smh.com.au
Syrian Insurgents Seize Aleppo, Raising Regional Conflict Fears
Syrian insurgents seized control of most of Aleppo on Saturday, prompting government airstrikes and raising concerns of regional conflict escalation as Iran pledged support to Syria, while the US closely monitors the situation.
English
Australia
Hayat Tahrir Al-ShamSyrian Observatory For Human RightsHezbollahIslamic State GroupSham Fm
Bashar Al-AssadAbbas AraghchiBassam SabbaghMohammed Bin Zayed Al NahyanKing Abdullah IiMoataz QattanHassan AbdulghaniJake Sullivan
- What are the immediate consequences of the insurgent offensive on Aleppo?
- Syrian insurgents launched a major offensive, seizing most of Aleppo and surrounding areas. This has prompted the Syrian military to deploy reinforcements and launch airstrikes, raising concerns about regional destabilization. Iran pledged support to Syria, indicating further escalation.
- How might the involvement of Iran and Russia influence the conflict's trajectory?
- The offensive, launched by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, marks a significant setback for Assad. The timing—during a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah—is noteworthy. This raises the possibility of a wider regional conflict involving Russia and Turkey.
- What are the potential long-term regional and global implications of this renewed Syrian conflict?
- The capture of Aleppo's main water pumping station highlights the humanitarian crisis unfolding. The conflict's expansion could lead to a massive refugee flow, further destabilizing the region and potentially increasing global humanitarian aid needs. The US is monitoring the situation closely, expressing concerns about the involved insurgent group.