Syrian rebels kill Iranian general in new offensive near Aleppo
Clashes between the Bashar al-Assad regime and the anti-regime armed group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) continue in Syria's Aleppo and Idlib provinces. (AA Photo)
Iranian media has reported that Brigadier General Kiyomarth Porhashmi, a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed by rebel forces in Aleppo during the latest wave of fighting in the region.
Porhashmi, who was overseeing Iranian military advisors in Syria, was reportedly killed in the western Aleppo countryside as Syrian opposition forces intensified their offensive against regime-held areas.
Significant development
His death is seen as a significant development regarding the Iranian military presence in Syria, where Iran has long been backing the Assad regime.
The attack occurred as rebel groups gained control of several strategic locations in western Aleppo, further tightening their grip on the area. Porhashmi’s killing is the latest in a series of setbacks for Iran’s military operations in Syria, where it has been providing critical support to Assad’s forces against opposition fighters.
Clashes between Assad regime, opposition groups continue
The fighting between Bashar al-Assad‘s regime and opposition armed groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), continues in Syria’s Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
The clashes began early yesterday morning in the western countryside of Aleppo and have persisted throughout the day. Opposition forces captured 32 villages and other strategic locations in western Aleppo, with two additional villages falling to them this morning.
Opposition forces have advanced to within 5 kilometers (3.10 miles) of Aleppo city center, taking control of 250 square kilometers of territory.
Dozens of regime soldiers captured
HTS has seized a large amount of military equipment, including heavy weapons and vehicles, from the Assad regime. They have also captured dozens of regime soldiers. Many regime soldiers have been killed in the fighting as well.
Approximately 10,000 civilians fleeing the violence have sought refuge in rural Idlib. The clashes continue to intensify, now moving closer to Aleppo’s city center.
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