Syria: Conflict Resurgence (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Dec. 5, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IN12467 |
| Report Type |
Insight |
| Authors |
Christopher M. Blanchard |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Two coalitions of armed groups opposed to Syrian President Bashar Al Asad (alt. Assad) have made rapid
and unexpected advances since late November 2024, taking Aleppo, the country’s second largest city;
other parts of northwestern Syria; and the city of Hama (Figure 1). Both coalitions feature anti-Asad
forces, but may have differing objectives with different implications for U.S. policy. Forces led by the
U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) Hay’at Tahrir al Sham (HTS) represent the most
formidable remainder of Syria’s armed Islamist opposition, and their control of Aleppo and Hama and
campaign further south threatens the Asad regime’s control of key areas. The Turkey-backed Syrian
National Army (SNA) coalition has long been active north of Aleppo, and has renewed clashes with the
U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the key U.S. counterterrorism partner against
remnants of the Islamic State (IS/ISIS) that once dominated parts of Syria and Iraq. (Available CRS
products provide a brief history of the war in Syria and discuss U.S. policy.)
Both anti-Asad coalitions’ recent gains and the government’s retreats represent the largest territorial
changes in Syria since 2020. The anti-Asad forces’ ability to hold new territory, govern effectively, and
avoid infighting remain uncertain. The Syrian government, supported by Russia and Iran, has launched
counterattacks, including airstrikes. Threats to Russian facilities or personnel in Syria could prompt more
forceful intervention. Prolonged conflict could place additional strains on U.S. adversaries and partners,
invite deeper foreign involvement, intensify humanitarian needs, and empower armed Islamists.
International actors, some of which are militarily active in Syria, have reiterated long-standing policy
positions: Iran and Russia reaffirmed their support for Asad, and Turkey called on Asad to negotiate with
his opponents. The United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom called for de-escalation and
civilian protection, with U.S. officials calling for a political solution, in line with UN Security Council
Resolution 2254. Iraq expressed support for Syria’s security, while the United Arab Emirates expressed
solidarity with Syria and called for a peaceful resolution.
Approximately 900 U.S. military personnel remain deployed in eastern and southern Syria, conducting
counterterrorism missions against IS remnants and supporting the SDF’s detention of more than 9,000 IS
prisoners and administration of camps for more than 40,000 individuals from formerly IS-held areas.
