**Russia Backs Syrian Government to Quell Aleppo Offensive Amid Intensifying Conflict**

In response to a major offensive by jihadist forces in Aleppo, Russia expressed its hopes that its ally, Syria, would swiftly re-establish control and stability in the embattled city. The Kremlin condemned the attack as a violation of Syrian sovereignty and emphasized the necessity for the Syrian government to restore order.

"We support the Syrian government's efforts to quickly re-establish order and constitutional authority in the affected district," stated Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Meanwhile, Peskov refrained from commenting on rumors that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may have made an unexpected trip to Moscow following the recent developments.

The Russian and Syrian air forces have launched bombing campaigns against the insurgent offensive in northwest Syria, targeting rebels led by the militant organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which both Russia and the United States recognize as a terrorist group. The jihadists and their allies have captured numerous towns and villages in areas previously controlled by the Syrian government, as reported by AFP.

State media reported that the insurgents also shelled a university student residence in Aleppo, the primary city in northern Syria. The ongoing violence has claimed the lives of 242 people, mainly combatants on both sides, according to a Syrian war monitor cited by AFP. Among the casualties, at least 24 civilians have been killed, predominantly in Russian airstrikes.

The conflict in Syria, which began over a decade ago, has evolved into a multifaceted war involving jihadist groups and numerous foreign powers. Russia's intervention in 2015 marked a turning point, bolstering President Assad's forces when they had lost control of most of the country. Although Assad's government has since reclaimed much of the lost territory, areas where jihadists are concentrated remain volatile.

A truce brokered by Turkey and Russia in March 2020 temporarily quelled hostilities in regions controlled by HTS, including parts of the northwest Idlib region and portions of neighboring Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia provinces. Despite this, HTS, which emerged from Al-Qaeda's former Syria branch, persists in maintaining significant influence in these areas.