Rebels Capture Aleppo from Syrian Government

For the first time since the Syrian conflict began over a decade ago, Aleppo has fallen from government control following a rapid advance by an Islamist-dominated rebel alliance, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The offensive, which began on Wednesday, resulted in rebels capturing significant areas, including Aleppo's airport, and has been characterized as a notable turning point in the ongoing civil war. While the Syrian government, supported by Russian air power, has claimed to be countering these advances, reports indicate ongoing airstrikes have resulted in civilian casualties and growing unrest among the populace. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that the city is now largely under rebel control, with a few neighborhoods still held by Kurdish forces. As the situation escalates, government officials have attempted to downplay the losses, labeling reports as false propaganda. The implications of this power shift could further alter the fragile dynamics of Syria's protracted conflict.