Syrian Rebels Attack and Occupy Parts of Western Aleppo, Violating the Peace Agreement

Citing a Free Syrian Army source, rebels in Syria are assaulting government troops in Aleppo on an extensive unprecedented level in four years. The assault is the most significant escalation between the two groups in a long time. The assault was publicly acknowledged by opposition groups on their social media account yesterday. It became known as the “Deterrence of Aggression.” Furthermore, the faction said that the strike was an answer to the earlier military bombardment by Syrian administration.

Thirteen communities were taken by the rebels, notably the vital urban areas of Anjara and Urm Al-Sughra. As stated in a statement published by the opposition, rebels also took control of Base 46, the biggest Syrian government military facility in Aleppo’s western regions.

It also stated that the assault claimed the lives of 37 members of the allied paramilitary and government soldiers. The unanticipated attacks yesterday is the very first substantial battle between the government in Syria and the rebels since four years ago. At that point, a truce deal had been reached in Syria mediated by Moscow and Ankara. The rebels’ Army Operations Directorate informed the media that the village of Urm Al-Kubra was successfully seized by its troops. The town lies approximately 12 miles outside Aleppo, following what the rebels claimed amounted to severe confrontations with foreign proxies and regime soldiers.

A source for the rebels thereafter stated that that they attacked the chopper at Al-Nayrab airport, at the other side of Aleppo, with an accurate strike. On social media, users published footage of flame hanging from the farmland of western Aleppo. A number of towns close to the city are also observed to be captured by rebel soldiers.

A particular clip depicts someone fighting in the town of Anjara delighting and crying. Boasting that “Anjara is that of ours, rather than the Assad’s,” the individual claims the town as his ancestral home. The fighting have not been highlighted by Syrian national media outlets. In the meantime, several pro-administration websites commented on the battle despite giving no specifics regarding where it happened or how it ended.

Civil War Concerns

Concerned about the growing conflicts, residents in the New Aleppo district have started to move to adjacent zones. The neighbourhood is inhabited by investors and business entrepreneurs, making it one of Syria’s most prosperous localities.

The coordinated assault is being carried out by an assortment of opposing factions, including the Free Syrian Army and Islamic organizations. The United States and Türkiye had used to back the former.

The government crushed down a revolt against Assad rule during the early 2010s Arab Spring, triggering the start of the country’s civil war. The establishment of a rebel group to fight the army prompted an entire civil war in Syria in the following years.

As more local and international parties joined the battle, tensions further grew out of control. The civil war developed to the point that was referred to be a proxy war as a consequence of the contribution of international forces. Furthermore, ISIS succeeded in building up throughout the entire country before sustaining heavy setbacks.

The war has been primarily passive since the truce accord in 2020. Since then, there have only been reports of minor disputes between the rebels and official troops of the country. Long years of hostilities have culminated in the deaths of over 300 thousand people, mostly civilians. Millions have also been forcefully displaced as a result of the conflict across Syria during the 2010s.