Syrian insurgents are inside Aleppo in a major setback for Assad as government forces regroup

Thousands of Syrian insurgents swept into Aleppo on Friday, capturing large parts of the city in a surprise offensive that has left the government scrambling to respond. Armed with improvised vehicles and pickups, the fighters quickly established a presence at key landmarks, including the iconic Aleppo Citadel.

Witnesses reported airstrikes on the city’s outskirts late Friday, targeting insurgent reinforcements near residential areas. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 20 fighters were killed in the strikes. Meanwhile, the government acknowledged the insurgent incursion but claimed that the attackers had not set up permanent bases or checkpoints.

A Shocking Turn of Events

The takeover is a significant embarrassment for Syrian President Bashar Assad, who regained full control of Aleppo in 2016 after a grueling military campaign supported by Russia, Iran, and allied forces. Since then, the city had remained free from opposition attacks—until now.

The insurgents’ advance comes after weeks of low-level violence and government strikes on opposition-held areas. Turkey, a backer of Syrian opposition groups, failed to prevent these attacks, which were seen as violations of a 2019 agreement brokered by Russia, Turkey, and Iran to freeze hostilities.

A Fragile Balance Amid Regional Tensions

The offensive coincided with other developments in the region. Iran-linked groups, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah—key allies of the Syrian government—have been distracted by their two-month conflict with Israel, which ended in a ceasefire earlier this week. Israel has also intensified strikes on Iran-linked targets in Syria over the past 70 days.

Scenes of Triumph and Despair

Insurgents were filmed outside Aleppo’s police headquarters and the medieval Aleppo Citadel, where they raised their flags and tore down posters of Assad, burning some in symbolic defiance.

“I walked through the streets of Aleppo, shouting, ‘People, people of Aleppo, we are your sons,’” said Abdulkafi Alhamdo, a teacher who returned to the city Friday night after fleeing during the 2016 conflict.

However, the city remains tense. Schools and government offices were closed Saturday, and residents largely stayed indoors. Bakeries remained open, but hospitals were overwhelmed with patients, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Government Forces Regroup

Syrian government troops have retreated to the airport and a military academy, with plans to launch a counterattack. The military described the redeployment as temporary and promised to “guarantee the security and peace” of Aleppo’s residents.

Russia, a key ally of Assad, has already launched airstrikes targeting insurgents, reportedly killing 200 militants in the northwest.

The Human Cost

The sudden fighting has displaced thousands, with nearly 3,000 people—mostly students—fleeing to Kurdish-controlled areas in the country’s east. Social media videos showed insurgents attempting to reassure residents, visiting homes to promise they would not harm civilians.

As Aleppo grapples with this new reality, the insurgents’ advance highlights the fragile state of Syria’s conflict and raises questions about the long-term stability of the region. The government’s next moves, and the response of its allies, will likely shape the future of this historic city.