Once again, this seemingly out-of-nowhere twist has dragged Aleppo back into the conflict. Just eight years ago, its strategic importance was dominated by President Bashar al-Assad’s fierce Russian military campaign, which finally freed this particular area from his hold. With these developments, it appears once again a renewed clash as a coalition of Syrian rebel groups named Deterrence of Aggression staged a surprising offensive last week to regain Aleppo and bring into disarray all the pillars of power that would support the regime.
This sudden capture of Syria’s second-largest city within a short window of 72 hours has not only changed military arrangements but also revitalized a rather moribund war, turning attention once more onto the complexities of Syrian warfare. At the forefront of this coalition are a variety of Islamist factions, each one bringing its own history, motives, and aspirations to the table.
Among such forces, HTS occupies the leading position – it is the brake, gaining great influence all over Syria and beyond. Led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, HTS enjoys links that can be traced to al-Qaeda and the Iraq War in which Jolani himself fought before he was a teenager. Even after formally severing ties with al-Qaeda in 2016 over ideological differences, Jolani established himself by creating HTS in 2017 which was emerged as a new separate group with a well-equipped combat arm. Thus, the recent attack to which the HTS is behind proves the organization’s endurance and desire to determine the future of the country.
Another actor who participated in the capture of Aleppo is the Syrian National Army (SNA), an association of members with different types of political orientation, unifying the common support of Turkey. The SNA includes the National Liberation Front and other groups including Ahrar al-Sham supporting the formation of an Islamic state of the religion of Sharia. Nevertheless, Ahrar al-Sham has been described more often by analysts as a more practical Islamist organization even with the clear intentions of a hardline group. When the group recaptured Aleppo, Ahmed al-Dalati form the Ministry of Information moved quickly to preserve the ethnic and religious identity of the population, thus securing the allegiance of what is arguably the most important segment of Syrians – the minority.
The organization and the speed with which the Deterrence of Aggression group acts proves that this organization is no less in terms of logistics management and, eighth Syrian rebels have to employ in confronting ever-changing conditions on the battlefield. This time demands two key question: how long and everlasting are the current powers that have emerged, and if the following changes in regional and global affiliations are possible.
The resurgence of conflict in Aleppo presents wider implications for a region scarred by enduring warfare and complex geopolitical rivalries. The audacity displayed by the rebels (in their operation) has consequences that extend well beyond Syria’s borders; this ignites concerns regarding potential tensions among global powers invested in Syria, along with the humanitarian impact on civilians caught in the crossfire.
As the Syrian conflict reemerges as a central focus, the way forward remains ambiguous. The renewed rebellion highlights the persistent volatility of the Syrian theater, as well as the ongoing failures of diplomatic initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace. Within the intricate fabric of Syria’s struggle for dominance, the recent events in Aleppo stand as a testament to the continuous turmoil that reshapes the Middle Eastern landscape.
In the days ahead, while regional and international actors evaluate their positions, the destinies of those on the ground are precariously suspended. Aleppo, once again, epitomizes the harsh realities of resilience and strife, as well as the unwavering pursuit of sovereignty in a fragmented nation.