Aleppo Seized by Extremists, Raising Concerns for U.S. Policy
JERUSALEM—A recent takeover of a significant part of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, by extremist Islamist forces has created new challenges for the U.S. government regarding its strategies in the unpredictable landscape of Syria.
Experts are raising alarms about the implications of this takeover. Jason Brodsky, a policy director with United Against Nuclear Iran, expressed his concerns, stating, "It’s troubling if anti-Assad groups gain control of sensitive sites in Syria, particularly because they’ve captured the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center, which may still house elements of Assad’s chemical weapons program." He highlighted the potential threats not only to regional stability but specifically to Israeli security.
Reports indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held discussions with his government over the alarming developments in Syria.
The situation is dire for Syria, as former President Barack Obama faced criticism for his 2013 deal to eliminate Assad’s chemical weapons. Later assessments revealed that Assad likely retained a part of this arsenal, which he has allegedly used during the ongoing civil war that erupted after peaceful protests against his regime in 2011.
Currently, about 900 American troops remain stationed in Syria, primarily tasked with combating the Islamic State. This U.S. military presence is also viewed as a measure against Iranian influence in the region.
The loss of large sections of Aleppo is seen as a significant military setback for Assad and his allies, including Hezbollah, Russia, and Iran. Brodsky cautioned against the dangers posed by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the militant group that led the recent advances in Aleppo. "HTS has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S., and this development raises serious concerns about both U.S. and Israeli interests," he said.
Brodsky elaborated on how recent Israeli operations against Hezbollah have inspired anti-Assad factions to act decisively, sensing an opportunity due to Hezbollah’s weakened state.
The U.S. has classified both the Syrian regime and Iran as state sponsors of terrorism. Phillip Smyth, an expert on Iranian proxies, noted that Assad hasn’t produced any effective military strategies on his own since 2013, relying instead on Iranian and Russian forces for operations.
Smyth tagged HTS, which has ties to Al-Qaeda, as a group that poses significant risk due to its aims of establishing a strict governance model reminiscent of the Taliban, but with modifications. "The U.S. will find it difficult to support either side in this conflict, as Assad’s regime has collaborated with groups that target American interests," he said.
In Aleppo, there are also Kurdish forces, specifically the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which have been critical in the fight against the Islamic State. However, the rise of HTS threatens the Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Aleppo, where many displaced people from Afrin currently reside.
As the situation evolves, the military operation announced by the Syrian regime aimed at restructuring forces in Aleppo shows the dire circumstances they are facing. The Syrian military confirmed that their losses are substantial, with many soldiers killed or injured as opposition groups have advanced into urban areas of Aleppo.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in tremendous loss of life, with the Syrian regime having claimed over 500,000 lives since the start of the civil war, and the situation continues to deteriorate.
As the world watches what unfolds next in Syria, the implications of Aleppo’s seizure add new layers of complexity to an already convoluted crisis.
