Syrian Arab Army Clashes with Extremist Groups After Attack on Government Positions

On November 27, 2024, Syrian forces engaged in intense battles with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants, repelling what officials described as the largest anti-government attack since 2020. The coordinated HTS offensive targeted Syrian Arab Army (SAA) positions in the Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib countryside, beginning with heavy rocket and artillery fire.

Thousands of HTS terrorists participated in the assault, aiming to overrun towns like Nubl and Zahraa in Aleppo, which were previously besieged by HTS’s predecessor, Al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, from 2012 to 2016. Syrian and Russian warplanes responded with airstrikes on HTS supply lines, ammunition depots, and command centers, while SAA artillery barraged the advancing militants.

Reports indicate that Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) units, composed of former ISIS fighters, supported the HTS offensive. Sources suggest Ankara is leveraging the attack to push Damascus toward resuming normalization talks with Turkey.

HTS, controlling most of Idlib province, has escalated its activities since October 2023, when its ally, the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), carried out a deadly drone attack on a Syrian military academy in Homs, killing dozens. This recent escalation underscores the ongoing volatility in Syria’s northwest, where extremist factions continue to challenge government authority.

As clashes persist, hospitals in HTS-controlled areas have ceased routine operations to prioritize treating wounded fighters. The Syrian Air Force, supported by Russia, has intensified strikes on HTS positions, reflecting the broader struggle for control in Idlib, the last significant rebel stronghold in Syria.

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