Rebels advance into Aleppo city, reports confirm

Idlib is the last remaining opposition stronghold in Syria

Rebel forces have reportedly advanced into parts of Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, marking the most significant offensive against the government in years, according to a monitoring group. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated that the fighters detonated two car bombs before moving into several neighborhoods, though further details were not provided.

In response, government forces claim to have recaptured positions that had been seized by rebels in both the Idlib and Aleppo countryside, as reported by Syria’s state news agency.

The Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied factions announced that they had taken control of multiple towns and villages across Aleppo and Idlib provinces following the launch of their offensive on Wednesday.

The SOHR also reported that Syrian and Russian aircraft conducted 23 air strikes on Aleppo city and its surrounding areas on Friday. The clashes have claimed the lives of at least 255 people, mostly fighters, marking the deadliest confrontation between rebel and pro-government forces in years.

Since the offensive began on Wednesday, opposition forces have reportedly gained control of more than 50 towns and villages.

The ongoing fighting follows a relative calm that began in 2020 after Turkey and Russia brokered a ceasefire to halt the Syrian government’s push to reclaim Idlib, the last major opposition-held region. While large-scale conflict eased, sporadic clashes, airstrikes, and shelling have continued.

Idlib remains a stronghold for the opposition and is home to more than four million people, many of whom have been displaced by the war and are living in precarious conditions.