Rebel forces, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have launched a significant offensive in Aleppo, seizing control of major parts of Syria’s second-largest city. This unexpected move prompted Russian airstrikes and a withdrawal of Syrian military troops. HTS, originally affiliated with Al Qaeda, has emerged as a dominant force in Idlib province and played a pivotal role in this latest escalation, reflecting the changing dynamics of the Syrian conflict.