The Syrian government has described the rebel groups involved in the recent clashes in Aleppo as terrorist organizations. These groups include various opposition factions that have been fighting against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad during the ongoing civil war.
The Syrian government typically designates these opposition groups as “terrorists,” though this designation is not universally accepted, especially by those supporting the opposition forces. The label of “terrorist organization” can depend on the perspective of the government or international actors involved in the conflicts
The recent flare-up in Aleppo marks a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict in Syria. The rebel coalition, known as the Military Operations Command, claimed to have entered the city, signaling the first time rebel forces have managed to enter Syria’s second-largest city since the Syrian government, with the help of its allies (Russia and Iran), recaptured Aleppo in 2016.
The city, once a major center of opposition-held territory, had been the scene of fierce fighting, but in recent years had largely remained under government control, with periodic clashes between opposition groups and Syrian forces.
The attack by the rebels, which started on Wednesday, has reignited intense fighting after years of relative calm, particularly following the ceasefire agreements in 2020. The rebel groups have seized several villages on the outskirts of Aleppo and reportedly captured key military sites, including the Syrian government’s Military Scientific Research Center.
This center is believed to have significant military and scientific research facilities, and its capture would be a strategic victory for the opposition forces. However, the situation remains fluid, and the Syrian government has accused the opposition of using heavy weaponry, including drones, in their offensive.
The violence has already caused significant civilian casualties. An artillery strike on Aleppo University’s student dormitories resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals. In rebel-held areas of Aleppo and the nearby Idlib countryside, airstrikes and shelling have led to further civilian deaths, including at least 15 civilians, among them children and women, as reported by the White Helmets, a rescue organization.
In addition, Iranian state media reported that an Iranian General, Brigadier General Kioumars Pourhashemi, was killed in Aleppo, underscoring the involvement of foreign actors in the conflict.
Internationally, the escalation has drawn reactions from key actors in the region. Iran, a staunch ally of the Syrian government, has accused the United States and Israel of “reactivating” the rebels, which aligns with Tehran’s narrative that Western powers are attempting to destabilize the Assad regime.
Iran continues to provide military and logistical support to the Syrian government, while Russia, another critical ally, has expressed concerns over the escalation and urged the Syrian government to “quickly restore order” in the affected areas.
Syria’s civil war, which began in 2011 as a response to the government’s crackdown on peaceful protests, has evolved into a complex, multi-sided conflict involving various local, regional, and international actors. The war has devastated the country, leading to the deaths of over 300,000 civilians and displacing millions more.
While large-scale battles have decreased in recent years, sporadic violence continues, with different factions vying for control over strategic areas. The involvement of external powers, including Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the U.S., has further complicated efforts toward a peaceful resolution.
The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with civilians in conflict zones like Aleppo facing the brunt of the violence. Despite several attempts at ceasefires and peace negotiations, a lasting solution to the war remains elusive, and the future of Syria remains uncertain as various factions fight for dominance in a divided nation.
