The 13-year civil war in Syria has regained attention with a surprise rebel offensive that led to the seizure of Aleppo, one of Syria’s largest cities. This offensive is seen as one of the rebels’ strongest in years, causing concern about the potential of another violent front reopening in the Middle East. The conflict in Aleppo is significant due to Assad’s long-standing control over opposition forces and foreign troops in the region.
The rebel group leading the attack in Aleppo, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has a complex history that includes ties to al-Qaida and more recent attempts to portray themselves as protectors of religious minorities. The U.S. and U.N. have designated HTS as a terrorist organization, but the group has evolved over the years and no longer directly targeted by the Trump administration.
Aleppo, a historical center of trade and culture, was heavily impacted by the war when rebels seized the east side in 2012, only to surrender to government forces in 2016 with the help of Russian airstrikes. More recently, Israeli airstrikes in Aleppo have targeted Hezbollah weapons depots and Syrian forces. The situation in Aleppo has the potential to be game-changing, affecting the delicate balance of power in the region.
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