Syrian rebels use weaknesses of Iranian deputies for surprise attack

Syrian rebels use weaknesses of Iranian deputies for surprise attack

Anti-government rebels in northern Syria have started a sudden offensive to use Israel's efforts to weaken Iran's regional deputies. After the rebels had only achieved limited successes in recent years, they have already conquered around 40 cities and villages, which were previously controlled by the government forces, as well as a Syrian military base.

offensive on Aleppo

As part of an anti-regime surgery, rebels were merged on Thursday to approach the second largest city of Syria, Aleppo. Aleppo has been checked by Assad's government and pro-Iranian militias since 2016. The rebels stated that they started the offensive to deter the Syrian government and the "Iranian militias" that had declared an "open war" against the Syrian people by bombing areas with displaced persons.

first significant argument since 2020

The surprising operation on Wednesday marks the first significant argument between Syrian rebels and the regime since March 2020 when Russia and Turkey conveyed a ceasefire in the north of the country. Last year Iran had to watch, like his most important deputy, the Hisbollah, was severely weakened by a violent Israeli air and soil use in Lebanon. The militant that occurred to save the Assad regime from the rebels is now significantly weakened, which is evidenced by the murder of most of their leaders.

Deteralrence of aggression

The opposition factions announced the offensive on Wednesday via their Telegram channel and described them as "Deteralrence of aggression". They claimed that they were an answer to the recent artillery shots of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in the province of Idlib borders on Turkey. A Turkish security source announced CNN that Turkey had tried to stop the rebels' offensive to "prevent a further escalation of the tensions in the region due to the aggression of Israel."

rebel differences and strategic goals

The source said that the rebels had started an offensive against the Assad regime intended as a "limited operation" after the Syrian army and allies had attacked the city of Idlib controlled by rebels and killed more than 30 civilians. The rebels expanded the operation after the regiments had fled the cities around Aleppo. CNN cannot verify these claims independently.

weakening of the resistance axis

Analysts are of the opinion that the rebels use the gap caused by the weakening of the Hezbollah in order to advance in Syria. "The rebels see an opportunity to test the front lines because the Hezbollah is weakened, the pressure on Iran increases and Russia is busy with Ukraine. The rebels were surprised by their success and pushed more than expected," explained Nanar Hawach, a senior analyst of the International Crisis Group. "The rebels see a change of power."

Iran's influence and military presence

For over a decade, Iran and Russia have provided troops and weapons to keep Assad in power. Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdogan has supported rebel groups and sent Turkish troops to keep control of the bastions held by rebels in northern Syria. Iran maintained its military presence in Syria to keep Assad in power and to protect a strategically important influence in the region.

Effects of the Hisbollah on the conflict

Last year, the Hisbollah increasingly shifted its combat units to Israel and pulled troops from Syria back to Lebanon to consolidate their losses, while Assad moved closer to the Golf-Arab states and, less with Iran's "axis of resistance". Israel has added massive damage in Lebanon and killed many of its leading personalities.

The changing dynamics of the fights and the influence of external actors show that the arguments in Syria remain complex and that the geopolitical tensions in the region are still high.