There is no end to the tension in Middle East with a new front opening at Syriawhile the war in Gaza is already raging and the situation is fragile in Lebanon.

The rebel forces which are controlled by jihadist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, launched a major attack on his forces Bashar al-Assad and they started a rapid advance on Aleppo and northern areas of the country.

The Syrian army announced on Saturday that it was temporarily withdrawing troops from Aleppo, the country’s second largest city, and that when it regrouped it would launch a counterattack. The powers of the president Bashar al-Assad have controlled Aleppo since 2016 with the support of Iran, Russia and Hezbollah.

At this time, the second largest urban center of Syria, is located for the first time since 2016 under the control of jihadists and rebels. And the advance continues.

Who controls what in Syria

As seen in Al Jazeera’s map, four groups are fighting for control of Syrian territory.

In detail:

Syrian government forces: The army, the government’s main military force, is fighting alongside the National Defense Forces, a pro-government paramilitary group. (in red on the map)

Syrian Democratic Forces: This is a US-backed Kurdish group that controls parts of eastern Syria. (in yellow on the map)

The jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, HTS) and other rebel groups: HTS is the latest version of the al-Nusra Front, which pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda until it severed those ties in 2016. (in green on the map).

Turkish and Syrian rebel forces adjacent to Turkey: The Syrian National Army is a Turkish-backed rebel force in northern Syria. (in blue color)

The chronicle of the new tension

On Wednesday, the same day a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon took effect, Syrian opposition forces, led by HTS, launched an attack from their base in Idlib province in northwestern Syria.

The rebel group claims the attacks are in retaliation for recent Syrian government attacks on Idlib towns, including Ariha and Harmada, which have killed many civilians, including children.

It is the first major offensive against Assad’s forces in the region since a 2020 ceasefire in Idlib brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Syrian regime responded by bombing rebel-held areas, while the Russian air force carried out airstrikes in support.

By Thursday, the rebels had seized more territory and driven government forces out of villages in eastern Idlib, then began pushing towards the M5 highway, a strategic road leading south to the capital, Damascus.

By Friday, rebel forces had entered parts of Aleppo city.

By Saturday, images and videos began circulating online showing rebel fighters taking pictures next to the ancient city of Aleppo, continuing the advance.

After capturing Aleppo, the rebels have pushed south, but there are conflicting reports on whether they have reached the central city of Hama.