Russian and Syrian jets bomb Aleppo as rebels reportedly capture half of city
Syrian opposition fighters currently hold about half of Aleppo after launching a sudden offensive that has severely impacted government troops.
Rebel forces have made progress in and near Syria's second-largest city, and they now assert that they have taken control of the entire Idlib province.
Russian and Syrian aircraft have launched airstrikes against the insurgents as they face one of the biggest threats to President Bashar al Assad's rule in recent years.
Syria's armed forces have reported that they have carried out a "short-term pullback of troops" in order to get ready for a counterattack against "terrorist groups."
Aleppo airport and several major highways are now shut down, with many vehicles observed leaving the city on a path that is still monitored by the authorities.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the insurgents, headed by the Islamist militant organization Hayat Tahrir al Sham, are believed to have taken over approximately half of Aleppo, which is Syria's second-largest city.
According to the military, numerous Syrian soldiers have lost their lives in intense fighting in Aleppo and Idlib over the last few days.
Russia, a crucial supporter of President Bashar al-Assad, has pledged to provide additional military assistance to Damascus to help counter the rebels, as reported by two military sources to Reuters.
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According to the sources, the Syrian military has been instructed to carry out a "safe withdrawal" from the key parts of the city that the rebels have taken over.
A UN representative reported that ongoing assaults in northwestern Syria over the last three days have resulted in the deaths of 27 civilians, among them eight children.
They have now come back to Aleppo for the first time since 2016, when Assad, along with his allies Russia, Iran, and local Shi'ite militias, regained control of the city.
The opposing fighters have stated that their campaign is a reaction to the increased attacks in recent weeks by Russian and Syrian air forces targeting civilians in regions controlled by rebels in Idlib.
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Sources from the opposition in contact with Turkish intelligence reported that Turkey, which backs the rebels, has approved the attacks.
On Friday, Oncu Keceli, a spokesperson for the Turkish foreign ministry, stated that Turkey aimed to prevent increased instability in the area and had cautioned that the recent attacks were jeopardizing the agreements meant to ease tensions.
Rebels have shared videos on the internet demonstrating their use of drones as they make progress in their operations for the first time. However, the exact role these drones played in the conflict remains uncertain.
Footage sourced from Sky News reveals armored vehicles positioned at the outskirts of Aleppo, while rebels can be seen celebrating at the city's western entrance.
Another scene captures a group of over ten men sprinting through the streets, and at least one of them seems to be carrying a weapon.
The Syrian government has not made any statements regarding the rebels crossing into the city.
Is this a blow to the government, or could it mark the beginning of a significant escalation?
What once seemed like a long-stalemated conflict has been dramatically altered by the swift and intense actions of Syrian opposition fighters.
It also serves as a strong reminder of the intricate nature of the Syrian conflict.
What once seemed like a deadlock has shown that President Bashar al Assad's government might actually be more vulnerable than it appears.
It's uncertain if the rebel movement will maintain its speed and escalate into a larger offensive, but its political and military importance is tremendous.
