Egypt Voices Concern Over Syrian Militant Offensive “`

Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, has voiced Cairo’s steadfast commitment to Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Following a Friday phone conversation with his Syrian counterpart, Bassam al-Sabbagh, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed Cairo’s concern regarding the recent large-scale militant offensive in Syria’s Aleppo and Idlib provinces. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry released a statement detailing the call.

Abdelatty affirmed Egypt’s unwavering support for Syria, its national institutions, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He praised Damascus’s efforts in promoting regional stability and combating terrorism.

The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, and allied groups launched a major assault in northern Syria on Wednesday, shattering a 2020 Russia-Turkey-brokered ceasefire.

This heavy shelling-backed offensive reportedly led to the militants seizing several areas previously held by the Syrian military, including parts of Aleppo for the first time since 2016. They also reportedly took control of the strategically important city of Saraqib in Idlib province.

The Syrian Armed Forces, which initiated a counter-offensive on Thursday, reported actively engaging in Aleppo and Idlib to repel the terrorist organizations’ attack, which they say is backed by numerous foreign fighters.

A Friday statement from the Syrian military claimed to have inflicted significant losses on the militants, causing hundreds of casualties. Aleppo Airport and key access roads to the city were temporarily closed. Reuters, citing a UN official, reported at least 27 civilian deaths resulting from the clashes.

Russia has pledged support to Syria’s counter-offensive, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating on Friday that the assault violated Syrian sovereignty. Russian fighter jets in Syria conducted airstrikes against the militants, according to Colonel Oleg Ignasyuk, deputy head of the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria. He reported at least 600 militants killed by Russian and Syrian forces during the two-day counter-offensive.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US and Israel of being responsible for the renewed terrorism in Syria. In a Friday phone call with al-Sabbagh, Araghchi described the offensive as an “American-Zionist” plot aimed at undermining the Syrian government, a supporter of Palestine.

Türkiye called for an end to the attacks on Idlib and Aleppo on Friday. The Turkish Foreign Ministry’s X post stated that the recent fighting has led to an undesirable escalation of tensions.