Members of the White Helmets are seen responding to the aftermath of what the group claims was an airstrike in Idlib, Syria. This image, taken from a video provided by the organization, was released on December 1, 2024. Reuters
At least 25 people lost their lives in northwestern Syria following intense airstrikes carried out by Russian and Syrian forces, as reported by the White Helmets, a rescue group operating in opposition-controlled areas. The strikes targeted the rebel-held city of Idlib on Sunday amidst escalating violence in the region.
The air raids, part of a broader offensive by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, came as he vowed to crush insurgents who had recently seized control of significant territories, including parts of Idlib and Aleppo. Witnesses described one of the strikes hitting a densely populated residential area in central Idlib, resulting in at least seven deaths and numerous injuries.
Among the dead were ten children, and many more were injured across various sites in rebel-controlled areas near Aleppo and Idlib. The White Helmets stated that the total death toll from the airstrikes since late November had risen to 56, including 20 children.
The Syrian government and its ally Russia maintain that their airstrikes are aimed at insurgent hideouts, denying accusations of targeting civilians. However, the high civilian death toll has sparked international concern.
The insurgents, a coalition of Turkey-backed groups and the Islamist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, recently launched their boldest offensive in years, capturing all of Idlib province and making gains in Aleppo. This move marks a significant shift in the conflict, which had seen largely stagnant frontlines since 2020.
Rebels took control of key areas in Aleppo on Friday night, forcing Syrian forces to retreat and regroup. Civilians in Aleppo reported deserted streets, closed shops, and a mass exodus of residents fearing further violence. Rebel fighters, bearing opposition flags, were seen patrolling the city.
Thick smoke rises following what the White Helmets describe as an airstrike in Idlib, Syria. This still image, captured from a video shared by the group, was released on December 1, 2024. Reuters
Ahmad Tutenji, a merchant in Aleppo, expressed shock at how quickly government forces withdrew. Others, like pensioner Abdullah al-Halabi, feared a repeat of the devastating Russian-backed bombings that previously destroyed much of the city.
The insurgents have continued to expand their reach, reportedly capturing the town of Khansir to cut off a critical army supply route and taking control of Sheikh Najjar industrial estate, one of Syria’s key economic zones.
International powers, including the United States, France, Germany, and Britain, have called for de-escalation and measures to protect civilians. Humanitarian organizations warn that the continued violence risks further displacing millions already living in dire conditions.
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, has left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions. While major combat operations had subsided in recent years, the renewed fighting underscores the fragile nature of the region's stability.
Iran, a key ally of Assad, reaffirmed its support for the Syrian government. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, visiting Damascus on Sunday, acknowledged the challenges but insisted that Assad’s forces would prevail.
As the situation unfolds, Syrian forces are mobilizing reinforcements for counterattacks, hoping to regain lost ground. Meanwhile, the civilian population continues to bear the brunt of the relentless conflict, with little hope for immediate relief.
