Syrian rebels have initiated a significant offensive against regime forces in western Aleppo, marking the first major escalation in years between the opposing sides. The offensive, named 'Deterrence of Aggression,' was announced by opposition factions on their Telegram channel in response to recent artillery shelling from the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
According to reports, rebels have successfully seized 13 villages, including strategic locations such as Urm Al-Sughra and Anjara, as well as Base 46, the largest Syrian regime base in western Aleppo. The opposition factions claim that 37 individuals from the regime forces and allied militia have been killed in the offensive, although these numbers have not been independently verified.
This surprise attack represents the first significant clash between Syrian rebels and the regime since the ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia and Turkey in March 2020. The Military Operations Command of the Syrian rebels reported the liberation of the town of Urm Al-Kubra after intense battles with Assad forces and Iranian militias.
Social media videos depict rebel troops operating in various villages near Aleppo city, with one video showing a fighter celebrating in the village of Anjara. Meanwhile, residents in regime-held areas of Aleppo city have reportedly begun fleeing due to fears of ongoing clashes.
The opposition factions involved in the offensive range from Islamic groups to the moderate Free Syrian Army, which previously received support from the US and Turkey. The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 as a pro-democracy uprising against Assad's regime, has evolved into a complex conflict involving multiple regional and global actors.
Since the 2020 ceasefire, the conflict has largely remained dormant, with sporadic clashes between rebels and regime forces. The United Nations estimates that over 300,000 civilians have lost their lives in more than a decade of war, with millions displaced across the region.
