In Syria, more than 400 militants affiliated with Jabhat al-Nusra, the group banned by Russia and designated as a terrorist organization by multiple states, were killed as they pressed an assault on positions held by government forces in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. The report came from the Russian news agency TASS, which cited Captain 1st Rank Oleg Ignasyuk, the deputy head of Russia’s Center for the Reconciliation of Warring Parties in Syria. The statement shows Moscow’s ongoing effort to stabilize areas under government control while monitoring interactions with various armed groups along a highly contested frontline. It also underscores the toll that such operations take on civilians and their towns, and the fragile momentum in a region where control can shift quickly, forcing residents to adapt to new realities on the ground.
Ignasyuk explained that the assault began around 07:50 local time on November 27, when illegal armed groups tied to the Nusra Front launched attacks against areas under government control in Aleppo and Idlib. The center described the attackers as attempting to breach prepared defenses in districts and rural hubs that had already endured extended clashes. The timing and scope of these operations illustrate how front lines in northern Syria continue to experience sharp bursts of fighting even as broader attempts at stabilization proceed in other zones. The center emphasized that the actions were met with organized resistance from the Syrian Arab Army and air support from the Russian Aerospace Forces, highlighting how air power and ground maneuver work in concert to blunt aggressive advances and protect maintained lines of control.
The Syrian Arab Army is fighting stubbornly with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces. The militant groups that attacked in the last 24 hours sustained heavy losses in equipment and personnel. According to Ignasyuk, the total number of killed militants exceeded four hundred, a figure that underscores the severity of the clashes along several front segments in both provinces. The disclosure from the reconciliation center reinforces the perception of a persistent, high-intensity struggle in this stretch of the Syrian theater, where the balance of power can hinge on gains or setbacks that ripple through nearby towns and supply routes. The report also reflects Moscow’s intent to portray the operations as decisive actions by government forces backed by its military partners to deter future incursions and restore a degree of predictability to security conditions in these critical areas.
Earlier reports from CNN described a broad offensive by armed groups within the Syrian opposition aimed at government troops in the western parts of Aleppo province. Journalists reported that fighting led to the capture of 13 settlements, including Urm Al Sugra and Anjara, as well as what was described as the largest military base in the region. The town of Urm al-Kubra, situated roughly 20 kilometers from Aleppo, was also reported as under control of the insurgent units. The narrative of rapid territorial shifts in western Aleppo illustrates the volatility of frontlines in this sector and the continued risk to nearby communities as clashes unfold. In parallel, state actors have framed these episodes within broader strategic objectives, including efforts to consolidate governance in contested zones and to project strength in the face of sustained opposition activity. Earlier remarks attributed to Foreign Minister Lavrov touched on Ukraine’s cooperation with certain armed groups operating in Syria, a claim that has been cited in ongoing exchanges about external involvement in the conflict and the broader geopolitical dynamics at play.