Military forces have been redeployed again in Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city. The Syrian military says several soldiers were killed in an attack by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels yesterday, Saturday, forcing them to redeploy new troops there.
This information was shared by the military yesterday, Saturday.
Meanwhile, Sean Savett, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council (NSC), said that the crisis has been created due to the Syrian government’s reluctance to resolve issues through political processes, and their close ties with Russia and Iran. He also mentioned the collapse of the Assad government in northwest Syria as part of this situation.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, cited in an AFP report, at least 327 people have been killed in the latest fighting. Most of those killed were fighters, but 44 civilians were also among the casualties.
Since last Wednesday, rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have launched surprise attacks. Almost a decade later, they are taking control of small government-controlled cities and have reached Aleppo. Most of Aleppo has fallen under rebel control.
In 2016, President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, along with his allies Russia, Iran, and regional Shia rebels, had recaptured this northern city from the rebels.
President Assad has not faced such a significant challenge in recent years. His ally Russia has conducted air strikes against the rebels.
HTS was previously known as the Nusra Front. The United States, Russia, Turkey, and several other countries have listed the Nusra Front as a terrorist group. The White House National Security Council (NSC) has stated that the United States has been monitoring the situation in Aleppo for more than 48 hours.
‘I am a child of Aleppo, I was displaced eight years ago in 2016. We have just returned, thanks be to God. This is an extraordinary feeling.’
– Ali Jumaa, Rebel Fighter
The NSC spokesperson Sean Savett said that the current situation has arisen due to the Syrian government’s unwillingness to engage in a political process to resolve the crisis and their close ties with Russia and Iran. He stated that this is now becoming evident, including the collapse of the Assad government in northwest Syria. Savett also mentioned that the United States has little recourse in the current attack led by what he called ‘a terrorist organization already declared prohibited’.
He has called for ‘de-escalation… and urged a credible political process under UN Security Council Resolution 2254’, which calls for a ceasefire and political transition.
Civil war has been ongoing in Syria since 2011. Officially, that civil war has not yet ended. However, conflicts had ceased in most parts of the country several years ago. With support from allies Iran and Russia, the Assad forces had taken control of most of Syria and all major cities.”
The translation captures the key points about the current situation in Syria, the ongoing conflict, and the international perspective on the recent developments in Aleppo, particularly the rebel advances and the U.S. stance on the conflict.
Since 2016, Aleppo has been under the control of the Syrian government forces. After rebels recaptured Aleppo, Ali Juma, a rebel, says on television, ‘I am a child of Aleppo. I was displaced eight years ago in 2016. We have just returned. This is an extraordinary feeling.’
The Syrian military has also acknowledged the rebels’ entry into most parts of Aleppo. They have also mentioned launching counter-attacks.
Several photographs taken on Saturday in Aleppo have been published. The images show people posing for photos in front of the toppled statue of President Bashar al-Assad’s late brother, Basil al-Assad. Pictures of rebels moving around the city in trucks have also been released. One person has been seen standing in front of a historic fortress, holding the opposition flag.
The Syrian military stated that the rebels have launched extensive attacks from various directions. They have reported the need to deploy new troops to counter these attacks. The rebels claim to have taken control of Aleppo airport.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, cited in an AFP report, at least 327 people have been killed in the latest fighting. Most of the casualties are rebels, but 44 civilians are also among the dead.
The UK-based organization also said, ‘Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies have taken control of most parts of the city, the government center, and the prison. They did not face much resistance.’
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has also reported that government forces have withdrawn from Aleppo airport in the face of rebel attacks. The organization stated, ‘Along with capturing Aleppo airport, rebel forces have smoothly taken control of several strategically important cities. In the face of rebel attacks, the Syrian military has withdrawn from Hama, the country’s fourth-largest city.'”
The translation maintains the key details about the rebel advances in Syria, specifically in Aleppo and Hama, highlighting the minimal resistance faced by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and their allies.
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