Syrian rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a major offensive in Aleppo, capturing key areas, including the airport. The attack forces the Syrian army to redeploy, while Russia conducts airstrikes in support of Assad's regime.

Over a few days, rebel fighters in northern Syria have launched incursions into several major cities with little resistance from government troops.

Rebel forces in Syria have seized control of most of the city Aleppo after launching a surprise offensive against government forces, a war monitor reported on Saturday as Russia says it deployed fighter jets against rebels in Syria.

The surprise attack, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, was the boldest rebel assault for years in the civil war that has been frozen.

The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group in Syria has taken control of much of Aleppo city after local forces withdrew to organize a counteroffensive to retake Aleppo.

The lightning assault on Aleppo by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham abruptly redrew the front lines of Syria’s civil war.

The Syrian army faces a major challenge as rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, launch a surprise attack on Aleppo, shaking the frozen frontlines. The army redeploys to counter the offensive, aiming to restore control.

The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group in Syria has taken control of much of Aleppo city after local forces withdrew to organize a counteroffensive to retake Aleppo.

Syria state media say government troops are battling insurgents inside the country’s largest city Aleppo for the first time since 2016