**Rebels Seize Large Parts of Aleppo in Significant Offensive**

Syrian government forces have pulled out from Aleppo after rebels opposed to President Bashar al-Assad launched a substantial offensive. The Syrian army confirmed that rebels have invaded "large parts" of the nation’s second largest city but promised to launch a counteroffensive. This marks the most significant escalation in Syria's civil conflict in years.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that more than 300 people, including at least 20 civilians, have died since the offensive began on Wednesday. In a statement on Saturday, President Assad committed to defending Syria's stability and territorial integrity against "terrorists and their backers," and expressed confidence in overcoming the attackers with the assistance of allies and friends.

Syria's civil war, which has resulted in approximately half a million deaths, began in 2011 following a harsh crackdown on pro-democracy protests by the Assad government. A ceasefire had largely kept the conflict dormant since 2020, although opposition forces have continued to control the north-western city of Idlib and much of its surrounding province. Idlib is situated merely 55km (34 miles) from Aleppo, a city that was a rebel stronghold until its capture by government forces in 2016.

The recent offensive has been spearheaded by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) along with allied factions supported by Turkey. HTS, known for its effectiveness and lethality, is already the predominant force in Idlib. SOHR states that rebels have taken control of Aleppo's airport and numerous nearby towns. In addition, they imposed a curfew starting at 17:00 local time (14:00 GMT) on Saturday, which will last until Sunday.

According to the Syrian army, the rebels initiated "a broad attack from multiple axes on the Aleppo and Idlib fronts," leading to battles spread across a 100km (60 miles) strip. The army also reported significant casualties among its soldiers. The Russian air force, which had been instrumental in keeping Assad in power during the civil war's peak, conducted air strikes in Aleppo on Saturday, marking its first air raid in the city since 2016.

Roads leading out of Aleppo were clogged with cars on Saturday as residents tried to flee the violence. HTS has played a complex and prominent role in the Syrian conflict and the recent air raids reportedly targeted a weapons depot and other locations associated with Iran-backed fighters, according to a UK-based monitoring group. This has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in a region already suffering from the effects of civil war and severe drought.