AMMAN, Dec 2 – At least 25 people, including 10 children, were killed in northwestern Syria on Dec 1 as air strikes by the Syrian government and its ally Russia targeted the rebel-held city of Idlib and surrounding areas, according to the White Helmets, a Syrian opposition-run rescue group.
The strikes hit densely populated residential areas in Idlib, home to approximately four million displaced people living in makeshift shelters. The latest attack is part of a broader escalation following the rebel coalition’s recent capture of Idlib province and their advances into Aleppo, marking one of the most significant offensives by insurgents in years.
Rising Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis
Since Nov 27, air strikes have killed at least 56 people, including 20 children, according to the White Helmets. The Syrian army and Russia maintain they are targeting insurgent strongholds and deny intentionally harming civilians.
Witnesses reported chaos in Idlib as one strike hit a crowded residential area, killing seven people and injuring dozens. In Aleppo, residents described fear and confusion as rebels seized parts of the city, forcing Syrian troops to retreat and prompting civilians to flee.
Rebel Offensive and Government Response
The insurgents, comprising Turkey-backed secular groups and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist faction labeled a terrorist group by several nations, have taken control of Idlib province and pushed into Aleppo since Nov 29. The Syrian army, which had held Aleppo since 2016, suffered heavy losses and is now regrouping for a counterattack, according to military sources.
Rebels claimed to have captured key areas south of Aleppo, including Khansir and the Sheikh Najjar industrial zone, potentially cutting off government supply routes. These battlefield reports remain unverified by independent sources.
Civilian Fear and International Reactions
Inside Aleppo, many streets were deserted as residents sheltered at home or fled the city. Some recalled the devastating Russian-backed siege of 2016, which killed thousands and forced rebels out of eastern Aleppo.
Internationally, the United States, France, Germany, and Britain issued a joint call for de-escalation and the protection of civilians, urging all parties to avoid further displacement and disruption of humanitarian aid.
Geopolitical Implications
The rebel gains come amid heightened tensions, including Israeli strikes on Iranian bases in Syria and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. Pro-Iran militias, including Hezbollah, have played a significant role in the Aleppo region, but a lack of manpower contributed to the rapid Syrian army retreat, military sources said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, visiting Damascus on Dec 1, expressed confidence in the Assad government’s ability to regain control, despite acknowledging the “difficult” situation.
As the war, now in its 13th year, continues with no formal resolution, the toll on human lives and displacement remains staggering, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.