Syria’s antigovernment forces claimed a stunning advance into Aleppo, in a setback for the government in Damascus and its allies Russia and Iran.

The rapid advance on Aleppo came just four days into a surprise rebel offensive that is the most intense escalation in years in the country’s civil war.

The 13-year civil war in Syria has roared back into prominence with a surprise rebel offensive on one of Syria’s largest cities and ancient business hub.

Syrian rebels against the country’s President Bashar Al-Assad advanced toward one of the largest cities in the country — the first time since 2016 — following a shock offensive launched by insurgents on Wednesday,

For years, Israel has carried out deadly strikes in Syria, saying its targets are Iran-backed militants including the Lebanese group Hezbollah. Those attacks have escalated in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel.

Islamist rebels breached neighborhoods in Syria’s second-largest city of Aleppo and clashed with government military forces after detonating two car bombs Friday.

Syria state media say government troops are battling insurgents inside the country’s largest city Aleppo for the first time since 2016

Rebels in Syria have made rapid advances towards the country’s second biggest city, Aleppo, reigniting a conflict that had largely laid dormant for years. After making only limited gains in recent years,

The Syrian army said on Saturday dozens of its soldiers had been killed in a major attack led by Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels who swept into the city of Aleppo, forcing the army to redeploy in the biggest challenge to President Bashar al-Assad in years.