Recent Rebel Gains in Syria Reignite Civil War Amid International Tensions

Recent advances by Islamist rebels in Syria have reignited the civil war, especially following their capture of Aleppo. As Russian airstrikes target the rebels, the conflict expands, raising concerns of further foreign involvement, particularly from Turkey and Russia. This resurgence redirects attention to a protracted war that has claimed numerous lives and displaced millions since 2011.

The Syrian military, supported by Russia, has intensified its airstrikes against areas controlled by Islamist rebels following their recent capture of Aleppo. This significant shift has activated a long-dormant front in the Syrian civil war, raising concerns of further international involvement from Russia and Turkey. The escalation in conflict marks a resurgence of hostilities that had seemingly stabilized in recent years.

On November 26, the rebels launched a surprise offensive against the Syrian government, successfully entering Aleppo by November 30 for the first time since 2016. This pivotal change in control has emboldened rebel forces, leading to further territorial gains in Hama province despite the government’s vow to retaliate. The United States and Russia, along with Turkey, have designated the leading rebel group as terrorists, complicating the conflict further.

The current upheaval is attributed to the weakening interests of Syria’s main backers, which include Iran and Russia, amidst their own regional conflicts. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan noted that the diversion of these powers has encouraged rebel forces, seeing an opportunity to gain ground. Turkey, frustrated with Assad’s stagnation in negotiations, still aims to temper rebel offensives, as it faces a persistent threat from Kurdish groups.

The fighting underscores a stalled peace process, which has seen little progress since the United Nations Security Council’s 2015 resolution aimed at resolving the crisis. U.N. envoy Geir Pedersen highlighted the urgent need for renewed political dialogue among the conflicting parties. The situation remains precarious, with high civilian costs and a fractured nation, while calls for substantive negotiations and governance reform continue to go unheeded.

The resurgence of violence in Syria, particularly the recapture of Aleppo by rebel forces, has raised alarms internationally. Since its onset in 2011 following an Arab Spring uprising, the civil war has claimed countless lives and displaced millions. The complexities of foreign involvement, particularly from Russia, Iran, and Turkey, have rendered the situation intricate, with ongoing hostilities seen as a potential turning point in the conflict’s trajectory and regional stability.

In summary, the recent rebel advances in Syria have reignited hostilities that were thought to have calmed. With international powers like Russia and Turkey calculating their stakes, and the U.N. struggling to facilitate peace, the path forward remains uncertain. The balance of power is shifting, underscoring the urgent need for renewed dialogue and political solutions to address the protracted crisis.

Original Source: www.france24.com