Syria Launches New Aleppo Offensive Aimed at Breaking Stalemate

State Media Claims Hundreds of Rebel Fighters Killed

Syrian troops have launched a new offensive aimed at breaking the multi-week stalemate with rebel forces and reclaiming Aleppo, the nation’s largest city and a strategically vital point for both factions.

Exactly how well the battle is going so far is entirely unclear, as media reports are being met with denials from both sides almost constantly, and the claims of rebel withdrawals so far don’t appear to be accurate.

Meanwhile, Syria’s state media is finally starting to cover the fighting, claiming “hundreds” of rebel fighters have been slain today, with a claim that an attack on the Salahuddien District amounted to a “fatal blow” for rebels in the area.

Rebel groups appear to be downplaying the claims despite eyewitness reports of intense fighting, and are claiming only 22 fighters have been killed over the entire day nationwide, which if true would make this one of the slowest days in recent memory.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.