The successful entry of Syrian opposition forces into central Aleppo marks the first time they have returned since government forces retook control of the city in 2016.
Lightning attack
AFP yesterday quoted information from the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) as saying that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied armed groups had captured most of the city as well as government-run centers and prisons. HTS is a group formed in 2017, consisting of al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, the al-Nusra Front, and four other groups. Previously, HTS gunmen controlled large areas of the Idlib region in northwestern Syria, as well as some suburbs of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia provinces.
Rebels launch surprise attack in Syria, Iranian general killed
Rebel fighters launched a surprise attack on November 27, moving eastward through several villages on the outskirts of Aleppo. By the evening of November 28 (local time), they had reached the city center, according to images verified by CNN. The Syrian army confirmed that it was facing a major offensive and pledged to reinforce its forces on all fronts. However, CNN quoted many residents of the city as saying that government forces had withdrawn from some areas in western Aleppo.
Armed opposition groups were present in central Aleppo on November 30.
On Thursday, Reuters reported that Syrian authorities had decided to seal off Aleppo International Airport and all roads leading to the city. The Syrian army said it had withdrawn from areas of the city that had fallen into enemy hands in preparation for a counter-offensive. AFP reported that the Syrian government, police commanders and security forces had withdrawn from the city center.
The HTS-led coalition quickly took control of parts of Aleppo without facing significant resistance, said SOHR director Rami Abdel Rahman. He added that the victory came easily for the rebels, with "no fighting, no bullets fired (yesterday) because the government withdrew."
Reuters quoted a source from the Syrian Civil Defense agency as saying that Russian fighter jets joined Syrian military aircraft last night to strike some areas on the outskirts of the city. This is also the first attack by Russian forces in Aleppo since 2016. Russia has not commented on this information.
Hezbollah strengthens Lebanese army
The HTS-led coalition's lightning attack came on the day a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah officially took effect in Lebanon. On Thursday (Vietnam time), Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem announced cooperation with the Lebanese army and would help the country build up its defense capabilities while the ceasefire is in effect, according to AFP.
Israel launches heavy airstrikes on Gaza, bombs Lebanon despite ceasefire
Speaking for the first time since the ceasefire came into effect, Qassem said that strengthening the Lebanese army's military capabilities was necessary to prevent the enemy from exploiting Lebanon's current weaknesses. The Hezbollah leader also declared that the armed movement had achieved a great victory over Israel "because it prevented the enemy from wiping out or weakening Hezbollah".
Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced yesterday that it was banning Lebanese from traveling south to several villages, and listed some 62 villages that residents should not return to. On the same day, the Israeli forces said that a naval vessel equipped with missiles had intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) approaching Israeli territory from the east, meaning Iraq.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/luc-luong-doi-lap-syria-tien-vao-trung-tam-aleppo-185241130214851367.htm
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