In Syria, fighting has once again engulfed the nation, 13 years after the start of the Civil War. A new Jihadist-led coalition is attempting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, with the balance of power shifting in Aleppo where militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has seized the city and surrounding areas. Syrian soldiers loyal to Assad are trying to repel them, while Russia has launched strikes in the northwest, causing significant casualties. This marks a significant escalation in the ongoing civil war, embarrassing the president who had vowed to punish the attackers.
The civil war in Syria began as an uprising against Assad’s authoritarian regime during the Arab Spring in 2011. The demonstrations were met with a deadly crackdown, leading to the formation of armed opposition groups and plunging the country into a full-scale civil war. Over 300,000 people have been killed in the conflict, with nearly six million refugees fleeing the country. Global powers like Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the US have been involved in the conflict, backing different sides and prolonging the war. The complex and devastating nature of the conflict highlights the enduring fractures that have kept Syria divided.
The recent offensive in Syria, led by a new coalition called the ‘Military Operations Command,’ saw militants sweeping through villages in Aleppo and surrounding areas. The primary force behind the offensive is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), once affiliated with al-Qaeda, with the goal of establishing Islamic rule in Syria by overthrowing the existing regime. While the UN designates the opposition group as a terrorist organization, HTS remains a dangerous opposition force with its roots in the early days of the civil war. The ongoing fighting represents a significant challenge for the Syrian government as they try to repel the insurgents.
Russia has been a staunch supporter of the Assad regime and has been conducting airstrikes against both civilian and militant targets in Aleppo and Idlib provinces. Russian President Vladimir Putin has provided military, political, and economic backing to Assad since the early years of the war. The Kremlin launched a significant intervention in 2015, turning the tide of the war in Assad’s favor. Putin’s support is driven by strategic interests, including maintaining a naval base in Tartus and preserving influence in the Middle East. Russia’s involvement in the conflict has further complicated the situation in Syria and escalated the violence.
In 2020, Russia and Turkey agreed on a ceasefire in the last remaining opposition-held province, Idlib, establishing a security corridor with joint patrols. While major flare-ups have been avoided since then, the Syrian government has not regained control of all its territory. The ongoing fighting represents a significant challenge to the fragile peace in the region and threatens to escalate the conflict further. The situation in Syria remains complex and volatile, with the involvement of multiple global powers and numerous armed groups vying for control of the country. The recent offensive and escalation of violence underscore the challenges facing Syria and the devastating impact of the prolonged civil war on its people.
