Battle of Aleppo

Displaced residents of Aleppo are cautiously returning to their homes after opposition forces captured Syria's second-largest city in a swift and unexpected offensive last week, dealing a significant blow to President Bashar al-Assad and his allies, Russia and Iran.

Rebels in Syria have continued their swift advance, capturing key areas, including much of Aleppo in the north and making significant gains in the south. The offensive is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group that has emerged as the most significant opposition force to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in over a decade.

Jihadists and rebels have seized most of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, including its airport, during a lightning assault that left over 320 people dead, a monitoring group reported on Saturday, as the international community voiced concern.

In a surprise operation launched earlier this week, Syrian rebel groups have rapidly advanced towards Aleppo city, marking one of the most significant offensives in years against pro-Assad forces in northwest Syria. The attack, led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an al-Qaeda offshoot, has resulted in heavy casualties and captured significant territory.

Syrian rebels launched a surprise offensive against government positions in northwest Syria on Wednesday, reportedly capturing several villages in western Aleppo. The operation, named "Deterring Aggression," aims to create safe areas for displaced Syrians to return home in dignity and security.

A Damascus passenger plane landed at Aleppo Airport,marking the resumption of flights between Syria's two largest cities for the first time since 2012, the Associated Press reported.

As a regional power with leverage on the ground, Turkey is a key player in restoring peace in Syria, a Russian diplomat who took part in negotiations to bring a ceasefire in Aleppo has said.

At least 12 civilians were killed and dozens injured on Sept. 15 in a car bomb attack in the Çobanbey town of Syria's Aleppo province near the Turkish border. 

Syria's Bashar al-Assad regime has escalated its air strikes on Idlib in the war-hit country's northwest, amid reports on chemical weapon use.           

Air strikes hit the edges of Syria's last major rebel stronghold west of Aleppo on Sunday, a monitor said, a day after an alleged toxic attack on the regime-held city.