The Syrian government has lost control of much of its Idlib Province, including the major city of Aleppo, to a sudden surge by a mix of anti-government forces. Russia appears to be scaling back its support of the Syrian regime or pausing to determine how to react. So far, no effective counterassaults have occurred, but the advances have finally been mostly halted.
Syria’s insurgency leader tours seized city of Aleppo, as fierce battles intensify near Hama – AP
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The leader of Syria’s most powerful insurgent group Wednesday toured the seized city of Aleppo in a surprise visit, for the first time since the group captured large parts of the city last weekend, as fierce fighting intensifies in the government-led counter-offensive in northern Hama.
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who heads jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, greeted crowds of supporters near the city’s iconic citadel as he smiled and waved in dark green military garb. Surrounded by masked gunmen in flak jackets, men and boys chanted “God is great” as he walked through the heart of Syria’s largest city.
The latest flareup in Syria’s long civil war comes after forces opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad ousted his troops from Aleppo, the country’s largest, as well as seized towns and villages in southern parts of the northwestern Idlib province.