Clashes between the Syrian army and jihadist groups in the northwest of Syria have resulted in over 130 combatant deaths, marking the worst fighting in years in the region. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied factions launched a surprise attack on the Syrian army in the northern Aleppo province on Wednesday. The death toll from the ongoing battles, which have lasted for 24 hours, includes 65 HTS fighters, 18 from allied factions, and 49 regime forces.
The fighting is concentrated in an area near the Idlib-Aleppo border, with some clashes taking place less than 10 kilometers southwest of Aleppo city. HTS, which controls significant portions of Idlib and parts of Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia provinces, has been leading the assault. Reports indicate heavy, uninterrupted fighting east of Idlib city, including airstrikes.
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The Syrian military has confirmed the attack, describing it as a broad-fronted assault by “armed terrorist organizations” under the banner of the “Nusra terrorist front.” The attack targeted villages, towns, and military sites in Aleppo and Idlib provinces using medium and heavy weapons. The army, supported by allied forces, is engaged in ongoing combat to repel the assault, claiming to have inflicted heavy losses on the armed groups. However, no details about Syrian army casualties have been released.
