HTŞ Offensive in Syria: Aleppo and Hama Seized, Homs Threatened

HTŞ Offensive in Syria: Aleppo and Hama Seized, Homs Threatened

t24.com.tr

HTŞ Offensive in Syria: Aleppo and Hama Seized, Homs Threatened

On November 27th, HTŞ-led forces launched a major offensive from Idlib, seizing Aleppo and Hama, and advancing towards Homs, Syria; this escalates the Syrian Civil War, undermining the 2020 ceasefire and jeopardizing Turkey-Syria normalization efforts.

Turkish
Turkey
International RelationsRussiaMiddle EastRussia Ukraine WarTurkeyIranHtsAleppoSyria ConflictIdlibHamaHoms
Heyet Tahrir Şam (Hts)Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri (Tsk)KremlinSuriye Ordusuİran Devrim MuhafızlarıFilistin Kudüs TugayıBirleşmiş Milletler Güvenlik KonseyiAbdBritanyaFransaAlmanya
Dmitriy PeskovÖncü KeçeliHakan FidanAbbas ErakçiRecep Tayyip ErdoğanBeşar EsadKioumar Pourashemi
What are the immediate consequences of the HTŞ offensive on the ground in Syria?
Heyet Tahrir Şam (HTŞ), a jihadist group listed by the UN as a terrorist organization, launched a large-scale offensive on November 27th, seizing control of Aleppo and Hama in Syria. This marks the first major conflict between the Syrian government and opposition forces in Aleppo since 2016, and the conflict is now advancing towards Homs.
How does this escalation affect the ongoing normalization efforts between Turkey and Syria?
The offensive, which began in Idlib, a region under HTŞ control, rapidly expanded to Aleppo and Hama, raising concerns among Russia, Syria, and Iran. The conflict undermines the 2020 ceasefire between Russia and Turkey in Idlib, and threatens to destabilize an already fragile region. This escalation is particularly concerning given ongoing normalization efforts between Turkey and Syria.
What are the long-term implications of the HTŞ offensive for regional stability and the future of Syria?
The HTŞ advance highlights the limitations of the Astana process and the continued threat posed by extremist groups in Syria. The conflict also jeopardizes Turkey's efforts to normalize relations with the Syrian government, raising questions about the future of regional stability and the potential for further escalation in the ongoing Syrian conflict. The involvement of various regional and international powers adds to the complexity of the situation.

Cognitive Concepts

3/5

Framing Bias

The article's framing emphasizes the military advances of HTS-led groups, highlighting their territorial gains in Aleppo and Hama, and their approach to Homs. This might inadvertently create an impression of a stronger, more unified opposition force, compared to the Syrian government's response, which is portrayed as reactive. The headline itself, while neutral in wording, might unintentionally contribute to this effect. The inclusion of statements from the Kremlin and Turkish officials may further skew the narrative by giving prominence to those perspectives.

2/5

Language Bias

The article uses relatively neutral language, generally avoiding explicitly loaded terms when describing the conflict. However, the repeated references to HTS-led groups as "cihatçı örgütler" (jihadist organizations) carries a negative connotation. While accurate in terms of the group's self-identification, using more neutral language like "armed groups" or "rebel factions" when possible could lessen the implied bias. Similarly, referring to the Syrian government's actions as "saldırı" (attack) in certain instances could be rephrased for more neutrality, depending on context. The selection of quotes from the Kremlin spokesman and various officials does introduce some indirect bias via the selection of the statements presented.

3/5

Bias by Omission

The article focuses heavily on the military actions and geopolitical responses, giving less attention to the humanitarian consequences of the conflict on civilians. The perspectives of civilians affected by the fighting, including their experiences, needs and fears, are largely absent. While this may be due to space constraints, the omission significantly limits the reader's understanding of the full impact of the conflict.

2/5

False Dichotomy

The article presents a somewhat simplified view of the conflict, framing it primarily as a confrontation between the Syrian government and HTS-led groups. Nuances within the opposition, including the motivations and goals of various factions, are largely missing. The potential influence of external actors beyond Russia and Turkey is not fully explored, creating a somewhat limited understanding of the conflict's dynamics.

1/5

Gender Bias

The article does not appear to exhibit significant gender bias. While specific individuals are named, the focus is primarily on political and military figures, and there is no noticeable disproportionate focus on gender in the description or reporting. However, the lack of specific perspectives from women's groups or women affected by the conflict presents an area for potential improvement.

Sustainable Development Goals

Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Negative
Direct Relevance

The renewed conflict in Syria undermines peace and stability, challenging the rule of law and institutions. The involvement of designated terrorist organizations further destabilizes the region and hinders efforts towards sustainable peace.