After years of some of the worst fighting in the Syrian Civil War, the battle for Aleppo seems to be over.  On December 22, the last rebel fighters left the city.  Since then, some residents who fled the city have returned.

Throughout the months of November and December, as fighting intensified and casualties increased, several short-term ceasefires were reached.  None of these lasted for more than a few days, one being as short as two hours.  Most of these ceasefires were negotiated by Russia, a supporter of the Syrian regime and Turkey, a supporter of many rebel groups, opposed to the government.  Towards the end of the battle, as regime forces who were supported by Russian airstrikes and Iranian-backed militia closed in on rebel holdouts in East Aleppo, the carnage steadily increased as winter set in and supplies of food and other essentials ran out while the city was bombed relentlessly by Syrian regime and Russian planes.  Scenes of children killed or injured by the fighting flooded the internet.

Russian and Turkish officials tried to enforce more ceasefires towards the end of the fighting in order to allow civilians and surrendering rebels to escape from the city amid mounting international pressure.  While many civilians were able to exit Aleppo, there were allegations of rebel groups and Iranian militias abusing refugees.

On 22 December, the battle of Aleppo finally ended with all neighborhoods of the city under regime control.  This is a major blow to moderate rebel groups not only militarily but also diplomatically as those who did not surrender, fled to the city of Idlib.  Idlib is controlled by rebel groups that include affiliates of Al Qa’ida.

 

With all the coverage of events in the US, I thought it would be beneficial to cover some international events.

 

Background on the Battle of Aleppo

As the Syrian civil war drags into its sixth year, the most devastating battleground is the city of Aleppo.  Aleppo used to be the largest city in Syria, an ancient center of commerce and trade. During the civil war, Aleppo has been all but destroyed by bombs and shelling.

During the civil war, the city has been used as a base by rebel groups fighting the Syrian government.  Syrian regime forces have responded brutally, often bombing civilian areas and blocking food, medicines, and other necessities from reaching the besieged areas of the city.  As of summer of 2016, half of Aleppo was controlled by the Syrian regime and half by a number of different rebel groups including some moderate groups supported by countries in the region such as Turkey and several Arab states Saudi Arabia and Jordan as well as extremist groups aligned with Al Qaeda and ISIS.

The Syrian regime is made up mostly of followers of the Shia sect of Islam although most Syrians and most people in Aleppo follow the Sunni sect.  The regime is thus backed by Shia countries and organizations including Iran and the Iranian-backed armed group, Hezbollah.  The Regime is also supported by Russia which is bombing rebel targets in Syria and proving support with equipment and special forces to the Syrian government.

 

The Situation Worsens

As regime forces closed in on the city of Aleppo, the number of civilian dead and wounded has steadily risen.  Regime forces have not allowed essentially supplies such as food to enter the city.  As casualties rose from airstrikes by Russian and Syrian regime planes and from artillery shelling, medical supplies were not allowed to be sent into Aleppo and the regime and its supporters have been accused of even bombing hospitals.