Damascus: Russian and Syrian warplanes escalated airstrikes on Idlib, the largest city in Syria’s rebel-held northwest, on Sunday, targeting insurgents in the region after a major rebel assault pushed into government-held territory near Aleppo, according to Syrian army sources.
Residents reported that one of the strikes hit a densely populated residential area in central Idlib, where roughly four million people live in makeshift shelters near the Turkish border. Rescuers at the scene confirmed at least four fatalities and dozens of injuries.
Syrian and Russian officials claim the strikes focus on insurgent hideouts, denying civilian targets. However, locals described widespread destruction in areas with heavy civilian presence.
Renewed Fighting after Rebel Advances
The bombardment follows Saturday’s strikes across Idlib province, marking an intensified campaign to regain control over territory seized in what has been described as the boldest rebel offensive in years. Insurgents, a coalition of Turkey-backed groups and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), advanced into Aleppo province on Friday night, forcing government troops to retreat.
HTS, a designated terrorist organization by the U.S., Russia, and Turkey, remains the most powerful faction in the opposition. The Syrian army reported recapturing several towns lost during the recent fighting but acknowledged significant losses, with dozens of soldiers killed.
Civilians Flee Aleppo
Amid the violence, Aleppo residents reported deserted streets and closed shops, as civilians evacuated the city in large numbers. Witnesses noted long lines of vehicles fleeing southward, adding to the already dire humanitarian crisis.
Aleppo, fully reclaimed by government forces in 2016 with Russian military support, had remained a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The latest rebel advance threatens supply lines to the city, with insurgents claiming to have captured the strategic town of Khansir and the Sheikh Najjar industrial zone.
Also Read | Homes and Streets Submerged: Storm Bora Hits Greek Island of Rhodes
Regional and International Implications
The recent fighting underscores ongoing tensions in a civil war that began in 2011, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives and displacing millions. Assad’s regime, propped up by Russian airpower and Iranian-backed militias, regained most of Syria’s territory and key cities in prior years.
Also Read | Senegal Seeks Justice 80 Years After French Massacre of African Soldiers
However, recent challenges, including Israel’s increased strikes on Iranian bases in Syria and an ongoing offensive in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, have strained Assad’s military support network. A Syrian army source attributed recent setbacks to the absence of Iranian-backed reinforcements, including Hezbollah, which has a notable presence near Aleppo.
As the conflict continues to evolve, millions of civilians remain caught in the crossfire, exacerbating Syria’s humanitarian crisis.
