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Rebels, Including HTS, Take Control of Central Aleppo as Free Syrian Flag Raised Over Citadel

Nov 29, 2024, 10:09 PM

Rebel forces have taken control of Aleppo, marking a significant shift in the Syrian conflict. The Free Syrian flag has been raised over Aleppo Citadel, a historic site that previously resisted rebel advances from 2012 to 2016. The citadel fell without a shot being fired, signifying that the Syrian army has effectively lost control of the city. Rebel forces, including Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), now control central Aleppo, including key sites such as the al-Umayyad Mosque. The University of Aleppo, which witnessed a massacre of students during the early days of the revolution, has also seen the return of the Free Syrian flag. This development comes nearly eight years after the Syrian army regained control of the city in 2016. The return of the Free Syrian flag to Aleppo is seen as a symbolic victory for the opposition, rekindling memories of the early days of the Syrian revolution.