Fatshimetrie – Rebel Groups Advance in Aleppo, Syria
The recent development of the surprise offensive by rebel groups in Aleppo, Syria, poses new challenges and dilemmas for the United States and the international community. As the rebels have taken control of this strategic city, the situation raises difficult questions about the positioning of the various parties engaged in the Syrian conflict.
Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder has clearly stated that the United States is in no way involved in the operations taking place in and around Aleppo, carried out by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group designated as a terrorist organization. This position highlights the complexity of the Syrian conflict, with various actors with sometimes contradictory objectives.
On one side, the Syrian government of Assad, supported by Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, is facing increasing pressure. On the other hand, rebel groups, including HTS, raise concerns due to their past ties to terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda. This duality creates a dilemma for the United States as it attempts to maintain a balanced posture while continuing its mission to combat the Islamic State in Syria.
HTS founder Abu Mohammad al-Jolani has a troubled past with affiliations to al-Qaeda, raising legitimate concerns about the group’s intentions and goals. Despite HTS’s attempts to disassociate itself from al-Qaeda, the United States maintains its classification of the group as a terrorist organization, underscoring the complexities of the situation in Syria.
In parallel with these developments, the U.S. State Department reaffirmed its continued sanctions against the Assad regime, stressing that it has not changed its behavior and continues to face accusations of human rights abuses. This position aims to exert pressure on the Syrian regime to begin a democratic transition, in line with the aspirations of the Syrian people.
In this context of growing tensions, nearly 900 American military personnel are deployed in Syria as part of the anti-ISIS mission. Despite the geographical distance between their operations and the clashes in Aleppo, American forces remain in contact with Russian authorities to avoid any unnecessary escalation and prevent the risk of misunderstanding.
The recent escalation of fighting in Aleppo has led to a military intervention by Russia, the main ally of the Syrian regime, in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. The United States has used its communication channel with Russia to maintain open lines of dialogue and avoid any misinterpretation that could lead to a direct confrontation between the forces involved.
In parallel with these events, American and allied troops in Syria are regularly targeted by attacks, illustrating the climate of instability that has reigned in the country for many months. Despite these challenges, American forces have not yet changed their posture in Syria, remaining committed to their mission of fighting terrorism and regional stability.
The situation in Syria therefore remains complex and uncertain, with multiple and sometimes contradictory issues for the actors involved. The international community must continue to closely monitor the evolution of the conflict and seek diplomatic solutions to end the suffering of the Syrian people and find a viable political solution to this devastating conflict.