Syrian Opposition Forces Surge in Major Assault on Military Base

Rebel factions escalate their offensive, posing fresh challenges for the Assad regime as multiple villages fall under opposition control.

Syrian opposition fighters have initiated a substantial offensive in the western Aleppo district, resulting in at least 89 fatalities and successfully seizing a military base from the government of President Bashar al-Assad, according to a British monitoring group. This marks a significant uptick in hostilities within the Syrian civil war, analysts suggest. Reports on the full extent of casualties remain unclear.

The offensive, led by various rebel groups including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Al Qaeda-affiliated faction, has progressed to within approximately six miles of Aleppo city. They have commandeered military supplies, vehicles, and weaponry from Assad's forces, as per the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Opposition factions announced their triumph on the Telegram messaging platform, declaring the capture of Base 46, the largest Syrian military installation in the vicinity, alongside multiple tanks and the detention of pro-government troops. They also indicated control over various villages in western Aleppo's countryside.

"In a rapid advance over a mere ten-hour period, diverse armed opposition units have reached approximately four to five kilometers from the city of Aleppo, a matter of critical importance," noted Charles Lister, director of the Middle East Institute’s Syria and counterterrorism programs.

The Syrian government has yet to release an official response to these developments. Experts suggest this offensive could signal a resurgence of territory claims by rebel factions, the first major assault since 2020 when a ceasefire, mediated by Turkey and Russia, curtailed confrontations in the Idlib region.

Recent flare-ups illustrate an environment of increasing instability in the area. “Pro-regime militias have stepped up their operations to counter the rebels, especially following perceived weakening of Syrian regime allies like Hezbollah and Iran by Israeli actions,” said Natasha Hall, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The current success of the rebels exhibits the Syrian government's growing vulnerability as well as the enhanced capabilities of various opposition groups. “In previous years, such a large-scale offensive would have been effectively countered by the regime’s forces,” noted Lister. With opposition units like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham investing heavily in resources and nocturnal tactical maneuvers, the balance of power seems to be shifting.

Witnesses from the scene reported explosive sounds echoing nearby. "We can hear the explosions," remarked Dr. Mustafa Aledou, a local pharmacist who resides in Idlib city and lives under 20 miles from the conflict zone. In response to the violence, local authorities have suspended school and market activities to ensure safety.

Milana Mazaeva assisted in reporting. Eve Sampson covers international news and is part of the 2024-25 Times Fellowship program for emerging journalists.