References: Institute for the Study of War and AEI’s Critical Threats Project (control areas as of December 6); Janes (rebel control as of November)
In a swift offensive, Syrian rebel forces have taken over a significant portion of Syria’s northwest from the government, dramatically altering the course of the long-standing civil war. Following their capture of Aleppo, its airport, military bases, and various towns and villages, they successfully ousted government troops from Hama in the west. This marks a major shift in territory that had remained stagnant for years.
The recent offensive comes after a period of relative calm but has now reignited conflict dynamics. Since 2020, President Bashar al-Assad’s regime had maintained control over much of Syria while other factions held fragmented territories.
Here is an overview of the ongoing conflict in Syria:
Rebel Forces
Their territorial gains this week have been significant.
Areas under rebel control
Source: The Carter Center. Note: Rebel forces consist of extremist Islamic groups as well as moderate factions.
The conflict began in 2011 following Mr. al-Assad’s crackdown on protests. Initially, rebels comprising extremist Islamist and moderate factions secured territories in northwest Syria before expanding further by controlling regions north of Hama, east of Damascus, near Israel’s border to villages along Euphrates and al-Hasakah province in northeast Syria.
Government Forces and Allies
The Conflict Had Shifted In Their Favor Years Ago – But Now They Are Retreating p >
Locations Controlled By Syrian Gov’t And Allies p >
Source: The Carter Center p >
Despite Initial Rebel Successes Pro-Assad Forces – Including Not Only Syria’s Military But Also Fighters Sent By Iran And The Iran-backed Lebanese Militia Hezbollah – Were Able To Retake More Territory Over The Last Decade After A Series Of Events Shifted The Conflict In Their Favor Pro-government Troops Recaptured Aleppo With The Help Of Russian Airstrikes After A Four-year Battle Ending In Two Thousand Sixteen Next Year A Government Offensive Against Islamic State Put Mr Al-assad Back In Control Of Many Towns Along Euphrates River And His Forces’ Advance On Northwestern Syria In Two Thousand Nineteen And Twenty Twenty Cornered Opposition Forces Idlib Province Bringing Conflict… P >
2024-12-07T05:03:24
Post from www.nytimes.com