Syrian insurgents seize Aleppo in stunning blow to Assad’s Regime

Thousands of Syrian insurgents have stormed Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, delivering a severe blow to President Bashar Assad’s government.

Deploying in armored vehicles and pickups, the insurgents took control of key landmarks, including the historic Aleppo Citadel, encountering little resistance as government forces retreated to regroup.

Witnesses described scenes of insurgents tearing down and burning posters of Assad in central Aleppo. Abdulkafi Alhamdo, a teacher who fled Aleppo in 2016 and returned on Friday night, expressed his disbelief: “As I entered Aleppo, I kept telling myself this is impossible! How did this happen?” He described walking through the city’s deserted streets and visiting locations etched in his memory, including the citadel where insurgents raised their flag.

The surprise takeover marks a significant embarrassment for Assad, who had regained full control of Aleppo in 2016 following a brutal campaign supported by Russia and Iran. Aleppo had remained untouched by opposition forces until this unexpected offensive, which followed weeks of simmering tensions and low-level violence.

Syria’s military released a statement on Saturday, acknowledging the insurgents’ entry into large parts of Aleppo. The statement framed the retreat as a strategic redeployment to protect civilian lives and prepare for a counterattack. “The redeployment is a temporary measure,” it said, vowing to restore security in the city.

Russian warplanes, supporting the Assad regime, reportedly targeted insurgent supply lines on Friday, with Russia claiming to have killed 200 militants in airstrikes. However, government-held positions in Aleppo are now limited to the city’s airport and a military academy, according to residents and fighters.

The insurgent push into Aleppo is part of a broader offensive that began Wednesday, encompassing dozens of villages and towns in Aleppo and Idlib provinces. The timing coincides with Hezbollah and other Iran-linked groups, key Assad allies, being distracted by a two-month war with Israel that only recently paused under a ceasefire.

Turkey’s role has also come under scrutiny, as it backs Syrian opposition forces and failed to prevent government attacks on opposition-held areas, despite a 2019 agreement to freeze the conflict lines.

The sudden offensive has left Aleppo residents in a state of fear and uncertainty. Schools and government offices remained closed on Saturday as people sheltered indoors. Social media posts showed insurgents attempting to reassure residents, visiting homes and pledging not to harm civilians.

Despite these assurances, clashes, airstrikes, and gunfire have fueled panic, with reports of residents fleeing. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed 20 insurgents killed in airstrikes late Friday near residential areas.

Aleppo, once Syria’s commercial hub, now stands as a stark battleground, symbolizing the fragility of Assad’s hold on power. The government’s next moves, including promised reinforcements and the extent of Russian involvement, could determine the city’s fate in the days to come.