Syrian insurgents opposed to Bashar al-Assad roamed the streets of Aleppo on Friday, 29 November, saying they have liberated it from the president's hold. Opposition fighters, led by Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, carried out a surprise sweep through government-held towns this week. It is the first time the city has been attacked by opposition forces since 2016, when Syrian government forces were ousted from Aleppo’s eastern neighbourhoods following a gruelling military campaign in which they were backed by Russia, Iran, and allied groups. Footage showed a torn billboard of Assad and opposition fighters in the street as gunshots are heard.