Revolutionary factions under the Command of Military Operations (CMO) coalition launched a significant offensive Wednesday, capturing 32 villages and points in the western Aleppo countryside during the first day of their Repelling the Aggression campaign. The operation, aimed at halting Assad regime-led attacks on civilians and reversing mass displacement, marked a decisive shift in the battle lines of northwestern Syria.
The gains include strategic locations such as the 46th Regiment, Sheikh Aqil, and Qabtan al-Jabal, spanning an area of approximately 245 square kilometers and bringing revolution forces within 5 kilometers of Aleppo City, according to Anadolu Agency. The offensive represents the first major breach of the front lines since the 2020 ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Russia.
On Wednesday evening, local sources confirmed the deaths of at least 15 Assad regime officers and soldiers during clashes at key sites, including the 46th Regiment base. A CMO unit specialized in drones, the Shaheen Brigades, announced the destruction of an Assad regime helicopter at Nayrab Airbase that was preparing to launch attacks on the liberated areas, a significant blow to regime air capabilities.
Revealing a critical advancement in their arsenal during the campaign: the deployment of domestically manufactured drones capable of both reconnaissance and precision strikes. The announcement marks a milestone in the technological capabilities of revolutionary forces and a shift in the balance of power in localized engagements.
Assad regime forces, supported by Russian and Iranian militias, escalated bombardments across Idlib and Aleppo, targeting over 16 cities and towns. The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, reported the use of internationally banned cluster munitions, which killed a child, injured 20 civilians – including nine children and six women – and displaced thousands of families overnight.
This campaign comes after months of intensified attacks by Assad regime forces and their allies, which displaced over 70,000 people and devastated civilian infrastructure. Revolutionary factions stated that the operation aims to curb ongoing shelling, expand safe zones, and enable displaced families to return home with dignity and security.
As the offensive progresses, the revolution’s ability to consolidate gains and withstand retaliatory strikes will likely shape the dynamics in northwestern Syria. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations have called for international pressure to halt attacks on civilians and ensure aid reaches the newly displaced. The first day of the campaign has shifted the balance on the battlefield, but the cost of continued violence remains steep, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict’s escalating toll.
