Islamist Rebels Gain Ground in Aleppo, Challenging U.S. Policy in Syria

Islamist extremists have gained significant ground in Aleppo, raising concerns for U.S. policy in Syria. The seizure of key military assets, including locations tied to chemical weapons, poses risks to regional stability. With U.S. troops present in the region, the implications of this shift may impact both U.S. and Israeli security interests.

Extremist Islamist factions have markedly advanced in Aleppo, Syria, which places increased scrutiny on U.S. policy towards the region. Reports indicate that these forces have taken control over sensitive military infrastructures, including the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center, vital to Assad’s chemical weapons program.

This development raises alarms for U.S. officials, particularly concerning the implications for Israeli security. Jason Brodsky of United Against Nuclear Iran articulated that these developments could pose risks to both U.S. and Israeli interests, noting the historical affiliation of some involved groups with Al-Qaeda.

In the backdrop of these shifts, the U.S. maintains approximately 900 troops in Syria focused on countering the ISIS threat, while also limiting Iranian expansion in the region. The recent loss of Aleppo marks a significant military setback for President Bashar Assad and his allies, including Hezbollah and Iran.

Brodsky also pointed to the degradation of Hezbollah’s capabilities as a possible factor emboldening anti-Assad forces. He emphasized that organizations, such as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), now in control of significant territory, have been designated by the U.S. as terrorist entities, raising critical questions about how the U.S. should navigate its relationships within this complex conflict.

Phillip Smyth, a noted expert on Iranian proxies, highlighted that HTS’s objectives mirror those of Al-Qaeda, heightening the risks posed to U.S. interests. He noted the dual threats posed by Assad and HTS, emphasizing that neither side represents a favorable outcome for the U.S.

In Aleppo, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) operate amid these tensions, having played a pivotal role against ISIS. However, experts warn that HTS’s rise represents a direct challenge to the SDF’s presence, with significant political and military implications.

In response to the escalating violence, Syria’s military has commenced a redeployment operation to bolster defenses in Aleppo, combatting the increasing influence of extremist factions.

The Syrian civil war has been ongoing since 2011, resulting in over 500,000 fatalities and significant geopolitical ramifications. A notable recent development involves Islamist extremist groups seizing control of substantial areas in Aleppo, prompting renewed concerns from the United States and its allies about regional stability. The U.S. presence in Syria, primarily aimed at combating ISIS, also seeks to curtail Iranian influence, complicating the strategic landscape further amid these recent shifts in power within the country.

The capture of Aleppo by Islamist forces has introduced new complexities for U.S. foreign policy in Syria, raising urgent questions about the stability of the region. As extremist factions consolidate power and pose threats to both U.S. interests and Israel’s security, it underscores the need for a recalibrated approach to the ongoing conflict. The actions of Assad, Iranian proxies, and extremist Islamist groups highlight the intricate web of alliances and hostilities that characterize the current situation in Syria.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com