BEIRUT, Dec 2 – Syrian government forces have lost control of Aleppo, the nation’s second-largest city, after a swift rebel offensive, marking a significant defeat for President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, a war monitor reported.
The Islamist-led coalition, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched its assault on Nov 27, overwhelming Iranian- and Russian-backed government troops in a dramatic turnaround.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, rebels now control nearly all of Aleppo, except for areas held by Kurdish forces.
The loss is a severe blow to Assad’s forces, which had maintained a stronghold in Aleppo since retaking the city in 2016 with Russian military support.
The offensive coincided with a fragile ceasefire in neighboring Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia heavily involved in Syria’s civil war.
The battle for Aleppo marks a pivotal moment in Syria’s ongoing conflict, underscoring the volatility of the region and the resilience of opposition forces.