ALEPPO, Syria — At 3:30 a.m. Sept. 23, Syrians heard the first strikes of the international alliance against the locations of the Islamic State (IS) and others the United States considers terror groups.

In the northern Aleppo countryside, where confrontations continue between IS and the rebels along a front line that stretches over 45 km (28 miles), the military map has not changed. Both parties are maintaining the positions that have been under their control since Aug. 13 after IS took over 13 villages and approached the strategic town of Marea, the largest opposition stronghold in the area.

The coalition’s airstrikes have mainly targeted IS in Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah and al-Bukamal. These cities are in the center of IS territory, away from the borders and front lines, where the probability of quick retaliation is lowered. The airstrikes mainly hit oil refineries under IS' grip in the nation's east. This will reduce the money sources and financial capacities of the organization in the long run, but for the time being, little difference has been made on the battlegrounds for the rebels.

The rebel factions are trying to attack IS strongholds in the northern Aleppo countryside, but little progress has been made by either side. IS has also recently reinforced its positions in anticipation of possible attacks from the opposition by planting mines around its front line and fortifying them with trenches and earth mounds.