Aleppo (Syria), November 29 (HBTV): Armed rebels have entered Aleppo city, marking the first time since 2016 that rebel forces have breached the city, which has been under Syrian government control. The development follows a surprise offensive launched on Wednesday, as reported by CNN.

The rebel coalition, identified as the Military Operations Command, announced that its forces had entered the western side of Aleppo. A geolocated video shows a rebel fighter driving through deserted streets in the area. Syrian military sources described the assault as a 'major attack,' prompting reinforcements across battlefronts. However, local reports indicate government forces have pulled back from certain western neighborhoods.

The rebels claim to have captured the Military Scientific Research Center on Aleppo's outskirts after intense clashes with regime forces and Iranian militias. Meanwhile, Aleppo University's student housing was struck by artillery on Friday, killing four people, according to Syria's state news agency, SANA. The rebels have denied responsibility, with spokesperson Hassan Abdulghani calling the accusations 'baseless lies.'

The conflict has also escalated outside Aleppo. On Thursday, rebel airstrikes reportedly killed 15 people, including six children, in Aleppo and Idlib countryside, as confirmed by the White Helmets volunteer rescue group.

Iranian state media reported that Brigadier General Kioumars Pourhashemi of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps was killed in Aleppo, underscoring the international dimensions of the ongoing conflict.

(ANI)