Syrian rebels attack one of the largest cities in the country, almost 60 towns captured: report

Radical Islamist forces led by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have seized control over much of Aleppo, the second-largest city in Syria, raising new questions for the U.S. government about its policy there and how this could affect Israel, the U.S.'s only democratic ally in the region, according to Fox News. 

"I think it is concerning if some elements of the anti-Assad forces get their hands on sensitive sites in Syria. There have been reports that they have seized the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center, which is where Assad’s chemical weapons program is housed among other military assets," Jason Brodsky, policy director for United Against Nuclear Iran, told Fox News Digital. 

He continued, "Given the background of some of these groups which were formerly affiliated with Al-Qaeda, it raises serious questions and could have implications for Israeli national security."

CNN reported that nearly 60 villages have been captured. The offensive began on Wednesday. This is a conflict that has been largely dormant since March 2020 when Russia and Turkey mediated a ceasefire in northern Syria, CNN also reported.

The war began during the 2011 Arab Spring when the Syrian regime attempted to prevent a pro-democracy uprising against Bashar al-Assad.