A surprise offensive by a new rebel alliance has reignited Syria's civil war by capturing parts of Aleppo, marking the first territorial gains in the city since 2016. The conflict, which has claimed over 300,000 lives and displaced nearly 6 million refugees, continues to have widespread regional implications.

Key Developments:

• The civil war began in 2011 during the Arab Spring when pro-democracy protesters were met with deadly force by Assad's regime
• Opposition forces, supported by various international powers, formed to fight against Assad's government
• Iran and Russia significantly backed Assad's regime, while Western powers supported moderate opposition groups
• ISIS emerged in 2014, leading to U.S.-led coalition intervention
• A 2020 ceasefire agreement between Russia and Turkey established relative calm until now

Current Situation:

• A new rebel alliance called "Military Operations Command" launched the offensive
• Rebels quickly seized villages around Aleppo with minimal resistance
• The offensive exploits the weakness of Assad's government while its allies are distracted:
  • Russia is focused on Ukraine
  • Iran faces attacks from Israel
  • Hezbollah has reduced presence in Syria

The rebel coalition includes various opposition forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly al-Qaeda affiliated), along with Turkish-backed groups and former U.S.-supported factions. The loss of Aleppo represents a significant setback for Assad's forces, potentially triggering further territorial changes in the ongoing conflict.