Aleppo, Syria – Intense fighting in northern Syria has resulted in at least 242 deaths since Wednesday, as opposition forces launch a large-scale offensive against government troops, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Friday.

The Observatory previously reported around 200 casualties, primarily among the militants. This surge in violence is described as the "most intense" in the region in years, with fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and allied factions reaching the outskirts of Aleppo city on Friday.

Rami Abdul Rahman, director of the Observatory, told AFP that combat has now extended to the town of Saraqib, which is currently under government control. If the militants capture Saraqib, it could significantly undermine regime gains in the area over the past five years.

The opposition forces have reportedly regained control of around 50 towns and villages across Idlib and Aleppo provinces. Abdul Rahman noted the surprising effectiveness of the opposition, despite ongoing Russian air support for the Syrian government.

In a notable escalation, opposition fighters targeted Aleppo for the first time in four years, hitting the university campus and killing four civilians, according to the state news agency SANA. The conflict, now deemed the fiercest in years, has exacerbated the already volatile situation in the region. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is recognized as one of the strongest militant groups in northwest Syria.

The Observatory's statement detailed that casualties include 114 members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, 21 from the National Army factions, and 62 Syrian government soldiers, along with six Iranian-affiliated militants and 15 foreign fighters, including an Iranian advisor. Additionally, 20 civilians have also lost their lives since the offensive began, with casualties including children and women due to aerial bombardment.

The militants have also cut a key route connecting the Syrian capital to Aleppo, further complicating the conflict landscape. As the fighting continues, the Syrian government has asserted that it is actively countering the opposition's advances.

In a statement released by SANA, the Syrian military condemned the opposition's actions as a "serious violation" of the de-escalation agreement, claiming to have inflicted heavy losses on the attacking groups while continuing to engage them with various firepower.