Escalation in Syria: Air Strikes Kill Over 25 as Rebel Gains Spark Fierce Clashes

At least 25 people were killed in northwestern Syria on Sunday as air strikes by the Syrian government and Russian forces targeted rebel-held areas, according to the White Helmets, a Syrian opposition-run rescue organization. The strikes focused on Idlib, a major rebel stronghold near the Turkish border, home to nearly four million people living in precarious conditions.

Tragedy Strikes: Civilians and Children Fall Victim to Deadly Attacks
Witnesses reported that one strike hit a densely populated residential area in central Idlib, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens. Among the casualties were ten children, as reported by the White Helmets. The group stated that the death toll from Syrian and Russian strikes since November 27 had risen to 56, including 20 children.

Despite these claims, the Syrian government and Russia insist their operations target insurgent hideouts and deny attacking civilians.

Rebel Advance in Aleppo and Idlib
In a bold resurgence, insurgent forces, a coalition that includes Turkey-backed secular armed groups and the Islamist faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have seized control of Idlib province and parts of Aleppo. This marks the most significant rebel advance in years, disrupting front lines that had remained largely stagnant since 2020.

Rebel fighters were seen parading through Aleppo, waving opposition flags, and occupying strategic areas. Civilians, fearing further escalation, fled the city en masse. A merchant in Aleppo’s affluent district expressed shock at the Syrian army’s retreat, saying, “I am appalled at how they fled and abandoned us.”

Government Response and Regional Dynamics
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vowed to crush the insurgents, declaring, “Terrorists only know the language of force, and it is the language we will crush them with.” Syrian forces are regrouping and bolstering their presence for counterattacks in Aleppo and nearby regions.

The rebel resurgence coincides with increased Israeli strikes on Iranian bases in Syria and rising tensions involving Turkish-backed forces and Kurdish militias. The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported intense attacks in northwestern Syria, with attempts to establish a humanitarian corridor disrupted by Turkish-aligned armed groups.

International Calls for De-escalation
The United States, France, Germany, and Britain issued a joint statement urging all parties to de-escalate, protect civilians, and facilitate humanitarian access. However, regional complexities, including Turkey’s opposition to Kurdish movements and ongoing air strikes, pose significant challenges.

The Long Shadow of War
Syria’s civil war, which began in 2011, has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions. While major battles have subsided in recent years, the latest violence underscores the enduring fragility and volatility of the conflict.

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