What the Fall of Aleppo Means for the Middle East

Photo by Mahmoud Sulaiman on Unsplash

The Syrian civil war — once thought to be in its twilight — has erupted back into the spotlight with a dramatic twist. Rebel forces have launched a surprise offensive, recapturing Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, in a stunning blow to the Assad regime. This unexpected revival of the conflict could reshape the balance of power in the Middle East, threatening the Assad regime and its allies while forcing regional and international players to reassess their strategies.

Here’s what this new phase of the Syrian conflict could mean for the region and beyond.

The Fall of Aleppo: A Turning Point

Aleppo, a city that symbolized the brutal height of Syria’s civil war, is once again at the center of the conflict. After Assad’s forces, with the help of Russia and Hezbollah, reclaimed the city in 2016, it seemed the opposition’s hold had been broken. But now, eight years later, Aleppo has fallen back into the hands of rebel forces, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — an extremist group with roots in Al Qaeda.

This offensive is the most significant shift in Syria’s battle lines in years, threatening regime-controlled territories and reigniting fears of a prolonged, destabilizing war.

Why Now? Assad’s Allies Are Weakening