Russian Airstrikes Kill Nine Turkish-backed Islamist Militants in Northwest Syria
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Nine members of Turkish-backed Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, were killed Wednesday in Russian airstrikes and Syrian government shelling in northwestern Syria. The strikes followed an HTS-led offensive that resulted in the capture of over 12 towns and villages in western Aleppo.
The escalation underscores the fragility of the northwest, where HTS and affiliated groups recently launched attacks on Syrian government positions, prompting a strong counteroffensive by Damascus and Moscow.
HTS Advances in Western Aleppo
An HTS military source confirmed to North Press that the group, alongside allied factions, had seized control of key locations, including Sheikh Aqil, Anjara, Qabtan al-Jabal, and villages such as Aajel, Kafr Bissin, Bala, Al-Maari, Al-Houta, Qasmiyeh, Salloum, Hoor, and Bakdina. Additionally, the HTS forces took over Regiment 46, a critical government military position west of Aleppo.
HTS’s rapid advance has alarmed government forces, who have since launched a series of counterattacks supported by Russian air power.
Retaliatory Strikes and Civilian Impact
Russian warplanes and Syrian government artillery targeted over 25 locations in northwestern Syria, including areas around the Bab al-Hawa border camps, Idlib city’s industrial zone, and villages across eastern, northern, and southern Idlib.
The strikes killed nine HTS fighters, injured others, and resulted in civilian casualties, though the exact toll remains unclear.
According to local sources, the violence has forced around 650 families to flee their homes, seeking refuge closer to the Syrian-Turkish border.
Government Reinforcements
In response to the HTS offensive, Syrian government forces have deployed significant reinforcements, including Iranian-backed factions, to frontlines in Orum al-Kubra, Saraqib, and Anadan in western Aleppo.
Pro-government newspaper Al-Watan reported that Russian airstrikes caused “significant losses” among HTS fighters, while Syrian forces continued ground battles against the group in western Aleppo.
Broader Implications
The renewed clashes come at a time of heightened instability in northwest Syria, where multiple ceasefire agreements between Russia and Turkey have repeatedly faltered. HTS, the dominant force in Idlib, has intensified its operations against government forces, leading to fears of broader conflict in the region.
The violence also exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in the northwest, where millions of displaced Syrians live in precarious conditions, many dependent on cross-border aid.
As the situation unfolds, the possibility of further escalation remains high, with significant risks to both civilians and combatants in the area.