Syrian and Russian jets have intensified strikes on opposition forces in northern Syria in response to a sudden offensive that has resulted in the autocratic regime losing control of Aleppo, the country's second-largest city. The rebel alliance has made significant gains, capturing an important military base east of Aleppo and large areas in Aleppo and Idlib provinces. This offensive has led to civilian casualties, displacement, and internal displacement of over 20,000 people within the Aleppo governorate and to other areas, as reported by the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The rebels, under the Military Operations Command coalition, have seized key sites in Aleppo, including the airport. The opposition forces' control of Aleppo poses a major challenge to President Bashar al-Assad, with Russian air support being instrumental in reversing rebel gains in the civil war.
