You may have noticed in the news that the Syrian Civil War is heating up again.  With literally dozens of pro-and-anti government armies, militia, and various terrorist groups involved in this war, it can be confusing as to who is part of this renewed fighting near the Turkish/Syrian northwest border area, and who is not. Here are some details to help you sort out the players:

1. Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is the main group that is on the offensive against the Syrian government (the Assad Regime) in the Aleppo area, and its main backer, Russia.  The HTS is a Sunni Islamist militia and is backed by Turkey.  The HTS started as an al-Qaida affiliate, but split from that group. 

1. Syrian government (the Assad Regime), is backed by Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah.  

1. Iran supports the Assad Regime, supplying IRGC (Revolutionary Guard) troops, weapons, and coordination with other allied groups like Hezbollah.

1. Russia is a long-time ally of the Assad Regime, sending troops and warplanes to fight against Syrian rebels.

1. Turkey is the primary supporter of HTS and other factions. Turkey seized parts of their shared border with Syria and has clashed with the Syrian regime military and Russian forces in Syria multiple times.

1. The United States maintains troops in eastern Syria, and is a NATO ally of Turkey. The US is actively opposed to the Assad regime, Iran, ISIS, al-Qaida, and other pro-Assad, pro-Iran forces. At this time, the U.S. is not involved in the fighting near Aleppo.  American and Turkish goals in Syria are often in opposition to each other.

The timing of this rebel offensive is likely related to the punishment Hezbollah has endured in its war with Israel.  Russia also is heavily distracted by its war in Ukraine, and many Russian warplanes have left Syria to engage in Ukraine.  The rebel offensive seems to have claimed the lives of Russian and Iranian forces supporting the Syrian government.  The heavy use of drones by HTS also seems to indicate heavy Turkish support, as the Turks are major innovators in drone development and military strategy.

For further reading:

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-says-syrian-rebels-launched-limited-operation-near-aleppo

https://themedialine.org/top-stories/rebels-advance-on-aleppo-with-new-weapons-analysts-say-turkey-gains-as-iran-falters/

https://www.mei.edu/publications/fight-syrias-skies-turkey-challenges-russia-new-drone-doctrine