Rebel forces in Syria have seized control of most of the city Aleppo after launching a surprise offensive against government forces, a war monitor reported on Saturday as Russia said it deployed fighter jets against the rebel forces.
An alliance of rebel factions led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) had advanced deep into Aleppo and now controlled most of the northern city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
The insurgence, which began on Wednesday, appears to have taken President Bashar al-Assad’s regime by surprise, with experts describing it as a significant turning point.
Thousands of fighters from the rebel groups made major territorial gains within a few days in the area around Idlib and Aleppo, which had been under government control for years.
The alliance now appears set on taking control of the entire neighbouring province of Idlib. On Friday, the rebels advanced to the western outskirts of Aleppo and from there continued to enter the city.
The future course of events will largely depend on decisions made in Russia, one of al-Assad’s closest allies.
Russia announced on Saturday that its fighter jets had conducted multiple missions in Syria, targeting rebel command posts, artillery positions, and camps, reportedly killing around 300 fighters.
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