Syria Civil War Live Updates: Insurgents storm Aleppo

The Syrian conflict is a deeply tangled civil war shaped by the competing agendas of local and international actors.

Russia has been a staunch supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, providing military aid to secure his strategic interests, including a naval base in Tartus and wider regional influence. Similarly, Iran is encouraging Assad to strengthen his foothold in the region by using Syria as a critical supply corridor for Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In contrast, Turkey vehemently opposes the Assad regime and supports rebel factions, although its primary objective is to undermine Kurdish power and Kurdish-backed rebel groups near its borders.

Meanwhile, the Kurds have created autonomous zones in northern Syria, balancing the fight against ISIS with defending against Turkish aggression.

Iraq, though less directly involved, is feeling the ripple effects of the conflict, grappling with cross-border militant activity and concerns about Kurdish independence.

The United States, for its part, opposes Assad, opposes Russia and Iran, but allies itself with the Kurds fighting the US’s NATO ally, Turkey.

This web of rivalries ensures that the turmoil in Syria persists.