Deadly Clashes Erupt in Aleppo as Opposition Forces Launch Offensive

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Aleppo, Syria – Heavy fighting erupted in Aleppo on Friday as the opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Turkish-backed factions advanced against Syrian government forces, backed by Iran and Russia. The clashes have resulted in some of the deadliest violence in years, with at least 255 people killed, including 24 civilians, most of whom died in Russian airstrikes. The offensive, which began Wednesday, has seen HTS and its allies capture more than 50 towns and villages in northern Syria, marking the government’s largest territorial loss in years. By Friday, the opposition had entered the western districts of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, which was once a thriving manufacturing hub before the war.The battle escalated when HTS carried out twin suicide attacks, gaining access to key neighborhoods like Al-Hamdaniya and New Aleppo. Reports also indicate that HTS shelled a student residence, killing four civilians. The government responded with intense airstrikes targeting opposition-held areas around Idlib, resulting in over 20 raids.

As Syrian army reinforcements arrived, the situation remained tense, with government forces claiming to have repelled the assault and retaken some positions. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that more than 14,000 people, nearly half of them children, have been displaced due to the ongoing violence. Residents in Aleppo, such as Sarmad, 51, and Nasser Hamdo, 36, expressed growing fear of further displacement and economic hardship. "We’re scared that war will break out and we’ll be displaced from our homes again," said Sarmad. The strategic highway linking Aleppo to Damascus was cut off by opposition forces on Thursday, raising concerns about fuel shortages and the disruption of essential goods to the city. International reactions have followed suit. The Russian government condemned the opposition advance as an infringement on Syrian sovereignty, while Iran pledged continued support for the Syrian government. Despite ongoing ceasefire efforts brokered by Russia and Turkey in the Idlib region, the situation has worsened, with opposition fighters taking bold actions to disrupt the government's military campaign. Analysts suggest that the Syrian government forces, despite Russian air support, were ill-prepared for the assault, with some speculating that Hezbollah's focus on Lebanon may have left government forces vulnerable in Aleppo. The conflict remains fluid, with no resolution in sight as international players continue to stake their claims in the region.