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Northwestern Syria offensive (2024)

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Northwestern Syria offensive (2024)
Part of the Syrian civil war

  Controlled by the Syrian Arab Republic
  Controlled by the Syrian opposition
  Controlled by both Syrian Arab Republic and Syrian Democratic Forces
Date27 November 2024 – present
(3 days)
Location
Aleppo and Idlib Governorates, Syria
Status
  • Ongoing
Territorial
changes		 Syrian opposition forces capture 50+ towns and villages,[8] including the city of Saraqib[9] and more than half of Aleppo city[10][11] and cut off the strategic M5 highway[12]
Belligerents

Syrian Salvation Government

Syrian opposition Syrian National Army

Syria Syrian Arab Republic

 Russia[4][5]

 Iran

Commanders and leaders
Abu Mohammad al-Julani Syria Maj. Gen. Suhayl al-Hasan[13]
Iran Brig. Gen. Kioumars Pourhashemi †[14]
Casualties and losses
Syrian opposition 159 killed[a]
c. 200 killed (Russian claim)[16]		 SyriaIran 100 killed,[b] 14 captured[18]
Syria 9 tanks captured[19][20]
Russia 1+ killed[6]
28 civilians killed[c]

On 27 November 2024, a coalition of Syrian opposition groups called the Military Operations Command[21] led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched an offensive against the pro-government Syrian Arab Army (SAA) forces in Aleppo and Idlib Governorates in Syria. The offensive was called Deterrence of Aggression[d] by HTS and launched in retaliation for the increased SAA shelling of civilians in the Western Aleppo countryside.[22] The offensive is the first time opposition forces launched an attack since the March 2020 Idlib ceasefire.[23][24][25]

On 29 November 2024, opposition groups began entering Aleppo city, and captured 9 of its districts, amid the collapse of pro-government forces.[26][11]

Background

Main articles: Northwestern Syria clashes (December 2022–November 2024) and Turkish military operation in Idlib Governorate

Since the March 2020 Idlib ceasefire agreement, large scale operations ceased between opposition and pro-government forces in Northwestern Syria. Starting in late 2022, HTS forces launched a series of infiltration and sniper attacks on government forces, leading up to the offensive. Aleppo has been controlled by Bashar al-Assad's government and Iranian-backed militias since the Aleppo offensive in 2016.[27]

In October 2024, a large mobilization by HTS and government forces was initiated in the Aleppo countryside, as the Syrian rebels reported that they have been preparing for months for a large-scale offensive against government forces within the city of Aleppo.[28] On 26 November 2024, government forces artillery struck the opposition held town of Ariha, killing and injuring 16 civilians.[22]

Offensive

On 27 November 2024, HTS announced that it had launched an offensive dubbed Deterrence of Aggression towards pro-government forces in western Aleppo Governorate.[29] The Syrian opposition claimed that the offensive was a response to recent artillery shelling by the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad against rebel-held Idlib, which killed at least 30 civilians.[24][27]

During the first 10 hours of the offensive, HTS captured 20 towns and villages from pro-government forces, including the towns of Urm al-Kubra, Anjara, Urm al-Sughra, Sheikh Aqil, Bala, Ajil, Awijil, al-Hawtah, Tal al-Dabaa, Hayr Darkal, Qubtan al-Jabal, al-Saloum, al-Qasimiyah, Kafr Bisin, Hawr, Aznaz and Basratoun. In addition, the 46th regiment base of government forces was besieged by the HTS and captured a few hours later.[4][1] The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 37 Syrian government soldiers and allied militias and 60 fighters from the opposition forces were killed in the clashes.[24] A Russian special forces unit was ambushed by rebels, who later posted photos of a dead Russian soldier and captured equipment. The number of casualties remains unclear.[6] In response, Syrian and Russian forces launched aerial assaults on areas controlled by rebel groups.[30][31] Russian fighters also conducted airstrikes around Atarib, Darat Izza, and surrounding villages, while government forces shelled rebel controlled Idlib, Ariha, Sarmada and other areas in southern Idlib province.[32][33][34]

On 28 November, HTS launched an offensive on the eastern Idlib countryside, capturing the villages of Dadikh, Kafr Batikh and Sheikh Ali as well as a neighborhood in the city of Saraqib. This advance brought them within 2 kilometers of the M5 highway, a strategic route that had been secured by pro-government forces in 2020. HTS also attacked al-Nayrab's airport located east of Aleppo, where Iranian-backed militants have a presence.[35] In the latter half of the day, HTS captured the villages of Kafr Basin, Arnaz and Al-Zarba in the western Aleppo countryside, and cut off the M5 highway.[12] The Syrian rebels have captured around 40 towns and villages in total by the end of the day.[27]

A Russian airstrike killed fifteen civilians in Atarib in the western Aleppo countryside. A further four others were killed in either a Syrian or Russian airstrike in Darat Izza.[36] Iranian state media reported that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Kioumars Pourhashemi, who served as a senior military advisor in Syria, was killed by rebels in Aleppo.[27]

On 29 November, HTS captured the villages of Tal Karatabeen, Abu Qansa, and Al-Talhiya in Idlib countryside and Al-Mansoura, Jab Kas, and Al-Bawabiya in Aleppo countryside. Strong fighting around the town of Saraqib continued.[15] 4 civilians were killed and 2 others were injured by HTS shelling in the al-Hamdaniya neighborhood of Aleppo city.[15]

Battle of Aleppo

Main article: Battle of Aleppo (2024)

On 29 November, opposition forces entered the Hamdaniya and New Aleppo districts of Aleppo city, after carrying out a double suicide attack with two car bombs.[37] During the latter half of the day, opposition forces seized 5 districts of Aleppo city, namely Al-Hamdaniya, New Aleppo, 3000 Apartments, Al-Jamiliya, and Salah al-Din. Clashes were reported elsewhere in the city, including its center. 20 other towns and villages were captured by the opposition forces, including the strategic city of Saraqib. Amid the collapse of pro-government forces defense lines. Other towns captured by the opposition forces included, Khan al-Sabil, At-Talhiyah, At-Tarnabah, and Jobas in Idlib countryside and the towns of Khan Touman, Shagheidele, Khalasa, Al-Hadir, Al-Qarasi, Barna, Al-Eis, Talhadiya, Zitan, Al-Mansoura and Al-Bawabiya in Aleppo countryside.[26]

By late 29 November 2024, opposition forces had captured parts of Al-Sukariyya, Al-Furqan, Al-Adhamiya, and Saif al-Dawla districts of Aleppo city, as well as having claimed to have taken control of its main square.[11][38]

In the early hours of 30 November 2024, rebel forces captured the Citadel of Aleppo, the government headquarters in the city, as well as "more than half of Aleppo city".[39][40]

Reactions

  •  Syria: The Syrian Army described the offensive as "a huge and large-scale terrorist attack" in which "large numbers of terrorists using medium and heavy weapons" targeted villages, towns, and military sites.[35]
  •  Syrian opposition: Hassan Abdelghani, spokesperson for the Syrian rebel coalition, stated that the targets of the operation are Assad's forces and Iranian militias, whom he accused of bringing "devastation, death, and killing to the region" while "exploiting Arab and Muslim populations" to push their "sabotaging plans" under "the guise of resistance".[27]
  •  Iran: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the offensive as "a plot orchestrated by the U.S. and the Zionist regime following the regime's defeat in Lebanon and Palestine".[41]
  •  Turkey: The Turkish foreign ministry called for an end to the airstrikes on Idlib and demanded that "greater instability is avoided and civilians are not harmed".[42]
  •  Russia: Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the offensive "a violation of Syria's sovereignty in this region".[41]

Analysis

Hezbollah, which was a major ally of the Syrian government during the civil war was severely weakened during its war with Israel. The deaths of Hassan Nasrallah and much of its military leadership, combined with the redeployment of Hezbollah fighters in Syria back to Lebanon, left a large power vacuum. With the Russian military concentrating on its invasion of Ukraine and Iran under significant pressure, it provided an opportunity for rebel groups to launch an offensive.[27]

According to Nick Heras, an analyst with the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, the rebels were trying to pre-empt a Syrian government offensive which was being shaped by Russian and Syrian airstrikes on rebel areas. The presence of Turkish-backed groups in the offensive is believed to be a warning from Turkey to Russia and the Syrian government to avoid any offensives in the region.[43]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ 135 from HTS, and 24 from SNA factions.[15]
  2. ^ 100 killed, including:[15]
    • 79 Syrian soldiers
    • 20 pro-Iranian militiamen
    • 1 Iranian soldier[17]
  3. ^ 24 killed by Russian and SAA air and artillery strikes and 4 killed by HTS shelling.[15]
  4. ^ Arabic: ردع العدوان, romanized: Rade Aleudwan

References

  1. ^ a b c d "In parallel with the continuation of the "Deterrence of Aggression" operation: More than 30 airstrikes and the killing of about 100 members of the regime forces, the Authority and the factions in the Aleppo countryside" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  2. ^ https://www.newarab.com/news/what-behind-new-rebel-offensive-northwest-syria?amp
  3. ^ https://www.newarab.com/news/what-behind-new-rebel-offensive-northwest-syria?amp
  4. ^ a b "Weeks after the Syrian Observatory published the preparations... "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" attacks the Aleppo countryside in the "Response to Aggression" operation" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Coinciding with the Authority's attack on the regime forces' positions in the Aleppo countryside... a squadron of Russian aircraft flies in the "Putin-Erdogan" airspace" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Russian elite forces suffer losses in Syrian rebel attack". defence-blog.com. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  7. ^ "IRGC commander killed by rebels in Aleppo amid clashes". Rudaw. 28 November 2024.
  8. ^ Jihadists, Allies Seize Over 50 Towns And Villages From Syria Government: Monitor
  9. ^ "Syria Jihadists, Allies Seize Key Town Of Saraqib: Monitor". Barron's. Agence France Presse. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  10. ^ Abdulrahim, Raja (29 November 2024). "Syrian Rebels Breach City of Aleppo, in Biggest Advance in Years". The New York Times.
  11. ^ a b c "After controlling 5 neighborhoods, "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" and factions enter the streets of a number of other neighborhoods in Aleppo city" (in Arabic). SOHR. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  12. ^ a b ""The Authority" cuts off the "M5" road... and the death toll in the "Deterrence of Aggression" operation rises to 182 elements" (in Arabic). SOHR. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  13. ^ Ejército de Siria inicia contraofensiva contra terroristas
  14. ^ "IRGC commander killed by rebels in Aleppo amid clashes". Rudaw Media Network. 28 November 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e "During three days of battles | Number of casualties among civilians and combatants rise to 287". SOHR. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  16. ^ ВКС РФ уничтожили за сутки в провинции Алеппо и Идлиб не менее 200 боевиков [The Russian Aerospace Forces killed at least 200 militants in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib during the day]. ТАСС (in Russian). 29 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  17. ^ "IRGC commander killed by rebels in Aleppo amid clashes". Rudaw. 28 November 2024.
  18. ^ "Operation "Deterrence of Aggression" on its second day: 231 people killed and martyred, including 20 civilians" (in Arabic). SOHR. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  19. ^ Syrian opposition fighters advance rapidly, reach Aleppo outskirts
  20. ^ "Insurgents' attack on Assad-controlled Aleppo revives Syrian war after five-year truce". www.euronews.com. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  21. ^ "Syrian rebels enter Aleppo for first time in eight years during shock offensive". CNN. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024. {{cite news}}: |first1= missing |last1= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ a b "Most of them are children.. 16 citizens were killed and injured in regime forces' shelling of the city of Ariha" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  23. ^ "Syrian rebels launch surprise offensive in northwest as regime retaliates with airstrikes". The New Arab. 27 November 2024.
  24. ^ a b c Kourdi, Eyad; Edwards, Christian (27 November 2024). "Syrian rebels launch major attack on regime forces in Aleppo province". CNN. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  25. ^ "Dea*th toll update | More than 30 airstrikes and nearly 100 members kil*led during "Blocking Aggression" Operation in Aleppo". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 27 November 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Amid failure of regime forces to counter attacks | H-T-S and factions take control of five neighborhoods in Aleppo city and 20 villages and towns in Idlib and Aleppo countryside". 29 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  27. ^ a b c d e f Salem, Mostafa (28 November 2024). "Syria's rebels exploit weaknesses in Iran's proxies to launch surprise offensive". CNN. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  28. ^ Abdulrahim, Raja (29 November 2024). "Syrian Rebels Reach Outskirts of Major City in Escalating Offensive". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  29. ^ "Syrian opposition launches "Deterrence of Aggression" operation in the north of the country" (in Arabic). Al Jazeera Arabic. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  30. ^ "Syrian rebels launch major offensive". defence-blog.com. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  31. ^ "Syrian rebels launch surprise offensive in northwest as regime retaliates with airstrikes". The New Arab. 27 November 2024.
  32. ^ Staff, The Media Line (27 November 2024). "Opposition Forces Capture Key Villages Near Aleppo, Assad's Army Retaliates". The Media Line. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  33. ^ Al-Khalidi, Suleiman. "Syrian rebels launch attack against army in Aleppo province". Reuters.
  34. ^ "Syrian rebels launch attack against army in Aleppo province". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Dozens killed as armed groups attack Syrian military in northern Aleppo". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  36. ^ "Committing new massacre in Al-Atareb | Russian and regime fighter jets execute nearly 60 airstrikes in Idlib and Aleppo countryside". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 28 November 2024.
  37. ^ "After detonating two car bombs, the factions of the "Deterrence of Aggression" operation enter parts of neighborhoods in the city of Aleppo". SOHR. 29 November 2024. p. Arabic. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  38. ^ (AJABreaking), الجزيرة - عاجل (19:30 pm, 20 November 2024). "عاجل | المعارضة السورية: سيطرنا على الساحة الرئيسية وسط مدينة #حلب". X. Retrieved 29/11/2024. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= and |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ^ "Syrian opposition enters Aleppo, takes control of government headquarters and citadel". Al Jazeera. 29 November 2024. p. Arabic. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  40. ^ Abdulrahim, Raja (29 November 2024). "Syrian Rebels Breach City of Aleppo, in Biggest Advance in Years". The New York Times.
  41. ^ a b El Deeb, Sarah (29 November 2024). "In a shock offensive, insurgents breach Syria's largest city for the first time since 2016". The Washington Post. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  42. ^ Michaelson, Ruth (29 November 2024). "Syrian rebels enter Aleppo three days into surprise offensive". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  43. ^ "Syrian insurgents cut off key road as 200 die in escalating violence". The Guardian. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
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