Syrian rebels 'take control of Aleppo' as Bashir al-Assad's forces collapse almost overnight while leader is out of the country

Aleppo, the second-largest city in Syria, is no longer under the ruthless control of dictator Bashar al-Assad, marking a significant development since the start of the civil war.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an alliance of rebel groups has taken over Aleppo city, with the exception of areas held by Kurdish forces.

Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the UK-based NGO, stated that Aleppo city is now free from the grip of Syrian regime forces for the first time since the conflict erupted in 2012.

Assad’s whereabouts were unknown as of Saturday night, ahead of a scheduled visit from Iran’s foreign minister today. 

He said in his first comments since the start of the surprise offensive that his regime would defeat the ‘terrorists and their supporters’, adding that the Syrian army was strong enough to beat them no matter the intensity of their attacks. 

He is also reported to have spoken to Iraq’s prime minister Mohammed al-Sudani, who gave him reassurances abut Iraq’s readiness to support Syria in combating the rebels. 

Sudani reportedly stressed his country’s willingness to assist in its fight against the rebellion, amid fears that a coup will take place in the coming days. 

Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, today said that his country will ‘firmly support the Syrian government and army.’

Anti-government fighters pose for a picture on a tank on the road leading to Maaret al-Numan in Syria's northwestern Idlib province on November 30, 2024

Anti-government fighters pose for a picture on a tank on the road leading to Maaret al-Numan in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province on November 30, 2024

Smoke billows in the distance as damaged cars are seen at the site of Syrian regime airstrikes targeting anti-regime fighters in Aleppo, in northern Syria on November 30, 2024

Smoke billows in the distance as damaged cars are seen at the site of Syrian regime airstrikes targeting anti-regime fighters in Aleppo, in northern Syria on November 30, 2024

Who are the rebels seizing control of Aleppo?

On Saturday, Syrian rebels had taken control of large parts of the city of Aleppo.

The offensive is being led by Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which has long been involved in the ongoing Syrian conflict. 

The group was set up in 2011 under a different name, Jabhat al-Nusra, as a direct affiliate of Al Qaeda. 

In 2016 it broke its links with the jihadist groups and became HTS.

The rebel group is considered one of the deadliest organisations going against President al-Assad. 

 

Thousands of Syrian insurgents fanned out inside Aleppo in vehicles with improvised armour and pickups, deploying to landmarks such as the old citadel on Saturday, a day after they entered Syria’s largest city facing little resistance from government troops.

Syria’s armed forces said in a statement Saturday that to absorb the large attack on Aleppo and save lives, it has redeployed and is preparing for a counterattack. 

They were supported by Damascus-ally Moscow, which responded with its first air strikes on Aleppo since 2016 as the jihadists and their Turkish-backed allies pressed a lightning offensive they launched on Wednesday. 

The jihadist-led rebels seized Aleppo airport and dozens of nearby towns on Saturday after overrunning most of Aleppo, a war monitor said.

Rebels are currently marching on Damascus, Syria’s capital city, where small skirmishes have been reported. 

The US said last night that Assad’s loss of control over much of his nation is because of his reliance on Russia and Iran.  

Syria’s ‘reliance on Russia and Iran,’ along with its refusal to move forward with a 2015 peace process outlined by the UN Security Council, ‘created the conditions now unfolding,’ National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement.

He added: ‘At the same time, the United States has nothing to do with this offensive, which is led by Hay’at Tahir al-Sham (HTS), a designated terrorist organization.’

The surprise takeover is a huge embarrassment for al-Assad, who managed to regain total control of the city in 2016, after expelling rebels and thousands of civilians from its eastern neighborhoods following a grueling military campaign in which his forces were backed by Russia, Iran and its allied groups.

Aleppo has not been attacked by opposition forces since then. 

The 2016 battle for Aleppo was a turning point in the war between Syrian government forces and rebel fighters after 2011 protests against al-Assad’s rule turned into an all-out war.

More to follow.  

You May Also Like

Exclusive Video Footage: Suspect Caught Loading Teen’s Body after Luring Online

When Miranda Corsette loses both parents, she moves in with her grandmother…

Sydney Sweeney allegedly cancels her engagement: What really happened.

Sydney Sweeney, the 27-year-old actress recognized for her work in popular series…

Bus Driver Reveals Details about Virginia Giuffre’s Accident Involving Prince Andrew Accuser

THE bus driver involved in a crash which allegedly left Virginia Giuffre…

26-year-old who sexually assaulted a five-year-old girl during babysitting to have confidential parole review to prevent distress

A man who sexually assaulted a five-year-old girl he was babysitting will…

Special Education Teacher Breaks Down While Being Arrested for Allegedly Sexually Assaulting Special Needs Student

An Illinois special education teacher accused of molesting a teen student broke…

US Tariffs Still Pose a Threat to the UK Economy, Says Andrew Neil

Keir Starmer’s compliance and specific pleas ultimately worked: Great Britain experienced less…

Baby’s body discovered next to damaged casket at cemetery; inquiry in progress

West Virginia officials said no graves were disturbed at a cemetery where…

Have Jacqui and Clint from MAFS Australia Begun a Relationship? Details of their Timeline Exposed

Hello, fans of reality TV shows! If you’ve been watching Married at…

Understanding Serial Killers: Psychology, Profiling, and Prevention

This podcast series consisting of three parts delves into the development of…

Shocking video shows ‘murderer’ looking directly at camera before ‘shooting Walgreens employee due to disdain for major drugstores’

SHOCKING footage shows a man who claimed to hate pharmacies allegedly shooting…

“Build-up of US Military Forces in Response to Iran: Aircraft Carrier, Stealth Bombers Prepared for Action”

DONALD Trump is massing a huge Iran strike force including moving the…

Molly-Mae Confirms Release Dates for Upcoming Episodes of Her Documentary

Hey! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been hooked on Molly-Mae:…