Battle of Aleppo (2024) explained

Conflict:	Battle of Aleppo (2024)
Partof:	the northwestern Syria offensive (2024) during the Syrian civil war
Date:	29 November – December 2024^[1]
Place:	Aleppo, Syria
Territory:	Syrian opposition forces capture most of the city^[2] Syrian Democratic Forces retain control of Sheikh Maqsood and move into adjacent districts
Result:	Syrian government forces retreat from the city^[3]
Combatant1:	Syrian Salvation Government Syrian Interim Government
Combatant2:	^[4] ^[5]
Units1:	Military Operations Command Tahrir al-Sham Syrian National Army National Front for Liberation Sham Legion^[6] Northern Storm Brigade Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement Ajnad al-Kavkaz^[7] Liwa al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar
Units2:	^[8] People's Defense Units Women's Protection Units^[9] Sheikh Maqsoud Liberation Forces Ashrafieh Liberation Forces
Casualties1:	Dozens of rebels killed
Casualties2:	Dozens of soldiers killed
Casualties3:	22 civilians killed^[10]

On 29 November 2024, Syrian opposition group Tahrir al-Sham, along with allied Turkish-backed groups^{[11] [12] [13]} in the Military Operations Command, entered the Syrian Arab Army-held city of Aleppo. The battle began on the third day of a large-scale rebel offensive. It is the first time fighting has broken out in the city since the earlier battle,^[14] which began in 2012 and ended in 2016 when the Assad administration pushed rebels out of the city.^{[15] [16] [17]}

On 30 November 2024, opposition groups captured most of the city amidst the collapse of pro-government forces.

Background

See main article: Northwestern Syria offensive (2024). On 27 November 2024, Syrian opposition groups led by Tahrir al-Sham launched an offensive against pro-government forces in Northwestern Syria. The offensive, the first of its kind by any side in the conflict since March 2020 Idlib ceasefire, resulted in the rapid capture of dozens of villages by the opposition forces. During the offensive, rebels reportedly seized 70 sites in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib and about 10,000 civilians fled the fighting to the Idlib countryside, northwestern Syria.^{[18] [19]}

Battle

Fall of Aleppo

On 29 November 2024, rebel forces approached the outskirts of Aleppo. They took Khalsa, Al-Rashidin and Khan Tuman, where the army abandoned four T-55 tanks.^[20]

During the afternoon, rebels entered the Hamdaniyah and New Aleppo neighborhoods in the city, after carrying out a double suicide bombing with two car bombs.^[15] In the latter half of the day, opposition forces captured five city districts, Al-Hamdaniya, New Aleppo, 3000 Apartments, Al-Jamiliya, and Salah al-Din districts. Clashes were reported elsewhere in the city, including its center.^[21] By midnight, opposition forces had captured parts of Al-Sukariyya, Al-Furqan, Al-Adhamiya, and Saif al-Dawla districts, and claimed to have had taken control of the main square of Aleppo.^{[22] [23] [24]}

Hours after the rebel incursion into the main neighbourhoods, thousands of civilians fled the city through the main Khanasir Athriya intersection with most heading to Latakia and Salamiya.^[25]

The rebel forces issued evacuation warnings calling on residents of Aleppo to move eastwards "for your safety".^[26] Syrian state media reported that projectiles launched by the rebels hit student housing in the University of Aleppo, killing four people, including two students.^[27]

In the early hours of 30 November 2024, rebel forces captured the Citadel of Aleppo and the government headquarters in the city,^{[22] [28]} as well as "more than half" of the city.^[29] By morning, rebel forces had seized control of most of Aleppo, facing little resistance and forcing pro-government troops to retreat toward as-Safirah.^[30] Government forces and Iranian militias remained in control of a few neighborhoods in northeastern Aleppo.^[31] Russian forces abandoned at least three military bases around the city.^[32]

Clashes between Syrian rebels and SDF

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces occupied Aleppo International Airport and the Shaykh Najjar district, following the withdrawal of pro-government forces.^[33] Incursion into the Kurdish-held neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsoud was thwarted and 3 rebels were taken prisoners.^[34] In the evening, rebels took control of Aleppo airport from the SDF without clashes.^[35] An airstrike, reportedly carried out by Russian aircraft, killed 16 civilians and injured 20 others in the city.^[36] Two other airstrikes on rebel reinforcements on the outskirts of the city left 20 fighters dead.^[37]

That day, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) reportedly facilitated the entry of 2,892 refugees from Aleppo into Northeastern Syria.^[38]

On 1 December 2024, Tahrir al-Sham captured the thermal power station, field artillery college, and the military academy on the outskirts of the city. Meanwhile, clashes occurred between SNA and SDF in the Sheikh Najjar industrial district. Concurrently, the SDF closed the road linking areas in the northern Aleppo countryside and the city center of Aleppo.^[39]

Later that day, in response to the swift rebel gains in Aleppo and Tell Rifaat, the AANES declared a state of general mobilization.^[40] The rebels issued a demand for Kurdish forces in Aleppo to leave with their weapons for the northeast.^[41]

Also on 1 December, the Russian Air Force conducted an airstrike on the Aleppo University Hospital, killing 12 people, injuring two journalists.^[42]

On 2 December 2024, rebels captured the Sheikh Najjar industrial zone from the SDF and pushed further south of Aleppo, capturing Khansir in an attempt to cut off the army's main supply route to Aleppo city.^[43]

Reactions

• : The Syrian Arab Armed Forces (SAAF) vowed to repel the attack and accused the rebels of spreading "false information" about their advance.^[44] However, the army later acknowledged the rebel gains in "large parts" of the city and reported that "dozens" of its soldiers were killed, forcing it to redeploy "aimed at strengthening the defence lines in order to absorb the attack" and "preserve the lives of civilians and soldiers". It was also reportedly preparing to counter-attack, while rebel gatherings within the city were targed by airstrikes.^[45]
• : Foreign minister Hakan Fidan reiterated that Turkey is not involved in the ongoing conflicts in Aleppo. He also stated that his government is taking the "necessary measures" to avoid another migration crisis at its border.^[46]

See also

• Sheikh Maqsood

Notes and References

1. Web site: Syrian opposition forces seized Aleppo City and advanced toward Hama City on November 30. Institute for the Study of War. December 3, 2024. November 30, 2024.
2. Web site: Russian strikes hit Aleppo as rebels take control. 30 November 2024. BBC. 30 November 2024. 30 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241130143630/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly27r5p0yno. live.
3. Web site: Syrian army withdraws troops from Aleppo to prepare counteroffensive. 30 November 2024. Politico. 30 November 2024. 1 December 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241201185049/https://www.politico.eu/article/syria-army-announce-temporary-troop-withdrawal-aleppo-rebel-assault-islamist-hayat-tahrir-al-sham/. live.
4. News: Weeks after the Syrian Observatory published the preparations... "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" attacks the Aleppo countryside in the "Response to Aggression" operation . 27 November 2024 . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 27 November 2024 . Arabic.
5. News: Coinciding with the Authority's attack on the regime forces' positions in the Aleppo countryside... a squadron of Russian aircraft flies in the "Putin-Erdogan" airspace . 27 November 2024 . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 27 November 2024 . Arabic.
6. News: In parallel with the continuation of the "Deterrence of Aggression" operation: More than 30 airstrikes and the killing of about 100 members of the regime forces, the Authority and the factions in the Aleppo countryside . 27 November 2024 . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 27 November 2024 . Arabic.
7. Web site: TRAC Incident Report: Ajnad Kavkaz and Jaish al-Muhajireen wa al-Ansar/ HTS Claim Responsibility for Attack Near Aleppo, Syria - 28 November 2024 . 1 December 2024 . TRAC . en-US.
8. Web site: IRGC commander killed by rebels in Aleppo amid clashes. Rudaw. 28 November 2024. 29 November 2024. 28 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241128180242/https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/281120241. live.
9. Web site: YPJ: We will hold the Turkish state and its mercenaries accountable on the frontlines of resistance . Firat News Agency. 2 December 2024 . 2 December 2024.
10. News: Dramatic escalation: Six students ki*lled and wounded in rocket fire by rebels on university student dormitory in Aleppo city . 29 November 2024 . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 29 November 2024.
11. Web site: Syrian troops withdraw from Aleppo as rebels advance. BBC News. The latest offensive has been led by an Islamist militant group known at Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied factions backed by Turkey.. 1 December 2024. 1 December 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241201190704/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czr7rkzz2gmo. live.
12. Web site: Syrian rebels sweep into Aleppo, Russia conducts strikes in support of Assad. With Assad backed by Russia and Iran, and Turkey supporting some of the rebels in the northwest where it maintains troops, the offensive has brought into focus the conflict's knotted geopolitics.. Reuters.
13. Web site: Aleppo: Rebels 'take control' of airport as thousands of fighters seize most of Syria's second-biggest city. The insurgents, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al Sham and including Turkey-backed fighters, also claim to be in control of all of Idlib province after launching their offensive on Wednesday.. Sky.
14. Web site: 30 November 2024 . Setbacks for Russia, Iran and Hezbollah Turn Into a Catastrophe for Syria's Assad . 30 November 2024 . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201020310/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/setbacks-for-russia-iran-and-hezbollah-turn-into-a-catastrophe-for-syrias-assad-c3e693e8 . live .
15. News: 29 November 2024 . بعد تفجير سيارتين مفخختين.. فصائل عملية "ردع العدوان" تدخل أجزاء من أحياء في مدينة حلب . After detonating two car bombs, the factions of the "Deterrence of Aggression" operation enter parts of neighborhoods in the city of Aleppo . 29 November 2024 . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . Arabic.
16. Web site: 29 November 2024 . Insurgents breach Syria's second-largest city Aleppo, fighters and a war monitor say . 29 November 2024 . AP News . en . 29 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241129124937/https://apnews.com/article/syria-attack-clashes-aleppo-9c07da6f83036f34d4b18a479de9d085 . live .
17. News: 30 November 2024 . Syrian rebels defend gains in Aleppo, push south . . 30 November 2024 . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201045627/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/11/30/syria-rebel-aleppo-assad-hama/ . live .
18. Web site: 29 November 2024 . Syria insurgents breach second largest city of Aleppo, fighters and war monitor say . 29 November 2024 . Voice of America . en.
19. Web site: Armed groups opposed to Assad's regime in Syria enter Aleppo city center . 29 November 2024 . Anadolu Agency . 29 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241129192209/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/armed-groups-opposed-to-assads-regime-in-syria-enter-aleppo-city-center/3408670 . live .
20. News: Insurgents' attack on Assad-controlled Aleppo revives Syrian war after five-year truce . 29 November 2024 . www.euronews.com . 30 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241130165857/https://www.euronews.com/2024/11/29/insurgents-attack-on-assad-controlled-aleppo-revives-syrian-war-after-five-years-truce . live .
21. News: 29 November 2024 . وسط انهيار قوات النظام.. "الهيئة" والفصائل تسيطران على 5 أحياء في مدينة حلب و20 بلدة وقرية في ريفي حلب وإدلب . Amidst the collapse of the regime forces.. "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" and the factions control 5 neighborhoods in the city of Aleppo and 20 towns and villages in the countryside of Aleppo and Idlib . 29 November 2024 . Arabic.
22. News: After controlling 5 neighborhoods, "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" and factions enter the streets of a number of other neighborhoods in Aleppo city . 29 November 2024 . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . 29 November 2024 . Arabic.
23. Web site: 29 November 2024 . الميليشيات تعلن سيطرتها على قلعة حلب . Militias announce control over Aleppo Citadel . 29 November 2024 . ElKhabar . ar . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201005343/https://www.elkhabar.com/press/article/253073/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%82%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8/ . live .
24. Web site: Musa . Shelan Sheikh . 29 November 2024 . سيطرة المعارضة السورية على قلعة حلب وأحياء بوسط المدينة . Syrian opposition takes control of Aleppo Citadel and downtown neighborhoods . 29 November 2024 . Solution Net . ar . 29 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241129231829/https://7al.net/2024/11/30/%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%82%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8-%D9%88%D8%A3/shilan-sh/%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/ . live .
25. News: Syrian military confirms rebel forces overran Aleppo as thousands of civilians flee fighting . 29 November 2024 . The National News . 30 November 2024 . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201013341/https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2024/11/30/syrian-rebel-forces-breach-aleppo-army-closes-airport-and-roads/ . live .
26. News: Abdulrahim . Raja . 29 November 2024 . Syrian Rebels Reach Outskirts of Major City in Escalating Offensive . 29 November 2024 . . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201012813/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/29/world/middleeast/syria-war-aleppo-rebels-government.html . live .
27. News: El Deeb . Sarah . 30 November 2024 . In a shock offensive, insurgents breach Syria's largest city for the first time since 2016 . 30 November 2024 . . 29 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241129124937/https://apnews.com/article/syria-attack-clashes-aleppo-9c07da6f83036f34d4b18a479de9d085 . live .
28. News: Syrian opposition enters Aleppo, takes control of government headquarters and citadel . 29 November 2024 . Al Jazeera . 29 November 2024 . Arabic . 30 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241130011339/https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2024/11/29/%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AA . live .
29. News: Abdulrahim . Raja . 29 November 2024 . Syrian Rebels Breach City of Aleppo, in Biggest Advance in Years . 29 November 2024 . . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201012813/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/29/world/middleeast/syria-war-aleppo-rebels-government.html . live .
30. News: 30 November 2024 . بعد غياب لنحو 8 سنوات.. الطيران الحربي يستهدف أحياء حلب.. وقوات "ردع العدوان" تتوغل في غالبية أحياء مدينة حلب . After an absence of about 8 years. Warplanes target Aleppo neighborhoods. and the "Deterrence of Aggression" forces penetrate most of Aleppo city neighborhoods . 30 November 2024 . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . Arabic.
31. Web site: Kourdi . Eyad . 30 November 2024 . Syrian rebels take control of most of Aleppo city . 30 November 2024 . CNN . en.
32. News: Syrian rebels capture majority of Aleppo as Russia's forces abandon bases. 30 November 2024. Telegraph. 30 November 2024. 1 December 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241201192050/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/11/30/syrian-rebels-capture-aleppo-airport-seize-majority-city/. live.
33. News: 30 November 2024 . بعد انسحاب الميليشيات الإيرانية وقوات النظام.. القوات الكردية تنتشر في مطار حلب الدولي ونبل والزهراء وتسيطر على الحواجز . After the withdrawal of Iranian militias and regime forces. Kurdish forces deploy in Aleppo International Airport, Nubl and Zahraa and control the checkpoints . 30 November 2024 . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . Arabic.
34. News: HPC arrests mercenaries tried to infiltrate Sheikh Maqsoud . 30 November 2024 . ANHA . 30 November 2024 . 30 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241130200446/https://hawarnews.com/en/hpc-arrests-mercenaries-tried-to-infiltrate-sheikh-maqsoud . live .
35. News: 30 November 2024 . "الهيئة" تسيطر على مطار حلب الدولي والعديد من المدن والبلدات في ريف حماة الشمالي وسط انهيار كامل لقوات النظام . "The Authority" controls Aleppo International Airport and many cities and towns in the northern Hama countryside amid a complete collapse of the regime forces . 30 November 2024 . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . Arabic.
36. News: 30 November 2024 . استشهاد 16 شخص.. مجزرة مروعة ترتكبها الطائرات الحربية في مدينة حلب . 16 people killed.. A horrific massacre committed by warplanes in the city of Aleppo . 30 November 2024 . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . Arabic.
37. News: Armed rebels occupy centre of Aleppo, Syria's largest city . 29 November 2024 . Euronews . 30 November 2024 . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201013656/https://www.euronews.com/2024/11/30/armed-rebels-occupy-centre-of-aleppo-syrias-largest-city . live .
38. News: AANES facilitates entry of 2,892 returnees from Aleppo into NE Syria . 1 December 2024 . ANHA . 30 November 2024 . English.
39. News: "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" and "National Army" control the towns of Khanaser and Al-Safira, Kuweires Airport in the Aleppo countryside, and military sites on the outskirts of Aleppo . 1 December 2024 . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . 1 December 2024 . Arabic.
40. News: Democratic Autonomous Administration declares stage of general mobilization . 1 December 2024 . ANHA . 1 December 2024 . English . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201202833/https://hawarnews.com/en/democratic-autonomous-administration-declares-stage-of-general-mobilization . live .
41. News: Fighting Rages in Syria as Rebels Advance . 1 December 2024 . . 1 December 2024 . English . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201211654/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/01/world/middleeast/syria-war-aleppo-rebels-government.html . live .
42. Web site: Davies . Maia . Cooney . Christy . More Russian strikes as Syrian rebels advance after taking Aleppo . BBC . . 2 December 2024 . 1 December 2024 . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201190704/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czr7rkzz2gmo . live .
43. Web site: Davies . Maia . Cooney . Christy . Russian, Syrian jets intensify bombing of Syria's rebel-held northwest . Reuters . 2 December 2024 . 2 December 2024.
44. Web site: 29 November 2024 . In a shock offensive, insurgents breach Syria's largest city for the first time since 2016 . 29 November 2024 . AP News . en . 29 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241129124937/https://apnews.com/article/syria-attack-clashes-aleppo-9c07da6f83036f34d4b18a479de9d085 . live .
45. News: 30 November 2024 . Syrian rebels sweep into Aleppo, army says dozens of soldiers killed . 30 November 2024 . Reuters . English.
46. News: Syrian rebels enter Aleppo three days into surprise offensive . 30 November 2024 . ARK . en-GB.