Dhaka, Dec 02 (UNB)-Syrian government forces launched counterattacks Sunday against insurgents who captured much of Aleppo, with Iranian support pledged to bolster the Assad regime amid escalating violence. The conflict marks one of the most significant setbacks for President Bashar Assad in years, further complicating an already volatile Middle East landscape.

Jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), leading the insurgent coalition, launched a surprise offensive last week, seizing Aleppo and advancing through Idlib and parts of Hama. Airstrikes on rebel positions in Aleppo and Idlib have killed at least 25 people, including women and children, according to the White Helmets.

The insurgents’ rapid gains embarrassed Assad’s government, as allies like Iran and Russia grapple with their own challenges. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi assured Assad of Tehran's support during a meeting in Damascus, though specifics remain unclear.

The intensifying conflict threatens to drag regional players like Russia, Turkey, and the U.S. into broader engagement. Western governments have called for de-escalation and humanitarian protections, emphasizing the urgent need for a political resolution to Syria's civil war.

Meanwhile, fears of further displacement and humanitarian crises loom as the violence escalates. U.N. envoy Geir Pedersen warned of risks to regional stability, urging renewed diplomatic efforts to address Syria’s decade-long conflict.

Source: With inputs from agencies

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