Syrian Government Forces Withdraw Posts in NW Syria
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Syrian government forces and allied troops have withdrawn from key positions in Northwest Syria, a military source told North Press on Thursday.
The withdrawal reportedly affects the villages of Mansoura and Kafr Dael, located west of Aleppo Governorate. Troops have relocated to a secondary line of defense near the Halab al-Jadida neighborhood, according to the source.
Tensions escalated in the region following clashes between government forces and opposition factions. The International Aleppo Highway has been closed due to nearby fighting, according to semi-official government media outlets.
Local radio station Sham FM reported that government forces have sent significant military reinforcements to Aleppo’s western countryside, signaling preparations for counteroffensive operations targeting Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) militants and Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, collectively known as the Syrian National Army (SNA).
On Wednesday, the Syrian Ministry of Defense issued a statement confirming that “armed terrorist organizations” had launched a large-scale assault. These attacks, employing heavy and medium weaponry, targeted military sites and villages in the countryside of Aleppo and Idlib.
The offensive, led by HTS and SNA forces, has reportedly resulted in the capture of several strategic villages and towns in the region. The ongoing violence has raised fears of further displacement among the local population and concerns about the stability of ceasefire agreements previously brokered in the region.
Background
Northwest Syria remains one of the most volatile areas in the country’s decade-long conflict. The region is a patchwork of competing forces, including HTS, SNA, and Syrian government troops, supported by Russia. Turkey, a key backer of the SNA, maintains military outposts in the area under a 2020 ceasefire deal with Russia, which has failed to fully halt hostilities.
HTS, designated as a terrorist organization by several international bodies, controls significant parts of Idlib Governorate and has periodically clashed with both government forces and other opposition groups. The recent escalation highlights the fragility of existing agreements and the ongoing complexity of the conflict.
Humanitarian organizations warn that renewed clashes could exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in Northwest Syria, where millions of internally displaced people rely on cross-border aid.