AMMAN. Russian and Syrian jets launched intensified bombing raids on Idlib, a rebel-controlled city in northern Syria, on Sunday, as President Bashar al-Assad vowed to crush insurgents who recently seized parts of Aleppo in a bold offensive.
One airstrike targeted a densely populated residential area in central Idlib, where nearly four million people reside in makeshift shelters near the Turkish border. Rescuers reported at least seven deaths and dozens of injuries in the attack. “We found entire families buried under the rubble,” said a first responder at the scene.
The Syrian army and its ally Russia maintain they only target insurgent hideouts and deny targeting civilians. However, local reports and witnesses point to significant civilian casualties.
Aleppo Falls into Rebel Hands
On Friday night, a coalition of rebels, including Turkish-backed armed groups and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist faction classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S., Russia, and Turkey, launched a surprise assault on Aleppo, forcing a hasty retreat of government forces.
“This is the biggest challenge to Assad in years,” said a military analyst, highlighting the rebels’ capture of Aleppo’s industrial zones and the strategic town of Khansir, which could disrupt army supply routes.
The government acknowledged the loss, with a Syrian army official confirming dozens of soldiers had been killed in the attack. On Sunday, Assad addressed the offensive, stating on state media, “Terrorists only know the language of force, and it is the language we will crush them with.”
Aleppo, a city that had been a government stronghold since 2016, saw streets deserted and shops shuttered as civilians fled or stayed indoors, fearing a repeat of the devastating Russian-led bombing campaigns of the past.
“I am shocked at how they fled and abandoned us,” said Ahmad Tutenji, a merchant in Aleppo’s affluent New Aleppo district. Meanwhile, rebel fighters paraded through the city’s streets, waving opposition flags and occupying key intersections.
Abdullah al-Halabi, a resident of Qasr al-Baladi, described the terror gripping the city. “We are afraid of what’s coming. The memories of the last bombing are still fresh in our minds,” he said.
The Syrian army announced on Sunday that it had recaptured several towns overrun by the rebels in recent days. Reinforcements, including Iran-backed militias led by Hezbollah, were reportedly mobilizing to counter the insurgents.
Analysts believe the lack of sufficient manpower has weakened the government’s ability to resist the renewed rebel offensive in recent months. Iran, a key Assad ally, had previously provided significant support, but recent Israeli strikes targeting Iranian positions in Syria and Lebanon have reportedly diminished Hezbollah’s operational strength.
The ongoing civil war, which began in 2011, has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions. While major fighting subsided in recent years, the recent rebel advances in Aleppo and intensified bombings in Idlib mark a dangerous escalation.
As of Sunday evening, the situation in Aleppo remained volatile, with both sides preparing for further clashes.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
