At least 25 people lost their lives in Syria air strikes carried out by the Syrian government and Russia, according to the White Helmets, a rescue group operating in opposition-held areas. These attacks took place early Monday in northwestern Syria.
On Sunday, Russian and Syrian warplanes launched strikes on the rebel-controlled city of Idlib, located in northern Syria. This came as President Bashar al-Assad vowed to crush insurgents who recently made significant gains, including sweeping into the city of Aleppo.
The Syrian army reported reclaiming several towns that had been overrun by rebel forces in recent days.
Air Strikes Hit Crowded Areas
Residents described one of the attacks targeting a densely populated residential area in central Idlib, the largest city in a rebel-held enclave near the Turkish border. Around four million people, many displaced by conflict, live in makeshift shelters and fragile homes in this region.
At least seven people were confirmed dead, and dozens were injured, according to rescue workers on the ground. While the Syrian army and Russia claim their strikes target insurgent hideouts, they deny intentionally attacking civilians.
The White Helmets reported that among the victims of Sunday’s air strikes in and around Idlib were 10 children. Other attacks hit areas near Aleppo, raising the total death toll from Syrian and Russian strikes since November 27 to 56, including 20 children.
Rebels and Military Clashes Intensify
Rebels, a coalition of Turkey-backed armed groups and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (a group labeled as a terrorist organization by several countries), have recently gained control of the entire Idlib province. This marks one of the most significant rebel offensives in years, as the civil war’s front lines had largely been static since 2020.
On Friday night, insurgents advanced into Aleppo, forcing the Syrian army to redeploy. In response, Assad declared, “Terrorists only understand the language of force, and we will use it to crush them.”
The Syrian army confirmed heavy casualties, with dozens of soldiers killed during battles in Aleppo. Meanwhile, reports from Russian sources stated that Moscow had dismissed Sergei Kisel, the general overseeing its operations in Syria, following the rebel advances.
International Response
The United States, France, Germany, and Britain issued a joint statement urging all parties to de-escalate the situation, protect civilians, and avoid further humanitarian crises.
Aleppo had been a pivotal battleground during the war, with government forces recapturing it in 2016 after a brutal siege backed by Russian air support. The city’s fall was a turning point, solidifying Assad’s control over major urban centers.
Since the war began in 2011, it has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions. Although large-scale fighting has subsided in recent years, the conflict continues to cause devastation.
During a visit to Damascus, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi acknowledged the difficult situation but expressed confidence in the Assad government’s ability to overcome challenges.
