Giovanni Scialpi Topics Covered
Clashes continue in Hama, where the Syrian army is sending reinforcements. Aleppo and Idlib province are now under the control of the rebels, who continue to advance towards Hama. If this city were to fall, the rebels would have a clear path southwards, towards Homs and, potentially, up to the capital Damascus. The Syrian armed forces are trying to resist, with the help of the air force, which is bombing the outskirts, and the support of Russia.
Syria, Rebels Advance: Russian Airstrikes and Civilian Casualties
Over the weekend, Russia carried out air strikes in Aleppo and Idlib, killing eight civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Russians also struck the Terra Sancta Franciscan College in Aleppo. Abu Muhammad al Jolani, leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group, was also reported to have been killed in another strike, but this has not yet been confirmed.
In Syria, the rebels advance: symbols of resistance and determination of the regime
Some rebels celebrated by toppling statues of Hafez al-Assad in Aleppo. Bashar al-Assad's regime is determined not to give in, declaring that "the language of force" will defeat terrorism. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Damascus to offer support to Assad, with Iran seeing Syria as crucial to its alliance with Hezbollah.
In Syria, the rebels advance: the Syrian war as a proxy conflict
The Syrian war has become a proxy conflict, with Russia and Iran supporting the regime, while the US and Israel monitor developments. After years of conflict, Syria is still in crisis, and the international failure to resolve the war is evident, with a very high cost in civilian lives.
