{"id":2374285,"date":"2024-11-28T23:50:02","date_gmt":"2024-11-29T04:50:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/syrian-civil-war-reignites-after-four-years-with-surprise-rebel-offensive-drawing-russia-in-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-11-28T23:53:51","modified_gmt":"2024-11-29T04:53:51","slug":"syrian-civil-war-reignites-after-four-years-with-surprise-rebel-offensive-drawing-russia-in-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/syrian-civil-war-reignites-after-four-years-with-surprise-rebel-offensive-drawing-russia-in-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Syrian Civil War reignites after four years with surprise rebel offensive, drawing Russia in &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">34<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsyrian-civil-war-reignites-after-four-years-with-surprise-rebel-offensive-drawing-russia-in-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2374285&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Syrian Civil War has intensified after four years of relative calm, ignited by \u2062a surprise offensive\u200c from a coalition of rebel forces led by Hay\u2019at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group \u200bdesignated as a \u200bterrorist \u200borganization by\u2063 the \u200bUnited \u200dStates. The rebels launched a significant attack against the Syrian government, particularly \u200bnear Aleppo, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">showcasing advanced warfare tactics similar<\/a> to those\u200b seen in Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh, including the use of drones and heavy weaponry.<\/p>\n<p>The \u2063offensive\u2063 marks a crucial shift, as it was previously believed that the Syrian government, \u2062led by \u200bPresident Bashar al-Assad, had consolidated control since fighting subsided in 2020. Experts note that this resurgence of rebel capabilities indicates a significant improvement in their military organization and tactics. The assault resulted in heavy casualties on\u2063 both sides and prompted retaliatory airstrikes\u2062 from the Assad regime and Russian forces.<\/p>\n<p>The situation is complicated further by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/post-pandemic-world-facing-gloomy-stew-of-debt-trade-wars-and-poor-productivity\/\" title=\"After the pandemic, the world confronts a bleak mix of debt, trade conflicts, and low productivity.\">current geopolitical landscape<\/a>, as the Assad regime&#8217;s key allies, Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, are distracted by their own challenges, \u2062suggesting the\u2063 rebels may have perceived it as an opportune moment to act. Despite the intensity \u2063of the offensive, a\u2064 Turkish\u2062 security source indicated that the operation began with limited objectives but expanded rapidly as government\u200b forces retreated. The dynamics of the conflict could be \u2064changing dramatically, with implications for the region\u2019s stability.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Syrian Civil War reignites after four years with surprise rebel offensive, drawing Russia in<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1884781\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/2572517\/biden-needs-to-recognize-reality-in-syria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Syrian Civil War\">Syrian Civil War<\/a> reignited after four years of docility when a rebel coalition launched a surprise offensive against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/syria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Syrian\">Syrian<\/a> government positions outside of Aleppo.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Hay&rsquo;at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), recognized as a terrorist group by the United States, and allied militias launched the first major offensive after four years of relative quiet, routing Syrian government forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Videos posted by the group showed a litany of captured equipment, including tanks, armored vehicles, small arms, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/war_noir\/status\/1862159474049626310\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"drones\">drones<\/a>, and even equipment from a Russian special forces unit.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Smoke rises amid fighting between opposition factions and Syrian government troops in Majdaliya, Idlib countryside, Syria, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The offensive was carried out by <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/war_noir\/status\/1861821048628584561\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"well-armed\">well-armed<\/a> rebel troops manning tanks, armored vehicles, and trucks mounted with heavy weapons. Also in line with advanced tactics shown in Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh, the rebels also made heavy use of mass-produced kamikaze drones.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">As long hinted, use of HTS FPV drones with RPG and HE playloads against SAA positions and armour. You can guess as to the design influences and advice. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Z1Kbergbxe\">pic.twitter.com\/Z1Kbergbxe<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; C&#7424;&#671;&#618;&#665;&#640;&#7431; O&#665;s&#7428;&#7452;&#640;&#7424; (@CalibreObscura) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CalibreObscura\/status\/1862027573313569202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 28, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;In the matter of about 10 hours, a wide spectrum of armed opposition groups have managed to get to within about four or five kilometers now of Aleppo city, which is of gigantic significance,&rdquo; Charles Lister, the director of Middle East Institute&rsquo;s Syria and counterterrorism programs, said on Wednesday, according to the <em>New York Times<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The offensive was particularly surprising, as Assad&rsquo;s hegemony over the country had been largely established since fighting died down in 2020. Lister speculated that the ability of rebel forces to break through Syrian government lines showed a vast improvement of its capabilities over the past few years.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Years ago, an offense of this size would have been pushed back by the regime,&rdquo; he said, adding that HTS invested heavily in resources and training for night operations. &ldquo;That basically levels the playing field.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>HTS and its allies reached the outskirts of Aleppo after routing government forces.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Members of the Hay&rsquo;at Tahrir al-Sham, a Sunni Islamist militant group, wave the Taliban flags as they celebrate the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, in the city of Idlib, Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 65 HTS members and 18 allied militiamen were killed, compared to 49 Syrian government forces killed.<\/p>\n<p>The Assad government and Russian air force responded with extensive airstrikes against Idlib and other rebel positions.<\/p>\n<p>The offensive notably occurred on the same day that Israel and Hezbollah signed a ceasefire. The Assad regime is closely allied with Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, with each playing a decisive role in saving the regime, particularly in the early days of the war. With Russia embroiled in its War in Ukraine, Hezbollah decapitated and battered by the Israel Defense Forces, and Iran struggling with domestic issues and international prestige loss, the rebels likely saw an ideal time to strike.<\/p>\n<p>A Turkish security source <a href=\"https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/turkey-says-syrian-rebels-launched-limited-operation-near-aleppo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"told\">told<\/a> Middle East Eye that the offensive is limited in scope.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;What was initially planned as a limited operation expanded as regime forces began fleeing their positions,&rdquo; they said.<\/p>\n<p>Turkey is suspected to have ties with HTS and the linked Syrian Salvation Government, though official relations extend mainly to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-faces-first-main-foreign-policy-test-within-georgia\/\" title=\"Biden Faces First Main Foreign Policy Test within Georgia\">security cooperation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>HTS is the successor of the Al-Nusra Front, Syria&rsquo;s Al-Qaeda affiliate which came to dominate the Syrian rebel forces. The current leader of HTS, Ahmed Hussein al-Shar&rsquo;a, was also the leader of the Al-Nusra front.<\/p>\n<p>In recent years, the group has aimed to moderate its image to win international support, even purging itself of more overt pro-Al Qaeda elements. The United States and most other international bodies haven&rsquo;t bought it.<\/p>\n<p>In its Foreign Terrorist Organization, the U.S. noted that HTS is a &ldquo;vehicle to advance [al-Qaeda&rsquo;s] position in the Syrian uprising and to further its own goals,&rdquo; while the United Nations cited several state intelligence services in claiming that HTS &ldquo;and its components still maintain contact with Al-Qaeda leadership.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After years of losses, the Syrian Civil War turned heavily in Assad&rsquo;s favor in 2014 with the large-scale intervention of Russia. Once teetering on the brink of collapse, the government went on to retake control of the entire country aside from the U.S.-controlled area in the southeast, Kurdish territory in the north, the Islamist rebel-controlled areas in Idlib, and a strip in the north controlled by Turkish-backed rebels.<\/p>\n<p>Fighting largely ceased after a March 2020 ceasefire, broken only by occasional Syrian government and Russian airstrikes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1884781\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1884781\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Syrian Civil War resumes with unexpected rebel attack near Aleppo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2374286,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Idlib-Offensive.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[32219,45845,45846,45844,32076],"class_list":["post-2374285","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-middle-east-conflict","tag-rebel-offensive","tag-russia-involvement","tag-syrian-civil-war","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Idlib-Offensive.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2374285","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2374285"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2374285\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2374289,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2374285\/revisions\/2374289"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2374286"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2374285"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2374285"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2374285"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}