US in dilemma in Syria as rebel forces make massive advances after seizing Aleppo

The Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder has distanced the United States on Monday from the sudden offensive by the rebel group which seized Aleppo from the Syrian regime.

By: Express Web Desk

December 3, 2024 05:19 AM IST

3 min read

A Syrian opposition fighter tears up a painting depicting Syrian President Bashar Assad and his late father Hazef Assad at the Aleppo international airpot in Aleppo, Syria, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. .(AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

The attack by Syrian rebel group on the country’s second biggest city Aleppo and seizing it has left the United States in a state of dilemma as it is not taking any position related to the recent attack while maintaining 1,000 troops in Syria as part of the ongoing mission to fight ISIS.

The Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder has distanced the United States on Monday from the sudden offensive by the rebel group which seized Aleppo from the Syrian regime and has quickly advanced further.

“Let me be clear that the US is in no way involved in the operations you see playing out in and around Aleppo in northwestern Syria, which as you know are being led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a designated terrorist organization and US is urging de-escalation,” Ryder said as per the CNN.

Syrian opposition fighters drive by an abandoned Syrian army armoured vehicle on a highway in the outskirts of in Khan Sheikhoun, southwest of Aleppo, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. Syrian opposition insurgency launched a campaign on Wednesday with a two-pronged attack on Aleppo and the countryside around Idlib.(AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

Making the position difficult for the US was National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s statement to the CNN wherein he said that the rebel forces attacking the Syrian regime are designated as terrorist organizations by the US.

“At the same time, of course, we don’t cry over the fact that the Assad government, backed by Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, are facing certain kinds of pressure. So, it’s a complicated situation. It’s one we’re monitoring closely, and we’re staying in close touch with regional partners about it,” Sullivan added as quoted by CNN.

Also Read | Syrian, Russian jets strike on rebels as opposition advances after seizing Aleppo

Although in response to the rebel forces capturing Aleppo, the Russian military launched an aerial attack on the opposition. Russia is a main supporter of President Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime.

Ryder informed that the United States which is fighting in coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria held talks with Russian officials on a preestablished hotline.

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