Aleppo airport closed as rebels launch major offensive, reach city centre
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Syrian authorities closed Aleppo airport on Saturday and canceled all flights amid reports that rebel forces have reached the city center for the first time since 2016, according to military sources.
The Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham led the offensive, which marks a significant escalation in Syria's prolonged conflict.
The rebel advance began midweek with a rapid sweep through government-controlled towns, catching pro-Assad forces off guard. By late Friday, insurgents had reportedly entered several neighborhoods of Aleppo. This development comes nearly a decade after the Syrian government, backed by Russia, Iran, and allied militias, reclaimed the city following heavy bombardments and a lengthy siege, reported Reuters.
Russia, a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has pledged additional military support to counter the offensive. According to two military sources, new equipment is expected to arrive in Syria within the next 72 hours. Russian air support has already been deployed to assist Syrian forces in repelling the rebel incursion.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the attack, calling it a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and expressing support for the Assad government’s efforts to restore order.
Opposition sources claim that Turkey, which has historically supported rebel groups in Syria, approved the offensive. However, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli denied direct involvement, emphasizing that Turkey seeks to prevent further destabilization in the region.
The offensive comes at a time when Iran, another key Assad ally, has seen its regional influence challenged, particularly amid escalating tensions tied to the Gaza conflict. A shortage of Iran-backed forces in Aleppo province reportedly contributed to the rebels’ swift advance, according to Mustafa Abdul Jaber, a commander with the Jaish al-Izza rebel brigade.
The United Nations has expressed alarm over the deteriorating situation in northwest Syria. David Carden, U.N. Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, reported that relentless attacks over the past three days have killed at least 27 civilians, including children as young as eight.
Syrian state news agency SANA reported additional casualties, including four deaths from insurgent shelling at university dormitories in Aleppo. It remains unclear whether these fatalities are included in the U.N.'s tally.
The rebel offensive is the largest since March 2020, when Russia and Turkey negotiated a de-escalation agreement to reduce hostilities in the region. Syrian state television has denied claims that rebels have entered Aleppo, asserting that government forces have inflicted significant losses on insurgents in Aleppo and Idlib’s countryside.
