NewsJihadist surge in Syria: Iran's waning influence reshapes conflict

Jihadist surge in Syria: Iran's waning influence reshapes conflict

Jihadists in northern Syria have seized more than 40 locations as a consequence of Iran's weakening influence, according to CNN. The assault took Syrian forces by surprise, who have been controlling Aleppo since 2016.

The situation in Syria is still difficult.
The situation in Syria is still difficult.
Images source: © PAP | BILAL AL MAHMOUD
Anna Wajs-Wiejacka

29 November 2024 17:24

In recent days, jihadists initiated an offensive in northwestern Syria, overtaking over 40 locations, including a Syrian army base. CNN, as cited by the Polish Press Agency, suggests this is due to Iran's weakening influence in the region.

On Thursday, fighters advanced towards Aleppo, the second-largest city in Syria, which has been under the control of Bashar al-Assad's forces since 2016. The coalition of militants is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an organisation originating from al-Qaeda, now operating independently.

For years, jihadists did not pose a significant military threat in Syria, controlling only the city of Idlib. However, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the recent offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 240 people on both sides of the conflict.

Ceasefire violated

A ceasefire had been in effect in northern Syria since 2020, negotiated by Turkey, Iran, and Russia. The sudden attack by jihadists disrupted this arrangement, bringing chaos to the region. Nanar Hawach, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, indicates that the offensive is a result of Hezbollah's weakening, which had to withdraw its forces to Lebanon due to the conflict with Israel.

According to CNN, the fundamentalists' attack was in response to the shelling of Idlib by al-Assad's army, leading to the deaths of over 30 civilians. Jihadists are now approximately 1.6 kilometres from Aleppo, and their actions have led to the capture of 50 locations.

Civil War in Syria

The civil war in Syria has been ongoing since March 2011. The conflict was sparked by opposition to authoritarian rule and growing social inequalities. Peaceful protests against Bashar al-Assad quickly escalated into a violent conflict between government forces and the rebels opposing them.

So far, it has claimed over 1.5 million victims. The regime in Damascus, with support from Russia and Iran, has regained control over most of the country. However, the humanitarian situation remains dire—50% of people living in extreme poverty are in three provinces in the northwest: Aleppo, Hama, and Deir ez-Zor. "Since 2011, 7.2 million Syrians have become internally displaced, and 6 million have fled abroad," notes "Le Monde."

Related content
© Daily Wrap
·

Downloading, reproduction, storage, or any other use of content available on this website—regardless of its nature and form of expression (in particular, but not limited to verbal, verbal-musical, musical, audiovisual, audio, textual, graphic, and the data and information contained therein, databases and the data contained therein) and its form (e.g., literary, journalistic, scientific, cartographic, computer programs, visual arts, photographic)—requires prior and explicit consent from Wirtualna Polska Media Spółka Akcyjna, headquartered in Warsaw, the owner of this website, regardless of the method of exploration and the technique used (manual or automated, including the use of machine learning or artificial intelligence programs). The above restriction does not apply solely to facilitate their search by internet search engines and uses within contractual relations or permitted use as specified by applicable law.Detailed information regarding this notice can be found  here.