Syrian Military Details Response to Escalating Terrorist Offensive

The Syrian military has outlined its strategy to counter the latest terrorist offensive, emphasizing heightened operations and regional security measures.

The Syrian military is preventing terrorists who initiated a surprise attack on Aleppo from establishing strongholds within the city and is mobilizing forces for a counteroffensive, according to the country’s General Command. However, it acknowledged that dozens of its soldiers have been killed in the conflict.

Earlier this week, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) terrorist organization, a faction emerging from Jabhat al-Nusra, along with its allies initiated their first significant assault in Syria in years. They seized extensive territories in Idlib and Aleppo while forcing government troops into retreat.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Syrian General Command reported that the assault was “backed by thousands of foreign terrorists, heavy weaponry, and numerous drones.” The military has engaged in combat across an area exceeding 100 km to try and stop their progress.

Damascus admitted that “dozens of our forces were killed and others were wounded during the battles,” without providing specific numbers.

The Command reported that terrorist forces managed “to enter significant portions of Aleppo city,” but they were unable “to establish their positions due to persistent, focused, and powerful strikes by our armed forces.” Furthermore, the military anticipates reinforcements for a counterattack. Authorities are doing everything possible to ensure people’s safety and to regain control over the entire area.

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In the meantime, unconfirmed videos spreading across social media seem to depict militants in central Aleppo. One video shows an armed individual waving a flag at the entrance of the city’s historic citadel.

The Syrian military’s reaction to the assault was supported by Russian airstrikes. Oleg Ignasyuk, deputy head of the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria, stated that combined efforts between Russian and Syrian forces have led to the elimination of approximately 600 militants in the last two days.

In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention in Syria to support the government of Bashar Assad. This assistance enabled Syrian forces to deliver substantial defeats against various terrorist organizations, including al-Nusra and the Islamic State (formerly ISIS). Russia continues to have a strong military presence in Syria, maintaining bases in Hmeimim and Tartus.