Turkey-backed Militias Seize Villages in Northern Syria Amid Heavy Clashes
By Kardo Roj
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Turkey-backed Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied opposition factions, including groups from the “Fatah al-Mubin” operations room, have seized control of several villages in western Aleppo, according to opposition military sources.
The advance comes hours after the announcement of a large-scale offensive against Syrian government forces.
Sources from the Fatah al-Mubin operations room told North Press that opposition factions launched a series of intense battles, culminating in the capture of Qabtan al-Jabal, Hur, Jabal Sheikh Aqil, Basratun, Bala, and key positions such as the poultry farms and the Tallat Al-Dabbabat (Tank Hill) near Darat Izza, west of Aleppo city.
Casualties and Military Gains
The sources added that the factions managed to seize three tanks and several armored vehicles, destroying additional equipment during the clashes. They claimed that over 35 Syrian government soldiers and allied Iranian-backed forces were killed or wounded in the offensive.
The opposition forces have announced intentions to expand the offensive to additional frontlines in the Aleppo and Idlib countryside within the coming hours.
Retaliation and Escalation
In response, Russian and Syrian government aircraft conducted airstrikes in the western Aleppo region early Wednesday morning. Details about the strikes’ impact remain unclear at the time of reporting.
Pro-government media outlet Athar Press reported that Syrian government forces dispatched substantial reinforcements to western Aleppo in response to the opposition’s advancements. The outlet added that earlier in the day, opposition factions attempted a pre-dawn infiltration in western Aleppo, which was repelled by government troops, sparking intense clashes in the area.
Humanitarian Impact
The renewed fighting has already triggered significant civilian displacement. Dozens of families have fled their homes in the targeted areas, seeking refuge from the escalating violence. Local humanitarian organizations have reported challenges in providing shelter and aid to the displaced amid ongoing airstrikes and shelling.
The western Aleppo and southern Idlib regions have long been flashpoints in the Syrian conflict, with multiple factions vying for control. HTS, formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, dominates large parts of Idlib and maintains a strong presence in adjacent areas.
Observers warn that the latest developments could further destabilize the fragile ceasefire in the northwest, which has been brokered intermittently by Russia and Turkey but remains tenuous.
Background and Context
The Syrian conflict, now in its 14th year, has seen shifting alliances and frontlines, with northwest Syria remaining one of the most contested regions. HTS has consolidated power in Idlib, often clashing with other rebel factions and government forces, as well as facing periodic airstrikes from Russian and Syrian warplanes.
The situation in northwest Syria is further complicated by the humanitarian crisis, as millions remain displaced or in precarious living conditions. International calls for de-escalation have repeatedly been overshadowed by renewed fighting. As the situation unfolds, both military and humanitarian dynamics in the region continue to evolve rapidly