The assault on Aleppo by opposition forces has reignited the Syrian civil war, surprising the Assad regime and highlighting the conflict’s continuity. Since its origins in 2011, the war has drawn various foreign actors and led to significant humanitarian crises. Recent developments challenge prospects for normalization and resolution amidst ongoing violence.

The ongoing conflict in Syria has been reignited with recent hostilities in Aleppo, where opposition forces have launched a significant assault on area previously held by the Syrian regime. This resurgence has caught the regime and its allies by surprise, indicating a potential shift back to active combat following a period of uneasy ceasefire since 2020. As Syrian and Russian airstrikes target opposition factions in northwest Syria, the situation underscores that the war, which began in 2011, remains active rather than concluded.

Initially spurred by pro-democracy protests in 2011, the Syrian conflict escalated when the regime under President Bashar al-Assad retaliated violently against demonstrators. The intervention of multiple foreign powers, including Russia and Iran supporting Assad, sparked further complexity as various opposition and militant factions emerged, with groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham asserting dominance in regions such as Idlib. Despite efforts to stabilize the situation, the airstrikes and ground battles signal that the violence is far from over.

The impact of ongoing violence has been catastrophic, with the United Nations estimating that over 306,000 civilians have lost their lives since the war’s inception, and more than half of Syria’s pre-war population has been displaced. Allegations of chemical weapons usage and other severe human rights violations have exacerbated the conflict, drawing international condemnation. While some nations began to tentatively recognize Assad’s regime following a post-quake thaw in relations, the latest developments cast doubt on prospects for meaningful dialogue or normalization in the region.

The Syrian civil war, ignited in 2011, was rooted in widespread protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s government, which were met with extreme military force. The ensuing violence attracted a myriad of external players, each backing different factions within the opposition. Over time, numerous militant groups emerged, including ISIL and al-Qaeda affiliates, leading to further complexity as alliances shifted and sectarian tensions escalated. Despite several periods of ceasefire, such as in 2020, sporadic confrontations have persisted, evidenced by the recent offensive against Aleppo, indicating that the war continues to affect the region significantly.

In summary, the latest conflict in Aleppo illustrates that Syria’s war is not over, as opposition forces re-engage in fierce battles against the regime. With significant foreign involvement, the humanitarian toll has been profound, and the potential for resolution remains unclear. The international community’s response has varied, and recent peace overtures seem precarious in light of ongoing violence. The situation demands ongoing attention to both humanitarian needs and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com

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