Syrian state television and Hezbollah announced on Wednesday, February 3, that the Syrian army and its allied militias have managed to break the long-standing siege of two Shia cities in northern Aleppo province by rebels. According to the Associated Press and the mentioned media, the siege of the cities of Nubl and Zahra was broken on Wednesday by the army and its allied militias known as the Popular Defense Committees. These two villages are located in the heart of areas controlled by rebel forces opposed to Bashar al-Assad and had been under siege for three years. This event marks a significant victory for government forces, which have made important advances in Aleppo province in recent days. Human rights observers in Syria, based in London, report that the Syrian army is located one kilometer from these two villages. Meanwhile, the head of the opposition negotiating group has stated that the Syrian government's decision to allow aid to be sent to besieged areas on the outskirts of Damascus is 'a step to silence the Syrian people' and described it as a hollow action. Mohammad Alloush told reporters on Wednesday that sending aid to Madaya 'is a step that we consider good but is by no means sufficient.' He expressed skepticism about the outcome of the UN-led indirect negotiations in Geneva, blaming the 'criminal regime' of Bashar al-Assad and its ally Russia, which he claims 'always tried to stand alongside criminals.' Alloush emphasized that the opposition will never participate in a national unity government that includes 'Shabiha,' a term used for the militia forces affiliated with the Syrian government. Meanwhile, Bashar Jaafari, Syria's ambassador to the UN, stated on Tuesday that peace talks in Geneva should be held among Syrians, without preconditions and foreign interference. According to Reuters, this decision led to the cancellation of a Tuesday evening meeting between Stefan de Mistura, the UN special envoy, and members of the 'Main Negotiation Committee' representing the opposition groups. On Tuesday, the opposition group announced in a statement that they cannot continue negotiations without a halt to Russian bombings and military actions by the Syrian government. The Syrian peace talks, mediated by the UN, aim to end the five-year civil war.
Syrian Army Reports Breaking Siege of Shia Cities in Aleppo
The Syrian army has broken the siege of the Shia cities of Nubl and Zahra, marking a significant victory amid ongoing military advances in Aleppo. The opposition remains skeptical about peace negotiations, criticizing the Syrian government's actions as insufficient and hollow. This development highlights the ongoing complexities of the Syrian civil war and the challenges facing peace efforts.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Syrian army, supported by allied militias, has successfully broken the siege of the Shia cities of Nubl and Zahra in Aleppo province, which had been under rebel control for three years. This development is seen as a significant military victory for Assad's forces amidst ongoing conflicts in the region.
- The siege was broken on February 3, 2023.
- The Syrian army is reportedly advancing closer to these cities, which are strategically important in the context of the civil war.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Syrian civil war has been ongoing since 2011, involving multiple factions, including the Assad regime, various rebel groups, and foreign powers. The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian crises and geopolitical tensions.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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