AMMAN — Syrian authorities shut down Aleppo airport and canceled all flights on November 30, according to three military sources speaking to Reuters. This move followed reports from rebel forces opposing President Bashar al-Assad, claiming they had advanced into the city's center.

Led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the opposition launched a surprise offensive this week, sweeping through government-held towns and reaching Aleppo nearly a decade after being expelled from the northern city.

Russia, a key ally of Assad, has pledged additional military assistance to Syria to counter the rebel forces, with new equipment expected to arrive in the next 72 hours, according to two military sources.

The rebel offensive began on November 27, and by late November 29, the operations room coordinating the assault reported that fighters were advancing through various districts of Aleppo.

This marks the first time the rebels have entered Aleppo since 2016, when Assad, with help from Russia, Iran, and regional Shi'ite militias, retook the city after months of heavy bombardment and siege, forcing the insurgents to withdraw.

Mustafa Abdul Jaber, a commander of the Jaish al-Izza rebel brigade, stated that the rebels’ swift progress was aided by a shortage of Iranian-backed forces in the broader Aleppo region, as Iran's allies have faced setbacks due to the expanding Gaza conflict.

Sources close to Turkish intelligence said Turkey had approved the offensive, but Turkish foreign ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli emphasized Turkey's efforts to prevent further instability, warning that recent attacks were undermining de-escalation agreements. This offensive is the largest since March 2020, when Russia and Turkey reached a deal to reduce tensions in the region.

Civilians Killed in Fighting

On November 29, Syrian state television denied that the rebels had reached Aleppo, stating that Russia was providing air support to Syrian forces. The Syrian military reported that they were pushing back against the rebels, inflicting significant losses in the Aleppo and Idlib countryside.

David Carden, UN Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, expressed deep concern about the situation in northwest Syria. He stated that relentless attacks over the past three days had resulted in the deaths of at least 27 civilians, including children as young as eight years old.

Syrian state news agency Sana reported that on November 29, insurgent shelling hit student dormitories in Aleppo, killing four civilians, including two students. It is unclear whether these victims were among the 27 civilians mentioned by the UN.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov condemned the rebel attack on November 29, calling it a violation of Syria's sovereignty. He reiterated Moscow’s support for the Syrian government in restoring order and constitutional stability in the area.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters