Syrian opposition forces have seized strategic locations in the country's second-largest city of Aleppo, including the airport, following 36 hours of intense fighting, local media reported on November 30.

This is the first time rebels have reached Aleppo since government forces forced them out in 2016. The latest spark of the ongoing Syrian civil war has claimed numerous casualties, with 242 deaths reported in recent days, amidst escalating violence in Aleppo, Idlib, and nearby regions.

This development marks a significant gain for the opposition against government forces. Reports suggest that government troops sustained heavy losses, leading to their withdrawal, while opposition forces acquired substantial weaponry and inflicted significant casualties.

The opposition forces announced they now control the historic Aleppo Citadel, the military academy, the artillery college, and 14 residential areas as well as the airport. Critical facilities such as the governorate headquarters, police command, municipal palace, and the main city square have also fallen under their control.

Also, opposition fighters captured the strategic city of Saraqib in Idlib province, a critical hub connecting major Syrian cities. They now control 70 locations and villages across Aleppo and Idlib, covering an area exceeding 550 square kilometres.

Russia and Iran condemned the opposition's actions, calling them violations of Syrian sovereignty and breaches of de-escalation agreements.

In response, Russian and Syrian air forces conducted at least 23 airstrikes on opposition-held areas, reportedly killing hundreds of fighters. Syrian government forces are sending reinforcements to Aleppo. Civilian casualties were also reported, including fatalities from airstrikes targeting a petrol station in Idlib.

The opposition factions launched the “Deterrence of Aggression” campaign in response to increasing government offensives. The situation remains highly fluid, with further developments anticipated.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi called the revival of fighting in northern Syria the result of a "US-Israeli project", noting that developments followed the Israeli regime's defeats in Lebanon and Palestinian territories.

Iran's chief diplomat made this statement during a phone conversation with his Syrian counterpart Bassam al-Sabbagh on November 30, reports Iranian channel Press TV.

Major General Salami, Commander-in-Chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), declared in a message that the recent attacks in Syria are being directed by forces recently defeated in Gaza and Lebanon.

In his statement, Salami said: "Following the strategic defeats of the brutal Zionist regime in Gaza and Lebanon fronts, and their failure to achieve their malicious goals against the Islamic Resistance Front, Takfiri terrorists under the command and guidance of those defeated in Gaza and southern Lebanon have launched savage attacks on Syria in recent days, which have been met with responses from the Syrian army and popular forces."