International Calls for Ceasefire as Syrian Conflict Intensifies

The US military is avoiding involvement in the recent conflict in northwest Syria, where Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has launched a surprise offensive against Assad regime forces and Kurdish-led groups, capturing Aleppo for the first time since 2016. The US, which considers HTS a terrorist organization, maintains a small troop presence in eastern Syria to support Kurdish forces against ISIS. The Biden administration has denied any involvement in the HTS offensive and is urging de-escalation, while concerns grow over potential regional instability and the response of Russia and Turkey.