Background:
- Syrian civil war began in 2011 after Arab Spring protests.
- Led to widespread conflict and instability.
- Competing factions intensified geopolitical tensions.
- Recent events escalated the crisis further.
Relevance :GS-2 (International Relations )
- Assad Regime Under Threat
- Islamist militants, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have captured key territories like Aleppo and Hama, endangering the regime’s stability.
- Russia’s Role in 2016
- Russia’s intervention in 2015 turned the tide for Assad, enabling the recapture of major regions, including Aleppo, by December 2016.
- Recapture of Aleppo
- With Russian air support, Iranian-backed militias, and Hezbollah, the Assad regime successfully regained control of Aleppo.
- Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)
- HTS evolved from Jabhat al-Nusra (the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) and, under Abu Mohammad al-Julani, became the dominant anti-government force in Idlib.
- Recent Militant Gains
- Reduced Russian presence, weakened Iranian forces due to Israeli airstrikes, and Turkish support have bolstered HTS, leading to the capture of key territories.
- Key Actors in Syria
- Assad Regime: Backed by Russia, Iran, and Shia militias
- HTS: Controls Idlib, with Islamist ideology
- Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF): Includes Kurdish YPG, controls parts of northern Syria.
- Implications
- The regime faces renewed conflict, risking prolonged instability.
- Reinforcements from Iran and Iraqi militias are being sought to counter militant advances.
