Amman: At least 25 people were killed in northwestern Syria in airstrikes carried out by the Syrian government and Russia, according to the White Helmets, a Syrian opposition-run rescue group, on Monday. The strikes targeted the rebel-controlled city of Idlib in northern Syria on Sunday, as President Bashar al-Assad vowed to crush insurgents following their recent advances into Aleppo.
Residents reported that one attack struck a densely populated residential area in central Idlib, where approximately four million people live in precarious conditions near the Turkish border. The strike claimed at least seven lives and left dozens injured, with rescuers working amid the chaos. The Syrian military and its ally, Russia, maintain that their attacks are aimed at insurgent hideouts and deny targeting civilians.
Among the casualties were 10 children, killed in strikes across Idlib and other rebel-held areas near Aleppo, the White Helmets said. Since November 27, airstrikes by Syrian and Russian forces have caused 56 deaths, including 20 children, the group added.
The insurgents, a coalition of Turkey-backed factions and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham—an Islamist group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., Russia, Turkey, and others—recently seized control of all of Idlib province in a bold offensive. The gains mark one of the most significant shifts in the civil war, where front lines have largely remained static since 2020. Fighters also advanced into Aleppo, forcing the Syrian army to redeploy.
Assad, in remarks published by state media, reiterated his resolve to confront the insurgents with force, stating, "Terrorists only understand the language of power, and we will use it to crush them." The army acknowledged losing dozens of soldiers during the Aleppo clashes, while reports indicated Russian military leadership reshuffled commanders in response to the situation.
Western nations, including the United States, France, Germany, and Britain, issued a joint call for de-escalation, emphasizing the need to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access. Within Aleppo, fear gripped residents as streets emptied, and civilians fled the city. Witnesses reported rebel fighters establishing control in parts of the city, with some occupying strategic locations.
Rebel advances extended south of Aleppo, capturing Khansir town to disrupt government supply routes, as well as the Sheikh Najjar industrial zone, a significant economic hub. Syrian forces were reportedly regrouping to launch counterattacks.
The conflict, ongoing since 2011, has left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions. Though heavy fighting had largely subsided in recent years, bolstered by Russian and Iranian support for Assad, the recent developments underscore the war's persistent volatility. Rebel gains have coincided with increased Israeli strikes on Iranian-linked forces in Syria, adding another layer of complexity to the fragile situation.