Rebels in Syria Reach Outskirts of Aleppo, in Biggest Advance in Years, Monitor Says

Rebels in Syria have made significant gains in their fight against government forces, reaching the outskirts of Aleppo in what is being described as the biggest advance in years. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group based in the UK, reported that rebel forces had captured several key areas on the outskirts of the city, including the strategic town of al-Eis.

The advance comes after months of intense fighting in the region, with both government forces and rebel groups vying for control of Aleppo, once Syria’s largest city and an important economic hub. The city has been divided between government-held areas in the west and rebel-controlled areas in the east since 2012, with both sides launching offensives and counter-offensives in an attempt to gain the upper hand.

The latest rebel advance is seen as a significant blow to government forces, who have been struggling to maintain control of the region in the face of mounting losses and a lack of support from their Russian and Iranian allies. The capture of al-Eis, a town located on a key supply route to Aleppo, is expected to further weaken the government’s hold on the city and could pave the way for a larger rebel offensive in the coming weeks.

The rebel advance also comes at a time when the Syrian government is facing increasing pressure from the international community to end its brutal crackdown on opposition forces and civilians. The United Nations has repeatedly condemned the government’s use of chemical weapons and other atrocities in the conflict, and has called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Despite the recent gains made by rebel forces, the situation in Aleppo remains precarious, with both sides continuing to launch attacks and counter-attacks in a bid to gain control of the city. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has warned that the fighting in the region is likely to intensify in the coming days, as both sides seek to consolidate their positions and gain the upper hand.

The escalating violence in Aleppo is a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria, where millions of people have been displaced and thousands have been killed in the conflict. The international community must do more to end the bloodshed and bring about a peaceful resolution to the crisis, before more lives are lost and more cities are destroyed.