Chaos in Aleppo: after the withdrawal of Iranian and Damascus government forces, pro-Turkish jihadist forces have taken control of much of the city and the airport. This was reported by the National Observatory for Human Rights in Syria, confirming the new and unexpected military development that once again upsets the delicate balance of the Middle East in flames.
In entering what for centuries was the most important city in the entire Middle East, the jihadist forces encountered almost no resistance. The western, northern and southern outskirts of Aleppo were emptied of the already few regular Syrian troops and the few fleeing pro-Iranian auxiliaries and were instead populated by new Syrian militiamen. Many were incredulous at being able to "return" to Aleppo after being driven out during the bloody Russian-Iranian-government siege of the eastern neighborhoods, which ended in December 2016 after four years of fierce battles and carpet bombing of the city.
The rebels have also entered the Hama region, in central Syria, and are heading towards the city of Hama itself, without encountering any resistance. Government forces have withdrawn from the area.
There is talk of a "strategic" retreat, in the evening - Moscow reports - the counterattack by the Syrian army, supported by the Russian aerospace force, arrived . And Syrian President Bashar Assad also spoke: "We will defeat the terrorists" , he said, "regardless of the size of their attacks".
The UN evacuation
The United Nations has started an evacuation to Damascus: a first convoy of cars is already on its way out of the city, with some Italians on board. Other UN buses are waiting, according to sources at the Farnesina. The embassy in Damascus (the new ambassador Stefano Ravagnan is there), in close collaboration with Palazzo Chigi and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is in contact with the group and will receive the compatriots, most of whom are dual citizens. Thousands of civilians are also fleeing.
The offensive
Pro-Turkish jihadist forces have entered the metropolis in northern Syria, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has long been contested in the Syrian war but has remained firmly in the hands of government forces, backed by Russia and Iran, for the last eight years.
Moscow itself, accused by many of not having come sufficiently to the aid of its Syrian ally, has condemned the offensive of the pro-Turkish militiamen, calling it a "threat to the sovereignty of Syria" . The authorities in Damascus, the Kremlin said, also announcing the sending of aid "within 72 hours", must restore order in the area. The offensive, which began only last Wednesday, has already claimed almost 300 lives, mostly among the armed men of the various sides, in addition to about thirty civilians, including women and children.
The UN currently records around 15,000 displaced civilians, but this number is set to grow as the hours pass.
The Italians
"There is no danger for our fellow citizens also because the rebels have clearly said that they will not touch or carry out hostile operations against civilians and in particular against Italians and Christians," said Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. "A UN convoy is scheduled to leave Aleppo for Damascus tomorrow. Some Italians will be part of this convoy while many other Italians want to stay, they are mixed Italian-Syrian families and Italian religious people. At the moment there have been no problems for our fellow citizens."
There are approximately 300 Italians in Syria, 120 in Aleppo.
(Online Union)