Syrian opposition forces capture more than 100 towns and villages,[1][2] take control of most of Aleppo, cut off the M5 highway, and advance towards Hama
Called Deterrence of Aggression[d] by HTS and stated as being launched in retaliation for the increased SAA shelling of civilians in the Western Aleppo countryside,[22] it is the first time opposition forces launched an attack since the March 2020 Idlib ceasefire.[23][24][25]
On 29 November 2024, HTS and the Syrian Democratic Forces entered Aleppo and captured most of the city, amid the collapse of pro-government forces. The next day, opposition forces made rapid advances, capturing dozens of towns and villages as pro-government forces disintegrated, and advanced toward Hama in central Syria.[26]
Since the March 2020 Idlib ceasefire agreement, large scale operations ceased between opposition and pro-government forces in Northwestern Syria.[27][11] However, opposition groups based in northwestern Syria prepared for a resumption of hostilities, with HTS in particular strengthening its military capabilities by reforming its structures into a "conventional armed force", improving training, and setting up special forces specializing in raids and night-time operations. Meanwhile, the Syrian government suffered from growing corruption, with researcher Charles Lister describing it as the "world's biggest narco state" whose "corrupt business elite and a powerful network of military commanders, militia leaders and warlords" were held together by drug trade revenue, especially trade of Captagon.[11] Starting in late 2022, HTS forces launched a series of infiltration and sniper attacks on government forces, leading up to the offensive. Aleppo has been controlled by Bashar al-Assad's government and Iranian-backed militias since the Aleppo offensive in 2016.[27][11]
In October 2024, a large mobilization by HTS and government forces was initiated in the Aleppo countryside, as the Syrian rebels reported that they have been preparing for months for a large-scale offensive against government forces within the city of Aleppo.[28] On 26 November 2024, government forces artillery struck the opposition held town of Ariha, killing and injuring 16 civilians.[22]
Offensive
On 27 November 2024, HTS announced that it had launched an offensive dubbed "Deterrence of Aggression" toward pro-government forces in western Aleppo Governorate.[29] The Syrian opposition claimed that the offensive was a response to recent artillery shelling by the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad against rebel-held Idlib, which killed at least 30 civilians.[24][27]
Opening advances
During the first 10 hours of the offensive, HTS captured 20 towns and villages from pro-government forces, including the towns of Urm al-Kubra, Anjara, Urm al-Sughra, Sheikh Aqil, Bara, Ajil, Awijil, al-Hawtah, Tal al-Dabaa, Hayr Darkal, Qubtan al-Jabal, al-Saloum, al-Qasimiyah, Kafr Bisin, Hawr, Aznaz and Basratoun. In addition, the 46th regiment base of government forces was besieged by the HTS and captured a few hours later.[5][12] The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 37 Syrian government soldiers and allied militias and 60 fighters from the opposition forces were killed in the clashes.[24] A Russian special forces unit was ambushed by rebels, who later posted photos of a dead Russian soldier and captured equipment. In response, Syrian and Russian forces launched aerial assaults on areas controlled by rebel groups.[30] Russian fighters also conducted airstrikes around Atarib, Darat Izza, and surrounding villages, while government forces shelled rebel-controlled Idlib, Ariha, Sarmada and other areas in southern Idlib province.[31][32][33]
On 28 November, HTS launched an offensive on the eastern Idlib countryside, capturing the villages of Dadikh, Kafr Batikh and Sheikh Ali as well as a neighborhood in the city of Saraqib. This advance brought them within 2 kilometers of the M5 highway, a strategic route that had been secured by pro-government forces in 2020. HTS also attacked al-Nayrab's airport located east of Aleppo, where Iranian-backed militants have a presence.[34] In the latter half of the day, HTS captured the villages of Kafr Basin, Arnaz and Al-Zarba in the western Aleppo countryside, and cut off the M5 highway.[35] The Syrian rebels had captured around 40 towns and villages in total by the end of the day.[27]
A Russian airstrike killed fifteen civilians in Atarib in the western Aleppo countryside. A further four others were killed in either a Syrian or Russian airstrike in Darat Izza.[36] Iranian state media reported that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Kioumars Pourhashemi, who served as a senior military advisor in Syria, was killed by rebels in Aleppo.[27] An SDF fighter was killed by Turkish drone strike in north of Raqqah Governorate.[37]
On 29 November, HTS captured the villages of Tal Karatabeen, Abu Qansa, and Al-Talhiya in Idlib countryside and Al-Mansoura, Jab Kas, and Al-Bawabiya in Aleppo countryside. Strong fighting around the town of Saraqib continued.[19] 4 civilians were killed and 2 others were injured by HTS shelling in the al-Hamdaniya neighborhood of Aleppo city.[19] An attack by the SDF was carried near Al-Bab with 15 SNA fighters dying.[38] Seven SNA fighters were killed in a Russian airstrike on a SNA military headquarters in Mare'.[39] Four civilians were also killed in separate Russian airstrikes in Idlib.[40]
On 29 November, opposition forces entered the Hamdaniya and New Aleppo districts of Aleppo city, after carrying out a double suicide attack with two car bombs.[41] During the latter half of the day, opposition forces seized 5 districts of Aleppo city, namely Al-Hamdaniya, New Aleppo, 3000 Apartments, Al-Jamiliya, and Salah al-Din. Clashes were reported elsewhere in the city, including its center. Twenty other towns and villages were captured by the opposition forces, including the strategic city of Saraqib amid the collapse of pro-government forces' defense lines. Other towns captured by the opposition forces included, Khan al-Sabil, At-Talhiyah, At-Tarnabah, and Jobas in Idlib countryside and the towns of Khan Touman, Shagheidele, Khalasa, Al-Hadir, Al-Qarasi, Barna, Al-Eis, Talhadiya, Zitan, Al-Mansoura and Al-Bawabiya in Aleppo countryside.[42]
By late 29 November 2024, opposition forces had captured parts of Al-Sukariyya, Al-Furqan, Al-Adhamiya, and Saif al-Dawla districts of Aleppo city, as well as having claimed to have taken control of its main square.[43][44]
In the early hours of 30 November 2024, rebel forces captured the Citadel of Aleppo, the government headquarters in the city, as well as "more than half of Aleppo city".[45][46] By morning, rebel forces had seized control of most of Aleppo, forcing pro-government troops to retreat toward as-Safirah.[47]
Elsewhere in Syria, rebels captured 39 towns and villages, including the town of Abu al-Duhur. Pro-government forces retreated from most of the Idlib Governorate, with the exception of Maarat al-Numan, Khan Shaykhun and Kafranbel. In Aleppo region, pro-government forces withdrew to Aleppo airport, Maskanah, As Safirah and Khanaser road.[8] By the afternoon, opposition forces captured Maarat al-Numan, and the number of towns and villages that fell to rebel forces during the day rose to more than 50.[1]
An airstrike, reportedly of Russian origin, killed 16 civilians and injured 20 others in Aleppo city.[20]
Government withdrawal and SDF advances
On 30 November 2024, amid the collapse of pro-government forces in Northwestern Syria, the Kurdish majority Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), entered the towns of Dayr Hafir, Tell Aran, Tell Hasel, and the Shaykh Najjar district of Aleppo city, taking over from pro-government forces.[48][8] In the afternoon, SDF captured Aleppo International Airport and the towns of Nubl and Al-Zahraa, following the withdrawal of pro-government forces.[3] Clashes between Turkish backed rebels and SDF were reported in Tell Abyad region in northern Raqqa Governorate.[38][49]
Concurrently on 30 November, Turkish-backed Syrian National Army located in the Euphrates Shield region of Turkish occupied northern Syria announced the start of "Operation Dawn of Freedom" with the objective of cutting off SDF's supply networks and establishing a corridor connecting al-Bab to Tel Rifaat. SNA forces captured the town of Tadef from pro-government forces during their advances as pro-government forces began withdrawing from the region.[50][51]
On the evening of 30 November 2024, opposition forces led by HTS rapidly advanced in the Hama Governorate, and captured dozens of towns and villages in the countryside, including, Halfaya, Morek, al-Lataminah, Kafr Zita, Qalaat al-Madiq, Kafr Nabudah, Karnaz, Lahaya, al-Buwaydah, Latmin, Sawran, al-Mughayyir, Maardis, Al-Suqaylabiyah, Mharda and Taybat al-Imam.[52] In Aleppo region, rebels reportedly took control of Aleppo airport after the local SDF troops opted to withdraw.[26] Pro-government forces reportedly began withdrawing from both the city of Hama and its airbase,[52] though this was denied by the Ministry of Defense.[53] At 7 PM (Local Syrian time, UTC+3:00) Hayat Tahrir al-Sham forces surrounded and started closing in on Hama,[54] capturing at least six villages.[55] Meanwhile, Israel reportedly fired artillery shells at government-held territories near occupied Golan Heights,[56] and local gunmen from Talbiseh attacked SAA forces on the highway between Hama and Homs, injuring six.[57]
In the early hours of December 1, 2024, pro-government forces established new military positions on the outskirts of Hama and its northern countryside. Reinforcements were deployed to Jabal Zayn al-Abidin and the towns of Taybat al Imam, Qamhana and Khitab.[58]
As Tahrir al-sham advanced toward Hama, some Arab and Iranian sources reported that Abu Mohammad al-Julani was killed in Idilib due to Russian and Syrian airstrikes, though these reports were not confirmed.[59]
Reactions
Syria: The Syrian Army described the offensive as "a huge and large-scale terrorist attack" in which "large numbers of terrorists using medium and heavy weapons" targeted villages, towns, and military sites.[34] On 30 November, the Syrian government announced a "temporary troop withdrawal" from Aleppo.[60]
Syrian opposition: Hassan Abdelghani, spokesperson for the Syrian rebel coalition, stated that the targets of the operation are Assad's forces and Iranian militias, whom he accused of bringing "devastation, death, and killing to the region" while "exploiting Arab and Muslim populations" to push their "sabotaging plans" under "the guise of resistance".[27]
The AANES mobilized forces against the HTS and denounced the attacks, with Farhad Shamî spokesperson for the SDF stating the attacks were an attempt to prevent peace in Syria.[61][62]
Iran: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the offensive as "a plot orchestrated by the U.S. and the Zionist regime following the regime's defeat in Lebanon and Palestine".[63]
Turkey: The foreign ministry called for an end to the airstrikes on Idlib and demanded that "greater instability is avoided and civilians are not harmed".[64]
Russia: Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the offensive "a violation of Syria's sovereignty in this region".[63]
Analysis
Hezbollah, which was a major ally of the Syrian government during the civil war, was severely weakened during its war with Israel. The deaths of Hassan Nasrallah and much of its military leadership, combined with the redeployment of Hezbollah fighters in Syria back to Lebanon, left a large power vacuum. With the Russian military concentrating on its invasion of Ukraine and Iran under significant pressure, it provided an opportunity for rebel groups to launch an offensive.[27]
According to Nick Heras, an analyst with the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, the rebels were trying to pre-empt a Syrian government offensive which was being shaped by Russian and Syrian airstrikes on rebel areas. The presence of Turkish-backed groups in the offensive is believed to be a warning from Turkey to Russia and the Syrian government to avoid any offensives in the region.[65]
Saraqib is a city in northwestern Syria, administratively belonging to the Idlib Governorate, located east of Idlib. During the course of the Syrian Civil War, the city fell to rebel forces in 2012 and was recaptured by the Syrian Army in 2020. The city was captured by the Syrian Salvation Government during the 2024 Northwestern Syria offensive.
The Ajnad al-Sham was an independent Idlib and Hama-based rebel group active during the Syrian Civil War. The group is named after Ajnad al-Sham. It joined the Army of Conquest on 24 March 2015 and took part in the Second Battle of Idlib. On 29 March 2014, it announced that its military leader, Abu Abdullah Taoum, was killed during clashes around al-Fouaa.
The siege of al-Fu'ah and Kefriya was a siege of the towns of al-Fu'ah and Kafriya in the Idlib Governorate, towns with majority Shia populations and controlled by the Syrian government during the Syrian civil war. The siege began with a Sunni Islamist rebel assault on the capital of the province in March 2015, resulting in the capture of Idlib. On 18 July 2018, the besieged government forces reached an agreement with Tahrir al-Sham-led rebels to evacuate them and civilians from the two towns.
On the 7 October 2015, shortly after the start of the Russian air campaign in Syria, the Syrian government forces and its allies launched a ground offensive against anti-government positions in northwestern Syria, initially in northern Hama Governorate. The primary objective is to seal off the northern Hama border with Idlib and "build a buffer-zone around the city of Khan Sheikhoun". It has been described as the first major Syrian-Russian coordinated attack since the start of the Syrian Civil War. The offensive was extended in the subsequent days to the al-Ghab plains, between northwest Hama and southwest Idlib, as well as to the edge of the Latakia governorate.
The Hama offensive was a military offensive launched by Syrian rebel groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) north of the city of Hama, as part of the Syrian Civil War. The offensive began on 21 March 2017, and the rebels aimed to recapture areas recaptured by the Syrian Armed Forces in the 2016 Hama offensive, as well as pushing into Hama city. The offensive was coordinated with rebel forces in Damascus' eastern suburbs, who launched their own operation in March 2017. Though the rebels had some initial success, reaching the outskirts of Hama, these gains were stopped and eventually reversed by Syrian government counter-attacks, which by the end of April had recaptured all of the territory lost the previous month.
The following is a timeline of the Syrian Civil War from September to December 2017. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian Civil War.
The Hama offensive , code-named Oh Servants of God, Be Steadfast, was a military offensive launched by rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) north of the city Hama, as part of the Syrian Civil War.
The Turkish military operation in Idlib Governorate, code-named Idlib De-escalation Control Force activities by Turkey, is an operation by the Turkish Armed Forces which started in October 2017, following the earlier Operation Euphrates Shield. It is the third cross-border operation by the Turkish military, following Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Shah Euphrates.
The following is a timeline of the Syrian Civil War from January to April 2018. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian Civil War.
The National Front for Liberation–Tahrir al-Sham conflict began on 1 January 2019 during clashes between Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), after HTS launched an attack against the group in Darat Izza, Taqad, and Khan al-Asal fronts in rebel-held western Aleppo. The conflict ended on 10 January 2019, after the National Front for Liberation agreed to withdraw, allowing HTS to take over almost all of the remaining opposition-held areas of the Idlib pocket.
The 2019 northwestern Syria offensive, codenamed "Dawn of Idlib", was a military operation launched on 30 April 2019 by the Syrian Armed Forces and its allies against rebel groups in northwestern Syria during the Syrian civil war in a region known as "Greater Idlib", consisting of northwest Hama, southern Idlib and northeastern Latakia provinces. The government's main objectives were to open the M5 highway and to expel non-compliant militant groups, particularly the internationally proscribed al-Qaeda-linked group known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), from the 15–20 km demilitarized zone demarcated by Turkey and the Russian Federation at Sochi in 2018. The offensive was seen by both parties as crucial to the outcome of the war.
Operation Spring Shield was a cross-border military operation carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in the Idlib Governorate of northwestern Syria against the Syrian Armed Forces and allied militias. The operation was launched on 27 February 2020 in direct response to the Balyun airstrikes, aiming to address the escalating situation in the region.
The Military Operations Command, formerly known as Al-Fatah al-Mubin or Great Conquest, is a Sunni Islamist operations room of Syrian rebel and jihadist factions participating in the Syrian civil war. The operations room was declared in June 2019, evolving from the "Damascus Conquest" operations room formed in May during the Syrian Army's Dawn of Idlib 1 campaign and consists of rebel groups operating in opposition-held areas of northwestern Syria concentrated in Idlib. The three groups comprising the coalition are Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Turkish-backed National Front for Liberation, and Jaysh al-Izza. In October 2020, HTS and two leading factions from the NLF began to finalize the creation of a Unified Military Council in Idlib.
The following is a timeline of the Syrian civil war for 2021. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian civil war.
The following is a timeline of the Syrian civil war for 2022. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found in Casualties of the Syrian civil war.
Clashes occurred between the Levant Front and the Hamza Division, two factions of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, across the Turkish-occupied areas of the Aleppo Governorate on 10 October 2022, as part of the on-going civil war in Syria. On 12 October, the Sunni Islamist group Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) joined the fighting on the side of the Hamza Division, entering the Afrin region.
Starting on 2 December 2022, a series of intensified clashes broke out of the frontlines of the 'Idlib de-escalation zone' located in the governorates of Idlib, Aleppo, Hama and Latakia. These confrontations initiated through inghimasi, infiltration and sniper attacks by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied militant groups against positions held by the pro-government Syrian Arab Army (SAA) positions. These attacks were called We Will Not Reconcile by HTS. In 2023, the first territorial offensive since 2020 was carried out by HTS in the area of Milaja.
On 29 November 2024, Syrian opposition groups led by Tahrir al-Sham entered the Syrian Arab Army-held city of Aleppo. The battle began on the third day of a large scale rebel offensive. It is the first time fighting has broken out in the city since the earlier prolonged battle, which had ended in 2016.
↑ "Military escalation". syriahr.com. SOHR. Retrieved 30 November 2024.{{cite web}}: Text "Two regime soldiers injured after local gunmen attacked military convoy on highway between Homs and Hama" ignored (help)
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Turkey [4] 
Abu Mohammad al-Julani 
Mazloum Abdi 
183 killed [a] 
100 killed, [b] 14 captured [16] 
1+ killed
