Rebels strike in Syria

• Syrian rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have captured most of Aleppo in a swift offensive
• The rebels have seized control of strategic locations including Aleppo International Airport and military bases
• This offensive represents the most significant challenge to Assad's control in years
• The sudden advance has sparked international concern and calls for urgent humanitarian action
• Government forces are mobilizing for a counteroffensive, with support from allies like Russia and Iran

Viewpoint 1: Rebel Offensive Marks a Turning Point in the Syrian Conflict

‍TL;DR: The capture of Aleppo by rebel forces represents a major shift in the Syrian conflict, demonstrating renewed strength and coordination among opposition groups. This offensive could potentially lead to increased international support for the rebels and reshape the dynamics of the long-running war.

‍Snippets from around the web

Syrian and Russian aircraft have launched assaults on opposition groups in northern Syria as a response to a rapid offensive that has led to the regime losing control of Aleppo, the nation's second-largest city. This offensive has resulted in the rebel coalition seizing a significant military installation to the east of Aleppo, along with substantial territories in both Aleppo and Idlib provinces. - CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/01/middleeast/syrian-regime-airstrikes-opposition-forces-intl/index.html

‍Rebel factions in northwestern Syria have announced their efforts to advance towards Hama after swiftly seizing control of Aleppo in a rapid offensive that commenced last week. On Sunday, as the fifth day of this unexpected rebel campaign unfolded, attempts to move southward were made, coinciding with retaliatory strikes from Syrian and Russian forces. - Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/1/syrian-rebels-push-towards-hama-as-government-forces-launch-counterattacks

‍On Sunday, rebel factions made significant progress in Syria, engaging in intense combat that led to the seizure of the airport in the prominent city of Aleppo. They also launched assaults on outskirts of western city Hama as reported by local authorities and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. - The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/01/world/middleeast/syria-war-aleppo-rebels-government.html

‍Thousands of Syrian insurgents took over most of Aleppo on Saturday, establishing positions in the country's largest city and controlling its airport before expanding their shock offensive to a nearby province. They faced little to no resistance from government troops, according to fighters and activists. - Global News, https://globalnews.ca/news/10896376/syria-aleppo-insurgents-advance/

‍Insurgents, primarily from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, successfully took control of significant portions of Aleppo on Saturday and asserted that they had entered Hama city, although this claim has not been independently verified. Rebel commander Colonel Hassan Abdulghani reported that the insurgents also gained control of Sheikh Najjar, known as the Aleppo Industrial City, located northeast of Aleppo, in addition to the military academy and the field artillery college situated to the southwest. - Associated Press, https://apnews.com/article/syria-aleppo-hama-assad-hts-iran-a8d7ddd45d3cb6b7aa943957b2ac6d9a

Viewpoint 2: Rebel Gains Are Temporary and Unsustainable

TL;DR: Despite the significant capture of Aleppo, the Syrian government and its allies still possess superior resources and firepower. The rebels face challenges in governing captured territories and maintaining unity, while lacking substantial international support, making their gains potentially short-lived.

‍Snippets from around the web

The Syrian military rushed in reinforcements Sunday to push back insurgents from advancing farther into the northern Hama countryside after they seized Aleppo and surrounding strategic locations in an adjacent province in a surprise offensive. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travels to Syrian capital Damascus later Sunday. He told reporters that Tehran will back the Syrian government and army. - ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/syria-sends-reinforcements-halt-insurgents-advancing-after-seizing-116346484

‍The security situation in Syria is likely to remain highly volatile through at least late December following insurgents' capture of most of Aleppo on Nov. 30 and amid ongoing clashes in Idlib and Hama governorates. The Syrian government has withdrawn its forces from Aleppo but has vowed to launch a counteroffensive to reclaim the city. - Crisis24, https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2024/11/syria-additional-armed-clashes-likely-in-parts-of-country-through-december-as-insurgents-capture-idlib-governorate-and-most-of-aleppo-nov-30

‍Government warplanes, along with Russian jets stationed in Syria, have conducted bombing missions targeting opposition positions in Aleppo and Idlib provinces. The White Helmets, a volunteer organization in Syria, reported that at least four individuals lost their lives on Sunday due to airstrikes in Idlib city, a region that seems to be fully under rebel control now. - CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/01/middleeast/syrian-regime-airstrikes-opposition-forces-intl/index.html

‍According to the Syrian state news agency, SANA, government troops under President Bashar al-Assad have been reinforcing their positions in Hama province. The agency noted that overnight, the military successfully repelled opposition combatants in the northern countryside and was receiving supplies of heavy machinery and rocket systems. - Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/1/syrian-rebels-push-towards-hama-as-government-forces-launch-counterattacks

‍In his first public address since the commencement the offensive released by state news on Saturday evening, Assad stated that Syria would persist in 'defending its stability and territorial integrity against terrorists and their backers,' asserting that Syria possesses the capability to overcome them regardless of the intensity of their assaults. - Associated Press, https://apnews.com/article/syria-aleppo-hama-assad-hts-iran-a8d7ddd45d3cb6b7aa943957b2ac6d9a