How a lightning-fast rebel offensive caused the sudden collapse of Aleppo in 2024
In late 2024, Syrian opposition forces executed a rapid, highly organized offensive that saw Aleppo fall in mere days. The collapse of government defenses revealed deep-seated issues within the loyalist ranks, including corruption, poor morale, and a fractured command structure that left the city vulnerable to a swift insurgent takeover.
The 2024 Battle of Aleppo, also known as the Fall of Aleppo, began on 27 November when opposition groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise offensive in Northwestern Syria. By 30 November, rebels had captured most of the city, including the Citadel and government headquarters. The speed of the advance caught the Syrian government off guard, as loyalist forces suffered from a total breakdown in command, control, and morale. Unlike the previous conflict from 2012 to 2016, the government had failed to improve the city's military defenses, leaving it susceptible to the well-organized insurgent assault.
The internal decay of the pro-government garrison played a pivotal role in the city's rapid fall. Relations between Syrian leadership and foreign allies had deteriorated over the previous year, and the withdrawal of key Iranian and Hezbollah officers left the remaining troops without effective operational command. A critical turning point occurred on 28 November during a meeting of high-ranking officers in Aleppo, where a violent incident resulted in the death of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps general Kioumars Pourhashemi. This event shattered the cohesion of the local leadership, leading to widespread mutinies and defections, including the high-profile defection of the Baqir Brigade.
As the front lines collapsed, the rebels pushed further into the countryside, eventually capturing the city of Hama on 5 December. The swiftness of the rebel advance forced thousands of civilians to flee, while the remaining loyalist units, including the 25th Special Mission Forces Division, largely retreated toward Damascus. The power vacuum in Aleppo also drew in the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, who briefly occupied parts of the city before being pushed out by the advancing rebels. The aftermath left the city facing severe shortages of bread and fuel, as the Syrian Salvation Government attempted to establish control amidst the ongoing regional instability.
Source: Battle of Aleppo (2024)
