In a major setback for the Bashar al-Assad regime, Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, has been captured by opposition factions led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
In the latest development, the HTS has taken control of the airport, local media reports said.
HTS forces have reportedly overrun government troops in Aleppo, marking the group’s most substantial victory since 2016.
The fall of Aleppo underscores a broader decline in Assad regime’s ability to sustain its control over Syria.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the Syrian government had anticipated assistance from its allies but has instead faced abandonment as both Iran and Russia remain preoccupied with their own conflicts.
According to HTS, their forces have reclaimed more than half of the territory in Aleppo and made significant advances in Idlib.
Reports from Russian media, however, indicate that the Syrian army has announced a “redeployment” of its forces to “strengthen defense lines” and “prepare for a counter-offensive” in response to the ongoing attack on Aleppo.
The Syrian regime has confirmed the loss of several cities in these regions.
In response, Iran-backed Iraqi militias, including Kata’ib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, may deploy to Syria in an effort to support the embattled regime. However, their involvement could escalate tensions in an already volatile region.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has said, “the terrorist groups attacked its consulate building in Aleppo on Saturday.”
The capture of Aleppo highlights the fragile state of the Assad regime and raises questions about the future of Syria.