Syria: Most of Aleppo in rebel hands

Much of the Syrian city of Aleppo is now under rebel control, according to activists. said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the UK-based dpa Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The organization obtains information from a network of local informants.

A coalition of rebels led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has seized a surprising swath of territory this week in an offensive in the country's northwest. Government forces and their allies are under pressure in areas around Idlib and Aleppo city.

Video allegedly shows rebels in Aleppo

On Friday, fighting spread to the outskirts of the Aleppo metropolis. According to witnesses, sounds of fighting and explosions could be heard in the city. The insurgents were spotted in vehicles west of the city. Syria's state agency SANA reported that it had arrested a number of terrorists who were taking photos of themselves in Aleppo to give the impression they were under control.

However, videos circulating on social media showing insurgents across the city and in public buildings paint a different picture. Witnesses reported that some government troops left their positions.

The government is reportedly massing troops in the east of the city to fight back. If Aleppo falls permanently to the rebels, it would be a severe blow to President Bashar al-Assad, who has once again consolidated power in recent years with the support of Russia and Iran.

The video is also said to show rebels in Aleppo

Thousands of people have begun to flee

HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani instructed his fighters not to cause damage in the city or harm civilians, according to a statement. Thousands of people have fled to rural areas or other cities, according to dpa reporters at the scene. The rebel alliance said the city was under a curfew until 8 a.m. Saturday.

In the early days of the Syrian civil war, Aleppo was disputed and ravaged. In 2016, the Syrian military and its allies forcibly drove rebels out of the city's east. The battle for Aleppo is considered one of the worst fighting in the Syrian civil war since 2011.

Russian troops support Syrian troops

Activists with the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Syrian forces, backed by Russian fighter jets, struck dozens of targets in Idlib and Aleppo areas in response to the offensive. The group is based in England and bases its information on information from local activists.

The situation in Syria, which has been ravaged by civil war, has been relatively calm in recent years, but the latest rebel offensive has come as a surprise.

Syria's devastating civil war has divided the country since 2011. Ruler Bashar al-Assad has faced intense pressure at times, but with help from Russia and the mullahs' regime in Iran, he now again controls about two-thirds of the country. Parts of the northwest are under the control of Turkish-backed opposition forces. There is currently no political solution to the conflict in sight.

(rbu/sda/dpa)

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