Syrian rebels have launched their first major offensive in the country in four years, claiming to have beaten government forces back several miles and captured a dozen villages west of Aleppo.The offensive led by jihadists from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and its allies has reignited a conflict where front lines have been largely stagnant since 2020.

For the first time since 2020, Syrian opposition forces have launched an offensive against longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad’s forces near Aleppo

Last month, the UN special envoy for Syria warned that the wars in Gaza and Lebanon appeared to be “catalysing conflict in north-west Syria in a dangerous manner”. Geir Pedersen said HTS had carried out a significant raid into government-held areas,

Syrian rebel fighters broke through government front lines to within three miles of Aleppo and cut a key highway to the capital in their first major offensive in four years.

Syrian Islamist rebels have launched their biggest offensive in years against President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, capturing at least 15 villages and attacking military sites as they surge towards the city of Aleppo.

Syrian rebels have launched a large-scale attack on regime forces in western Aleppo, according to a Free Syrian Army source and local residents.

Syrian rebel fighters launched their first major offensive in four years against government positions near Aleppo, claiming to have advanced several miles and captured a string of villages.