Turkey gains influence in Syria as rebel offensive captures Aleppo

Turkey's influence in Syria has increased following a surprise rebel offensive that captured Aleppo. The Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham led the attack, with Turkish-backed factions joining in to target Kurdish forces in northern Syria. This offensive marks a shift in Turkey's strategy, as it seeks to weaken President Bashar al-Assad and push for negotiations. Turkey has long supported opposition groups but has not directly backed HTS, which analysts believe acted with Ankara's approval. The situation has raised concerns about a potential refugee crisis, with nearly 50,000 people displaced amid the fighting. Turkey's foreign minister emphasized the need for dialogue, but some experts doubt the feasibility of negotiations given the current dynamics.