Syrian rebels extend shock offensive after capturing Aleppo | BBC News

Rebel fighters in Syria have been pushing south after capturing the country’s second-biggest city Aleppo. They have occupied more towns near the city of Hama.

The surprise offensive marks the most significant fighting in Syria's civil war in recent years. The rebels are led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham as well as allied factions backed by Turkey. Syria's defence ministry said it was reinforcing defensive lines in the region with troops, rocket launchers and heavy military hardware.

Russia, which backs Syria’s President Assad, has been carrying out air strikes on the rebels’ new positions, according to observers. It’s reported that 12 people were killed in a strike on a hospital in Aleppo, while a strike on the north-western city of Idlib is said to hae killed eight civilians and wounded more than 50.

Syria’s ally Iran also said it was offering support to President Assad and his armed forces.

Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Barbara Plett Usher.

#BBCNews

[MBajwa]

If the BBC is saying rebels not terrorists, that means something is off.

[adamyoung]

Will the people who protested for Gaza do anything for Syria? Probably not.

[Goenzelsen]

The last time I heard „rebels“ instead of islamists, things didn’t turn out so well.

[FidaHussain-veo]

Imagine a western media channel who is calling a former alqaeda affiliate revel group.

[Garmonbozia-ncmm]

This is happening because Hezbollah and Iran chose poorly in fighting Israel and have been weakened while Russia is busy in Ukraine and now no one available to help Assad against the Turkish backed rebels. But rest assured, the buildings you currently see intact on the screen will all soon get a Russian remodeling…after all, that’s where they learned those tactics 10 years ago prior to Ukraine.

[spamfilter]

"Rebels" is a funny way to spell terrorist.

[maxmurphy]

These are Islamist “rebels”. What makes anyone think this is going to work out well for anyone?

[Mj]

Why does this feel like another engineered event...

[bongskhietv]

Did russia inform civilians before strike?

[soumenmurmu]

why no Muslim community is saying anything now?? 😂😂

[LarryKrisma]

No Israel this time!! islam still got los of problems...

[microwavehead]

Who are these 'rebels' that you speak of? 🤔

[PaulLisiMtlQC]

Russia too broke to protect this anymore

[Joshpox]

To be an enemy of Russia is dangerous. To be an ally of Russia is fatal.

[NoxxKanzikz]

How many women and children were killed during this Russian Air Strikes😢😢

[Evan.]

For those who want context/are unfamiliar with the Syrian civil war - this faction is a mix of fundamentalist and (to a lesser extent) secular groups; with sizeable cross-pollination of (ex/) Al-Q and IS members.

This particular group has direct funding from Turkey (therefore implicit approval/indirect funding from the US). _(The US is also funding other groups which are in conflict with this + adjacent groups. ‘Loyalties’ are constantly changing, don’t worry if it doesn’t make a great deal of sense)._

Many countries are trying to piece apart the one in question, and you’ll be hard pressed finding a ‘good guy’ if you tend to operate on easy ‘good/bad’ dynamics when it comes to conflicts. If that is the case, I’d suggest sitting this one out. All these groups will _very_ nearly always be bad for the Syrian civilian population, and there is no easy solution for this country.

Best of luck to the Syrians out there.

[dublinthebest]

I see the white helmet 'angels' are back? A video a few years back, of the white helmets standing around and cheering, while a captured Syrian soldier was being beheaded, dispelled any myth that these are the good guys.

[SchiszNyzTv]

If you want maximum Peace in your country give Islam no ground

[MarvylousTV]

"Truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to paradise. falsehood leads to wickedness and wickedness leads to hellfire"

[no_clot_shot]

Are the western paid mercenaries called the Syrian rebels now? 😂😂😂