Misleading Video Circulate on Social Media Amid Syrian Rebel Offensive in Aleppo
The Claim
Videos show Syrian Arab Army bombarding positions held by Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham militants in Aleppo.
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Emerging story
Amid Syrian rebel’s offensive in Aleppo for the first time in eight years, social media users have been circulating videos claiming to depict the Syrian Arab Army bombarding positions held by Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham militants in Aleppo.
The video depicts heavy shelling at night, with the publishers stating that it reflects the Syrian army's defense efforts in Aleppo against the assault launched by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating video and found the claim to be misleading.
Turkish Forces Target Syrian Regime Positions in February 2020
Misbar's team found that the video is from February 2020, showing the Turkish Armed Forces striking regime forces with howitzers and mortar shells. This occurred following a clash in Idlib that resulted in the deaths of four Turkish soldiers and injuries to nine others. In his statement, President Erdoğan mentioned that approximately 30 to 35 members of the regime were neutralized.
Syrian Opposition Forces Successfully Enter Aleppo Amid Renewed Military Offensive
The circulation of the claim came after Syrian opposition forces have entered Aleppo just three days into their unexpected offensive, marking the first time they have accessed the country’s second-largest city since government forces regained control in 2016.
The rebels initiated a surprise attack this week, advancing eastward through several villages outside the city and reigniting a conflict that had remained largely stagnant for years. This offensive, which began on Wednesday, represents the first significant escalation in years between the Syrian opposition and President Bashar al-Assad's regime, which has been in power since 2000.
The official Syrian military reported that it is facing a “major attack” and stated that it is “reinforcing all locations along the various battlefronts.” However, multiple residents of Aleppo have indicated that regime forces have retreated from several neighborhoods in the city’s western area.
On Friday, the newly formed armed opposition coalition, the Military Operations Command, announced that it had taken control of the Syrian government’s Military Scientific Research Center on the outskirts of Aleppo after “intense clashes with regime forces and Iranian militias.” They later released a video showing Syrian regime tanks departing Aleppo as rebel forces advanced.
Throughout Friday afternoon, the armed opposition continued to push further into the city. Fighters were spotted near the statue of Bassel al-Assad, the late brother of President Assad, in the eastern part of the New Aleppo district, with one fighter seen taking down a Syrian flag from its pole.
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