact a heavy humanitarian toll, displacing millions and devastating civilian infrastructure. The crisis in Idlib, a densely populated region already struggling with limited resources, risks worsening as fighting escalates. Without a concerted effort toward de-escalation and peace, the conflict will likely deepen, exacerbating instability and human suffering in the region.
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