Syrian opposition forces enter Aleppo, sparking hopes for refugee return
In this picture taken from the northern Syrian village of Ariha, people watch as smoke billows from the site of clashes and mutual shelling between Syrian opposition factions and regime forces on the front lines on the outskirts of the city of Saraqib in Syria's Aleppo province on November 28, 2024. (AFP Photo)
Syrian opposition forces have entered Aleppo, marking a significant shift in the ongoing conflict. With Bashar al-Assad’s forces retreating, the situation in the city is rapidly evolving, bringing new hopes for displaced Syrians and potentially affecting regional migration patterns, according to Türkiye Gazetesi.
Key points
- Rebel victory: Syrian opposition groups have taken control of parts of Aleppo, forcing Assad’s forces to withdraw.
- YPG withdrawal: Gen. Ahmed Rahal predicts that the terrorist group PKK-affiliated YPG will also pull out of the region.
- Refugee return: Rahal estimates that up to 2.5 million Syrian refugees in Türkiye could return to areas now under opposition control.
Details
- Fighting between Syrian rebels and Assad’s forces in Aleppo’s western countryside, which began on Nov. 27, has intensified. The United Nations reported that 27 civilians, including children, have been killed in the clashes.
- Rebel groups have advanced into the city center, displacing more than 14,000 people in just two days.
- Gen. Rahal believes that the success of these operations could lead to the liberation of more regions, creating the possibility for displaced Syrians, including refugees in Türkiye, to return to areas like Han Shaikhoun and Maarrat al-Numan.
Analysis
- Rahal explained that the fall of Aleppo to the opposition could accelerate the collapse of YPG-controlled areas, particularly in Menbij and Tel Rifaat, which are strategically important.
- He also discussed the broader implications for Syrian refugees, suggesting that many could return to their homes in the newly liberated areas, reversing the previous trend of migration to Türkiye.
- Rahal stressed that the ongoing operations, supported by Türkiye, are aimed not only at defeating Assad’s forces but also at facilitating the return of displaced Syrians to their homes.
