Opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria launched a major operation in Aleppo against the regime forces. In the clashes that lasted for two days, the opposition came within 1 kilometer of Aleppo. Armed groups captured 56 settlements in Aleppo and Idlib, killed many Assad regime soldiers and captured dozens of others. It was reported that the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed in an attack in the west of Aleppo. Additionally, four civilians lost their lives in the attack on the university campus in Aleppo. Russia stated that the situation around Aleppo was a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and said, “Syria is right to restore order.”
Armed opponents advanced 4-5 kilometers from the city of Aleppo in approximately 10 hours.
FIRST MAJOR ATTACK AFTER 4 YEARS
The operation is the first major offensive by the Syrian opposition to make progress against regime forces since March 2020. In 2020, the conflicts in Idlib, the last stronghold of the opposition, largely calmed down with the agreement signed between Türkiye and Russia.
STATEMENT FROM RUSSIA
Russia made a statement regarding the conflicts in Syria. In the statement made by the Kremlin, it was said: “The situation around Aleppo is a violation of Syria’s sovereignty.” “Syria is right to restore order,” Moscow added.
1 KILOMETER TO ALEPPO
In the ongoing conflicts in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, anti-regime groups took control of an area of 400 square kilometers. Armed groups approached the New Aleppo District, one of the outskirts of Aleppo, after the clashes that continued at night. Thus, they reached within one kilometer of the outskirts of the city of Aleppo.
THEY TOOK CONTROL OF 56 SETTLEMENTS
After two days of clashes, anti-regime groups took control of 56 settlements in Aleppo and Idlib. Among the areas that anti-regime groups have taken control of in the western countryside of Aleppo are:
El Ragib Hill, Kuptan Mountain, Debbabat Hill, Anjara town, 46. Liva and Kefer Besme, Basartun, Hur, Elkasimiyye, Emergency, Bele, Sellum, Kefer Bissin, Şeyh Akil, Hırderkal, Acemi, Ürumsugra, Uveycil, El Hüte , El Dab’a, Urum Elkübra, Bişantara, Bakdina, Cemiyet Elmaari, Cemiyet Ebu Amşe, Cemiyet Emin, Cemiyet Manahil, Cemiyet er Rıdvan, Engineerin, Arnaz, Kefernaha, Kanasel, Kefercum, Şeyh Ali, Yaged Elades, Babis, Kefer Naha, Arrade, Düşün 2 , Bashkatin, Zirbe and Mansura.
These regions were previously under the control of the Assad regime.
MSB: ALL PRECAUTIONS WERE TAKEN FOR TURKISH TROOPS
Turkish Ministry of National Defense (MSB) sources made a statement regarding the ongoing conflict between Assad forces and the opposition.
Ministry of Defense sources said, “We are closely following the conflicts in northern Syria.” Sources reported that all precautions were taken for Turkish troops in the region.
As the conflict continued, the Assad regime targeted civilian settlements with land-to-surface weapons.
DOZENS OF REGIME SOLDIERS WERE TAKEN POWER
HTS seized heavy weapons and military vehicles belonging to the Assad regime in the regions it took control of. Many regime soldiers died in the clashes, and HTS captured dozens of regime soldiers. 242 people have died in clashes since Wednesday.
A security official from the Syrian government told Reuters that army reinforcements were sent to Aleppo. Approximately 10 thousand civilians who escaped from the conflicts in the region took shelter in the Idlib countryside.
The clashes continue, intensifying towards the city center of Aleppo. Four civilians, including two students, lost their lives in the attack on the university campus in Aleppo.
HTS CAPTURED 6 VILLAGES IN THE EAST OF IDLIB
As the intensity of the clashes continues to increase, new fronts have formed this morning. Clashes started in the morning hours in the Serakip region, located in the east of Idlib province in the northwest of the country. Armed groups captured the regime-controlled villages of Trimbe, Dadih, Keferbattih, Cubas, Shabur and Mardih.
ATTACK ON MILITARY AIRPORT
Anti-regime groups, which came within 5 kilometers of Aleppo city center and took control of an area of 250 square kilometers, also attacked Aleppo Neyrap Military Airport with drones in the early hours of the day and destroyed a helicopter.
As the clashes continued, regime forces targeted civilian settlements with land-to-surface weapons.
IRANIAN GENERAL DIES
It was reported that Brigadier General Keyumers Purhashimi, one of the commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Army, died in the attack carried out by the Syrian opposition in the west of Aleppo.
According to the news of Iran’s semi-official Tesnim News Agency, which is also known for its closeness to the Revolutionary Guards Army, Brigadier General Purhashimi, who was described as a “military advisor”, died in the attack of the Syrian opposition near Aleppo.
No details were given about Purhashimi’s military duties in the news.