Turkish-Backed Syrian Opposition Claims Entry into Aleppo City Amid Escalating Violence
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Turkish-backed opposition factions and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) claimed on Friday to have entered western neighborhoods of Aleppo city following intense clashes with Syrian government forces in the Rashidin area.
“For the first time in years, we have successfully advanced into Aleppo’s western districts,” an opposition commander told North Press. The development comes amid a significant offensive launched on Wednesday targeting government positions in Aleppo’s outskirts and Idlib’s countryside.
The factions reported capturing dozens of towns and villages in the offensive, which has seen HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front, playing a leading role.
Conflicting Narratives from the Battlefield
Despite the opposition’s claim, government officials denied any breach into Aleppo city. A source told North Press, “The fighting is ongoing, but no armed group has entered any part of Aleppo.”
The source acknowledged, however, that government forces have withdrawn from certain positions in western Aleppo due to the intensity of the attack. “We are conducting a strategic retreat to regroup and launch countermeasures,” the official added.
The Rashidin district, a heavily contested area on the city’s western flank, remains the epicenter of the fighting. The situation on the ground remains fluid, with no independent verification of either side’s claims.
Airstrikes Escalate, Civilians Displaced
In retaliation for the opposition’s advances, Russian and Syrian warplanes intensified airstrikes on opposition-controlled areas in Aleppo’s western countryside. Videos obtained by North Press show widespread destruction across towns and villages near the frontlines, with reports of civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
Strategic Significance and Risks
If confirmed, the opposition’s entry into Aleppo city would mark a major turning point in the Syrian conflict, challenging the government’s hold on a city considered a symbol of its strength since 2016. Analysts believe this offensive seeks to erode government control in strategic northwestern areas while consolidating opposition gains.
The involvement of HTS alongside Turkish-backed groups also underscores the shifting dynamics in Syria’s fragmented opposition landscape. The offensive risks further straining the delicate ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey in 2020, potentially escalating tensions between the two powers that back opposing sides in the conflict.
As both sides continue to trade conflicting claims, the situation remains volatile, with significant implications for Syria’s already fragile humanitarian and political landscape.