Assad under pressure: Syria launches counterattacks in an attempt to halt insurgents’ surprise advance

The Syrian military launched a counteroffensive Sunday, rushing reinforcements and striking the city of Idlib to stem a surprise insurgent push that has captured key territories, including most of Aleppo.

Led by the Salafi-jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the insurgents have rapidly advanced, dealing a significant blow to President Bashar Assad’s forces.

The offensive, which began Wednesday, has seen rebels seize critical locations in Aleppo, including the Sheikh Najjar Industrial City, Aleppo’s military academy, and the field artillery college. Rebel commander Col. Hassan Abdulghani claimed that despite government airstrikes and reinforcements, his fighters have continued to gain ground, taking 65 Syrian troops prisoner in eastern Aleppo and advancing in Idlib province.

Embarrassment for Assad Amid Distracted Allies

The swift insurgent gains have raised questions about the Syrian military’s preparedness and highlighted the challenges Assad faces with key allies like Iran and Russia preoccupied with their own conflicts.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to visit Damascus Sunday, pledging Tehran’s support for the Syrian government and military. Meanwhile, Arab leaders, including Jordan’s King Abdullah II and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have expressed solidarity with Assad.

Turkey, a backer of Syrian opposition groups, acknowledged that its diplomatic efforts had failed to prevent government attacks on rebel-held areas. Turkish officials said the initial aim of the insurgent offensive was to stop these attacks and allow civilian returns but noted the campaign escalated as government forces began to retreat.

Rebels Seize Strategic Locations

The insurgency’s initial two-pronged attack targeted Aleppo and the Idlib countryside before moving toward Hama province. In Aleppo, the rebels captured a strategic town on the highway linking Aleppo with Damascus and the coast. Col. Abdulghani claimed all of Idlib province is now under insurgent control.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that government reinforcements have established a “strong defensive line” in northern Hama, bolstered by heavy equipment and rocket launchers. Syrian and Russian airstrikes have targeted insurgent positions and weapon depots, with state television claiming nearly 1,000 insurgents have been killed in the past three days.

Civilians Caught in the Crossfire

Government airstrikes in Idlib killed at least three civilians, including two children, and injured 11, according to the Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets). Among the targets was Aleppo Hospital University, though casualties from the strike were not immediately reported.

The United Nations has raised alarms about the offensive’s regional implications, with special envoy Geir Pedersen warning that further escalation risks destabilizing the region. Pedersen emphasized the need for renewed diplomatic efforts, stating that “no Syrian party or grouping of actors can resolve the conflict via military means.”

Assad Vows Resistance

In his first comments since the insurgent offensive began, Assad declared that Syria would defend its stability and territorial integrity. “Syria is able to defeat them no matter how much their attacks intensify,” he said.

Despite the turmoil in northern Syria, life in Damascus appeared largely unaffected, with no signs of panic in the capital. However, the rapid insurgent advance underscores the fragility of Assad’s hold on power and the precarious balance of forces in Syria’s ongoing civil war.

The current battle for Aleppo marks a dramatic turn in a conflict that began in 2011 as anti-Assad protests and has since evolved into a protracted war. The 2016 battle for Aleppo had secured Assad’s control over strategic areas, but this latest insurgent push reveals the enduring volatility of the region.