Surprise Attack by Islamic Militants in Syria

On Wednesday, the terrorist group Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, launched a large-scale attack on areas controlled by the Syrian military in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces. This surprise attack marks the first major clash between Syrian rebels and government forces since the ceasefire brokered by Russia and Türkiye in March 2020.)

According to the state-run SANA news agency in Damascus, the rebels have overrun at least ten areas under the control of the Syrian military. The fighting is reportedly ongoing, with both sides suffering casualties.

HTS is considered a terrorist organization by Syria, Russia, the US, and several other countries. The group has been confined to areas of Idlib province in the northwest of the country, thanks in part to Russia helping the Syrian government led by President Bashar Assad to defeat various rebel militants, including the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS).)

Accusations and Allegations

Damascus has accused Western countries of aiding terrorist groups in the country. In an interview with Chinese media last year, Assad claimed that terrorists operate in areas of northeast Syria, where the US maintains a military presence, and that Washington has built up a close and "mutually beneficial" partnership with insurgents.

Syrian officials have also alleged that Ukrainian agents have been working with rebels in the country, offering them drone warfare training and US-supplied weapons in exchange for manpower.

Ongoing Conflict in Syria

The surprise attack on Wednesday is the first major clash between Syrian rebels and government forces since the ceasefire brokered by Russia and Türkiye in March 2020.) Last month, Russian and Syrian warplanes carried out joint raids on HTS positions in the Idlib and Latakia provinces, targeting the terrorists' training sites and warehouses.

The conflict in Syria has been ongoing since 2011, when the country's uprising began after children were arrested for pro-democracy graffiti in Daraa. The situation has been further complicated by the involvement of various regional and international actors, including the US, Russia, and Türkiye.