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| Boilerpipe Text | This is a broad timeline of the course of major events of the
Syrian civil war
. It only includes major territorial changes and attacks and does not include every event.
The uprising against Syrian president
Bashar al-Assad
gradually turned into a full-scale
civil war
,
[
1
]
with two significant milestones being the initial March 2011
Arab Spring
protests and the 15 July 2012 declaration by the
International Committee of the Red Cross
that the fighting had gradually become so widespread that the situation should be regarded as a civil war.
[
2
]
[
3
]
Rebel forces, which received arms from
Gulf Cooperation Council
states,
Turkey
and some Western countries, initially made significant advances against the government forces, which were receiving financial and military support from
Iran
and
Russia
. Rebels captured the regional capitals of
Raqqa
in 2013 and
Idlib
in 2015. Consequently,
Iran launched a military intervention in support of the Syrian government in 2014
and
Russia followed in 2015
, shifting the balance of the conflict. By late 2018, all rebel strongholds except parts of
Idlib region
had fallen to the government forces.
In 2014, the
Islamic State
won many battles against both the rebel factions and the Syrian government. Combined with simultaneous success in
Iraq
, the group was able to seize control of large parts of
Eastern Syria
and
Western Iraq
, prompting the
U.S.
-led
CJTF
coalition to launch an aerial
bombing campaign
against it, while providing
ground support
and supplies to the
Kurdish
-majority
Syrian Democratic Forces
. By way of battles that culminated in the
Raqqa
and
Deir ez-Zor
offensives, the Islamic State was territorially defeated by late 2017. In August 2016, Turkey launched
a multi-pronged invasion
of
northern Syria
, in response to the creation of
Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria
, while also
fighting the Islamic State
and
government forces
in the process.
In October 2019, Kurdish leaders of
Rojava
announced they had reached a major deal with the government of Syria under Assad. This deal was enacted in the wake of the US withdrawal from Syria.
[
4
]
[
5
]
[
6
]
Between the March 2020
Idlib ceasefire
and late 2024, frontline fighting mostly subsided, but there were
regular skirmishes
.
Heavy fighting renewed with a major
rebel offensive
in the northwest led by
Tahrir al-Sham
in November 2024,
seizing
the second-largest city
Aleppo
. On 8 December 2024, Syrian opposition forces
captured
Damascus
after Bashar al-Assad's forces withdrew and subsequently announced the
collapse of Assad's regime
.
There remain millions of Syrian refugees who are displaced into refugee camps across the region, under severe conditions.
The more detailed timeline of the Syrian Civil War is contained in the articles linked to in the infobox on the right and in the list below. A chronological narrative of some of the main events and developments follows the list of years, but it is not comprehensive.
[
a
]
Initial phase of the conflict (2011–2012)
[
edit
]
Protests, civil uprising, and defections (March–July 2011)
[
edit
]
Anti-Assad protests in
Baniyas
, 29 April 2011
Major unrest began on 15 March 2011, when protesters marched in
Damascus
and
Aleppo
, demanding democratic reforms and the release of political prisoners, triggered by the arrest of a teenage boy and his friends a few days earlier in the city of
Daraa
, for writing in
graffiti
, "It's your turn, doctor".
[
7
]
Security forces retaliated by opening fire on the protesters,
[
8
]
and according to witnesses who spoke to the
BBC
, the Ba'ath government forces detained six of them.
[
9
]
[
10
]
On 18 March, the Syrian Army fired on demonstrators, killing four people.
[
11
]
Writer and analyst Louai al-Hussein, referencing the
Arab Spring
ongoing at that time, wrote that, "Syria is now on the map of countries in the region with an uprising".
[
10
]
On 20 March, the protesters burned down a
Ba'ath Party
headquarters and other government buildings. The ensuing clashes claimed the lives of 15 protesters.
[
12
]
Ten days later in a speech, President
Bashar al-Assad
blamed "foreign conspirators" pushing Israeli propaganda for the protests.
[
13
]
Protests in
Douma
on 8 April 2011 against President
Bashar al-Assad
Until 7 April, the protesters predominantly demanded democratic reforms, release of political prisoners, an increase in freedoms, abolition of the emergency law and an end to corruption. After 8 April, the emphasis in demonstration slogans shifted slowly towards a call to overthrow the Assad government. Protests spread; on Friday 8 April, they occurred simultaneously in ten cities. By Friday 22 April, protests were taking place in twenty cities. On 25 April, the
Syrian Army
initiated a series of large-scale deadly military attacks on towns with tanks, infantry carriers, and artillery, leading to hundreds of civilian deaths. By the end of May 2011, 1,000 civilians
[
14
]
and 150 soldiers and policemen
[
15
]
had been killed and thousands detained;
[
16
]
among the arrested were many students, liberal activists and human rights advocates.
[
17
]
Unverified reports claim that a portion of the security forces in
Jisr al-Shughur
defected after secret police and intelligence officers executed soldiers who had refused to fire on civilians.
[
18
]
Later, more protesters in Syria took up arms, and more soldiers defected to protect protesters.
On 1 July 2011, 100,000 people protested against the government across Syria.
[
19
]
Initial armed insurgency (July 2011–April 2012)
[
edit
]
Animation showing changes in Syrian territorial control, as well as foreign military bases, between October 2011 and March 2019.
The
Early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war
lasted from late July 2011 to April 2012, and was associated with the rise of armed oppositional militias across Syria and the beginning of armed rebellion against the authorities of the
Syrian Arab Republic
. The beginning of organized insurgency is typically marked by the formation of the
Free Syrian Army
(FSA) on 29 July 2011, when a group of defected officers declared the establishment of the first organized oppositional military force. Composed of defected Syrian Armed Forces personnel, the rebel army aimed to protect protestors and ultimately remove Bashar al-Assad and his government from power.
[
19
]
This period of the war saw the initial civil uprising take on many of the characteristics of a civil war, according to several outside observers, including the
United Nations Commission on Human Rights
, as
armed elements
became better organized and began carrying out successful attacks in retaliation for the crackdown by the Syrian Ba'athist government on demonstrators and defectors.
[
20
]
The
Arab League
monitoring mission
, initiated in December 2011, ended in failure by February 2012, as
Syrian
Ba'athist troops and
oppositional militants
continued to battle across the country and the
Syrian Ba'athist government
prevented foreign observers from touring active battlefields, including besieged
oppositional
strongholds.
Syrian army checkpoint in
Douma
, January 2012
Timeline - Syria
Syrian and Iraqi refugees arrive at Skala Sykamias,
Lesvos
, Greece
Kofi Annan ceasefire attempt (April–May 2012)
[
edit
]
In early 2012,
Kofi Annan
acted as the UN–
Arab League
Joint Special Representative for
Syria and started negotiations for a peace plan, which included provision for a ceasefire. However, even as the negotiations for it were being conducted, the Syrian army continued fighting.
[
21
]
: 11
Incommunicado detention, including of children, also continued.
[
22
]
In April, Assad began employing
attack helicopters
against rebel forces.
[
23
]
On 12 April, both sides, the Syrian Ba'athist Government and rebels of the FSA, entered a UN-mediated ceasefire period. It was a failure, with infractions of the ceasefire by both sides resulting in several dozen casualties. For examples, the
30 April 2012 Idlib bombing
was a
car bombing
that targeted the Syrian military in
Idlib
, killing twenty people. Most of those killed were members of the security forces.
[
24
]
Acknowledging its failure, Annan called for Iran to be "part of the solution", though the country has been excluded from the Friends of Syria initiative.
[
25
]
The peace plan practically collapsed by early June and the UN mission was withdrawn from Syria. Annan officially resigned in frustration on 2 August 2012.
[
26
]
Next phase of the war starts: escalation (2012–2013)
[
edit
]
Renewed fighting (June–October 2012)
[
edit
]
Following the
Houla massacre
of 25 May 2012, in which 108 people were summarily executed and the consequent FSA ultimatum to the Syrian Ba'athist government, the ceasefire practically collapsed, as the FSA began nationwide offensives against government troops. On 1 June, President Assad vowed to crush the anti-government uprising.
[
27
]
A
colonel
(left) and a
first lieutenant
(right) in the FSA announce the formation of the
Conquest Brigade
, part of the FSA in
Tell Rifaat
, north of
Aleppo
, 31 July 2012.
On 5 June,
fighting broke out in Haffa
and nearby villages in the coastal governorate of
Latakia Governorate
. Syrian Army troops were backed by
helicopter gunships
in the heaviest clashes in the governorate since the revolt began. Government forces seized the territory following days of fighting and shelling.
[
28
]
On 6 June, 78 civilians were killed in the
Al-Qubeir massacre
. According to activist sources, the Syrian Army started by shelling the village before the
Shabiha
militia moved in.
[
29
]
The UN observers headed to Al-Qubeir in the hope of investigating the alleged massacre, but they were met with a roadblock and small arms fire and were forced to retreat.
[
30
]
On 12 June 2012, the UN for the first time officially proclaimed Syria to be in a state of civil war.
[
31
]
The conflict began moving into the two largest cities, Damascus and Aleppo. In both cities, peaceful protests – including a general strike by Damascus shopkeepers and a small strike in Aleppo were interpreted as indicating that the historical alliance between the Ba'ath government and the business establishment in the large cities had become weak.
[
32
]
On 22 June, a Turkish
F-4 fighter jet
was
shot down by Syrian government forces
, killing both pilots. Syria and Turkey disputed whether the jet had been flying in Syrian or international
airspace
when it was shot down. Despite Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
's vows to retaliate harshly against Assad's government, no such intervention materialised. Bashar al-Assad publicly apologised for the incident. By 10 July, rebel forces had captured most of the city of
Al-Qusayr
, in
Homs Governorate
, after weeks of fighting.
[
33
]
By mid-July, rebels had captured the town of
Saraqeb
, in Idlib Governorate.
[
34
]
Military situation in Syria in August 2012
By 15 July 2012, with fighting spread across the country and 16,000 people killed, the
International Committee of the Red Cross
declared the conflict a civil war.
[
35
]
Fighting in Damascus intensified, with a
major rebel push
to take the city.
[
36
]
On 18 July,
Syrian Defense Minister
Dawoud Rajiha
, former defense minister
Hasan Turkmani
, and the president's brother-in-law General
Assef Shawkat
were killed by a
suicide bomb attack
in Damascus.
[
37
]
The Syrian intelligence chief
Hisham Ikhtiyar
, who was injured in the same explosion, later died from his injuries.
[
38
]
Both the FSA and Liwa al-Islam claimed responsibility for the assassination.
[
39
]
In mid-July, rebel forces
attacked Damascus
and were repelled in two weeks, although
fighting continued in the outskirts
. After this, the focus shifted to the
battle for control of Aleppo
.
[
40
]
On 25 July, multiple sources reported that the government was using fighter jets to attack rebel positions in Aleppo and Damascus,
[
41
]
and on 1 August, UN observers in Syria witnessed government fighter jets firing on rebels in Aleppo.
[
42
]
In early August, the Syrian Army recaptured Salaheddin district, an important rebel stronghold in Aleppo. In August, the Ba'athist government began using fixed-wing warplanes against the rebels.
[
23
]
[
43
]
On 19 July, Iraqi officials reported that the FSA had gained control of all four border checkpoints between Syria and Iraq, increasing concerns for the safety of Iraqis trying to escape the violence in Syria.
[
44
]
On 19 September, rebel forces seized a border crossing between Syria and Turkey in
Raqqa Governorate
. It was speculated that this crossing could provide opposition forces with strategic and logistical advantages due to Turkish support of the rebels, whose headquarters subsequently relocated from southern Turkey into northern Syria.
[
45
]
On 6 September 2012 Kurdish activists reported that 21 civilians were killed in the Kurdish neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsud in
Aleppo
, when the Syrian Army shelled the local mosque and its surroundings. Despite the district being neutral during the
Battle of Aleppo
and free of Ba'athist government and FSA clashes, local residents believed that the district was shelled as retaliation for sheltering anti-government civilians from other parts of the city. In a statement released shortly after the deaths, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) vowed to retaliate.
[
46
]
A destroyed tank on a road in Aleppo, 6 October 2012
A few days later, Kurdish forces killed 3 soldiers in
Afrin
(
Kurdish
:
Efrîn
) and captured a number of other Ba'athist government soldiers in
Ayn al-Arab
(
Kurdish
:
Kobanî
) and
Al-Malikiyah
(
Kurdish
:
Dêrika Hemko
) from where they drove the remaining Ba'athist government security forces. It was also reported that the Ba'athist government had begun to arm Arab tribes around
Qamishli
in preparation for a possible confrontation with Kurdish forces, who still did not completely control the city.
[
47
]
At least 8 Ba'athist government soldiers were killed and 15 wounded by a car bomb in the al-Gharibi district of Qamishli on 30 September 2012. The explosion targeted the Political Security branch.
[
48
]
In October, rebel forces
seized control of Maarat al-Numan
, a town in Idlib Governorate on the highway linking Damascus with Aleppo
[
49
]
and captured
Douma
, marking increased influence in
Rif Dimashq
.
[
50
]
Lakhdar Brahimi arranged for a ceasefire during
Eid al-Adha
in late October, but it quickly collapsed.
[
51
]
Rebel offensives (November 2012–April 2013)
[
edit
]
After Brahimi's ceasefire agreement ended on 30 October, the Syrian military expanded its aerial bombing campaign in Damascus. A bombing of the Damascus district of Jobar was the first instance of a
fighter jet
being used to bomb Damascus. The following day, Gen. Abdullah Mahmud al-Khalidi, a Syrian Air Force commander, was assassinated by opposition gunmen in the Damascus district of Rukn al-Din.
[
52
]
In early November 2012, rebels made significant gains in northern Syria. The rebel capture of
Saraqib
in Idlib Governorate, which lies on the
M5 highway
, further isolated Aleppo.
[
53
]
Due to insufficient anti-aircraft weapons, rebel units attempted to nullify the Ba'athist government's air power by destroying landed helicopters and aircraft on air bases.
[
54
]
On 3 November, rebels launched an attack on the
Taftanaz air base
.
[
55
]
On 18 November, rebels
took control of
Base 46 in the
Aleppo Governorate
, one of the Syrian Army's largest bases in northern Syria, after weeks of intense fighting. Defected General Mohammed Ahmed al-Faj, who commanded the assault, stated that nearly 300 Syrian troops had been killed and 60 had been captured, with rebels seizing large amounts of heavy weapons, including tanks.
[
56
]
On 22 November, rebels captured the
Mayadin
military base in the country's eastern
Deir ez-Zor Governorate
. Activists said this gave the rebels control of a large amount of territory east of the base, stretching to the Iraqi border.
[
57
]
On 29 November, at approximately 10:26
UTC
, the Syrian Internet and phone service was shut off for a two-day period.
[
58
]
Syrian officials blamed the blackout on terrorists having cut "a main fiber optic cable connecting Damascus to the rest of the world";
[
59
]
Edward Snowden
in August 2014 claimed that this Internet breakdown had been caused, though unintended, by hackers of the
NSA
during an operation to intercept Internet communication in Syria.
[
60
]
In mid-December 2012, American officials said that the Syrian military had fired
Scud
ballistic missiles at rebel fighters inside Syria. Reportedly, six Scud missiles were fired at the Sheikh Suleiman base north of Aleppo, which rebel forces had occupied. It is unclear whether the Scuds hit the intended target.
[
61
]
The Ba'athist government denied this claim.
[
62
]
Later that month, a further Scud attack took place near Marea, a town north of Aleppo near the Turkish border. The missile appeared to have missed its target.
[
61
]
That same month, the British
Daily Telegraph
reported that the FSA had now penetrated into Latakia Governorate's coast through Turkey.
[
63
]
In late December, rebel forces pushed further into Damascus, taking control of the adjoining
Yarmouk
and Palestine refugee camps, pushing out pro-Ba'athist government
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command
fighters with the help of other factions.
[
64
]
Rebel forces launched
an offensive
in Hama Governorate, later claiming to have forced army regulars to evacuate several towns and bases,
[
65
]
and stating that "three-quarters of western rural Hama is under our control."
[
66
]
Rebels also captured the town of Harem near the Turkish border in Idlib Governorate, after weeks of heavy fighting.
[
67
]
On 11 January 2013, Islamist groups, including al-Nusra Front, took full control of the
Taftanaz
air base in the Idlib Governorate, after weeks of fighting. The air base was often used by the Syrian military to carry out helicopter raids and deliver supplies. The rebels claimed to have seized helicopters, tanks and multiple rocket launchers, before being forced to withdraw by a Ba'athist government counter-attack. The leader of the al-Nusra Front said the amount of weapons they took was a "game changer".
[
68
]
On 11 February, Islamist rebels captured the town of
Al-Thawrah
in
Raqqa Governorate
and the nearby
Tabqa Dam
, Syria's largest dam and a key source of
hydroelectricity
.
[
69
]
[
70
]
The next day, rebel forces took control of Jarrah air base, located 60 kilometres (37 mi) east of Aleppo.
[
71
]
On 14 February, fighters from al-Nusra Front took control of Shadadeh, a town in
Al-Hasakah Governorate
near the Iraqi border.
[
72
]
On 20 February, a
car bomb
exploded in Damascus near the Ba'ath Syrian Regional Branch headquarters, killing at least 53 people and injuring more than 235.
[
73
]
None of the groups claimed responsibility.
[
74
]
On 21 February, the FSA in Quasar began shelling Hezbollah positions in
Lebanon
. Prior to this, Hezbollah had been shelling villages near Quasar from within Lebanon. A 48-hour ultimatum was issued by a FSA commander on 20 February, warning the militant group to stop the attacks.
[
75
]
Aleppo, Karm al Jabal neighborhood, 4 March 2013
On 2 March, intense clashes between rebels and the Syrian Army erupted in the city of Raqqa, with many reportedly killed on both sides.
[
76
]
On the same day, Syrian troops regained several villages near Aleppo.
[
77
]
By 3 March, rebels had overrun Raqqa's central prison, allowing them to free hundreds of prisoners, according to the SOHR.
[
78
]
The SOHR also stated that rebel fighters were now in control of most of an
Aleppo police academy
in
Khan al-Asal
, and that over 200 rebels and Ba'athist government troops had been killed fighting for control of it.
[
79
]
By 6 March, the rebels had captured the city of Raqqa, effectively making it the first provincial capital to be lost by the Assad government. Residents of Raqqa toppled a bronze statue of his late father Hafez al-Assad in the centre of the city. The rebels also seized two top Ba'athist government officials.
[
80
]
On 18 March, the Syrian Air Force attacked rebel positions in
Lebanon
for the first time. The attack occurred at the Wadi al-Khayl Valley area, near the town of Arsal.
[
81
]
On 21 March, a suspected suicide bombing in the Iman Mosque in Mazraa district killed as many as 41 people, including the pro-Assad Sunni cleric, Sheikh
Mohammed al-Buti
.
[
82
]
On 23 March, several rebel groups seized the 38th division air defense base in southern Daraa Governorate near a highway linking Damascus to Jordan.
[
83
]
On the next day, rebels captured a 25 km strip of land near the Jordanian border, which included the towns of
Muzrib
, Abdin, and the al-Rai military checkpoint.
[
84
]
Military situation in March 2013
On 25 March, rebels launched one of their heaviest bombardments of Central Damascus since the revolt began. Fighting between the army and YPG fighters in the Kurdish village of Gir Zîro (Tall Adas), near
al-Maabadah
(
Kurdish
:
Girkê Legê
), where an army battalion of around 200 soldiers had been blockaded
[
85
]
since 9 January.
[
86
]
YPG forces claimed to have expelled Ba'athist government after the clashes.
[
87
]
One soldier was reportedly killed and another eight injured, while seven were captured (later released
[
86
]
) and 27 defected.
[
85
]
Fighting at the oil field near Gir Zîro ended on 21 January, when Ba'athist government forces withdrew after receiving no assistance from Damascus.
[
88
]
In Rumeilan, directly west of al-Maabadah, another 200 soldiers had been surrounded by YPG forces, and 10 soldiers were reported to have defected.
[
87
]
From 8 to 11 February,
[
89
]
heavy clashes broke out between the YPG and Ba'athist government troops in the PYD/YPG-held district Ashrafiyah where, according to SOHR, at least 3 soldiers and 5 pro-Ba'athist government militiamen were killed. The fighting followed deadly shelling on 31 January on Ashrafiyah, in which 23
[
90
]
civilians were killed after FSA units moved into the Kurdish sector of Aleppo.
[
91
]
According to its own reports, the YPG lost 7 of its members in the fighting, while also claiming that 48 soldiers were killed and 22 captured,
[
90
]
and a further 70 injured.
[
92
]
In early March, YPG forces established full control of oil fields and installations in north-east Syria after Ba'athist government forces posted there surrendered. Also, YPG assaulted Ba'athist government forces and took control of the towns of
Tall ʿAdas
, which is adjacent to Rumeilan oil fields, and
Al-Qahtaniya
(
Kurdish
:
Tirbespî
).
[
93
]
Ba'athist government offensives (April–June 2013)
[
edit
]
Military situation in Syria in June 2013
On 17 April, Ba'athist government forces breached a six-month rebel blockade in Wadi al-Deif, near Idlib. Heavy fighting was reported around the town of Babuleen after Ba'athist government troops attempt to secure control of a main highway leading to Aleppo. The break in the siege also allowed Ba'athist government forces to resupply two major military bases in the region which had been relying on sporadic airdrops.
[
94
]
On 18 April, the FSA took control of Al-Dab'a Air Base near the city of al-Qusayr.
[
95
]
The base was being used primarily to garrison ground troops. Meanwhile, the Syrian Army re-captured the town of Abel. The SOHR said the loss of the town would hamper rebel movements between al-Qusayr and Homs city. The capture of the airport would have relieved the pressure on the rebels in the area, but their loss of
Abel
made the situation more complicated.
[
96
]
The same day, rebels reportedly assassinated Ali Ballan, who was a Ba'athist government employee, in the Mazzeh district of Damascus.
[
97
]
On 21 April, Ba'athist government forces
captured the town of Jdaidet al-Fadl
, near Damascus.
[
98
]
In April, Ba'athist government and
Hezbollah
forces launched
an offensive
to capture areas near al-Qusayr. On 21 April, pro-Assad forces captured the towns of Burhaniya, Saqraja and al-Radwaniya near the Lebanese border.
[
99
]
[
100
]
By this point, eight villages had fallen to the Ba'athist government offensive in the area.
[
101
]
On 24 April, after five weeks of fighting, Ba'athist government troops re-took control of the town of Otaiba, east of Damascus, which had been serving as the main arms supply route from Jordan.
[
102
]
Meanwhile, in the north of the country, rebels took control of a position on the edge of the strategic Mennagh Military airbase, on the outskirts of Aleppo. This allowed them to enter the airbase after months of besieging it.
[
103
]
On 2 May, Ba'athist government forces captured the town of
Qaysa
in a push north from the city's airport. Troops also retook the Wadi al-Sayeh central district of Homs, driving a wedge between two rebel strongholds.
[
104
]
SOHR reported
a massacre
of over 100 people by the Syrian Army in the coastal town of Al Bayda, Baniyas. However, this could not be independently verified due to movement restrictions on the ground.
[
105
]
Yet the multiple video images that residents had recorded – particularly of small children, were so shocking that even some Ba'athist government supporters rejected Syrian television's official version of events, that the army had simply "crushed a number of terrorists."
[
106
]
On 15 June, the Syrian Army captured the Damascus suburb of Ahmadiyeh near the city's airport,
[
107
]
[
108
]
and on 22 June, captured the rebel stronghold town of
Talkalakh
.
[
109
]
[
110
]
Continued fighting (July–October 2013)
[
edit
]
Total deaths during the syrian civil war (October 2013)
On 28 June, rebel forces captured a major military checkpoint in the city of Daraa.
[
111
]
On 12 July FSA reported that one of its commanders, Kamal Hamami, had been killed by Islamists a day before. The rebels declared that the assassination by the
Islamic State of Iraq and Levant
, was tantamount to a declaration of war.
[
112
]
On 17 July, FSA forces took control of most of the southern city of
Nawa
after seizing up to 40 army posts stationed in the city.
[
113
]
On 18 July, Kurdish YPG forces secured control of the northern town of
Ras al-Ain
, after days of fighting with the al-Nusra Front.
[
114
]
In the following three months, continued fighting between Kurdish and mainly jihadist rebel forces led to the capture of two dozen towns and villages in
Hasakah Governorate
by Kurdish fighters,
[
115
]
while the Jihadists made limited gains in Aleppo and Raqqa governorates after they turned on the Kurdish rebel group
Jabhat al-Akrad
over its relationship with the YPG. In Aleppo Governorate, Islamists massacred the Kurds leading to a mass migration of civilians to the town of Afrin.
[
116
]
On 22 July, FSA fighters seized control of the western Aleppo suburb of
Khan al-Asal
. The town was the last Ba'athist government stronghold in the western portion of Aleppo Governorate.
[
117
]
On 27 July, after weeks of fighting and bombardment in Homs, the Syrian Army captured the historic
Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque
,
[
118
]
and two days later, captured the district of Khaldiyeh.
[
119
]
On 4 August, around 10 rebel brigades, launched
a large-scale offensive
on the Ba'athist government stronghold of
Latakia Governorate
. Initial attacks by 2,000 opposition members seized as many as 12 villages in the mountainous area. Between 4 and 5 August 20 rebels and 32 Ba'athist government soldiers and militiamen had been killed in the clashes. Hundreds of Alawite villagers fled to Latakia. By 5 August, rebel fighters advanced to 20 kilometers from Qardaha, the home town of the Assad family.
[
120
]
[
121
]
However, in mid-August, the military counter-attacked and recaptured all of the territory previously lost to the rebels in the coastal region during the offensive.
[
122
]
[
123
]
A Syrian security force source "told AFP the army still had to recapture the Salma region, a strategic area along the border with Turkey."
[
124
]
According to a
Human Rights Watch
report 190 civilians were killed by rebel forces during the offensive, at least 67 being executed while fleeing, including 48 women and 11 children. Another 200 civilians, primarily women and children, were taken hostage.
[
125
]
[
126
]
On 6 August, rebels captured
Menagh Military Airbase
after a 10-month siege. The strategic airbase is located on the road between Aleppo city and the Turkish border.
[
127
]
[
128
]
On 21 August,
a chemical attack
took place in the Ghouta region of the Damascus countryside, leading to thousands of casualties and several hundred dead in the opposition-held stronghold. The attack was followed by a military offensive by Ba'athist government forces into the area, which had been hotbeds of the opposition.
[
129
]
On 24 August, rebels captured the town of
Ariha
. However, Ba'athist government forces recaptured Ariha on 3 September.
[
130
]
[
131
]
On 26 August, rebel forces took over the town of
Khanasir
in Aleppo Governorate which was the Ba'athist government's last supply route for the city of Aleppo.
[
132
]
On 8 September, rebels led by the al-Nusra Front
captured the Christian town of Maaloula
, 43 km north of Damascus,
[
133
]
The Syrian Army launched a counterattack a few days later, recapturing the town.
[
134
]
On 18 September, the
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIS) overran the FSA-held town of Azaz in the north. The fighting was the most severe since tensions rose between militant factions in Syria earlier in the year.
[
135
]
Soon after ISIS captured Azaz, a ceasefire was announced between the rival rebel groups. However, in early October, more fighting erupted in the town.
[
136
]
On 20 September, Alawite militias including the NDF killed 15 civilians in the Sunni village of
Shaykh al-Hadid
in Hama Governorate. The massacre occurred in retaliation for a rebel capture of the village of Jalma, in Hama, which killed five soldiers, along with the seizure of a military checkpoint which killed 16 soldiers and 10 NDF militiamen.
[
137
]
[
138
]
In mid-September, the military captured the towns of Deir Salman and Shebaa on the outskirts of Damascus. The Army also captured six villages in eastern Homs.
[
139
]
Fighting broke out in those towns again in October.
[
140
]
On 28 September, rebels seized the Ramtha border post in
Daraa Governorate
on the Syria Jordan crossing after fighting which left 26 soldiers dead along with 7 foreign rebel fighters.
[
141
]
On 3 October, AFP reported that Syria's army re-took the town of
Khanasir
, which is located on a supply route linking central Syria to the city of Aleppo.
[
142
]
On 7 October, the Syrian Army managed to reopen the supply route between Aleppo and Khanasir.
[
143
]
On 9 October, rebels seized the Hajanar guard post on the Jordanian border after a month of fierce fighting. Rebels were now in control of a swath of territory along the border from outside of Daraa to the edge of Golan Heights.
[
144
]
The same day, Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite fighters, backed up by artillery, air-strikes and tanks, captured the town of Sheikh Omar, on the southern outskirts of Damascus. Two days later, they also captured the towns of al-Thiabiya and Husseiniya on the southern approaches to Damascus. The capture of the three towns strengthened the Ba'athist government hold on major supply lines and put more pressure on rebels under siege in the Eastern Ghouta area.
[
145
]
[
146
]
On 14 October, SOHR reported that rebels captured the Resefa and Sinaa districts of
Deir ez-Zor
city, as well as Deir ez-Zor's military hospital.
[
citation needed
]
Ba'athist Government offensives (October–December 2013)
[
edit
]
The Syrian Army along with its allies, Hezbollah and the
al-Abas brigade
, launched an offensive on Damascus and Aleppo.
[
147
]
[
148
]
On 16 October,
AFP
reported that Syrian troops recaptured the town of Bweida, south of Damascus. On 17 October, the Syrian Ba'athist government's head of Military Intelligence in
Deir ez-Zor Governorate
, Jameh Jameh, was assassinated by rebels in Deir ez-Zor city. SOHR reported that he had been shot by a rebel sniper during a battle with rebel brigades.
[
149
]
On 24 October, the Syrian Army retook control of the town of Hatetat al-Turkman, located southeast of Damascus, along the Damascus International Airport road.
[
150
]
On 26 October, Kurdish rebel fighters seized control of the strategic Yarubiya border crossing between Syria and Iraq from al-Nusra in Al Hasakah Governorate.
[
151
]
Elsewhere, in Daraa Governorate, rebel fighters captured the town of
Tafas
from Ba'athist government forces after weeks of clashes which left scores dead.
[
152
]
On 1 November, the Syrian Army retook control of the key city of
Al-Safira
[
153
]
and the next day, the Syrian Army and its allies recaptured the village of Aziziyeh on the northern outskirts of Al-Safira.
[
154
]
From early to mid-November, Syrian Army forces captured several towns south of Damascus, including Hejeira and Sbeineh. Ba'athist Government forces also recaptured the town of Tel Aran, southeast of Aleppo, and a military base near Aleppo's international airport.
[
155
]
On 10 November, the Syrian Army had taken full control of "Base 80", near Aleppo's airport.
[
156
]
According to the SOHR, 63 rebels,
[
157
]
and 32 soldiers were killed during the battle.
[
157
]
One other report put the number of rebels killed between 60 and 80.
[
158
]
Army units were backed-up by Hezbollah fighters and pro-Ba'athist government militias during the assault.
[
157
]
The following day, Ba'athist government forces secured most of the area around the airport.
[
159
]
[
160
]
On 13 November, Ba'athist government forces captured most of Hejeira.
[
161
]
Rebels retreated from Hejeira to
Al-Hajar al-Aswad
. However, their defenses in besieged districts closer to the heart of Damascus were still reportedly solid.
[
162
]
On 15 November, the Syrian Army retook control of the city of Tell Hassel near Aleppo.
[
163
]
On 18 November, the Syrian troops stormed the town of Babbila.
[
164
]
On 19 November, Ba'athist government forces took full control of Qara.
[
165
]
The same day, the Syrian Army captured al-Duwayrinah.
[
166
]
On 23 November, al-Nusra Front and other Islamist rebels captured the
al-Omar oil field
, Syria's largest oil field, in Deir al-Zor Governorate causing the Ba'athist government to rely almost entirely on imported oil.
[
167
]
[
168
]
On 24 November, rebels captured the towns of Bahariya, Qasimiya, Abbadah, and Deir Salman in Damascus's countryside.
[
169
]
On 28 November, the Syrian Army recaptured Deir Attiyeh.
[
170
]
On 2 December, rebels led by the Free Syrian Army recaptured the historic Christian town of
Ma'loula
. After the fighting, reports emerged that 12 nuns had been abducted by the rebels. However, the FSA disputes this and said that the nuns had been evacuated to the nearby rebel held town of
Yabrud
due to the Army shelling.
[
171
]
[
172
]
In early December, the Islamic Front seized control of Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, which had been in hands of FSA.
[
173
]
The groups also captured warehouses containing equipment delivered by the U.S. In response, the U.S. and Britain said they halted all non-lethal aid to the FSA, fearing that further supplies could fall in hands of
al-Qaeda
militants.
[
174
]
On 9 December, the Army took full control of Nabek,
[
175
]
with fighting continuing in its outskirts.
[
80
]
Rise of the Islamic State (January–September 2014)
[
edit
]
Fighting between ISIL and other rebel groups (January–March 2014)
[
edit
]
Tension between moderate rebel forces and ISIL had been high since ISIL captured the border town of
Azaz
from FSA forces on 18 September 2013.
[
176
]
Conflict was renewed over
Azaz
in early October
[
177
]
and in late November ISIL captured the border town of
Atme
from an FSA brigade.
[
178
]
On 3 January 2014, the Army of the Mujahideen, the Free Syrian Army and the Islamic Front launched an offensive against ISIL in Aleppo and Idlib governorates. A spokesman for the rebels said that rebels attacked ISIL in up to 80% of all ISIL-held villages in Idlib and 65% of those in Aleppo.
[
179
]
By 6 January, opposition rebels managed to expel ISIL forces from the city of Raqqa, ISIL's largest stronghold and capital of the Raqqa Governorate.
[
180
]
On 8 January, opposition rebels expelled most ISIL forces from the city of Aleppo, however ISIL reinforcements from the
Deir ez-Zor Governorate
managed to retake several neighborhoods of the city of Raqqa.
[
181
]
[
182
]
By mid January ISIL had retaken the entire city of Raqqa, while rebels expelled ISIL fighters fully from Aleppo city and the villages west of it.
On 29 January, Turkish aircraft near the border fired on an ISIL convoy inside the Aleppo province of Syria, killing 11 ISIL fighters and an ISIL emir.
[
183
]
[
184
]
In late January it was confirmed that rebels had assassinated ISIL's second in command,
Haji Bakr
, who was al-Qaeda's military council head and a former military officer in Saddam Hussein's army.
[
185
]
By mid-February, the al-Nusra Front joined the battle in support of rebel forces, and expelled ISIL from the Deir Ezzor Governorate.
[
186
]
By March, the ISIL forces fully retreated from the Idlib Governorate.
[
187
]
[
188
]
On 4 March, ISIL retreated from the border town of Azaz and other nearby villages, choosing instead to consolidate around Raqqa in an anticipation of an escalation of fighting with al-Nusra.
[
189
]
Ba'athist Government offensives (March–May 2014)
[
edit
]
On 4 March, the
Syrian Army
took control of Sahel in the Qalamoun region.
[
190
]
On 8 March, Ba'athist government forces took over Zara, in Homs Governorate, further blocking rebel supply routes from Lebanon.
[
191
]
On 11 March, Ba'athist Government forces and
Hezbollah
took control of the Rima Farms region, directly facing Yabrud.
[
192
]
On 16 March, Hezbollah and Ba'athist government forces captured
Yabrud
, after Free Syrian Army fighters made an unexpected withdrawal, leaving the al-Nusra Front to fight in the city on its own.
[
193
]
On 18 March, Israel used artillery against a Syrian Army base, after four of its soldiers had been wounded by a roadside bomb while patrolling Golan Heights.
[
194
]
On 19 March, the Syrian Army captured Ras al-Ain near
Yabrud
, after two days of fighting and al-Husn in Homs Governorate, while rebels in the Daraa Governorate captured Daraa prison, and freed hundreds of detainees.
[
195
]
[
196
]
[
197
]
On 20 March, the
Syrian Army
took control of the
Krak des Chevaliers
in al-Husn.
[
197
]
On 29 March, Syrian Army took control of the villages of
Flitah
and Ras Maara near the border with Lebanon.
[
198
]
On 22 March, rebels took control of the Kesab border post in the Latakia Governorate.
[
199
]
By 23 March, rebels had taken most of Khan Sheikhoun in Hama.
[
200
]
During clashes near the rebel-controlled Kesab border post in Latakia, Hilal al-Assad, NDF leader in Latakia and one of
Bashar al-Assad
's cousins was killed by rebel fighters.
[
201
]
[
202
]
On 4 April, rebels captured the town of Babulin, Idlib.
[
203
]
On 9 April, the Syrian Army took control of
Rankous
in the Qalamoun region.
[
204
]
On 12 April, rebels in Aleppo stormed the Ba'athist government-held Ramouseh industrial district in an attempt to cut the Army supply route between the airport and a large Army base. The rebels also took the Rashidin neighbourhood and parts of the Jamiat al-Zahra district.
[
205
]
On 26 April, the Syrian Army took control of
Al-Zabadani
.
[
206
]
According to SOHR, rebels took control of Tell Ahrmar, Quneitra.
[
207
]
Rebels in Daraa also took over Brigade 61 Base and the 74th battalion.
[
208
]
On 26 April, the FSA announced they had begun an offensive against ISIL in the Raqqa Governorate, and had seized five towns west of Raqqa city.
[
209
]
On 29 April, activists said that the Syrian Army captured Tal Buraq near the town of Mashara in Quneitra without any clashes.
[
210
]
On 7 May, a truce went into effect in the city of Homs, SOHR reported. The terms of the agreement include safe evacuation of Islamist fighters from the city, which would then fall under Ba'athist government control, in exchange for release of prisoners and safe passage of humanitarian aid for Nubul and Zahraa, two Shiite enclaves besieged by the rebels.
[
211
]
On 18 May, the head of Syria's Air Defense, General
Hussein Ishaq
, died of wounds sustained during a rebel attack on an air defense base near Mleiha the previous day. In Hama Governorate, rebel forces took control of the town of Tel Malah, killing 34 pro-Assad fighters at an army post near the town. Its seizure marked the third time rebels have taken control of the town.
[
212
]
[
213
]
Presidential election (3 June 2014)
[
edit
]
Syria held a presidential election in Ba'athist government-held areas on 3 June 2014. For the first time in the history of Syria more than one person was allowed to stand as a presidential candidate.
[
214
]
More than 9,000 polling stations were set up in Ba'athist government-held areas.
[
215
]
[
216
]
According to the
Supreme Constitutional Court of Syria
, 11.63 million Syrians voted (the turnout was 73.42%).
[
217
]
President
Bashar al-Assad
won the election with 88.7% of the votes. As for Assad's challengers,
Hassan al-Nouri
received 4.3% of the votes and
Maher Hajjar
received 3.2%.
[
218
]
Allies of Assad from more than 30 countries were invited by the Syrian Ba'athist government to follow the presidential election,
[
219
]
including Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, India, Iran, Iraq, Nicaragua, Russia, South Africa and Venezuela.
[
220
]
[
221
]
The Iranian official
Alaeddin Boroujerdi
read a statement by the group saying the election was "free, fair and transparent".
[
222
]
The
Gulf Cooperation Council
, the
European Union
and the United States all dismissed the election as illegitimate and a farce.
[
223
]
[
224
]
[
225
]
[
226
]
State employees were told to vote or face interrogation.
[
227
]
On the ground there were no independent monitors stationed at the polling stations.
[
228
]
[
229
]
[
230
]
It is claimed in an opinion piece that as few as 6 million eligible voters remained in Syria.
[
231
]
[
232
]
Due to rebel, Kurdish and ISIL control of Syrian territories there was no voting in roughly 60% of the country.
[
233
]
[
234
]
ISIL–Ba'athist government conflict intensifies (June–September 2014)
[
edit
]
Military situation in Syria in June 2014
In red: the area controlled by the
Islamic State
(IS/ISIS/ISIL)
proto-state
in December 2014
Starting on 5 June,
ISIL
seized swathes of territory in
Iraq
in addition to heavy weapons and equipment from the
Iraqi Army
, some of which they brought into Syria. Ba'athist Government airstrikes targeted ISIL bases in
Raqqa
and
Al-Hasakah
in coordination with an Iraqi Army counteroffensive.
[
235
]
On 14 June, Ba'athist government forces retook the town of
Kessab
in northern
Latakia Governorate
, while rebels took over Tall al-Gomo near the town of
Nawa
in the
Daraa Governorate
, as well as reentering the
Qalamoun area
.
[
236
]
[
237
]
On 29 June, ISIL announced the establishment of a new
caliphate
.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
was appointed its
caliph
, and the group formally changed its name to the "Islamic State".
[
238
]
According to the
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
, on 17 July ISIL took control of the Shaar oil field, killing 90 pro-Ba'athist government forces while losing 21 fighters. In addition, 270 guards and Ba'athist government-aligned fighters were missing. About 30 Ba'athist government persons managed to escape to the nearby Hajjar field.
[
239
]
On 20 July, the Syrian Army secured the field, although fighting continued in its outskirts.
[
240
]
On 25 July, the Islamic State took control of the Division 17 base near Raqqa.
[
241
]
On 7 August, ISIL took the Brigade 93 base in Raqqa using weapons captured from their offensive in Iraq. Multiple
suicide bombs
also went off before the base was stormed.
[
242
]
On 13 August, ISIL forces took the towns of
Akhtarin
and Turkmanbareh from rebels in
Aleppo
. ISIL forces also took a handful of nearby villages. The other towns seized include Masoudiyeh,
Dabiq
and Ghouz.
[
243
]
On 14 August, the
Syrian Army
as well as
Hezbollah
militias retook the town of Mleiha in
Rif Dimashq Governorate
. The Supreme Military Council of the FSA denied claims of Mleiha's seizure, rather the rebels have redeployed from recent advances to other defensive lines.
[
244
]
Mleiha has been held by the
Islamic Front
. Rebels had used the town to fire mortars on Ba'athist government held areas inside Damascus.
[
245
]
[
246
]
Meanwhile, ISIL forces in Raqqa were launching a siege on
Tabqa airbase
, the Syrian Ba'athist government's last military base in Raqqa. Kuwaires airbase in Aleppo also came under fierce attack by ISIL.
[
247
]
On 16 August, there were reports that 22 people were killed in the village of Daraa by a
car bomb
outside a mosque. The bomb was thought to be detonated by ISIL. Also on 16 August, the Islamic State seized the village of Beden in Aleppo Governorate from rebels.
[
248
]
[
249
]
On 17 August, SOHR said that in the past two weeks ISIL jihadists had killed over 700 tribal members in oil-rich
Deir ez-Zor Governorate
.
[
250
]
On 19 August, a senior figure in ISIL who had helped prepare and plan car and suicide bombs across Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq was killed. Some reports said that he was killed by Hezbollah fighters. There were also several reports that he was killed by the Syrian Army in the Qalamoun region, near the border with
Lebanon
.
[
251
]
[
252
]
[
253
]
On 19 August, American journalist
James Foley
was executed by ISIL, who claimed it was in retaliation for the United States operations in Iraq. Boston-based website
GlobalPost
, for which Foley previously worked, reported they were certain that he was held by pro-government forces before.
[
254
]
ISIL also threatened to execute
Steven Sotloff
, who was kidnapped at the Syria–Turkey border in August 2013.
[
255
]
There were reports ISIL captured a Japanese national, two Italian nationals, and a Danish national as well.
[
256
]
At least 70 journalists have been killed covering the Syrian war, and more than 80 kidnapped, according to the
Committee to Protect Journalists
.
[
257
]
On 22 August, the
al-Nusra Front
released a video of captured Lebanese soldiers and demanded that Hezbollah withdraw from Syria under threat of their execution.
[
258
]
On 23 August, in Raqqa, the Syrian Army took control of the town of Al-Ejeil.
[
259
]
ISIL reportedly sent reinforcements from Iraq to the governorate of Raqqa. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 400 ISIL fighters had also been wounded in the previous five days in clashes with the Syrian Army and
National Defence Force
in Raqqa alone.
[
259
]
[
260
]
At the same time, several senior UK and US figures urged Turkey to stop allowing ISIL to cross the border to Syria and Iraq.
[
261
]
It was around this time that the Americans realized that the Turks had no intention of sealing their side of the border, and so Washington decided to work with the Syrian Kurds to close off the border on the Syrian side.
[
262
]
A year later, with the Kurds in control of most of the Turkey–Syria border, and the Syrian army advancing under Russian air support to seal the remainder, the situation was causing great ructions in Ankara.
[
263
]
On the following day, the Islamic State seized Tabqa airbase from Ba'athist government forces.
[
264
]
The battle for the base left 346 ISIL fighters and 195 soldiers dead.
[
265
]
Prisoners taken by ISIL forces were executed and a video from the mass killing was posted on YouTube. The death toll varied from 120 to 250.
[
266
]
On 26 August, the Syrian Air Force carried out airstrikes against ISIL targets in the Governorate of Deir ez-Zor (for its oil and natural gas resources as well as strategically splitting ISIL territories). This was the first time the Syrian Army had attacked them in Deir ez-Zor, as the Syrian Army pulled out of Raqqa and shifted to Deir ez-Zor in a bid to seize its oil and natural gas resources as well as strategically splitting ISIL territories.
[
267
]
U.S. intervention and rebel offensives (September 2014–September 2015)
[
edit
]
American jets began bombing ISIL in Syria on 23 September 2014, raising U.S. involvement in the war-torn country. At least 20 targets in and around Raqqa were hit, the opposition group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Foreign partners participating in the strikes with the United States were Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan. The U.S. and "partner nation forces" began striking ISIL targets using fighters, bombers and Tomahawk missiles, Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said.
[
268
]
U.S. aircraft include
B-1 bombers
,
F-16s
,
F-18s
and
Predator drones
, with F-18s flying missions off the
USS
George H.W. Bush
(CVN-77)
in the Persian Gulf.
Tomahawk missiles
were fired from the destroyer
USS
Arleigh Burke
(DDG-51)
in the
Red Sea
. Syria's Foreign Ministry told the Associated Press that the U.S. informed Syria's envoy to the U.N. that "strikes will be launched against the terrorist group in Raqqa".
[
269
]
The United States informed the Free Syrian Army beforehand of the impending airstrikes, and the rebels said that weapons transfers to the Free Syrian Army had begun.
[
270
]
The United States also attacked a specific faction of al-Nusra called the
Khorasan Group
, who according to the United States had training camps and plans for attacking the United States in the future.
[
271
]
For its part, Turkey launched an official request to the U.N. for a no-fly zone over Syria.
[
272
]
The same day, Israel shot down a Syrian warplane after it entered the Golan area from Quneitra.
[
273
]
By 3 October, ISIL forces were
heavily shelling the city of Kobanî
and were within a kilometre of the town.
[
274
]
Within 36 hours from 21 October, the Syrian air force carried out over 200 airstrikes on rebel-held areas across Syria and US and Arab jets attacked IS positions around Kobanî. Syrian Information Minister
Omran al-Zoubi
said the YPG forces in Kobanî had been provided with military and logistical support.
[
275
]
Syria reported that its air force had destroyed two fighter jets being operated by IS.
[
276
]
By 26 January, the Kurdish YPG forced ISIL forces in Kobanî to retreat,
[
277
]
thus fully recapturing the city.
[
278
]
The U.S. confirmed that the city had been cleared of ISIL forces on 27 January,
[
279
]
and ISIL admitted defeat in Kobanî city three days later, although they vowed to return.
[
280
]
Southern Front (October 2014–February 2015)
[
edit
]
In February 2014, the
Southern Front of the Free Syrian Army
formed in southern Syria. Six months later, they started a string of victories in Daraa and Quneitra during the
2014 Quneitra offensive
, the
Daraa offensive
, the
Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin
, the
Battle of Bosra (2015)
and the
Battle of Nasib Border Crossing
. A Ba'athist government counter-offensive (the
2015 Southern Syria offensive
) during this period, that included the
IRGC
and
Hezbollah
, recaptured 15 towns, villages and hills,
[
281
]
[
282
]
[
283
]
but the operation slowed soon after
[
284
]
and stalled.
[
285
]
From early 2015, opposition military operations rooms based in Jordan and Turkey began increasing cooperation,
[
286
]
with Saudi Arabia and Qatar also reportedly agreeing upon the necessity to unite opposition factions against the Syrian Ba'athist government.
[
287
]
Northern Al-Nusra Front and Islamist takeover (October 2014–March 2015)
[
edit
]
U.S.-led coalition airstrike targeting Islamic State positions during the
Siege of Kobanî
.
In late October 2014, a conflict erupted between the al-Nusra Front on one side and the western-backed
SRF
and
Hazzm Movement
on the other (
Al-Nusra Front–SRF/Hazzm Movement conflict
). ISIL reportedly reinforced al-Nusra. By the end of February 2015 al-Nusra had defeated both groups, captured the entire
Zawiya Mountain
region in Idlib province and several towns and military bases in other governorates, and seized weapons supplied by the
CIA
to the two moderate groups.
[
288
]
[
289
]
The significant amount of weapons seized included a small number of
BGM-71
anti-tank missiles similar to weapons systems al-Nusra Front had previously captured from Ba'athist government stockpiles such as French
MILANs
, Chinese
HJ-8s
and Russian
9K111 Fagots
.
[
290
]
Reuters reported that this represented al-Nusra crushing pro-Western rebels in the north of the country.
[
291
]
According to FSA commanders in northern Syria, however, the elimination of Harakat Hazm and the SRF was a welcome development due to the leaders of those factions allegedly involved in corruption.
[
292
]
The Western-backed
30th Division
of the FSA remained active elsewhere in Idlib.
[
293
]
By 24 March 2015 the al-Nusra Front dominated most of Idlib province, except for the Ba'athist government-held provincial capital,
Idlib
, which they had encircled on three sides along with its Islamist allies.
[
294
]
On 28 March a joint coalition of Islamist forces, the
Army of Conquest
, captured Idlib.
[
295
]
[
296
]
[
297
]
This left the north largely taken over by
Ahrar ash-Sham
, al-Nusra Front and other Islamist rebels, with the south of the country becoming the last significant foothold for the mainstream, non-jihadist opposition fighters.
[
298
]
Army of Conquest advances in Idlib (April–June 2015)
[
edit
]
On 22 April,
a new rebel offensive
was launched in the north-west of Syria and by 25 April, the rebel coalition
Army of Conquest
had captured the city of
Jisr al-Shughur
.
[
299
]
At the end of the following month, the rebels also seized the
Al-Mastumah
military base,
[
300
]
and
Ariha
, leaving Ba'athist government forces in control of tiny pockets of Idlib, including the Abu Dhuhur military airport.
[
301
]
In addition, according to the
Brookings Doha Center
, the Army of Conquest coalition was a broad opposition effort to ensure that the Al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front was contained, with the rearguard involvement of Western-backed factions being regarded as crucial.
[
292
]
Still, according to some, the FSA in northern Syria had by this point all but dissipated. Many of the moderate fighters joined more extremist organizations, such as
Ahrar ash-Sham
, the largest faction in the Army of Conquest, which led to the subsequent rise of the Islamist Army of Conquest coalition.
[
302
]
Rebel advances led to Ba'athist government and Hezbollah morale plunging dramatically.
[
303
]
In north-west Syria these losses were countered by a Hezbollah-led offensive in the Qalamoun mountains north of Damascus, on the border with Lebanon, that gave Hezbollah effective control of the entire area.
[
304
]
Resurgent ISIL advance (May–September 2015)
[
edit
]
Military situation in Syria in August 2015
On 21 May, ISIL took control of
Palmyra
, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site
, after eight days of fighting.
[
305
]
The jihadists also captured the nearby towns of
Al-Sukhnah
and
Amiriya
, as well as several oil fields.
[
306
]
Following the capture of Palmyra, ISIL conducted mass executions in the area, killing an estimated 217–329 Ba'athist government civilian supporters and soldiers, according to opposition activists.
[
307
]
[
308
]
[
309
]
Ba'athist Government sources put the number of killed at 400–450.
[
310
]
By early June, ISIL reached the town of Hassia, which lies on the main road from Damascus to Homs and Latakia, and reportedly took up positions to the west of it, creating a potential disaster for the Ba'athist government and raising the threat of Lebanon being sucked further into the war.
[
311
]
On 25 June, ISIL launched two offensives. One was a surprise diversionary attack on Kobanî, while the second targeted Ba'athist government-held parts of Al-Hasakah city.
[
312
]
The ISIL offensive on Al-Hasakah displaced 60,000 people, with the UN estimating a total of 200,000 would be displaced.
[
313
]
In July 2015, a raid by U.S. special forces on a compound housing the Islamic State's "chief financial officer",
Abu Sayyaf
, produced evidence that
Turkish
officials directly dealt with ranking ISIS members.
[
314
]
ISIL captured
Al-Qaryatayn
from the Ba'athist government on 5 August 2015.
[
315
]
Australia joined the bombing of ISIL in Syria in mid September, an extension of their efforts in Iraq for the past year.
[
316
]
Russian intervention and Vienna peace talks (30 September 2015–July 2016)
[
edit
]
Russian military facilities involved in the war in Syria
Caspian Flotilla
Russian Navy
(
Astrakhan
)
Caspian Flotilla
Russian Navy
(
Makhachkala
)
Caspian Flotilla
Russian Navy
(
Kaspiysk
)
Aircraft group
[
ru
]
ASF RF
720th PL of the Russian Navy
Russian Navy
[
317
]
Russian Aerospace Forces
[
318
]
Group Special forces
[
ru
]
[
citation needed
]
Russian intervention
[
edit
]
On 30 September 2015,
[
319
]
at an official request by the Syrian Ba'athist government headed by President Bashar al-Assad,
[
320
]
the
Russian Aerospace Forces
began a sustained campaign of air strikes against both ISIL and the anti-Assad FSA.
[
321
]
[
322
]
Initially, the raids were conducted solely by Russian aircraft stationed in the
Khmeimim base
in Syria. Shortly after the start of the Russian operation, U.S. president Barack Obama was reported to have authorized the resupply of Syrian Kurds and the Arab-Syrian opposition, Obama reportedly emphasizing to his team that the U.S. would continue to support the Syrian opposition now that Russia had joined the conflict.
[
323
]
On 7 October 2015, Russian officials said the ships of the
Caspian Flotilla
had earlier that day fired 26
sea-based cruise missiles
at 11 ISIL targets in Syria destroying those and causing no civilian casualties.
[
317
]
On the same day, the Syrian Ba'athist government's ground forces launched the
Northwestern Syria ground offensive
[
324
]
[
325
]
that in the following few days succeeded in recapturing some territory in northern
Hama Governorate
, close to the Ba'athist government's coastal heartland in the west of the country.
[
326
]
On 8 October 2015, the U.S. officially announced the end of the Pentagon's $500 million program to train and equip Syrian rebels in an acknowledgment that the program had failed.
[
327
]
(However, other covert and significantly larger
[
328
]
CIA programs to arm anti-Ba'athist government fighters in Syria continue.)
[
329
]
[
330
]
Two weeks after the start of the Russian campaign in Syria,
The New York Times
opined that with anti-Ba'athist government commanders receiving for the first time bountiful supplies of U.S.-made anti-tank missiles and with Russia raising the number of airstrikes against the Ba'athist government's opponents that had raised morale in both camps, broadening war objectives and hardening political positions, the conflict was turning into an all-out
proxy war
between the U.S. and Russia.
[
328
]
The foreign ministers of
Russia
, the
U.S.
,
Saudi Arabia
, and
Turkey
in
Vienna
, before a four-way discussion focused on Syria, 29 October 2015
Despite multiple top-ranking casualties incurred by the Iranian forces advising fighters in Syria,
[
331
]
[
332
]
[
333
]
in mid-October the
Russian-Syrian-Iranian-Hezbollah offensive
targeting rebels in Aleppo went ahead.
[
334
]
[
335
]
[
336
]
[
337
]
[
338
]
US air and ground strikes; Vienna peace talks; disagreements of Russia, Iran and Western powers (October–November 2015)
[
edit
]
Military situation in Syria in November 2015
Participants in Syrian Civil War
At the end of October 2015, the U.S. Secretary of Defense
Ashton Carter
signalled a shift in the strategy of the U.S.-led campaign saying there will be more air strikes and ruling in the use of direct ground raids, the fight in Syria concentrating mostly on Raqqa.
[
339
]
On 30 October and two weeks later,
Syria peace talks
were held in Vienna, initiated by the United States, Russia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, in which on 30 October Iran participated for the first time in negotiations on Syrian settlement.
[
340
]
The participants disagreed on the future of Bashar Assad.
On 10 November 2015, the Syrian Ba'athist government forces completed the
operation to break through
the ISIL insurgents' blockade of the
Kweires air base
in Aleppo Province, where Ba'athist government forces had been under siege since April 2013.
[
341
]
In mid-November 2015, in the wake of the
Russian plane bombing over Sinai
and the
Paris attacks
, both Russia
[
342
]
and France significantly intensified their strikes in Syria, France closely coordinating with the U.S. military.
[
343
]
On 17 November, Putin said he had issued orders for the
cruiser
Moskva
that had been in eastern Mediterranean since the start of the Russian operations to "work as with an ally",
[
344
]
[
345
]
with the French naval group led by flagship
Charles De Gaulle
then on her way to the
eastern Mediterranean
.
[
346
]
Shortly afterwards, a Russian foreign ministry official criticised France's stridently anti-Assad stance as well as France's air strikes at oil and gas installations in Syria
[
347
]
as apparently designed to prevent those from returning under the Syrian Ba'athist government's control; the Russian official pointed out that such strikes by France could not be justified as they were carried out without the Syrian Ba'athist government's consent.
[
348
]
[
349
]
In his remarks to a French delegation that included French parliamentarians, on 14 November, President Bashar Assad sharply criticised France's as well as other Western States' actions against the Syrian Ba'athist government suggesting that French support for Syrian opposition forces had led to the Islamic State-claimed attacks in Paris.
[
350
]
[
351
]
On 19 November 2015, U.S. President Barack Obama, speaking of the Vienna process, said he was unable to "foresee a situation in which we can end the civil war in Syria while Assad remains in power" and urged Russia and Iran to stop supporting the Syrian Ba'athist government.
[
352
]
[
353
]
On 20 November 2015, the UN Security Council, while failing to invoke the UN's
Chapter VII
, which gives specific legal authorisation for the use of force,
[
354
]
unanimously passed
Resolution 2249
that urged UN members to "redouble and coordinate their efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed specifically by ISIL...as well as...all other...entities associated with Al-Qaida, and other terrorist groups, as designated by the United Nations Security Council, and as may further be agreed by the
International Syria Support Group
(ISSG) and endorsed by the UN Security Council".
[
355
]
The adopted resolution was drafted by France and co-sponsored by the UK
[
356
]
the following day after Russia introduced an updated version of its previously submitted draft resolution that was blocked by the Western powers as seeking to legitimise Assad's authority.
[
357
]
[
358
]
Turkey shoots down Russian plane; Syrian army camp bombed; UN Resolution 2254 transitional plan (November–December 2015)
[
edit
]
On 24 November 2015, Turkey
shot down a Russian warplane
that allegedly violated Turkish airspace and crashed in northwestern Syria, leading to the Russian pilot's death.
[
359
]
Following the crash, it was reported that
Syrian Turkmen
rebels from
Syrian Turkmen Brigades
attacked and shot down a
Russian
rescue helicopter, killing a Russian naval infantryman.
[
359
]
A few days later, Russian aircraft were reported to have struck targets in the Syrian town of
Ariha
in Idlib province that was controlled by the
Army of Conquest
causing multiple casualties on the ground.
[
360
]
[
361
]
On 2 December 2015, the
Parliament of the United Kingdom
voted to expand
Operation Shader
into Syria with a majority of 397–223.
[
362
]
That day, two British
Tornado
aircraft took off from
RAF Akrotiri
immediately at 22:30, each carrying three
Paveway
bombs. Two further aircraft were deployed at 00:30 on 3 December, and all aircraft returned by 06:30 without their bombs.
[
363
]
Defence Secretary
Michael Fallon
said that the strikes hit the Omar oil fields in eastern Syria, and that eight more jets (two Tornados and six
Typhoons
) were being sent to RAF Akrotiri to join the eight already there.
[
364
]
On 7 December 2015, the Ba'athist government of Syria announced that US-led coalition warplanes had fired nine missiles at its army camp near Ayyash,
Deir al-Zour province
, on the evening prior, killing three soldiers and wounding 13 others; three armoured vehicles, four military vehicles, heavy machine-guns and an arms and ammunition depot were also destroyed.
[
365
]
The Ba'athist government condemned the strikes, the first time the Ba'athist government forces would be struck by the coalition,
[
366
]
as an act of "flagrant aggression"; the coalition spokesman denied it was responsible.
[
365
]
Anonymous Pentagon officials alleged later in the day that the Pentagon was "certain" that a Russian warplane (presumably a
TU-22 bomber
) had carried out the attack.
[
367
]
[
368
]
The claim was denied by the Russian military spokesman who noted that four Western coalition warplanes (other than U.S.) had been spotted over the Deir az-Zor area in Syria on 6 December.
[
citation needed
]
On 14 December 2015, Russia's government news media reported that the Syrian Ba'athist government forces retook a
Marj al-Sultan
military airbase east of Damascus that had been held by
Jaysh al-Islam
.
[
369
]
The
UN resolution 2254
of 18 December 2015 endorsed the
ISSG
's transitional plan but did not clarify who would represent the Syrian opposition, while condemning terrorist groups like ISIL and al-Qaeda; it made no mention of the future role of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
[
370
]
[
371
]
Syrian army pushes north and retakes Al-Shaykh Maskin in the south-west (January 2016)
[
edit
]
On 12 January 2016, the Syria Ba'athist government announced that its army and allied forces had established "full control" of the strategically situated town of
Salma
, a predominantly Sunni village
[
372
]
in the mostly Alawite northwestern province of Latakia, and continued to advance north.
[
373
]
[
374
]
On 16 January 2016, ISIL militants
launched raid
on Ba'athist government-held areas in the city of
Deir ez-Zor
and killed up to 300 people.
[
375
]
Counter-strikes by
Russian Air Force
fighter jets, in support of Syrian army forces, were reported to take back the areas.
[
376
]
On 21 January 2016, Russia's activity presumably aimed at setting up a new base in the Ba'athist government-controlled
Kamishly Airport
was first reported;
[
377
]
[
378
]
[
379
]
the northeastern town of
Qamishli
in the
Al-Hasakah Governorate
had been largely under the Syrian Kurds' control since the start of the
Syrian Kurdish–Islamist conflict
in the governorate of Al-Hasakah in July 2013. Similar activity by the U.S. forces was suspected in the
Rmelan
Airbase in the same province, 50 km away from the Kamishly Airport; the area is likewise controlled by the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).
[
379
]
[
380
]
On 24 January 2016, the Syrian Ba'athist government announced its forces, carrying on with their
Latakia offensive
, had seized the predominantly Sunni-populated town of
Rabia
, the last major town held by rebels in western Latakia province; Russian forces were said to have played an important role in the recapture,
[
381
]
which threatened rebel supply lines from Turkey.
[
381
]
[
382
]
By 26 January 2016, the Syrian Ba'athist government established "full control" over the town of
Al-Shaykh Maskin
in the
Daraa Governorate
,
[
383
]
[
384
]
thus completing the
operation
that had begun in late December 2015. Several analysts considered this a turning of the tide for the Syrian Ba'athist government, citing the significance of military help from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, considering that rebels had once controlled about 70% of the province.
[
385
]
Palmyra offensive
in March 2016
Partial ceasefire (26 February–July 2016)
[
edit
]
On 26 February 2016, the
United Nations Security Council
unanimously adopted
resolution 2268
that endorsed a previously brokered U.S.-Russian deal on a "
cessation of hostilities
".
[
386
]
The cease-fire started on 27 February 2016 at 00:00 (Damascus time).
[
387
]
The ceasefire does not include attacks on UN-designated terrorist organizations.
[
388
]
[
389
]
At the close of February 2016, despite individual clashes, the truce was reported to hold.
[
390
]
By the end of March, the Syrian Ba'athist government forces with support from Russia and Iran successfully
captured Palmyra
from the ISIL.
[
391
]
By early July 2016, the truce was said to have mostly unraveled, violence again escalated, and the fighting between all the major parties to the conflict continued.
[
392
]
At the end of July 2016,
the fighting between the Ba'athist government and Islamist rebels in and around Aleppo intensified
.
Turkish interventions, Raqqa campaign, Aleppo recaptured, Deir ez-Zor siege broken (August 2016–December 2017)
[
edit
]
SDF advances; Turkish military intervention begins in northern Syria: Operation Euphrates Shield (August 2016–January 2017)
[
edit
]
Military situation in August 2016
On 12 August 2016, the
Syrian Democratic Forces
fully
captured the northern city of Manbij
from ISIL and some days later announced a new offensive towards
Al-Bab
, which could eventually connect the Kurdish regions in Northern Syria.
[
393
]
On 16 August the
battle of al-Hasakah
began with some minor clashes. On 19 August, the Pentagon warned the Syrian Ba'athist government against "interfering with coalition forces or our partners" in the northeastern region near the city of
al-Hasakah
, adding that the U.S. had the right to defend its troops which were operational in the area.
[
394
]
On 22 August, the Kurdish YPG, having captured Ghwairan, the only major Arab neighbourhood in Hasaka that had been in Ba'athist government hands, launched a major assault to seize the last Ba'athist government-controlled areas of the northeastern Syrian city of Hasaka, after a Russian mediation team failed to mend the rift between the two sides;
[
395
]
the next day the capture of the city was completed.
[
396
]
On 24 August 2016, Turkey's armed forces invaded Syria in the
Jarabulus
area controlled by ISIL starting what the Turkish president called the
Operation Euphrates Shield
, aimed against, according to his statement, both the IS and Kurdish ″terror groups that threaten our country in northern Syria″.
[
397
]
[
398
]
[
399
]
The Syrian Ba'athist government denounced the intervention as a "blatant violation of its sovereignty" and said that "fighting terrorism isn't done by ousting ISIS and replacing it with other terrorist organizations backed directly by Turkey".
[
400
]
The PYD leader
Salih Muslim
said that Turkey was now in the "Syrian quagmire" and would be defeated like IS.
[
398
]
[
401
]
Speaking in
Ankara
the same day, U.S. vice president
Joe Biden
indirectly endorsed Turkey's move and said that the U.S. had made it clear to the Syrian Kurdish forces that they should move back east across the Euphrates, or lose U.S. support.
[
402
]
[
403
]
As Turkish troops and the Turkish-aligned Syrian rebels took control of Jarabulus and moved further south towards the Syrian town of Manbij, they clashed with the Kurdish YPG, which led the U.S. officials to voice concern and issue a warning to both sides.
[
404
]
[
405
]
On 29 August, U.S. Defense Secretary
Ashton Carter
specified that the U.S. did not support Turkey's advance south of Jarabulus.
[
406
]
The warning as well as an announcement made by the U.S. of a tentative ceasefire between the Turkish forces and the Kurds in the area of Jarabulus were promptly and angrily dismissed by Turkey.
[
407
]
[
408
]
However, combat between the Turkish forces and the SDF died down, and instead Turkish forces moved West to confront ISIL.
[
409
]
In the meantime the SDF, including Western volunteers, continued to reinforce Manbij.
[
410
]
[
411
]
At sunset on 12 September 2016, a
U.S.-Russian brokered cease-fire
came into effect.
[
412
]
Five days later, the U.S. and other coalition members′ jets
bombed Syrian Army positions
near Deir ez-Zor—purportedly by accident — but with Russia contending that it was intentional — killing at least 62 Syrian troops that were fighting ISIL militants.
[
413
]
On 19 September the Syrian Army declared that it would no longer observe the truce.
[
414
]
Also on 19 September, an
aid convoy in Aleppo was attacked
with the U.S. coalition blaming the Russian and Syrian governments for the attack and these same governments denying these accusation and instead blaming terrorists for the attack.
[
415
]
On 22 September, the Syrian army declared a
new offensive in Aleppo
[
416
]
and on 14 December the final rebel stronghold in Aleppo was recaptured by the Syrian Ba'athist government, followed by a ceasefire agreement.
[
417
]
In March 2015, the Syrian Information Minister announced that his government considered recognizing Kurdish autonomy "within the law and constitution".
[
418
]
While the region's administration is not invited to the
Geneva III peace talks on Syria
,
[
419
]
or any of the earlier talks, Russia in particular calls for the region's inclusion and does to some degree carry the region's positions into the talks, as documented in Russia's May 2016 draft for a new constitution for Syria.
[
420
]
In October 2016, there were reports of a Russian initiative for federalization with a focus on northern Syria, which at its core called to turn the existing institutions of the region into legitimate institutions of Syria; also reported was its rejection for the time being by the Syrian government.
[
421
]
The Damascus ruling elite is split over the question whether the new model in the region can work in parallel and converge with the Syrian government, for the benefit of both, or if the agenda should be to centralize again all power at the end of the civil war, necessitating preparation for ultimate confrontation with the region's institutions.
[
422
]
On 26 October 2016, US Defense Secretary
Ash Carter
said that an offensive to retake Raqqa from ISIL would begin within weeks.
[
423
]
Raqqa campaign (November 2016–January 2017)
[
edit
]
Raqqa
suffered extensive damage during the
Battle of Raqqa
On 26 October the US Defense Secretary said that an offensive to retake Raqqa from ISIL would begin within weeks.
[
424
]
The SDF, using up to 30,000 Arab, Christian and Kurdish troops, and with support from the Western Coalition, undertook an operation codenamed
Wrath of Euphrates
. By December 2016 it had captured many villages and land west of Raqqa previously controlled by ISIL
[
425
]
and by January 2017, much of the land west of Raqqa had been seized and the second phase of the operation was complete.
Aleppo recaptured; Russian/Iranian/Turkish-backed ceasefire (December 2016–April 2017)
[
edit
]
Russian
sappers
in Aleppo, 23 December 2016
In December 2016, Syrian Ba'athist government forces
completely recaptured
all of rebel-held parts of Aleppo, ending the 4-year battle in the city.
[
426
]
On 29 December Russian President
Vladimir Putin
announced a new ceasefire deal had been reached between the Syrian Ba'athist Government and opposition groups (excluding UN-designated terrorist groups such as ISIL and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham), with Russia and Turkey acting as guarantors and Iran as a signatory, which came into effect at 00:00 Syrian time (02:00 UTC) on 30 December. Talks were scheduled to be held between the groups in
Astana
, capital of Kazakhstan, on 15 January.
[
427
]
On the same day the
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
reported that four million people in Damascus and surrounding areas were without reliable access to water after major supply infrastructure had been targeted, and called upon all parties to guarantee basic services.
[
428
]
A
BM-21 Grad
rocket artillery
truck of the
Lions of the East Army
during the
2017 southern Syrian Desert campaign
On 2 January 2017, rebel groups said that they would disengage from planned talks after alleged ceasefire violations by Ba'athist Government forces in the Wadi
Barada
valley near Damascus.
[
429
]
At the end of January, Ba'athist government forces managed to
capture Wadi Barada
and the water supply of Damascus was restored.
[
430
]
[
431
]
On 14 February, the ceasefire between Assad forces and rebels collapsed throughout the country, leading to fresh clashes in various locations and a
fresh rebel offensive in Daraa
.
[
432
]
A
new peace conference in Geneva
was held on 23 February,
[
433
]
the same day as
Turkish forces captured Al-Bab from ISIL
north-east of Aleppo.
[
434
]
Syrian Ba'athist government forces started an
offensive east of Aleppo
to conquer
Dayr Hafir
from ISIL and prevent further Turkish advances.
Syrian rebels in combat against Ba'athist government forces in
Qaboun
, Damascus, April 2017
On 17 March, Syrian military fired
S-200 missiles
at Israeli jets over
Golan Heights
. The Israeli military claimed that the
Arrow
anti-ballistic system intercepted one missile, while the Syrian military claimed that they had downed an Israeli jet. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador for talks.
[
435
]
The
U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Syria
reported that on 20 March up to 150 civilians were killed near a school in Raqqa by U.S.-led coalition air strikes.
[
436
]
Ba'athist Government forces entered
Dayr Hafir
, the last stronghold held by ISIL in East Aleppo, and secured it by 23 March. This opened up an opportunity to push south into the Raqqa governorate; however on the same day, an SDF contingent landed on a peninsula west of Raqqa via boats and helicopters in an effort to cut off the Syrian Arab Army from entering the ISIL's de facto capital, Raqqa. On 28 March, an agreement was reportedly brokered by Qatar and Iran for the evacuation for four besieged towns in Syria. The deal involved evacuating the residents of
al-Fu'ah
and
Kafriya
, two towns in the
Idlib Governorate
besieged by rebel forces, in exchange for the evacuation of residents and rebels in
Zabadani
and
Madaya
, two towns under siege by Ba'athist government forces in the
Rif Dimashq Governorate
.
[
437
]
Syrian-American conflict; de-escalation zones (April–June 2017)
[
edit
]
U.S. armored vehicle in
Al-Hasakah
, northeastern Syria, May 2017
After the
chemical attack on Khan Shaykhun
, warships of the U.S. Navy launched 59
Tomahawk missiles
at the Syrian Ba'athist government's
Shayrat Air Base
which was said to be the source of the chemical attack. The American attack, taking place on 7 April 2017, was the first officially announced deliberate attack on Syrian Ba'athist government forces.
[
438
]
[
439
]
Due to being launched without authorisation from
Congress
or the
UN Security Council
, the strike triggered an emergency UNSC meeting.
[
440
]
Russian President Putin viewed the U.S. attack as "an act of aggression against a sovereign country violating the norms of international law".
[
441
]
The U.S. representative responded that "the moral stain of the Assad regime could no longer go unanswered."
[
442
]
American forces struck the Syrian military again on 18 May, when a Syrian army convoy advancing in the vicinity of the border town of
al-Tanf
, which hosted a US-controlled airbase, came under attack by US fighter jets.
[
443
]
Nevertheless, the Syrian Ba'athist government's
desert offensive
continued and on 9 June Ba'athist government forces secured a part of
Syrian–Iraqi border
for the first time since 2015.
[
444
]
Military situation in Syria in May 2017
Meanwhile, intense fighting between Ba'athist government forces and rebel groups that
began north of Hama
on 21 March continued.
[
445
]
By 29 March, Ba'athist government forces, which had halted the rebel offensive at the outskirts of Hama, began a counterstrike, and by 16 April had reversed all rebel gains; by the end of April they had captured the towns of
Halfaya
and
Taybat al-Imam
.
[
446
]
On 12 April, the
agreement to exchange the inhabitants
of the rebel-held towns of
Zabadani
and
Madaya
with the inhabitants of the pro-Ba'athist government towns of
Al-Fu'ah
and
Kafraya
began to be implemented.
[
447
]
On 15 April, a convoy of buses carrying evacuees from
Al-Fu'ah
and
Kafriya
was
attacked by a suicide bomber
in Aleppo, killing more than 126 people.
[
448
]
On 24 April, the Turkish Air Force
conducted several airstrikes
on YPG and YPJ positions near
al-Malikiyah
. The attacks were condemned by the US.
[
449
]
On 4 May, Russia, Iran, and Turkey signed an agreement in Astana to create four "
de-escalation
zones" in Syria: the
Idlib Governorate
, the northern rebel-controlled parts of the
Homs Governorate
, the rebel-controlled eastern
Ghouta
, and the
Jordan–Syria border
. The agreement was rejected by some rebel groups,
[
450
]
and the Kurdish
Democratic Union Party or PYD
also denounced the deal, saying that the ceasefire zones are "dividing Syria up on a sectarian basis". The ceasefire came into effect on 6 May.
[
451
]
ISIL siege of Deir ez-Zor broken; CIA program halted; Russian forces permanent (July–December 2017)
[
edit
]
Iranian convoy delivering aid to
Deir ez-Zor
in September 2017
On 7 July 2017, the U.S., Russia, and Jordan agreed to a
ceasefire
in part of southwestern Syria, Russia giving assurances that Assad would abide by the agreement.
[
452
]
On 19 July it was reported that the U.S. had decided to halt the
CIA program to equip and train anti-Ba'athist government rebel groups
, a move sought by Russia.
[
453
]
On 5 September the Ba'athist government's
Central Syria offensive
culminated in the breaking of the three-year ISIL
siege of Deir ez-Zor
, with active participation of Russian air force and navy.
[
454
]
[
455
]
[
456
]
This was followed shortly thereafter by the lifting of the siege of the
city's airport
.
[
457
]
An analysis released in June 2017 described the Kurdish region's "relationship with the regime fraught but functional" and a "semi-cooperative dynamic".
[
458
]
In late September 2017, Syria's Foreign Minister said that Damascus would consider granting Kurds more autonomy in the region once ISIL is defeated.
[
459
]
On 17 October, after over
four months of fierce fighting
and the U.S.-led coalition's bombardment, the Kurdish-dominated SDF announced they had established full control of the city of
Raqqa
in northern Syria.
[
460
]
[
461
]
[
462
]
At the end of October, the Ba'athist government of Syria said that it still considered Raqqa to be an occupied city that can ″only be considered liberated when the Syrian Arab Army enter[ed] it.″
[
463
]
By mid-November the Ba'athist government forces and allied militia
established full control
over
Deir ez-Zor
and
captured
the town of
Abu Kamal
in eastern Syria, near the border with Iraq and Iraq's town of
al-Qaim
, which was concurrently
captured from ISIL
by the Iraqi government.
[
464
]
[
465
]
On 6 December Russia declared Syria to have been "completely liberated" from ISIL; on 11 December President Putin visited the Russian base in Syria, where he announced that he had ordered the partial withdrawal of the forces deployed to Syria.
[
466
]
[
467
]
[
468
]
[
469
]
On 26 December, Russian defence minister
Sergey Shoigu
said that Russia had set about "forming a permanent grouping" at its
naval facility
at
Tartus
and
Hmeymim airbase
.
[
470
]
[
471
]
Two days later, Russian foreign minister
Sergey Lavrov
said that Russia believed that the U.S. forces must leave Syrian territory completely once remnants of the terrorists were completely eliminated.
[
472
]
[
473
]
Turkish forces enter conflict; continued civil conflicts; US withdrawal; diplomatic negotiations (January–December 2018)
[
edit
]
Army advance in Hama province and Ghouta; Operation Olive Branch (January–March 2018)
[
edit
]
Military situation in Syria in February 2018
On 20 January, the
Turkish military
began a
cross-border operation
in the
Kurdish
-majority
Afrin Canton
and the
Tel Rifaat
Area of
Shahba Canton
in Northern Syria, against the Kurdish-led
Democratic Union Party
in Syria (PYD),
[
474
]
its armed wing
People's Protection Units
(YPG),
[
475
]
and
Syrian Democratic Forces
(SDF) positions.
[
476
]
In January—February 2018, the Syrian Army and its allies
continued to advance
against the forces of
Tahrir al-Sham
(HTS) and other rebels in the
Hama Governorate
.
On 10 February, the
Syrian Air Defense Force
shot down
an Israeli F-16 fighter jet in response to an Israeli cross-border raid on Iranian targets near Damascus through Lebanese airspace.
[
477
]
On 21 February, the Ba'athist government began an
operation to capture
rebel-held
Ghouta
east of Damascus; the operation started with an intensive air campaign.
[
478
]
On 18 March, on the 58th day of the Turkish military operation in Afrin,
Operation Olive Branch
, the
Syrian National Army
(SNA or FSA),
Turkish Armed Forces
and disparate rebel groups captured Afrin from the YPG and the
YPJ
, displacing up to 200,000 people. Shortly after the capture, SNA militants
looted
parts of the city and destroyed numerous pro-Kurdish symbols as Turkish Army troops solidified control by raising Turkish flags and banners over the city.
[
479
]
[
480
]
The battle was seen as an overall strategic victory, because it would open a ground corridor into nearby Idlib province (a stronghold for al-Qaida-linked militants) as well as linking them with other rebel factions that wanted to join the coalition there.
[
481
]
Turkey's relationship with the US was stretched to breaking point by the Afrin operation, which pitted the two NATO allies and their Syrian proxies against one another.
[
482
]
Douma chemical attack; U.S.-led missile strikes; Southern Syria offensive (April–August 2018)
[
edit
]
On 7 April 2018, a
chemical attack
was reported in the city of
Douma
, with 70 people killed
[
483
]
and 500 injured. On-site medics stated the cause of those deaths was exposure to
chlorine
and
sarin gas
.
[
484
]
The Syrian Ba'athist government denied any use of chemical weapons.
[
485
]
Following the incident in Douma, the UN Security Council failed to adopt three competing resolutions on an inquiry into the alleged chemical attack, with Russia and the U.S. clashing over the issue.
[
486
]
[
487
]
[
488
]
[
489
]
[
490
]
Following the incident, Syrian Ba'athist government forces
entered and established control
over the city of Douma, ending the five-year
Siege of Ghouta
.
[
491
]
On 14 April the U.S., U.K. and France
launched missile strikes
on multiple Ba'athist government targets in Syria as a response to the suspected chemical attack in Douma.
Negotiations between Kurdish regional government and Syrian government
[
edit
]
On 3 July, NES/SDF authorities removed some
YPG
flags from cities and towns under their control in Northern Syria. Pro-government media reported this to be as a result of a preliminary agreement being struck between the NES/SDF and Syrian Government, in which the latter allegedly promised to include the Kurdish language as a part of the Syrian national
curriculum
, consider military service in the YPG as analogous to service in the
Syrian Army
(for the purposes of veteran status and military pensions), as well as the creation of a permanent post for a Kurdish official in Syria's oil ministry. Several Kurdish officials denied before
Kurdistan 24
that such negotiations had taken place, stating that the removal of flags and portraits was part of "an administrative decision to organize and regulate roadside advertising" and had nothing to do with politics.
[
492
]
On 28 July, the Kurdish-led council in northern Syria reported that it had decided to create a roadmap for a "democratic and decentralized Syria" with the Syrian Government, after reportedly meeting with Syrian government officials in Damascus at the invitation of Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad
.
[
493
]
On 29 July, former PYD co-chair
Salih Muslim
reported that the atmosphere during the meeting with the Syrian government had been "positive and promising", adding that the government had accepted to discuss the notion of a decentralized Syria. He stated that the SDF was willing to join government offensives in Northwestern Syria and considered militant groups in Idlib to be no different than those
in Afrin.
He finished by stating that the NES did not wait for permission from international powers to start negotiations with the government, instead simply informed them that they had already started.
[
494
]
Later that day, the NES returned over 44 bodies of Syrian Army servicemen killed by
ISIL
in 2014 to the Syrian Government.
[
495
]
On 30 July, a
Syrian Kurdish
MP and leader of the Damascus-based 'Syrian Kurds National Initiative', Omar Ose, urged the NES/SDF to enter into full negotiations (as opposed to 'talks') with the Syrian Government. He added that the two sides had managed to agree on 6 of the 10 key issues brought up during the previous two rounds of dialogue.
[
495
]
[
496
]
By the end of July, the two sides had agreed to set up negotiations in "stages". The first stage would cover mutually beneficial and mostly technical matters, such as the restoration of government-sponsored energy, education and health projects, as well as the re-integration of government civil registrations with those within the NES. The second would involve the restoration of government control over the border crossings with
Iraq
,
Turkey
and
Iraqi Kurdistan
, as well as the stationing of government security forces along the state borders currently under the control of the NES. The last stage would involve solving the "major issues" (such as a potential future re-integration of the NES as a whole, within the context of a 'decentralized' system) between the two sides, using the mutual confidence that would be built from the successful completion of the previous stages. The
Syrian Democratic Council
reportedly voted in favour of negotiations with the Syrian government to this effect. The
U.S.
envoy
Brett McGurk
was informed of the ongoing talks and reportedly did not object to the prospect of negotiations between the two sides, but suggested starting out negotiations with a focus on "restoring services".
[
497
]
[
498
]
Continuing conflicts, 2018
[
edit
]
On 19 April the Syrian army and allied Palestinian groups began
an offensive against the Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees in Southern Damascus
, which had been partially occupied by ISIL. On 21 May, pro-Ba'athist government troops fully recaptured Yarmouk camp, thus allowing the Syrian Arab Army to fully control the capital after 6 years.
[
499
]
[
500
]
On 1 May, the U.S. government announced the U.S.-led coalition's "operations to liberate the final ISIS strongholds in Syria", which would ensure that "populations liberated from ISIS are not exploited by the Assad regime or its Iranian supporters".
[
501
]
[
502
]
In May, Israel launched an extensive strike against Iranian targets in Syria (known as
Operation House of Cards
) after a series of short military confrontations between Israeli and Iranian forces in Syria.
[
503
]
On 6 July, as a result of the
Southern Syria offensive
, which had begun in June, the Syrian Army backed by Russian forces reached the border with Jordan and captured the
Nasib Border Crossing
.
[
504
]
[
505
]
By the end of July, the Southern Syria offensive ended, resulting in the complete Syrian Ba'athist government's control of
Daraa
and
Quneitra
provinces.
On 8 September 2018, clashes in Quamishli took place between the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and Syrian Arab Republic forces yet again. 10+ SAA troops and 7 Asayish fighters were killed. Many more on both sides were injured.
[
506
]
On 17 September Israel
hit multiple targets
in western Syria. While trying to strike the Israeli planes, Syrian forces shot down a Russian plane, causing the deaths of 15 Russians.
[
507
]
[
508
]
The strikes occurred a few hours after a Russo-Turkish agreement to create a
demilitarized zone
around
Idlib Governorate
was achieved, which postponed an imminent offensive operation by Syrian Ba'athist government forces and its allies.
[
509
]
Russia blamed Israel for the incident; Russian defence ministry's spokesman
Igor Konashenkov
named the Israeli military as the sole culprit of the accident.
[
510
]
[
511
]
In the aftermath of the strikes, on 24 September 2018, Russian defence minister
Sergey Shoygu
confirmed that the Syrian army would receive
S-300
air-defence missile systems to strengthen Syria's combat air defence capabilities. He added that the previous cancellation of the contract for S-300 delivery in 2013 had been due to Israel's request but following the downing of the Russian aircraft in Syria the situation had changed.
[
512
]
[
513
]
[
514
]
The S-300 has modern
IFF
systems which would prevent the missiles from targeting Russian aircraft.
[
515
]
Partial US withdrawal; Turkish buffer zone agreements; Iraq strikes ISIL targets (September–December 2018)
[
edit
]
On 17 September 2018, Russian president
Vladimir Putin
and Turkish president
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
reached an agreement to create a
buffer zone
in Idlib.
[
516
]
At a summit in October 2018, envoys from Russia, Turkey, France and Germany issued a joint statement affirming the need to respect territorial integrity of Syria as a whole. This forms one basis for their role as "guarantor nations."
[
517
]
The second round of talks occurred around 25 November, but was not successful due to opposition from the Assad regime.
[
517
]
At the Astana Process meeting in December 2019, a UN official stated that in order for the third round of talks to proceed, co-chairs from the Assad regime and the opposition need to agree on an agenda.
[
517
]
The committee has two co-chairs, Ahmad Kuzbari representing the Syrian government, and Hadi Albahra from the opposition. It is unclear if the third round of talks will proceed on a firm schedule, until the Syrian government provides its assent to participate.
[
517
]
While the war is still ongoing, Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad
said that Syria would be able to rebuild the war-torn country on its own. As of July 2018
, the reconstruction was estimated to cost a minimum of US$400 billion. Assad said he would be able to loan this money from friendly countries, Syrian diaspora and the state treasury.
[
518
]
Iran has expressed interest in helping rebuild Syria. One year later this seems to be materializing, Iran and the Syrian government signed a deal where Iran would help rebuild the Syrian energy grid, which has taken damage to 50% of the grid.
[
519
]
International donors have been suggested as one financier of the reconstruction.
[
520
]
As of November 2018
, reports emerged that rebuilding efforts had already started. It was reported that the biggest issue facing the rebuilding process is the lack of building material and a need to make sure the resources that do exist are managed efficiently. The rebuilding effort have so far remained at a limited capacity and has often been focused on certain areas of a city, thus ignoring other areas inhabited by disadvantaged people.
[
521
]
On 12 December, the Turkish government announced it would begin operations against Rojava (the
Democratic Federation of Northern Syria
) "in a few days" in an apparent rebuke of US efforts at ensuring Turkish border security in the area.
[
522
]
In response,
the Pentagon
said that any unilateral military action taken in northern Syria where US forces are operating would be "unacceptable."
[
523
]
However, President Trump abruptly announced on 19 December 2018 the withdrawal of all troops from Syria, after which Turkey postponed the planned attack.
[
524
]
Late on 25 December, Israel launched an attack from or across Lebanese air space, "in response to an anti-aircraft missile launched from Syria" according to the IDF; Russia condemned the strikes as provocative and said that they "directly threatened two airliners". Reports from Syria said an arms depot in Qatifah, about 40 km north-east of Damascus, was hit, injuring three soldiers.
[
525
]
On 28 December, Ba'athist government forces were said to be on the outskirts of the strategically important northern city of
Manbij
, but the city was still held by Kurdish forces and US troops were still there.
[
526
]
On 30 December, the Syrian Ba'athist government officially allowed Iraq to strike ISIL on Syrian territory.
[
527
]
Iraq struck ISIL targets in
Deir ez-Zor
the next day.
[
528
]
The Syrian government put forward a law commonly known as "
law 10
", which could strip refugees of property, such as damaged real estate. There are also fears among some refugees that if they return to claim this property they will face negative consequences, such as forced conscription or prison. The Syrian government has been criticized for using this law to reward those who have supported the government. However, the government said this statement was false and has expressed that it wants the return of refugees from Lebanon.
[
529
]
[
530
]
In December 2018, it was also reported that the Syrian government has started to seize property under an anti-terrorism law, which is affecting government opponents negatively, with many losing their property. Some people's pensions have also been cancelled.
[
531
]
ISIL attacks continue; US states conditions of withdrawal; fifth inter-rebel conflict (January–September 2019)
[
edit
]
Wars, 1,000–9,999 deaths in current or past calendar year
Beginning on 1 January 2019 and lasting through 10 January 2019,
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
(HTS)
attacked and seized
the positions of the
National Front for Liberation
(NLF) across rebel-held Idlib and Aleppo. On 9 January 2019, a truce was reached between the two factions, with the NLF surrendering their last positions in Idlib to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and evacuating to areas under the control of the
Syrian National Army
in Afrin. On 10 January, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took control of the remaining positions previously held by the NLF.
[
532
]
On 5 January 2019, a Kurdish fighter was killed and two British special forces troops were seriously injured by an ISIL attack near the town of Deir al-Zour. The injured men were evacuated by US forces.
[
533
]
On 6 January 2019, US National Security Adviser
John Bolton
said, on a trip to Israel and Turkey, that the withdrawal of US troops from Syria depends on certain conditions, including the assurance that the remnants of ISIL forces are defeated and Kurds in northern Syria were safe from Turkish forces.
[
534
]
However, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected the call to protect Kurdish troops, whom he regarded as terrorist groups.
[
535
]
Also on 6 January, the SDF said that they'd caught and arrested two American ISIL fighters, along with suspected fighters from Ireland and Pakistan, who had been planning a terrorist attack on fleeing Syrian civilians.
[
536
]
On 10 January 2019, US Secretary of State,
Mike Pompeo
, said at a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart
Sameh Shoukry
in Cairo that the US would withdraw its troops from Syria while continuing the battle against ISIL, but warned that there would be no US reconstruction aid for areas controlled by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad until Iran and its proxies had left.
[
537
]
[
538
]
On 15 January, a suicide bombing by an ISIL militant next to a US patrol in Kurdish-held Manbij killed 18 people, including four US service personnel, and wounded 18, on the same day that US vice-president
Mike Pence
claimed that ISIL had been defeated.
[
539
]
On 23 March, after many weeks of sporadic fighting as civilians left
Baghuz
, the SDF said the five-year "caliphate" was over and ISIL was now defeated in Syria.
[
540
]
In April 2019, United Nations authorities estimated that the war in Syria has caused destruction reaching to about $400 billion.
[
541
]
On 20 April, ISIL reported that they had killed 35 government troops in the Homs and Deir al-Zour provinces; SOHR reported 27 killed, saying that this was the largest attack since ISIL had been declared defeated. Thousands of ISIL fighters and their families captured from Baghuz remained in camps nearby.
[
542
]
New outbreaks of civil war, 2019 Northwestern offensive (May–September 2019)
[
edit
]
Military situation in Syria in September 2019
On 6 May, the Syrian Government, in coordination with the
Russian Aerospace Forces
,
launched a ground offensive
against
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
,
Jaysh al-Izza
and
National Front for Liberation
-held territories in Northwestern Syria, in response to what it stated were repeated attacks on government-held areas, carried out by those groups from within the
demilitarized zone
.
[
543
]
Following the third northwestern Syria offensive, Syrian Government forces managed to take control over the town of
Khan Shaykhun
on 19 August, thus creating a rebel pocket on the towns of
Kafr Zita
,
Lataminah
and
Morek
including the
Turkish observation post in Morek
. Syrian Army captured the entire pocket on 23 August, therefore encircling the observation post in Morek.
[
544
]
By September 2019, according to a Syrian war monitor, over 120 Churches had been damaged or demolished by all sides in Syrian war since 2011.
[
545
]
New agreements in mid-2019
[
edit
]
On 7 August, the
United States
and
Turkey
reached a deal, which would set up a new
demilitarized buffer zone in northern Syria
.
[
546
]
On 30 August, the Syrian government and Russia announced the launch of a unilateral ceasefire starting from 31 August to stabilise the situation in Idlib.
[
547
]
Turkish offensive and Second Turkish Buffer Zone; Kurdish collaboration; Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (October–December 2019)
[
edit
]
Turkish offensive into northeastern Syria; Russian mediation and US power vacuum; Kurdish–Syrian collaboration; Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (October 2019)
[
edit
]
Turkey launches a new offensive into Kurdish-controlled northern Syria in October 2019 after U.S. forces pull back. The SDF strikes a deal with the Syrian government to help defend the territory
In October 2019, Kurdish leaders of
Rojava
, a region within Syria, announced they had reached a major deal with the government of Syria under Assad. This deal was enacted in the wake of the US withdrawal from Syria. The Kurdish leaders made this deal in order to obtain Syria's help in stopping hostile Turkish forces who were invading Syria and attacking Kurds.
[
4
]
[
548
]
[
549
]
In response to the
2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria
, and the US withdrawal of forces, Russia began some efforts at mediation, and arranged for negotiations and the first-ever accordance between the Syrian government in Damascus and the
Kurdish
-led
SDF
.
[
550
]
Russia also negotiated an agreement to form the
Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone
, which made new changes to the positions of Syrian, Turkish and SDF forces.
[
551
]
[
552
]
[
553
]
[
554
]
On 5 October, Turkish President Erdogan warned about a full-scale Turkish invasion of northern Syria.
[
555
]
[
556
]
On 7 October, the U.S. government declared that while U.S. forces would not support the Turkish operation, they would withdraw from the area and permit it to take place.
[
557
]
The withdrawal was ordered by President
Donald Trump
, a move that was strongly criticized domestically at the time for its apparent abandonment of the Kurds and for creating a power vacuum in the region Syria and Russia were expected to quickly fill.
[
558
]
On 9 October, Turkish President Erdogan announced that
the offensive into north-eastern Syria
had begun.
[
559
]
[
560
]
In response to the offensive, Russia arranged for negotiations between the Syrian government in Damascus and the Kurdish-led forces.
[
550
]
[
561
]
Mazloum Abdi
, the Syrian Kurdish commander-in-chief, announced that they are ready to partner with
Vladimir Putin
(Russia) and
Bashar al-Assad
(Syria), stating that "We know that we would have to make painful compromises with Moscow and Bashar al-Assad if we go down the road of working with them. But if we have to choose between compromises and the genocide of our people, we will surely choose life for our people."
[
562
]
[
551
]
On 13 October the Syrian government and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava) made an agreement focused on deterring the Turkish-led offensive in north-eastern Syria, brokered by the Russian government.
[
563
]
[
564
]
The details of the agreement was unknown at the time, but there were reports that suggest that the SDF will be incorporated into the
Syrian Armed Forces
and that northeastern Syria will come under direct rule of the Syrian government in Damascus.
[
565
]
According to Syrian Kurdish officials, the deal allowed Syrian government forces to take over security in some border areas, but their own administration would maintain control of local institutions.
[
566
]
Syrian troops began entering some key towns in northeastern Syria with Kurdish agreement.
[
567
]
[
568
]
Syrian troops took up positions in some areas to oppose Turkish troops that were threatening various Kurdish forces, including entering cities such as Ayn Issa and Tell Tamer.
[
569
]
[
570
]
[
571
]
[
572
]
[
573
]
With these deals, the prospects for Kurdish autonomy in the region seemed severely diminished and the Kurds were concerned that the independence of their declared
Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (NES)
in
Rojava
might be severely curtailed.
[
574
]
[
575
]
[
562
]
[
576
]
[
577
]
[
578
]
Protest against the
2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria
Meanwhile, internationally, Turkey's role in
NATO
began to be scrutinized by analysts, commentators, and war observers in response to the offensive against the US-backed Kurds. Furthermore, there were apparent signs of a schism between Turkey and other NATO members, in which NATO was seen as effectively "powerless" to manage the situation and that the Turkish government was aware that NATO did not hold much leverage over on-the-ground developments in Syria.
[
579
]
[
580
]
Due to Turkey's strategic position between Europe and the Middle East, NATO members were in a situation where they had limited themselves to relatively muted criticism.
[
581
]
According to
the New York Times
, the U.S. began reviewing the potential withdrawal of its
nuclear weapons
from
Incirlik airbase
under NATO's
nuclear sharing
.
[
582
]
[
583
]
US congressmen, particularly Republican senator Lindsey Graham
[
584
]
[
585
]
and Democratic representative
Eric Swalwell
[
586
]
began calling for possibly suspending Turkey's membership in NATO.
On 15 October, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Russian forces had begun patrolling the region along the line of contact between Turkish and Syrian forces,
[
561
]
[
566
]
indicating that Russia was now filling the security vacuum from the sudden US withdrawal.
[
566
]
[
587
]
Video footage showed Russian soldiers and journalists touring a base that the US had abandoned.
[
566
]
[
588
]
Alexander Lavrentiev, Russia's special envoy on Syria, warned that the Turkish offensive into Syria was unacceptable and stated that Russia was seeking to prevent conflict between Turkish and Syrian troops.
[
589
]
Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone (October 2019)
[
edit
]
On 22 October, Russia and Turkey made an agreement via the Sochi Agreement of 2019 to set up a
Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone
.
[
590
]
Syrian President Assad expressed full support for the deal, as various terms of the agreement also applied to the Syrian government.
[
591
]
The demilitarization agreement reportedly included the following terms:
[
552
]
[
591
]
[
554
]
[
592
]
[
593
]
[
594
]
A buffer zone would be established in Northern Syria. The zone would be around
30 kilometres (19 mi)
deep,
[
b
]
stretching from
Euphrates River
to
Tall Abyad
and from
Ras al-Ayn
to the Iraq-Syria border, but excluding the town of
Qamishli
, the Kurds'
de facto
capital.
[
c
]
The buffer zone would be controlled jointly by the
Syrian Army
and
Russian Military Police
.
All
YPG
forces, which constitute the majority of the SDF, must withdraw from the buffer zone entirely, along with their weapons, within 150 hours from the announcement of the deal. Their withdrawal would be overseen by Russian Military Police and the Syrian Border Guards, which would enter the zone at noon on 23 October.
The YPG would also withdraw from the cities of
Manbij
and
Tell Rifaat
.
[
d
]
Following the YPG withdrawal, joint Russian-Turkish ground patrols would be held in the buffer zone area, but only within
10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
from the border and not including Qamishli.
[
e
]
[
f
]
Turkey would retain sole control of the areas it had captured during its offensive between the towns of
Tell Abyad
and
Ras al-Ayn
.
The
Syrian Government
would construct and man 15 border posts on the
Turkish-Syrian border
.
The parties would launch a joint effort to resettle
Syrian refugees
in a "safe and voluntary manner".
The parties would agree to "preserve the political unity and territorial integrity of Syria" as well as protect the "national security of Turkey".
The parties would agree to reaffirm the importance of the
Adana Agreement
. Russia will facilitate the implementation of the Adana Agreement.
Following the diplomatic breakthrough, the SDF stated that it was willing to merge with the Syrian Army if a political settlement between the Syrian government and the SDF was achieved.
[
595
]
Meanwhile, on 26 October, U.S.
Joint Special Operations Command
's (JSOC)
1st SFOD-D (Delta Force)
conducted a raid into
Idlib province
on the border with Turkey that resulted in the death of ISIL leader
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
, striking a blow to the terror organization.
[
596
]
Russian troops enter Raqqa; Syrian Constitutional Committee; NATO summit; Turkish occupation; continued refugee crisis (October 2019–December 2019)
[
edit
]
On 28 October, in response to a speech by Assad, the Syrian Democratic Council said it was ready to have positive discussions with the Assad government. They said their focus would shift to stopping the Turkish invasion.
[
597
]
[
598
]
[
599
]
Multiple Kurdish groups that were once rivals have begun to seek greater unity against Turkey. Additionally, Syrian Kurdish officials have had some positive discussions with the Assad government, and with local countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan.
[
600
]
On 30 October, the recently negotiated
Syrian Constitutional Committee
held its inaugural meeting.
[
601
]
On 20 November, the committee began operating in order to discuss a new settlement and to draft a new constitution for Syria.
[
517
]
This committee comprises about 150 members. It includes representatives of the Syrian government, opposition groups, and countries serving as guarantors of the process such as e.g. Russia. However, this committee has faced strong opposition from the Syrian government. 50 of the committee members represent the government, and 50 members represent the opposition. The committee began its work in November 2019 in Geneva, under UN auspices. However, the Assad government delegation left on the second day of the process.
[
517
]
President
Donald Trump
meets with Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
in the Oval Office of the White House, 13 November 2019
At the NATO summit in London in early December 2019, French president Emmanuel Macron of France highlighted major differences with Turkey over the definition of terrorism, and said there was little chance this aspect of the conflict could be resolved positively.
[
602
]
Macron criticized Turkey strongly for fighting against groups who had been allied with France and the West in fighting terrorism.
[
603
]
Numerous issues in resolving the conflict emerged at the NATO summit in London. Turkey proposed a safe zone where Syrian refugees could be relocated, but this idea did not receive support from all parties.
[
603
]
Prior to the NATO Summit, there was a meeting at 10 Downing Street of the leaders of France, the UK, Germany and Turkey. One key point that emerged that the Western countries insisted that refugees could only be relocated voluntarily.
[
604
]
[
605
]
Meanwhile, there were concerns in NATO about Turkey's growing closeness with Russia.
[
606
]
On 5 December, Erdogan claimed that a four-way summit on Syria was scheduled to occur in Turkey in February 2020 and will include Turkey, Germany, the UK, and France.
[
607
]
The same day, United States Defense Secretary
Mark Esper
said that the United States had completed its military pullback in northeastern Syria and that 600 troops would remain in the rest of Syria.
[
608
]
On 12 December, Esper said that Turkey's northern buffer zone had now "stabilized" the situation in northern Syria.
[
609
]
[
588
]
[
610
]
[
611
]
At a meeting in Damascus, Russian and Syrian officials clearly stated their support for Syria regaining control over all of its territory.
[
612
]
[
613
]
[
614
]
The United Arab Emirates also expressed official support for Assad.
[
615
]
Russia handled security through its own forces deployed in some key towns under the Sochi Agreement. On 9 December, Russian troops entered Raqqa and began distributing humanitarian aid.
[
616
]
[
617
]
[
618
]
As part of the buffer zone agreement, Russian military police were carrying out joint patrols and were bringing humanitarian aid to local communities.
[
619
]
[
620
]
Meanwhile, the Assad government forged agreements with some opposition groups to return to various local border areas.
[
600
]
[
621
]
[
598
]
[
599
]
[
622
]
[
623
]
Also on 9 December, it was reported that the Russian and Turkish armies had made a deal whereby electricity would be supplied to Tal Abyad by Russia's allies, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) who now support Assad; while water would be supplied by the Alouk water station that is controlled by Turkish forces.
[
624
]
This deal was mainly facilitated by Russian military officials.
[
625
]
[
626
]
[
627
]
It was also reported on 11 December that the
M4 road
to Aleppo would reopen soon, based on an agreement mediated by Russia with Turkey, Turkey's allies in Syria, and the SDF.
[
626
]
[
628
]
[
629
]
There were some reports that Turkey has become more involved with local infrastructure in areas that it controls. Some local schools have been provided with some teachers and curriculum components.
[
630
]
Around 10 December, a new round of meetings for the Astana summit process took place in the Kazakh capital Nur Sultan. The meeting includes Russia, Syria, Turkey and Iran.
[
631
]
At this meeting Russia, stated that the "safe zone" established by Turkey should not be expanded, as this would not accomplish anything positive for the region.
[
632
]
The Astana process was created by Turkey, Iran and Russia in order to find a lasting solution to the conflict. They have examined a process to reform the constitution of Syria via the newly formed Syrian Constitutional Committee.
[
517
]
The parties reported that they reached some important understandings at this meeting, including affirming a commitment to work together to respect Syrian territorial integrity.
[
633
]
The United States has boycotted this process.
[
551
]
Various efforts were proceeding to rebuild infrastructure in Syria in December 2019. On 12 December, Russia said it would spend $500 million to modernize Syria's port of
Tartus
. Russia also said it would build a railway to link Syria with the Persian Gulf.
[
634
]
[
635
]
Russia would also contribute to recovery efforts by the UN.
[
636
]
Syria awarded oil exploration contracts to two Russian firms.
[
637
]
On 16 December, Syria announced it was in serious dialogue with China to join China's
Belt and Road Initiative
designed to foster investment in infrastructure in over one-hundred developing nations worldwide.
[
638
]
[
639
]
Continued refugee crisis, Kurdish fears of ethnic cleansing, and UN aid dispute (December 2019)
[
edit
]
In December 2019, Erdogan stated that Turkey was ready to resettle 1 million Syrian refugees in the northern Syria areas that Turkey had invaded, and that Turkey would pay the costs to do it if necessary, while also calling for more support from the EU and from world organizations.
[
640
]
[
641
]
[
642
]
[
643
]
[
644
]
On 9 December, various local accounts indicated that Turkey was moving Syrian refugees into its zone of operations in Northern Syria for the first time.
[
645
]
Erdogan said that Turkey was working to settle one million people in the cities of Tal Abyad and Ras Al-Ain in northern Syria.
[
646
]
This led to fears of population change or
ethnic cleansing
.
[
647
]
Turkey also began to appoint local mayors and governors in several northern Syrian towns.
[
648
]
They also appointed about 4,000 police officers and other local officials, and were providing some basic local services for citizens.
[
649
]
The number of migrants crossing from Turkey into Europe doubled in 2019 to 70,000, raising questions about whether the 2016 EU-Turkey migrant deal is still effective, Deutsche Welle reported, citing a confidential EU report.
[
650
]
[
651
]
This caused the Kurds to raise some concerns about displacement of various existing populations and communities.
[
652
]
Erdogan claimed that Turkey had spent billions on approximately five million refugees now being housed in Turkey; and also asserted that wealthier nations had done little to address the situation.
[
653
]
[
654
]
[
655
]
A major statement from NGO
ACT Alliance
found that millions of Syrian refugees remained displaced in countries around Syria. This included around 1.5 million refugees in Lebanon. Also the report found that refugees in camps in north-eastern Syria had tripled in the past year.
[
656
]
The UNHCR has also been tracking data on refugees, and maintains
an official website
to do so.
[
657
]
Numerous refugees remained in local refugee camps. Conditions there were reported to be severe, especially with winter approaching.
[
658
]
[
659
]
Refugees in Northeast Syria report they had received no help from international aid organizations.
[
660
]
Meanwhile, a diplomatic dispute was occurring at the UN over re-authorization of cross-border aid for refugees. China and Russia oppose the draft resolution that seeks to re-authorize crossing points in Turkey, Iraq, and Jordan; China and Russia, as allies of Assad, seek to close the two crossing points in Iraq and Jordan, and to leave only the two crossing points in Turkey active.
[
661
]
All of the ten individuals representing the non-permanent members of the Security Council stood in the corridor outside of the chamber speaking to the press to state that all four crossing points were crucial and must be renewed.
[
661
]
UN official
Mark Lowcock
had asked the UN to re-authorize cross-border aid to enable aid to continue to reach refugees in Syria. He said there was no other way to deliver the aid that was needed. He noted that four million refugees out of the over eleven million refugees who need assistance are being reached through four specific international crossing points. Lowcock serves as the United Nations
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
and the Head of the
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
.
[
662
]
Russia, aided by China's support, vetoed the resolution to retain all four border crossings. An alternate resolution also did not pass.
[
663
]
[
664
]
The US strongly criticized the vetoes and opposition by Russia and China.
[
665
]
[
666
]
In regards to the Kurds, the EU held an international conference in mid-December 2019 which condemned any suppression of the Kurds, and called for the self-declared Autonomous Administration in Rojava to be preserved and to be reflected in any new Syrian Constitution. The Kurds are concerned that the independence of their declared Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in Rojava might be severely curtailed.
[
667
]
Various Kurdish factions that were historical rivals began to meet in order to work together more. Their stated reason was to stand together against Russia and Turkey more strongly if needed.
[
668
]
[
669
]
The Russian government has informed the Kurdish factions that they should reconcile and come up with a unified set of demands to clarify to Russia.
[
670
]
Various Kurdish factions blamed each other and their council for lack of progress.
[
671
]
The national Syrian government sent representatives to northeast Syria to meet with local groups there in order to address their concerns and to emphasize unity and combined effort to address problems.
[
672
]
A meeting occurred in Qamishli city, in northeast Syria, that included Syrian national officials, and delegates from Kurdish, Arab, and Syrian figures and forces.
[
673
]
Kurdish delegates emphasized their desire to help to protect Syria as a whole. They expressed willingness to have positive discussions with the Assad government.
[
674
]
[
675
]
SDF General Commander Mazlum Abdi met with local leaders of the Wise Committee, which is composed of leaders of local communities and local family groupings. This meeting emphasized the importance on national unity, and the need to stand against Turkish invaders.
[
676
]
Abdi called on the US and Russia to help stop Turkey from displacing entire communities and ethnic groups from the areas that it controls.
[
677
]
Some reports indicated that meetings between officials of the Assad government and leaders of local political factions went well, and all parties agreed on common goals to improve Syrian society as a whole.
[
678
]
The SDF showed some reluctance to integrate into the Syrian Arab Army as requested by the Assad government, though.
[
679
]
Around 10 December, it appeared that Turkey was withdrawing all of its forces away from the al-Shirkark silos, which hold important supplies of wheat, this seemed to be a result of Russian mediation.
[
680
]
However, some reports said they later returned to re-occupy that area.
[
681
]
Russia said it would pledge to remove Turkish forces from a key highway in northern Syria, and replace them with Russian forces to maintain stability.
[
682
]
Russian and Turkish forces are continuing their joint patrols.
[
669
]
Questions remained about how much control Turkey had over its proxies, such as the Free Syrian Army.
[
683
]
Fourth northwestern Syria offensive and Operation Spring Shield (December 2019–April 2020)
[
edit
]
Fourth northwestern Syria offensive begins (December 2019–February 2020)
[
edit
]
Russia and Syria escalated their attacks against rebel forces in and around the
Idlib
province by the end of 2019 despite the unilateral ceasefire from August and announced sanctions by the United States.
[
684
]
[
685
]
Air raids by the government forces targeted the
Ma'arrat al-Nu'man District
which resulted in more than 20 killed.
[
686
]
[
687
]
In the same week, a bill passed the US senate including new sanctions on Syria, Iran and Russia for their alleged war crimes during the Syrian civil war.
[
688
]
[
689
]
On 19 December 2019, Syrian Army forces and allies
launched a ground offensive in the northwestern Syria countryside
. The main objective was to capture the
M5 road
which connects
Damascus
to
Aleppo
.
[
690
]
In late December 2019, Erdogan stated that Syrian bombing of Idlib had caused new waves of refugees to enter Turkey. Erdogan stated that Turkey could not handle this new influx, and that this influx would be "felt by all European countries".
[
691
]
[
692
]
[
693
]
The
Syrian Armed Forces
' official statement on the capture of
Ma'arrat al-Nu'man
in February 2020
After a brief ceasefire, the Syrian Army started to advance towards the city of
Ma'arrat al-Nu'man
in January 2020. Following rapid advances, government forces reached the city from the eastern, northern and southern outskirts, nearly encircling it. The Syrian Army captured Ma'arrat al-Nu'man on 28 January 2020. It was the first time the Syrian government had control over the city since
the battle of 2012
.
[
694
]
[
695
]
Turkish President Erdogan on 19 February 2020, declared his intentions of changing the border between Syria and Turkey into a secure place for people from both countries, as Turkey prepared to commence an operation to prevent the Syrian army's attack on opposition-held Idlib province.
[
696
]
In February 2020, the Syrian Army started pushing north towards the city of
Saraqib
. Meanwhile the offensive displaced over half a million people in northwestern Syria.
[
697
]
On 5 February 2020, government forces fully encircled Saraqib, including
four Turkish observation posts
. After a two day siege, the Syrian Army entered the city and seized it on the same day.
[
698
]
The Army advanced further to the north along the M5 towards
Aleppo city
. The road was fully under government control on 14 February 2020. In the meantime,
Turkey
started to send military convoys into Idlib to reinforce their observation points.
[
699
]
The Syrian Army's next objective was to secure the western outskirts of Aleppo. Following a major breakthrough on the southern axis, government forces managed to cut off several rebel supply lines. In fear of getting encircled by the Syrian Army, the rebels decided to retreat westwards, leaving the government in control over western Aleppo, including the cities of
Haritan
and
Anadan
on 16 February 2020.
[
700
]
On 20 February 2020, the rebels launched a counteroffensive towards Saraqib with
Turkish artillery support
.
[
701
]
At the same time, the Syrian Army shifted their ground advances to the
Jabal al-Zawiya
and
al-Ghab plain
regions. According to SOHR, government forces managed to capture 33 towns and villages in 60 hours by 26 February 2020 .
[
702
]
The following day, the rebels backed by Turkey had fully recaptured Saraqib from government forces, thus cutting the Damascus-Aleppo M5 highway and lifting the siege of the four encircled Turkish observation points.
[
703
]
Balyun airstrikes and Operation Spring Shield (February–April 2020)
[
edit
]
The offensive in northwestern Syria witnessed a major escalation on 27 February 2020 as a result of
pro-government airstrikes
which targeted a Turkish mechanized infantry battalion near a post in the town of
Balyun
. The strikes resulted in the death of at least 34 Turkish soldiers.
[
704
]
[
705
]
[
706
]
In response to the Balyun airstrikes, Turkish National Defense Minister
Hulusi Akar
announced the launch of
Operation Spring Shield
. The purpose of the operation was in retaliation for the government attack on Turkish soldiers and to halt the Syrian Army advances towards Idlib.
[
707
]
The United States and
NATO
expressed support for Turkey's operation.
Turkish Armed Forces
and their allies managed to recapture the strategic
Zawiya Mountain
together with 18 villages, while the Syrian Army captured Saraqib for the second time in a month.
[
709
]
[
710
]
On 5 March 2020, the presidents of Turkey and Russia,
Erdoğan
and
Putin
, met in
Moscow
to talk about the situation in northwestern Syria. They agreed on a ceasefire in the region that was to come into force from 00:00 hrs on 6 March.
[
711
]
Meanwhile, Erdogan said that Turkey expected to resettle about 1 million refugees in the "buffer zone" that it controls.
[
640
]
Erdogan claimed that Turkey had spent billions on approximately five million refugees now being housed in Turkey; and called for more funding from wealthier nations and from the EU.
[
653
]
[
641
]
[
642
]
Civil conflict ends, clashes with Turkish forces, economic crisis (May 2020–2022)
[
edit
]
U.S. Caesar Act sanctions, economic crisis, crime wave (May–July 2020)
[
edit
]
Analysts noted that the upcoming implementation of new heavy sanctions under the
U.S. Caesar Act
could devastate the Syrian economy, ruin any chances of recovery, and destroy regional stability.
[
712
]
A leading analyst,
Julien Barnes-Dacey
, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at the
European Council on Foreign Relations
, said:
"Assad is absolutely the prime driver of Syria's ongoing collapse. [But] the US position now appears to be fundamentally driven by great power politics and the goal of ensuring that Russia and Iran can't claim a win. My fear is that Caesar will achieve the exact opposite of its stated goals, fuelling the worst impulses of the Syrian regime and wider conflict. The US self-declared maximum pressure campaign aims to bring the regime to its knees and force its backers to concede defeat but the regime knows how to brutally hold onto power and it's clear that its key backers aren't for moving.
"The Syrian people have been brutalised for a decade now and the country is devastated by conflict but we appear to be staring into the precipice of a dangerous new stage of the conflict ... which risks a devastating new unravelling".
[
712
]
The sanctions severely affected the Syrian economy, especially its construction, finance and energy sectors, and complicated the reconstruction efforts.
[
713
]
On 10 June, hundreds of protesters returned to the streets of
Sweida
for the fourth consecutive day, rallying against the collapse of the
country's economy
, as the
Syrian pound
had plummeted to 3,000:1 Syrian pounds to US dollars within the previous week.
[
714
]
On 11 June, Prime Minister
Imad Khamis
was dismissed by President Bashar al-Assad, amid anti-government protests over deteriorating economic conditions.
[
715
]
The new lows for the Syrian currency, and the dramatic increase in sanctions began to raise new threats to the survival of the Assad government.
[
716
]
[
717
]
[
718
]
Military situation in Syria in July 2020
Analysts noted that a resolution to the current
banking crisis in Lebanon
might be crucial to restoring stability in Syria.
[
719
]
Some analysts began to raise concerns that Assad might be on the verge of losing power; but that any such collapse in the regime might cause conditions to worsen, as the result might be mass chaos rather than an improvement in political or economic conditions.
[
720
]
[
721
]
[
722
]
During summer 2020, several Syrian officers were either detained or killed in mysterious circumstances upon and after the implementation of the Caesar Act.
[
clarification needed
]
For instance, Syrian authorities detained Major general Maan Hussein and seized his assets on 14 June.
[
723
]
Moreover, some other officers were assassinated in front of their houses, including: Colonel Ali Jumblat in
Yaafour
, Brigadier general Jihad Zaal in
Deir Ezzor
, Brigadier general Thaer Khair Bek in Al Zahera,
Damascus
,
[
724
]
Nizar Zidane in
Wadi Barada
, Brigadier general Maan Idris in
Dummar
, Brigadier general Somar Deeb in Al Tijara neighborhood in Damascus, and Brigadier general Haitham Othman, who was claimed to have died of
COVID-19
.
[
725
]
In July 2020, the Syrian authorities led by Prime Minister
Hussein Arnous
imposed a $100 entry fee for Syrians; due to this, a 17-year-old Syrian girl, Zainab Mohammed Al-Ibrahim, died at the border with Lebanon unable to pay the fee.
[
726
]
Meanwhile, throughout 2020, several recreational drug deliveries (a total of about 27 tons or 162 million
Captagon
pills, four tons of
hashish
and other loads of
amphetamine
), exported via the seaport of
Latakia
, were intercepted; the production of which was organized by relatives of the
al-Assad family
. The subsequent sale can be used to obtain foreign currency that was difficult to obtain due to the international sanctions for the Syrian state or its government.
[
727
]
[
728
]
Entrenched Russian influence and continued Kurdish–Turkish tensions (July 2020–June 2022)
[
edit
]
Military situation from March 2020 to November 2024
U.S. soldiers deployed in northeast Syria, 12 November 2020
After June 2020, Russia continued to expand its influence and military role in the areas of Syria where the main military conflict was occurring.
[
729
]
As of 2022, the main military threat and conflict faced by Rojava's official defense force, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), are firstly, an ongoing conflict with ISIS; and secondly, ongoing concerns of possible invasion of the northeast regions of Syria by Turkish forces, in order to strike Kurdish groups in general, and Rojava in particular.
[
730
]
[
731
]
[
732
]
An official report by the Rojava government noted Turkey-backed militias as the main threat to the region of Rojava and its government.
[
733
]
In May 2022,
Middle East Eye
and
Middle East Monitor
reported that Turkish and Syrian opposition officials said that Turkey's Armed Forces and the
Syrian National Army
were planning a new operation against the SDF, composed mostly of the YPG/YPJ.
[
734
]
[
735
]
[
unreliable source?
]
The new operation is set to resume efforts to create 30-kilometer (18.6-mile) wide "safe zones" along Turkey's border with Syria, President Erdoğan said in a statement.
[
736
]
The operation aims at the
Tal Rifaat
and
Manbij
regions west of the
Euphrates
and other areas further east. Meanwhile, Ankara is in talks with Moscow over the operation. Erdoğan reiterated his determination for the operation on 8 August 2022.
[
737
]
Accords between Syrian government and rebels, conflicts with Turkish forces and proxies (2022–November 2024)
[
edit
]
Discussion by Kurdish groups and Syrian government on joint efforts against Turkey, and ISIS, June 2022–November 2024
[
edit
]
On 5 June 2022, the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, said that forces of the Kurdish government in the
Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria
(AANES) were willing to work with Syrian government forces to defend against Turkey, saying "Damascus should use its air defense systems against Turkish planes." Abdi said that Kurdish groups would be able to cooperate with the Syrian government, and still retain their autonomy.
[
738
]
[
739
]
[
740
]
[
741
]
[
742
]
The joint discussions were a result of the negotiation processes that had begun in October 2019.
[
743
]
In July 2022, the SDF and the official Syrian military forged active plans to coordinate actively together to create defense plans to guard against invasion by Turkey.
[
744
]
The SDF said that they felt that the main threat to Kurdish groups was an invasion by Turkey.
[
745
]
In August 2022, Kurdish forces focused mainly on fighting ISIS forces in the areas around Kurdish portions of Syria.
[
746
]
In September 2022, a new UN report stated that the
Syrian Civil War
was in danger of flaring up again. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, chair of the UN's Syria commission, said that "Syria cannot afford a return to larger-scale fighting, but that is where it may be heading." The UN report described increased arrests and crackdowns on opposition leaders. The UN also said it had been totally unable to deliver any supplies during the first half of 2022.
[
747
]
In summer 2022, there were reports that Syrian diplomats had met with Turkish diplomats, at an international conference.
[
748
]
In late 2022, Turkish President Erdogan expressed openness to meeting with Assad.
[
749
]
[
750
]
[
751
]
Some analysts attributed this new attitude to Erdogan's desire to improve his popularity with voters, ahead of upcoming elections; and also, to improve Turkey's relations with Russia, which has forces deployed in Syria.
[
752
]
Various rights advocates expressed concerns that improved relations between Syrian President Assad and Turkish President Erdogan might eventually be detrimental to Syrian refugees in Turkey. Also, there were reports of an increase of attacks on Syrian immigrants living in Turkey. In October 2022, some NGOs stated that thousands of Syrian refugees in Turkey were being forcibly returned to Syria by Turkish forces, and specifically being forced to relocate to the northern zone of Syria controlled by Turkey.
[
753
]
The Commander of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi, expressed concerns that normalization of relations between Assad and Erdogan might be detrimental to Kurdish communities.
[
754
]
In October 2022, the United Nations called for a "nationwide ceasefire" in Syria. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, met with Syria's foreign minister in Damascus; afterwards, Pedersen said that Syria's economic situation is "extremely difficult as close to 15 million people are in need for humanitarian assistance."
[
755
]
One of the main local military conflicts was an internal conflict, amongst factions of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA).
[
756
]
[
757
]
Various
Kurdish leaders
indicated that any military cooperation with the
Syrian government
was separate from political negotiations, and that military cooperation would not necessarily solve all political questions on a permanent basis.
[
758
]
In December 2022,
Mazloum Abdi
said:
"In the absence of a political solution, the objective of our military coordination with the Syrian army is to prevent a
Turkish occupation of Syria
. We believe that Syrians must unite in the face of external interference and fight to preserve Syria's territorial integrity."
[
759
]
As of 2023, active fighting in the conflict between the Syrian government and rebel groups had mostly subsided, but there were occasional flareups in Northwestern Syria.
[
760
]
[
761
]
In early 2023, reports indicated that the forces of ISIS in Syria had mostly been defeated, with only a few cells remaining in various remote locations.
[
762
]
[
763
]
[
764
]
As of 2023, Turkey was continuing its attacks on various militias within Syria, consisting mostly of the YPG.
[
765
]
[
734
]
[
735
]
One stated goal was to create "safe zones" along Turkey's border with Syria, according to a statement by Turkish President Erdoğan.
[
736
]
The operations were generally aimed at the
Tal Rifaat
and
Manbij
regions west of the
Euphrates
and other areas further east. President Erdoğan openly stated his support for the operations, in talks with Moscow in mid-2022.
[
766
]
In early 2023, Turkish-backed militias carried out military attacks against Kurdish militias, using tanks and artillery.
[
767
]
In March 2023, the Syrian government declared that it would not seek any reconciliation with Turkey, unless Turkey withdrew all of its proxy forces from Syria. This statement occurred in response to diplomatic efforts by Russia, which sought to encourage Syria and Turkey to seek reconciliation, and restoration of diplomatic ties.
[
768
]
In August, the
10th of August movement
was launched, a new pan-Syrian protest movement. In late August, a
general strike
in
Suweida
sparked
protests across southern Syria
.
[
769
]
Stalemate in civil conflict, renewed relations with Assad government
[
edit
]
Military situation before the opposition offensives in late 2024.
Territories held by
Tahrir al-Sham
(white) and the Syrian government (red).
As of 2023, active fighting in the conflict between the Syrian government and rebel groups had mostly subsided, but there were occasional flareups in Northwestern Syria.
[
760
]
[
761
]
In early 2023, reports indicated that the forces of ISIS in Syria had mostly been defeated, with only a few cells remaining in various remote locations.
[
762
]
[
763
]
[
764
]
As of 2023, Turkey was continuing its support for various militias within Syria, consisting mostly of the
SNA
, which periodically attempted some operations against Kurdish groups such as the YPG/YPJ.
[
765
]
[
770
]
[
734
]
[
735
]
One stated goal was to create "safe zones" along Turkey's border with Syria, according to a statement by Turkish President Erdoğan.
[
736
]
The operations were generally aimed at the
Tal Rifaat
and
Manbij
regions west of the
Euphrates
and other areas further east. President Erdoğan openly stated his support for the operations, in talks with Moscow in mid-2022.
[
766
]
In 2023, various sources reported that the war had settled into the status of a low-level conflict, which had mainly achieved a stalemate. The
Council on Foreign Relations
stated:
The war whose brutality once dominated headlines has settled into an uncomfortable stalemate. Hopes for regime change have largely died out, peace talks have been fruitless, and some regional governments are reconsidering their opposition to engaging with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. The government has regained control of most of the country, and Assad's hold on power seems secure. Meanwhile, the Syrian people are suffering an economic crisis, and a massive earthquake at the start of 2023 cast much of the population in the north into further despair.
[
771
]
The
United States Institute for Peace
stated:
Twelve years into Syria’s devastating civil war, the conflict appears to have settled into a frozen state. Although roughly 30% of the country is controlled by opposition forces, heavy fighting has largely ceased and there is a growing regional trending toward normalizing relations with the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Over the last decade, the conflict erupted into one of the most complicated in the world, with a dizzying array of international and regional powers, opposition groups, proxies, local militias and extremist groups all playing a role. The Syrian population has been brutalized, with nearly a half a million killed, 12 million fleeing their homes to find safety elsewhere, and widespread poverty and hunger. Meanwhile, efforts to broker a political settlement have gone nowhere, leaving the Assad regime firmly in power.
[
772
]
Conflict with Turkish forces
[
edit
]
In 2023, the main military conflict was not between the Syrian government and rebels, but rather between Turkish forces and factions within Syria. In late 2023, Turkish forces continued to attack Kurdish forces, in the region of Rojava,
[
773
]
Starting on 5 October 2023, the
Turkish Armed Forces
launched a series of air and ground strikes targeting the
Syrian Democratic Forces
in
Northeastern Syria
. The airstrikes were launched in response to the
2023 Ankara bombing
, which the Turkish government alleges was carried out by attackers originating from Northeastern Syria.
[
774
]
On 12 October 2023, Israel struck the Damascus and Aleppo airports.
On 14 October 2023, an Israeli airstrike temporarily took the Damascus airport out of service.
On 22 October 2023, Israeli airstrikes simultaneously hit the Damascus and Aleppo airports, damaging the runways.
On 25 October 2023, after rockets were fired from Syria into the Golan Heights, Israeli fighters targeted the Aleppo airport and several military sites.
[
775
]
Renewed rebel offensive and collapse of Assad's regime (November 2024–present)
[
edit
]
Opposition Rapid Offensive; SAA in retreat (November–December 2024)
[
edit
]
Syrian opposition offensives
that overthrew Assad's regime in 11 days
On 27 November 2024, a coalition of
Syrian opposition
groups called the
Military Operations Command
[
776
]
led by
Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham
(HTS) launched a lightning
offensive
[
777
]
against the pro-government
Syrian Arab Army
(SAA) forces in
Aleppo
,
Idlib
,
Hama
and
Homs Governorates
in
Syria
which was followed by
other rebel offensives
from the
Southern Front
, the
SDF
and the
Syrian Free Army
.
[
778
]
[
779
]
[
780
]
On 28 November, it was reported that Russian and Syrian warplanes were bombing rebel positions in response to the offensive. Additionally, Iranian state media said that
Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
(IRGC) Brigadier General
Kioumars Pourhashemi
, a senior Iranian military adviser in Syria, was killed in
Aleppo
.
[
781
]
[
782
]
On 29 November, rebel forces entered Aleppo,
restarting conflict over the city
.
[
783
]
On 30 November, several more settlements were seized, with the rebels entering
Hama
and
Homs
.
[
784
]
[
785
]
[
786
]
[
787
]
[
788
]
On 7 December 2024, the outskirts of
Damascus
were reached by rebel forces.
[
789
]
[
790
]
Fall of Damascus; End of the Assad's regime (December 2024)
[
edit
]
On 8 December, Syrian opposition forces
captured
Damascus after Bashar al-Assad's forces withdrew
[
791
]
[
792
]
and subsequently announced the
collapse of Assad's regime
.
[
793
]
Despite the collapse of the Assad regime Turkish-backed forces in northern Syria have continued to attack the
Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria
.
[
794
]
[
795
]
On 10 December, according to
reason.com
, "....Kobane came under attack again. With the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in Damascus and the uncertainty over what comes next, Turkey has been seeking an opportunity to wipe out its Kurdish opponents and carve out a puppet state in Syria's north. With air cover from the Turkish Air Force, militias known as the Syrian National Army (SNA) overran the nearby city of Manbij and marched toward Kobane."
[
796
]
[
better source needed
]
In December 2024, the factions supported by Turkey announced they would discontinue the ceasefire with groups supported by the US, such as Syrian Democratic Forces.
Al-Monitor
reported that Kurdish soures had told them that the SNA "informed the SDF... that it would be returning to 'a state of combat against us,'... The sources said negotiations between the SDF and the SNA had 'failed' and that 'significant military buildups' in areas east and west of... Kobani on the Turkish border were being observed."
[
797
]
On 26 December 2024, former Syrian
major general
Mohammad Kanjo Hassan
was found hiding in a hole in the town of
Khirbet al-Ma'zah
, he was
arrested
along with 20 of his loyalists.
[
798
]
Events and conflicts after fall of Assad (December 2024–present)
[
edit
]
On 5 January 2025, major fighting occurred between pro-Turkish militias, and Kurdish forces.
[
799
]
On 30 January 2025, the interim government officially announces that Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of HTS, had been appointed as Syrias transitional president.
[
800
]
[
801
]
Between 6 March and 10 March, violent confrontations erupt between remnants of Assad-aligned forces and units loyal to the interim government. In response, the interim authorities initiate a crackdown in predominantly Alawite towns, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people were killed during the operation.
[
802
]
Similarly, attacks on minorities, in particular
Druze
peoples, have shaken confidence in the post Assad Government
[
803
]
On 11 March 2025, the interim government and the Syrian Democratic Forces reached an agreement to incorporate the Kurdish-led group into the new governing structure.
[
804
]
In July 2025, heavy fighting broke out between
Druze
and
Bedouin
in
Suweida
, killing dozens.
[
805
]
The Syrian government deployed regular soldiers and Interior Ministry units there. According to Israeli officials, this was done to crack down on the Druze minority.
[
806
]
The
IDF
attacked
Syrian Armed Forces
vehicles from the air and with URVs in order to prevent their arrival to the area. In a response, Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu
and Defense Minister
Israel Katz
cited the need to protect the Druze religious minority due to their close ties to
Israeli Druze
as well as assuring the security of Israel's borders by preventing the deployment of weaponry and Syrian military forces in the area.
[
807
]
^
As at 3 January 2019, the information in the narrative section here have not been fully synced with the linked-to sub-articles.
^
Starting from the
Syria–Turkey border
and going south into Syria
^
See the "External links" section in the article
Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone
, for a link to an article containing an explanatory map of the buffer zone.
^
Both of these cities are further to the south and not covered by the depth of the buffer zone, but are nonetheless explicitly mentioned in the agreement.
^
No joint patrols will be held in the remaining part of the buffer zone.
^
Later, the Turkish President announced that the patrols would only be held to a depth of 7 km, as opposed to 10. No reason was given for this change.
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Turkish forces re-occupy the wheat silo they retreated from.
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Syrian pound hits record low ahead of new U.S. sanctions: dealers
. The Syrian pound sank to a new record low on Monday as investors scrambled for dollars ahead of new U.S. sanctions later this month, which many fear will tighten the noose around President Bashar al-Assad's government, dealers and bankers said. 8 June 2020, Reuters.
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Syrian currency collapse throws country into uncertainty
The Syrian regime thought it was finally out of the woods in its almost decade-long civil war. By SETH J. FRANTZMAN 8 JUNE 2020, jpost. com.
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Syrian currency loses more value as sanctions hit
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Charting the dramatic collapse of Syria's national currency
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Despite fears of a spill over from Syria affecting neighbouring Lebanon, it was conversely the collapse of the Lebanese pound that plunged Syria deeper into its economic quagmire. Rising Lebanese debts and a lack of financial ability to pay off these debts, with a seeming absence of political will to find a solution, led to capital controls being imposed. Throughout the war in Syria, Lebanon had been used by Syrians as a reliable place to withdraw dollars. "Syrians, who bought a lot of their dollars in Lebanon, suddenly couldn't access dollars, the value of the Syrian pound started to collapse.
^
Is Assad About to Fall?
While the world wasn't watching, Syria has edged toward collapse, and the dictator is in his weakest position ever. The U.S. now has a narrow chance to prevent a catastrophe. y CHARLES LISTER, 6/11/2020, politico.com.
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Warm waters at last: Russia's expanding military footprint in the Middle East
. Russia is increasing its presence in the wider Middle East and North Africa region through the deployment of its armed forces, the sale of arms and the establishment of new military bases. In recent weeks, it began negotiating the establishment of new concessions from the Syrian regime on its indefinite military presence in that country and has also become more directly involved in the civil war tearing Libya apart. 9 June 2020. alaraby.co.uk.
^
Is This the End of Rojava?The Kurdish region of northeast Syria was autonomous for seven years, but had to ask the Syrian government for protection after an invasion by Turkey.
By Mireille Court and Chris Den Hond, FEBRUARY 18, 2020, The Nation website.
^
We stand in solidarity with Rojava, an example to the world
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Statement regarding Syrian Democratic Forces security operation in al-Hol camp
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Kurdish, Syrian, Iranian forces coordinate ahead of Turkish operation:Kurdish units and Iranian-affiliated factions in Syria have formed a joint operations room under Russian supervision to counter a possible Turkish military operation in northern Syria.
, by Mohammed Hardan, 17 June 2022. al-monitor.com
^
US-backed Syrian Kurds to turn to Damascus if Turkey attacks. The U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria say they will turn to the government in Damascus for support should Turkey go ahead with its threat to launch a new incursion into the war-torn country.
By BASSEM MROUE Associated Press, 7 June 2022.
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Syria's Kurds strike deal with Assad after being abandoned by US
, Kurdish fighters agree to hand over border towns to Damascus in deal brokered by Russia], Richard Hall, Sunday 13 October 2019, the UK Independent.
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SDF, Syrian Regime Agree on Defense Plan to Repel Turkish Attack
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{{
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: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (
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UNHCR Syria situation data
Map of Syria showing land held by various belligerents as of January 2019 | |||||||||||||||
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## Contents
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- [(Top)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war)
- [1 Initial phase of the conflict (2011–2012)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Initial_phase_of_the_conflict_\(2011%E2%80%932012\))
Toggle Initial phase of the conflict (2011–2012) subsection
- [1\.1 Protests, civil uprising, and defections (March–July 2011)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Protests,_civil_uprising,_and_defections_\(March%E2%80%93July_2011\))
- [1\.2 Initial armed insurgency (July 2011–April 2012)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Initial_armed_insurgency_\(July_2011%E2%80%93April_2012\))
- [1\.3 Kofi Annan ceasefire attempt (April–May 2012)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Kofi_Annan_ceasefire_attempt_\(April%E2%80%93May_2012\))
- [2 Next phase of the war starts: escalation (2012–2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Next_phase_of_the_war_starts:_escalation_\(2012%E2%80%932013\))
Toggle Next phase of the war starts: escalation (2012–2013) subsection
- [2\.1 Renewed fighting (June–October 2012)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Renewed_fighting_\(June%E2%80%93October_2012\))
- [2\.2 Rebel offensives (November 2012–April 2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Rebel_offensives_\(November_2012%E2%80%93April_2013\))
- [2\.3 Ba'athist government offensives (April–June 2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Ba'athist_government_offensives_\(April%E2%80%93June_2013\))
- [2\.4 Continued fighting (July–October 2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Continued_fighting_\(July%E2%80%93October_2013\))
- [2\.5 Ba'athist Government offensives (October–December 2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Ba'athist_Government_offensives_\(October%E2%80%93December_2013\))
- [3 Rise of the Islamic State (January–September 2014)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Rise_of_the_Islamic_State_\(January%E2%80%93September_2014\))
Toggle Rise of the Islamic State (January–September 2014) subsection
- [3\.1 Fighting between ISIL and other rebel groups (January–March 2014)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Fighting_between_ISIL_and_other_rebel_groups_\(January%E2%80%93March_2014\))
- [3\.2 Ba'athist Government offensives (March–May 2014)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Ba'athist_Government_offensives_\(March%E2%80%93May_2014\))
- [3\.3 Presidential election (3 June 2014)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Presidential_election_\(3_June_2014\))
- [3\.4 ISIL–Ba'athist government conflict intensifies (June–September 2014)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#ISIL%E2%80%93Ba'athist_government_conflict_intensifies_\(June%E2%80%93September_2014\))
- [4 U.S. intervention and rebel offensives (September 2014–September 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#U.S._intervention_and_rebel_offensives_\(September_2014%E2%80%93September_2015\))
Toggle U.S. intervention and rebel offensives (September 2014–September 2015) subsection
- [4\.1 U.S. intervenes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#U.S._intervenes)
- [4\.2 Southern Front (October 2014–February 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Southern_Front_\(October_2014%E2%80%93February_2015\))
- [4\.3 Northern Al-Nusra Front and Islamist takeover (October 2014–March 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Northern_Al-Nusra_Front_and_Islamist_takeover_\(October_2014%E2%80%93March_2015\))
- [4\.4 Army of Conquest advances in Idlib (April–June 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Army_of_Conquest_advances_in_Idlib_\(April%E2%80%93June_2015\))
- [4\.5 Resurgent ISIL advance (May–September 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Resurgent_ISIL_advance_\(May%E2%80%93September_2015\))
- [5 Russian intervention and Vienna peace talks (30 September 2015–July 2016)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Russian_intervention_and_Vienna_peace_talks_\(30_September_2015%E2%80%93July_2016\))
Toggle Russian intervention and Vienna peace talks (30 September 2015–July 2016) subsection
- [5\.1 Russian intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Russian_intervention)
- [5\.2 US air and ground strikes; Vienna peace talks; disagreements of Russia, Iran and Western powers (October–November 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#US_air_and_ground_strikes;_Vienna_peace_talks;_disagreements_of_Russia,_Iran_and_Western_powers_\(October%E2%80%93November_2015\))
- [5\.3 Turkey shoots down Russian plane; Syrian army camp bombed; UN Resolution 2254 transitional plan (November–December 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Turkey_shoots_down_Russian_plane;_Syrian_army_camp_bombed;_UN_Resolution_2254_transitional_plan_\(November%E2%80%93December_2015\))
- [5\.4 Syrian army pushes north and retakes Al-Shaykh Maskin in the south-west (January 2016)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Syrian_army_pushes_north_and_retakes_Al-Shaykh_Maskin_in_the_south-west_\(January_2016\))
- [5\.5 Partial ceasefire (26 February–July 2016)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Partial_ceasefire_\(26_February%E2%80%93July_2016\))
- [6 Turkish interventions, Raqqa campaign, Aleppo recaptured, Deir ez-Zor siege broken (August 2016–December 2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Turkish_interventions,_Raqqa_campaign,_Aleppo_recaptured,_Deir_ez-Zor_siege_broken_\(August_2016%E2%80%93December_2017\))
Toggle Turkish interventions, Raqqa campaign, Aleppo recaptured, Deir ez-Zor siege broken (August 2016–December 2017) subsection
- [6\.1 SDF advances; Turkish military intervention begins in northern Syria: Operation Euphrates Shield (August 2016–January 2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#SDF_advances;_Turkish_military_intervention_begins_in_northern_Syria:_Operation_Euphrates_Shield_\(August_2016%E2%80%93January_2017\))
- [6\.2 Raqqa campaign (November 2016–January 2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Raqqa_campaign_\(November_2016%E2%80%93January_2017\))
- [6\.3 Aleppo recaptured; Russian/Iranian/Turkish-backed ceasefire (December 2016–April 2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Aleppo_recaptured;_Russian/Iranian/Turkish-backed_ceasefire_\(December_2016%E2%80%93April_2017\))
- [6\.4 Syrian-American conflict; de-escalation zones (April–June 2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Syrian-American_conflict;_de-escalation_zones_\(April%E2%80%93June_2017\))
- [6\.5 ISIL siege of Deir ez-Zor broken; CIA program halted; Russian forces permanent (July–December 2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#ISIL_siege_of_Deir_ez-Zor_broken;_CIA_program_halted;_Russian_forces_permanent_\(July%E2%80%93December_2017\))
- [7 Turkish forces enter conflict; continued civil conflicts; US withdrawal; diplomatic negotiations (January–December 2018)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Turkish_forces_enter_conflict;_continued_civil_conflicts;_US_withdrawal;_diplomatic_negotiations_\(January%E2%80%93December_2018\))
Toggle Turkish forces enter conflict; continued civil conflicts; US withdrawal; diplomatic negotiations (January–December 2018) subsection
- [7\.1 Army advance in Hama province and Ghouta; Operation Olive Branch (January–March 2018)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Army_advance_in_Hama_province_and_Ghouta;_Operation_Olive_Branch_\(January%E2%80%93March_2018\))
- [7\.2 Douma chemical attack; U.S.-led missile strikes; Southern Syria offensive (April–August 2018)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Douma_chemical_attack;_U.S.-led_missile_strikes;_Southern_Syria_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93August_2018\))
- [7\.3 Negotiations between Kurdish regional government and Syrian government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Negotiations_between_Kurdish_regional_government_and_Syrian_government)
- [7\.4 Continuing conflicts, 2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Continuing_conflicts,_2018)
- [7\.5 Partial US withdrawal; Turkish buffer zone agreements; Iraq strikes ISIL targets (September–December 2018)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Partial_US_withdrawal;_Turkish_buffer_zone_agreements;_Iraq_strikes_ISIL_targets_\(September%E2%80%93December_2018\))
- [8 ISIL attacks continue; US states conditions of withdrawal; fifth inter-rebel conflict (January–September 2019)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#ISIL_attacks_continue;_US_states_conditions_of_withdrawal;_fifth_inter-rebel_conflict_\(January%E2%80%93September_2019\))
Toggle ISIL attacks continue; US states conditions of withdrawal; fifth inter-rebel conflict (January–September 2019) subsection
- [8\.1 New outbreaks of civil war, 2019 Northwestern offensive (May–September 2019)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#New_outbreaks_of_civil_war,_2019_Northwestern_offensive_\(May%E2%80%93September_2019\))
- [8\.2 New agreements in mid-2019](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#New_agreements_in_mid-2019)
- [9 Turkish offensive and Second Turkish Buffer Zone; Kurdish collaboration; Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (October–December 2019)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Turkish_offensive_and_Second_Turkish_Buffer_Zone;_Kurdish_collaboration;_Death_of_Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi_\(October%E2%80%93December_2019\))
Toggle Turkish offensive and Second Turkish Buffer Zone; Kurdish collaboration; Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (October–December 2019) subsection
- [9\.1 Turkish offensive into northeastern Syria; Russian mediation and US power vacuum; Kurdish–Syrian collaboration; Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (October 2019)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Turkish_offensive_into_northeastern_Syria;_Russian_mediation_and_US_power_vacuum;_Kurdish%E2%80%93Syrian_collaboration;_Death_of_Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi_\(October_2019\))
- [9\.1.1 Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone (October 2019)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Second_Northern_Syria_Buffer_Zone_\(October_2019\))
- [9\.2 Russian troops enter Raqqa; Syrian Constitutional Committee; NATO summit; Turkish occupation; continued refugee crisis (October 2019–December 2019)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Russian_troops_enter_Raqqa;_Syrian_Constitutional_Committee;_NATO_summit;_Turkish_occupation;_continued_refugee_crisis_\(October_2019%E2%80%93December_2019\))
- [9\.2.1 Continued refugee crisis, Kurdish fears of ethnic cleansing, and UN aid dispute (December 2019)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Continued_refugee_crisis,_Kurdish_fears_of_ethnic_cleansing,_and_UN_aid_dispute_\(December_2019\))
- [10 Fourth northwestern Syria offensive and Operation Spring Shield (December 2019–April 2020)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Fourth_northwestern_Syria_offensive_and_Operation_Spring_Shield_\(December_2019%E2%80%93April_2020\))
Toggle Fourth northwestern Syria offensive and Operation Spring Shield (December 2019–April 2020) subsection
- [10\.1 Fourth northwestern Syria offensive begins (December 2019–February 2020)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Fourth_northwestern_Syria_offensive_begins_\(December_2019%E2%80%93February_2020\))
- [10\.2 Balyun airstrikes and Operation Spring Shield (February–April 2020)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Balyun_airstrikes_and_Operation_Spring_Shield_\(February%E2%80%93April_2020\))
- [11 Civil conflict ends, clashes with Turkish forces, economic crisis (May 2020–2022)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Civil_conflict_ends,_clashes_with_Turkish_forces,_economic_crisis_\(May_2020%E2%80%932022\))
Toggle Civil conflict ends, clashes with Turkish forces, economic crisis (May 2020–2022) subsection
- [11\.1 U.S. Caesar Act sanctions, economic crisis, crime wave (May–July 2020)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#U.S._Caesar_Act_sanctions,_economic_crisis,_crime_wave_\(May%E2%80%93July_2020\))
- [11\.2 Entrenched Russian influence and continued Kurdish–Turkish tensions (July 2020–June 2022)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Entrenched_Russian_influence_and_continued_Kurdish%E2%80%93Turkish_tensions_\(July_2020%E2%80%93June_2022\))
- [12 Accords between Syrian government and rebels, conflicts with Turkish forces and proxies (2022–November 2024)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Accords_between_Syrian_government_and_rebels,_conflicts_with_Turkish_forces_and_proxies_\(2022%E2%80%93November_2024\))
Toggle Accords between Syrian government and rebels, conflicts with Turkish forces and proxies (2022–November 2024) subsection
- [12\.1 Discussion by Kurdish groups and Syrian government on joint efforts against Turkey, and ISIS, June 2022–November 2024](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Discussion_by_Kurdish_groups_and_Syrian_government_on_joint_efforts_against_Turkey,_and_ISIS,_June_2022%E2%80%93November_2024)
- [12\.2 Stalemate in civil conflict, renewed relations with Assad government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Stalemate_in_civil_conflict,_renewed_relations_with_Assad_government)
- [12\.3 Conflict with Turkish forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Conflict_with_Turkish_forces)
- [12\.4 October 2023](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#October_2023)
- [13 Renewed rebel offensive and collapse of Assad's regime (November 2024–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Renewed_rebel_offensive_and_collapse_of_Assad's_regime_\(November_2024%E2%80%93present\))
Toggle Renewed rebel offensive and collapse of Assad's regime (November 2024–present) subsection
- [13\.1 Opposition Rapid Offensive; SAA in retreat (November–December 2024)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Opposition_Rapid_Offensive;_SAA_in_retreat_\(November%E2%80%93December_2024\))
- [13\.2 Fall of Damascus; End of the Assad's regime (December 2024)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Fall_of_Damascus;_End_of_the_Assad's_regime_\(December_2024\))
- [13\.3 Events and conflicts after fall of Assad (December 2024–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Events_and_conflicts_after_fall_of_Assad_\(December_2024%E2%80%93present\))
- [14 See also](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#See_also)
Toggle See also subsection
- [14\.1 Events within Syrian society](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Events_within_Syrian_society)
- [14\.2 Historical aspects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Historical_aspects)
- [14\.3 Lists and statistical records](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Lists_and_statistical_records)
- [14\.4 Specific offensives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Specific_offensives)
- [14\.5 Peace efforts and civil society groups](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Peace_efforts_and_civil_society_groups)
- [14\.6 History of other local conflicts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#History_of_other_local_conflicts)
- [15 Notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Notes)
- [16 References](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#References)
- [17 Further reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#Further_reading)
- [18 External links](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#External_links)
Toggle the table of contents
# Timeline of the Syrian civil war
10 languages
- [العربية](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%B7_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A_%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%87%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9 "الخط الزمني للحرب الأهلية السورية – Arabic")
- [Deutsch](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronik_des_B%C3%BCrgerkriegs_in_Syrien_seit_2011 "Chronik des Bürgerkriegs in Syrien seit 2011 – German")
- [Español](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anexo:Cronolog%C3%ADa_de_la_guerra_civil_siria "Anexo:Cronología de la guerra civil siria – Spanish")
- [فارسی](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%B4%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1_%D8%AC%D9%86%DA%AF_%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AE%D9%84%DB%8C_%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%87 "گاهشمار جنگ داخلی سوریه – Persian")
- [Suomi](https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syyrian_sis%C3%A4llissodan_aikajana "Syyrian sisällissodan aikajana – Finnish")
- [Italiano](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronologia_della_guerra_civile_siriana "Cronologia della guerra civile siriana – Italian")
- [Қазақша](https://kk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A1%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%8F%D0%B4%D0%B0%D2%93%D1%8B_%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%82%D1%8B%D2%9B_%D1%81%D0%BE%D2%93%D1%8B%D1%81_%D1%85%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%B8%D1%8F%D1%81%D1%8B_\(2011%E2%80%932012\) "Сириядағы азаматтық соғыс хронологиясы (2011–2012) – Kazakh")
- [Русский](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A5%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%B8%D1%8F_%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B6%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9_%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B9%D0%BD%D1%8B_%D0%B2_%D0%A1%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B8 "Хронология гражданской войны в Сирии – Russian")
- [Türkçe](https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suriye_%C4%B0%C3%A7_Sava%C5%9F%C4%B1_kronolojisi "Suriye İç Savaşı kronolojisi – Turkish")
- [中文](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8F%99%E5%88%A9%E4%BA%9A%E5%86%85%E6%88%98%E5%B9%B4%E8%A1%A8 "叙利亚内战年表 – Chinese")
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| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_Syrian_civil_war "Template:Campaignbox Syrian civil war") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Syrian_civil_war "Template talk:Campaignbox Syrian civil war") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_Syrian_civil_war "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox Syrian civil war")[Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war "Syrian civil war") |
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| [Timeline]() *[Background and causes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Background_and_causes_of_the_Syrian_revolution "Background and causes of the Syrian revolution")* *[Casualties](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Casualties of the Syrian civil war")* *[Cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_of_cities_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Control of cities during the Syrian civil war")* *[Terrorism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terrorist_incidents_in_Syria "List of terrorist incidents in Syria")* *[Massacres](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_massacres_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "List of massacres during the Syrian civil war")* |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_civil_uprising_phase_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template:Campaignbox civil uprising phase of the Syrian civil war") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_civil_uprising_phase_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template talk:Campaignbox civil uprising phase of the Syrian civil war") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_civil_uprising_phase_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox civil uprising phase of the Syrian civil war")[Civil uprising in Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_uprising_phase_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Civil uprising phase of the Syrian civil war") (March–August 2011) |
| [Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Daraa "Siege of Daraa") [Baniyas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Baniyas "Siege of Baniyas") [Homs (May–August 2011)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Homs "Siege of Homs") [Talkalakh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Talkalakh_\(May_2011\) "Siege of Talkalakh (May 2011)") [Rastan and Talbiseh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Rastan_and_Talbiseh "Siege of Rastan and Talbiseh") [1st Jisr ash-Shughur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_2011_Jisr_ash-Shughur_clashes "June 2011 Jisr ash-Shughur clashes") [Hama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Hama_\(2011\) "Siege of Hama (2011)") [Latakia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Latakia_\(2011\) "Siege of Latakia (2011)") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_early_insurgency_phase_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template:Campaignbox early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_early_insurgency_phase_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template talk:Campaignbox early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_early_insurgency_phase_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war")[Start of insurgency in Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_insurgency_phase_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war") (Sept. 2011 – April 2012) |
| **[Siege of Homs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Homs "Siege of Homs")** [1st Homs offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Homs_offensive "2012 Homs offensive") **[1st Idlib Gov.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate_clashes_\(September_2011_%E2%80%93_March_2012\) "Idlib Governorate clashes (September 2011 – March 2012)")** [Syrian–Turkish border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_2011_Syrian%E2%80%93Turkish_border_clash "December 2011 Syrian–Turkish border clash") [Jabal al-Zawiya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_2011_Jabal_al-Zawiya_massacres "December 2011 Jabal al-Zawiya massacres") [1st Idlib City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Idlib_\(2012\) "Battle of Idlib (2012)") [Saraqib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saraqib "Battle of Saraqib") [1st Rastan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rastan_\(2011\) "Battle of Rastan (2011)") [Hama Gov.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_Governorate_clashes_\(2011%E2%80%932012\) "Hama Governorate clashes (2011–2012)") **[Daraa Gov.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_Governorate_clashes_\(2011%E2%80%932013\) "Daraa Governorate clashes (2011–2013)")** **[Rif Dimashq Gov.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_Governorate_campaign "Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign")** [1st Rif Dimashq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_clashes_\(November_2011%E2%80%93March_2012\) "Rif Dimashq clashes (November 2011–March 2012)") [1st Zabadani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Zabadani_\(2012\) "Battle of Zabadani (2012)") [Douma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Douma "Battle of Douma") **[1st Deir ez-Zor Gov.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_clashes_\(2011%E2%80%932014\) "Deir ez-Zor clashes (2011–2014)")** [Hatla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatla_massacre "Hatla massacre") **[Aleppo Gov.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Aleppo_Governorate_clashes "2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes")** [Azaz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Azaz_\(2012\) "Battle of Azaz (2012)") [2nd Rastan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rastan_\(January%E2%80%93February_2012\) "Battle of Rastan (January–February 2012)") [1st al-Qusayr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Qusayr_\(2012\) "Battle of al-Qusayr (2012)") [2nd Idlib Gov.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2012_Idlib_Governorate_Operation "April 2012 Idlib Governorate Operation") [Taftanaz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Taftanaz "Battle of Taftanaz") [Idlib bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_April_2012_Idlib_bombings "30 April 2012 Idlib bombings") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_cease-fire_period_and_start_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template:Campaignbox cease-fire period and start of the Syrian civil war") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_cease-fire_period_and_start_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template talk:Campaignbox cease-fire period and start of the Syrian civil war") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_cease-fire_period_and_start_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox cease-fire period and start of the Syrian civil war")[UN ceasefire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofi_Annan_Syrian_peace_plan "Kofi Annan Syrian peace plan"); [Rebel advances](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%932013_escalation_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "2012–2013 escalation of the Syrian civil war") (May 2012 – Dec. 2013) |
| [3rd Rastan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rastan_\(May_2012\) "Battle of Rastan (May 2012)") [Houla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houla_massacre "Houla massacre") **[1st Northern Homs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Northern_Homs "Siege of Northern Homs")** [Al-Haffah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Haffah "Battle of al-Haffah") [Al-Qubeir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qubeir_massacre "Al-Qubeir massacre") [Al-Tremseh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tremseh "Battle of Tremseh") **[3rd Idlib Gov.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate_clashes_\(June_2012%E2%80%93April_2013\) "Idlib Governorate clashes (June 2012–April 2013)")** **[1st Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Damascus_\(2012\) "Battle of Damascus (2012)")** [Bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18_July_2012_Damascus_bombing "18 July 2012 Damascus bombing") **[1st Aleppo city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2012%E2%80%932016\) "Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)")** [Anadan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Anadan "Battle of Anadan") [Menagh Air Base](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Menagh_Air_Base "Siege of Menagh Air Base") [Base 46](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Base_46 "Siege of Base 46") [Khan al-Assal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_al-Assal_massacre "Khan al-Assal massacre") **[1st Aleppo offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93December_2013\) "Aleppo offensive (October–December 2013)")** [2nd Aleppo offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Canopus_Star "Operation Canopus Star") *[Syrian Kurdistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rojava_conflict "Rojava conflict")* and *[Kurdish–Islamist conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rojava%E2%80%93Islamist_conflict "Rojava–Islamist conflict")* [Hasaka campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah_Governorate_campaign_\(2012%E2%80%932014\) "Al-Hasakah Governorate campaign (2012–2014)") [Ras al-Ayn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ras_al-Ayn_\(2012%E2%80%9313\) "Battle of Ras al-Ayn (2012–13)") [al-Yaarubiyah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Yaarubiyah "Battle of al-Yaarubiyah") [Tell Hamis and Tell Brak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tell_Hamis_and_Tell_Brak_\(2013%E2%80%932014\) "Battle of Tell Hamis and Tell Brak (2013–2014)") [Tell Abyad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tell_Abyad_\(2013\) "Battle of Tell Abyad (2013)") [Nubl & Al-Zahraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Nubl_and_al-Zahraa "Siege of Nubl and al-Zahraa") [2nd Rif Dimashq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(August%E2%80%93October_2012\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012)") ([1st Darayya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darayya_massacre "Darayya massacre")) [Abu al-Duhur Airbase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Abu_al-Duhur_Airbase "Siege of Abu al-Duhur Airbase") [Quneitra Gov.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quneitra_Governorate_clashes_\(2012%E2%80%932014\) "Quneitra Governorate clashes (2012–2014)") [3rd Rif Dimashq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(November_2012%E2%80%93February_2013\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–February 2013)") [1st Yarmouk camp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Yarmouk_Camp_\(December_2012\) "Battle of Yarmouk Camp (December 2012)") [2nd Darayya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Darayya_\(November_2012%E2%80%93February_2013\) "Battle of Darayya (November 2012–February 2013)") **[Darayya & Muadamiyat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Darayya_and_Muadamiyat "Siege of Darayya and Muadamiyat")** [Aqrab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqrab_massacre "Aqrab massacre") [1st Hama offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Hama_offensive "2012 Hama offensive") [Halfaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfaya_massacre_\(2012\) "Halfaya massacre (2012)") [1st Safira](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Safira "Battle of Safira") [Shadadeh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Shaddadi_\(2013\) "Battle of Shaddadi (2013)") **[2nd Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_offensive_\(2013\) "Damascus offensive (2013)")** **[1st Raqqa Gov.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa_campaign_\(2012%E2%80%932013\) "Raqqa campaign (2012–2013)")** **[1st Raqqa city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Raqqa_\(2013\) "Battle of Raqqa (2013)")** [1st Daraa offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Daraa_offensive "2013 Daraa offensive") **[4th Rif Dimashq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(March%E2%80%93August_2013\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (March–August 2013)")** [Jdaidet al-Fadl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Jdaidet_al-Fadl "Battle of Jdaidet al-Fadl") [Tadamon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadamon_massacre "Tadamon massacre") **[Ghouta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghouta_chemical_attack "Ghouta chemical attack")** [2nd al-Qusayr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Qusayr_\(2013\) "Battle of al-Qusayr (2013)") **[3rd al-Qusayr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qusayr_offensive "Al-Qusayr offensive")** **[Eastern Ghouta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Eastern_Ghouta "Siege of Eastern Ghouta")** [2nd Hama offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Hama_offensive "2013 Hama offensive") [Bayda and Baniyas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayda_and_Baniyas_massacres "Bayda and Baniyas massacres") [1st Latakia offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Latakia_offensive "2013 Latakia offensive") [Ma'loula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maaloula "Battle of Maaloula") [Sadad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sadad "Battle of Sadad") [5th Rif Dimashq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(September%E2%80%93November_2013\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (September–November 2013)") **[1st Qalamoun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Qalamoun_\(2013%E2%80%932014\) "Battle of Qalamoun (2013–2014)")** [Adra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adra_massacre "Adra massacre") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_rise_of_the_Islamists_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template:Campaignbox rise of the Islamists in the Syrian civil war") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_rise_of_the_Islamists_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template talk:Campaignbox rise of the Islamists in the Syrian civil war") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_rise_of_the_Islamists_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox rise of the Islamists in the Syrian civil war")[Rise of ISIS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-rebel_conflict_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian civil war") in [2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_in_Syria "2014 in Syria") |
| [Inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-rebel_conflict_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian civil war") [Northern Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Aleppo_offensive_\(February%E2%80%93July_2014\) "Northern Aleppo offensive (February–July 2014)") [Markada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Markada "Battle of Markada") [1st Deir ez-Zor offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93July_2014\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (April–July 2014)") [al-Otaiba ambush](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Otaiba_ambush "Al-Otaiba ambush") [Maan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maan_massacre "Maan massacre") [Hosn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hosn "Battle of Hosn") [Morek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Morek "Battle of Morek") [2nd Daraa offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(February%E2%80%93May_2014\) "Daraa offensive (February–May 2014)") [2nd Latakia offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Latakia_offensive "2014 Latakia offensive") [4th Idlib Gov.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Idlib_offensive "2014 Idlib offensive") [Al-Malihah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Al-Malihah "Battle of Al-Malihah") [2nd Wadi Deif](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Wadi_Deif_\(2014\) "Siege of Wadi Deif (2014)") [2nd Qalamoun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qalamoun_offensive_\(2014\) "Qalamoun offensive (2014)") [Arsal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Arsal_\(2014\) "Battle of Arsal (2014)") **[2nd Deir ez-Zor Gov.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Deir_ez-Zor_\(2014%E2%80%932017\) "Siege of Deir ez-Zor (2014–2017)")** [1st Shaer gas field](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Shaer_gas_field_\(July_2014\) "Battle of the Shaer gas field (July 2014)") [1st Eastern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Eastern_Syria_offensive "2014 Eastern Syria offensive") [Tabqa Airbase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tabqa_Airbase "Battle of Tabqa Airbase") [3rd Hama offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Hama_offensive "2014 Hama offensive") [Dama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dama "Battle of Dama") [6th Rif Dimashq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(August%E2%80%93November_2014\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (August–November 2014)") [1st Quneitra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Quneitra_offensive "2014 Quneitra offensive") **[1st Kobanî](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Koban%C3%AE "Siege of Kobanî")** |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_intervention_against_ISIS_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template:Campaignbox intervention against ISIS in the Syrian civil war") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_intervention_against_ISIS_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template talk:Campaignbox intervention against ISIS in the Syrian civil war") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_intervention_against_ISIS_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox intervention against ISIS in the Syrian civil war")[U.S.-led intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American-led_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war"), [Rebel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93June_2015\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (April–June 2015)") and [ISIL advances](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(May_2015\) "Palmyra offensive (May 2015)") (Sept. 2014 – Sept. 2015) |
| *[U.S.-led intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American-led_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war")* [Homs school bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homs_school_bombing "Homs school bombing") [3rd Daraa offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(October_2014\) "Daraa offensive (October 2014)") [2nd Safira](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Al-Safira_offensive "2014 Al-Safira offensive") [2014 Idlib city raid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_raid_on_Idlib_city "2014 raid on Idlib city") [Nusra–FSA conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Nusra_Front%E2%80%93SRF/Hazzm_Movement_conflict "Al-Nusra Front–SRF/Hazzm Movement conflict") [2nd Shaer gas field](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Shaer_gas_field_\(October%E2%80%93November_2014\) "Battle of the Shaer gas field (October–November 2014)") [1st Al-Shaykh Maskin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Al-Shaykh_Maskin_\(2014\) "Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin (2014)") [2nd Deir ez-Zor offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(December_2014\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (December 2014)") [3rd Aleppo offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Rainbow_\(Syrian_civil_war\) "Operation Rainbow (Syrian civil war)") [An-26 crash](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Syrian_Air_Force_An-26_crash "2015 Syrian Air Force An-26 crash") [4th Daraa offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(January_2015\) "Daraa offensive (January 2015)") [Southern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Southern_Syria_offensive "2015 Southern Syria offensive") [Eastern al-Hasakah offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_al-Hasakah_offensive "Eastern al-Hasakah offensive") [1st Sarrin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sarrin_\(March%E2%80%93April_2015\) "Battle of Sarrin (March–April 2015)") [Hama/Homs offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_and_Homs_offensive_\(March%E2%80%93April_2015\) "Hama and Homs offensive (March–April 2015)") [Bosra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bosra_\(2015\) "Battle of Bosra (2015)") **[5th Idlib Gov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Idlib_offensive "2015 Idlib offensive")** [2nd Idlib city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Idlib_\(2015\) "Battle of Idlib (2015)") [Al-Fu'ah-Kafriya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_al-Fu%27ah_and_Kafriya "Siege of al-Fu'ah and Kafriya") [Nasib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Nasib_Border_Crossing "Battle of Nasib Border Crossing") [2nd Yarmouk camp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Yarmouk_Camp_\(2015\) "Battle of Yarmouk Camp (2015)") **[1st Northwestern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93June_2015\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (April–June 2015)")** [3rd Qalamoun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qalamoun_offensive_\(May%E2%80%93June_2015\) "Qalamoun offensive (May–June 2015)") **[1st Palmyra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(May_2015\) "Palmyra offensive (May 2015)")** [Western al-Hasakah offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_al-Hasakah_offensive "Western al-Hasakah offensive") [1st Al-Hasakah city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah_city_offensive "Al-Hasakah city offensive") **[Tell Abyad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tell_Abyad_offensive "Tell Abyad offensive")** [Daraa/As-Suwayda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_and_As-Suwayda_offensive_\(June_2015\) "Daraa and As-Suwayda offensive (June 2015)") [2nd Quneitra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quneitra_offensive_\(June_2015\) "Quneitra offensive (June 2015)") [2nd Sarrin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sarrin_\(June%E2%80%93July_2015\) "Battle of Sarrin (June–July 2015)") [5th Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(June%E2%80%93July_2015\) "Daraa offensive (June–July 2015)") [2nd Al-Hasakah city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Hasakah_\(2015\) "Battle of al-Hasakah (2015)") [2nd Kobanî](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koban%C3%AE_massacre "Kobanî massacre") [4th Aleppo offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(July_2015\) "Aleppo offensive (July 2015)") [2nd Zabadani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Zabadani_\(2015\) "Battle of Zabadani (2015)") [2nd Palmyra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(July%E2%80%93August_2015\) "Palmyra offensive (July–August 2015)") **[Al-Ghab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Ghab_offensive_\(July%E2%80%93August_2015\) "Al-Ghab offensive (July–August 2015)")** [1st al-Qaryatayn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Qaryatayn_\(2015\) "Battle of al-Qaryatayn (2015)") [Douma market](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douma_massacre_\(2015\) "Douma massacre (2015)") [7th Rif Dimashq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(September_2015\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (September 2015)") [Kuweires offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuweires_offensive "Kuweires offensive") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_Russian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template:Campaignbox Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Russian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template talk:Campaignbox Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_Russian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war")[Russian intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war") (Sept. 2015 – March 2016) |
| *[Russian intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war")* [3rd Quneitra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quneitra_offensive_\(October_2015\) "Quneitra offensive (October 2015)") [2nd Northwestern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93November_2015\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (October–November 2015)") **[3rd Latakia offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015%E2%80%932016_Latakia_offensive "2015–2016 Latakia offensive")** **[Su-24 shootdown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Russian_Sukhoi_Su-24_shootdown "2015 Russian Sukhoi Su-24 shootdown")** **[5th Aleppo offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93December_2015\) "Aleppo offensive (October–December 2015)")** [al-Hawl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_al-Hawl_offensive "2015 al-Hawl offensive") [2nd Homs offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homs_offensive_\(November%E2%80%93December_2015\) "Homs offensive (November–December 2015)") **[6th Aleppo offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Aleppo_offensive_\(2015%E2%80%932016\) "East Aleppo offensive (2015–2016)")** [4th Hama offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Hama_offensive "2015 Hama offensive") [Tell Tamer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tell_Tamer_bombings "Tell Tamer bombings") [Tishrin Dam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tishrin_Dam_offensive "Tishrin Dam offensive") [2nd Al-Shaykh Maskin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Al-Shaykh_Maskin_\(2015%E2%80%932016\) "Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin (2015–2016)") [al-Qamishli bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Qamishli_bombings "2015 Qamishli bombings") [Orontes River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orontes_River_offensive "Orontes River offensive") [3rd Deir ez-Zor offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(2016\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (2016)") [1st Sayyidah Zaynab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Sayyidah_Zaynab_attacks "2016 Sayyidah Zaynab attacks") **[7th Aleppo offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Aleppo_offensive_\(February_2016\) "Northern Aleppo offensive (February 2016)")** [1st Ithriyah-Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithriyah-Raqqa_offensive_\(February%E2%80%93March_2016\) "Ithriyah-Raqqa offensive (February–March 2016)") [Al-Shaddadi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Shaddadi_offensive_\(2016\) "Al-Shaddadi offensive (2016)") [Homs bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_2016_Homs_bombings "February 2016 Homs bombings") [2nd Sayyidah Zaynab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Sayyidah_Zaynab_attacks "2016 Sayyidah Zaynab attacks") [Khanasir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Khanasir_offensive "2016 Khanasir offensive") [2nd Tel Abyad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tell_Abyad_\(2016\) "Battle of Tell Abyad (2016)") [Al-Tanf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Tanf_offensive_\(2016\) "Al-Tanf offensive (2016)") [2nd Al-Qaryatayn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Qaryatayn_\(2016\) "Battle of al-Qaryatayn (2016)") [3rd Palmyra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(March_2016\) "Palmyra offensive (March 2016)") [2nd Maarat al-Nu'man](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maarat_al-Numan_\(2016\) "Battle of Maarat al-Numan (2016)") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_Aleppo_escalation_period_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template:Campaignbox Aleppo escalation period in the Syrian civil war") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Aleppo_escalation_period_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template talk:Campaignbox Aleppo escalation period in the Syrian civil war") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_Aleppo_escalation_period_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox Aleppo escalation period in the Syrian civil war")[Aleppo escalation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2012%E2%80%932016\) "Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)") and [*Euphrates Shield*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Euphrates_Shield "Operation Euphrates Shield") (March 2016 – February 2017) |
| [8th Aleppo offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Aleppo_offensive_\(March%E2%80%93June_2016\) "Northern Aleppo offensive (March–June 2016)") [6th Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(March%E2%80%93April_2016\) "Daraa offensive (March–April 2016)") [9th–11th Aleppo offensives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Southern_Aleppo_campaign "2016 Southern Aleppo campaign") [Al-Dumayr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Dumayr_offensive_\(April_2016\) "Al-Dumayr offensive (April 2016)") [1st East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Ghouta_inter-rebel_conflict_\(April%E2%80%93May_2016\) "East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016)") [1st Qamishli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Qamishli_\(2016\) "Battle of Qamishli (2016)") [Aleppo bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_bombings_\(April%E2%80%93July_2016\) "Aleppo bombings (April–July 2016)") [8th Rif Dimashq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93May_2016\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (April–May 2016)") [3rd Shaer gas field](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Shaer_gas_field_\(2016\) "Battle of the Shaer gas field (2016)") [Northern Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Raqqa_offensive "Northern Raqqa offensive") [Jableh & Tartus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_2016_Jableh_and_Tartus_bombings "May 2016 Jableh and Tartus bombings") **[1st Manbij](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij_offensive_\(2016\) "Manbij offensive (2016)")** [Tokhar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokhar_airstrike "Tokhar airstrike") [2nd Ithriyah-Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithriyah-Raqqa_offensive_\(June_2016\) "Ithriyah-Raqqa offensive (June 2016)") [9th Rif Dimashq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(June%E2%80%93October_2016\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (June–October 2016)") **[12th–14th Aleppo offensives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Aleppo_summer_campaign "2016 Aleppo summer campaign")** [12th](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(June%E2%80%93July_2016\) "Aleppo offensive (June–July 2016)") [13th](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(July%E2%80%93August_2016\) "Aleppo offensive (July–August 2016)") [14th](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(August%E2%80%93September_2016\) "Aleppo offensive (August–September 2016)") [4th Latakia offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Latakia_offensive "2016 Latakia offensive") [1st Abu Kamal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Abu_Kamal_offensive "2016 Abu Kamal offensive") [3rd Qamishli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_2016_Qamishli_bombings "July 2016 Qamishli bombings") [Atmeh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Atmeh_attack "2016 Atmeh attack") [al-Rai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Rai_\(August_2016\) "Battle of al-Rai (August 2016)") [3rd Al-Hasakah City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Hasakah_\(2016\) "Battle of al-Hasakah (2016)") **[Operation Euphrates Shield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Euphrates_Shield "Operation Euphrates Shield")** [Northern al-Bab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_al-Bab_offensive_\(September_2016\) "Northern al-Bab offensive (September 2016)") [Dabiq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Dabiq_offensive "2016 Dabiq offensive") [al-Bab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Bab "Battle of al-Bab") **[5th Hama offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Hama_offensive "2016 Hama offensive")** [1st Western al-Bab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_al-Bab_offensive_\(September_2016\) "Western al-Bab offensive (September 2016)") [1st Eastern Qalamoun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Qalamoun_offensive_\(September%E2%80%93October_2016\) "Eastern Qalamoun offensive (September–October 2016)") [September bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_September_2016_Syria_bombings "5 September 2016 Syria bombings") [4th Quneitra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quneitra_offensive_\(September_2016\) "Quneitra offensive (September 2016)") [Deir ez-Zor airstrike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_2016_Deir_ez-Zor_air_raid "September 2016 Deir ez-Zor air raid") [Aleppo aid convoy attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_2016_Urum_al-Kubra_aid_convoy_attack "September 2016 Urum al-Kubra aid convoy attack") [15th Aleppo offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(September%E2%80%93October_2016\) "Aleppo offensive (September–October 2016)") [Khan al-Shih](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_al-Shih_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93November_2016\) "Khan al-Shih offensive (October–November 2016)") [1st Idlib inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_2016_Idlib_Governorate_clashes "October 2016 Idlib Governorate clashes") [2nd Western al-Bab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_al-Bab_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93November_2016\) "Western al-Bab offensive (October–November 2016)") [16th Aleppo offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93November_2016\) "Aleppo offensive (October–November 2016)") **[2nd Raqqa Gov.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa_campaign_\(2016%E2%80%932017\) "Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)")** **[17th Aleppo offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(November%E2%80%93December_2016\) "Aleppo offensive (November–December 2016)")** [4th Palmyra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(December_2016\) "Palmyra offensive (December 2016)") [Wadi Barada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadi_Barada_offensive_\(2016%E2%80%932017\) "Wadi Barada offensive (2016–2017)") [1st Syrian Desert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Desert_campaign_\(December_2016%E2%80%93April_2017\) "Syrian Desert campaign (December 2016–April 2017)") [Azaz bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_2017_Azaz_bombing "January 2017 Azaz bombing") [5th Palmyra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(2017\) "Palmyra offensive (2017)") [4th Deir ez-Zor offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(January%E2%80%93February_2017\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (January–February 2017)") [18th Aleppo offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Aleppo_offensive_\(2017\) "East Aleppo offensive (2017)") [2nd Idlib inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate_clashes_\(January%E2%80%93March_2017\) "Idlib Governorate clashes (January–March 2017)") [7th Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(February%E2%80%93June_2017\) "Daraa offensive (February–June 2017)") [Qaboun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qaboun_offensive_\(2017\) "Qaboun offensive (2017)") [8th Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwestern_Daraa_offensive_\(February_2017\) "Southwestern Daraa offensive (February 2017)") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_Collapse_of_Islamic_State_in_Syria "Template:Campaignbox Collapse of Islamic State in Syria") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Collapse_of_Islamic_State_in_Syria "Template talk:Campaignbox Collapse of Islamic State in Syria") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_Collapse_of_Islamic_State_in_Syria "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox Collapse of Islamic State in Syria")Collapse of the [Islamic State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State "Islamic State") in Syria (Feb. – Nov. 2017) |
| [Eastern Homs offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Homs_offensive_\(2017\) "Eastern Homs offensive (2017)") [al-Jina mosque](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_al-Jinah_airstrike "2017 al-Jinah airstrike") **[6th Hama offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_offensive_\(March%E2%80%93April_2017\) "Hama offensive (March–April 2017)")** **[Tabqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tabqa "Battle of Tabqa")** [Khan Shaykhun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_Shaykhun_chemical_attack "Khan Shaykhun chemical attack") **[US Shayrat strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Shayrat_missile_strike "2017 Shayrat missile strike")** [Aleppo bus bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Aleppo_suicide_car_bombing "2017 Aleppo suicide car bombing") [April 2017 Turkish airstrikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2017_Turkish_airstrikes_in_Syria_and_Iraq "April 2017 Turkish airstrikes in Syria and Iraq") [2nd East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Ghouta_inter-rebel_conflict_\(April%E2%80%93May_2017\) "East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2017)") [2nd Syrian Desert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Desert_campaign_\(May%E2%80%93July_2017\) "Syrian Desert campaign (May–July 2017)") [Maskanah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maskanah_Plains_offensive "Maskanah Plains offensive") [East Hama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Hama_offensive_\(2017\) "East Hama offensive (2017)") **[2nd Raqqa city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Raqqa_\(2017\) "Battle of Raqqa (2017)")** [9th Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(June_2017\) "Daraa offensive (June 2017)") [Southern Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Southern_Raqqa_offensive "2017 Southern Raqqa offensive") [Iranian Deir ez-Zor strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Laylat_al-Qadr "Operation Laylat al-Qadr") [Ja'din](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ja%27Din_shootdown_incident "Ja'Din shootdown incident") [Jobar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Jobar_offensive "2017 Jobar offensive") [5th Quneitra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quneitra_offensive_\(June_2017\) "Quneitra offensive (June 2017)") **[Central Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Syria_campaign "Central Syria campaign")** [3rd Idlib inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate_clashes_\(July_2017\) "Idlib Governorate clashes (July 2017)") **[4th Qalamoun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qalamoun_offensive_\(2017\) "Qalamoun offensive (2017)")** **[3rd Deir ez-Zor Gov.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_campaign_\(2017%E2%80%932019\) "Deir ez-Zor campaign (2017–2019)")** **[2nd Eastern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Syria_campaign_\(September%E2%80%93December_2017\) "Eastern Syria campaign (September–December 2017)")** [5th Deir ez-Zor offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(September%E2%80%93November_2017\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (September–November 2017)") [Euphrates Crossing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates_Crossing_offensive_\(2017\) "Euphrates Crossing offensive (2017)") [Mayadin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Mayadin_offensive "2017 Mayadin offensive") [2nd Abu Kamal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Abu_Kamal_offensive "2017 Abu Kamal offensive") [7th Hama offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_offensive_\(September_2017\) "Hama offensive (September 2017)") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_Idlib_escalation_period_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template:Campaignbox Idlib escalation period in the Syrian civil war") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Idlib_escalation_period_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template talk:Campaignbox Idlib escalation period in the Syrian civil war") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_Idlib_escalation_period_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox Idlib escalation period in the Syrian civil war")Rebels in retreat and *[Operation Olive Branch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Olive_Branch "Operation Olive Branch")* (Nov. 2017 – Sep. 2018) |
| **[3rd Northwestern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_campaign_\(October_2017%E2%80%93February_2018\) "Northwestern Syria campaign (October 2017–February 2018)")** *[Eastern Syria insurgency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Syria_insurgency "Eastern Syria insurgency")* [Atarib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atarib_market_massacre "Atarib market massacre") [Harasta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Harasta_\(2017%E2%80%932018\) "Battle of Harasta (2017–2018)") [Beit Jinn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beit_Jinn_offensive "Beit Jinn offensive") **[3rd Syrian Desert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Desert_campaign_\(2017%E2%80%932024\) "Syrian Desert campaign (2017–2024)")** [6th Deir ez-Zor offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(2018\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (2018)") [1st Southern Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Damascus_offensive_\(January%E2%80%93February_2018\) "Southern Damascus offensive (January–February 2018)") **[Olive Branch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Olive_Branch "Operation Olive Branch")** [Afrin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrin_offensive_\(January%E2%80%93March_2018\) "Afrin offensive (January–March 2018)") *[SDF insurgency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SDF_insurgency_in_Northern_Aleppo "SDF insurgency in Northern Aleppo")* [Khasham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Khasham "Battle of Khasham") [Feb 2018 Israel–Syria incident](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_2018_Israel%E2%80%93Syria_incident "February 2018 Israel–Syria incident") **[10th Rif Dimashq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(February%E2%80%93April_2018\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018)")** ([Douma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douma_chemical_attack "Douma chemical attack")) [4th Idlib inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Liberation_Front%E2%80%93Tahrir_al-Sham_conflict "Syrian Liberation Front–Tahrir al-Sham conflict") [2nd Southern Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Damascus_offensive_\(March_2018\) "Southern Damascus offensive (March 2018)") **[U.S.-led missile strikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2018_missile_strikes_against_Syria "April 2018 missile strikes against Syria")** **[2nd Northern Homs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Homs_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93May_2018\) "Northern Homs offensive (April–May 2018)")** **[2nd Eastern Qalamoun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Qalamoun_offensive_\(April_2018\) "Eastern Qalamoun offensive (April 2018)")** **[3rd Southern Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Damascus_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93May_2018\) "Southern Damascus offensive (April–May 2018)")** [Deir ez-Zor SAA-SDF clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate_clashes "Deir ez-Zor Governorate clashes") [House of Cards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_House_of_Cards "Operation House of Cards") [1st As-Suwayda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Suwayda_offensive_\(June_2018\) "As-Suwayda offensive (June 2018)") **[2nd Southern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Southern_Syria_offensive "2018 Southern Syria offensive")** [2nd As-Suwayda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_As-Suwayda_attacks "2018 As-Suwayda attacks") [3rd As-Suwayda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Suwayda_offensive_\(August%E2%80%93November_2018\) "As-Suwayda offensive (August–November 2018)") [2nd Qamishli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamishli_clashes_\(2018\) "Qamishli clashes (2018)") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_Idlib_demilitarization_and_frozen_conflict "Template:Campaignbox Idlib demilitarization and frozen conflict") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Idlib_demilitarization_and_frozen_conflict "Template talk:Campaignbox Idlib demilitarization and frozen conflict") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_Idlib_demilitarization_and_frozen_conflict "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox Idlib demilitarization and frozen conflict")[Idlib demilitarization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_demilitarization_\(2018%E2%80%932019\) "Idlib demilitarization (2018–2019)") (Sep. 2018 – April 2019) |
| [Idlib demilitarization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_demilitarization_\(2018%E2%80%932019\) "Idlib demilitarization (2018–2019)") [5th Idlib inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Front_for_Liberation%E2%80%93Tahrir_al-Sham_conflict "National Front for Liberation–Tahrir al-Sham conflict") [1st Israeli missile strikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_missile_strikes_\(September_2018\) "Syria missile strikes (September 2018)") [2nd Iranian strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahvaz_military_parade_attack#Retaliatory_missile_and_drone_strikes "Ahvaz military parade attack") [Northern border clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Syrian-Turkish_border_clashes "2018 Syrian-Turkish border clashes") [Daraa insurgency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_insurgency "Daraa insurgency") [Manbij bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Manbij_bombing "2019 Manbij bombing") **[Baghuz Fawqani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baghuz_Fawqani "Battle of Baghuz Fawqani")** [U.S. airstrike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_U.S._airstrike_in_Baghuz "2019 U.S. airstrike in Baghuz") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_Failure_of_the_demilitarization_and_renewed_fighting "Template:Campaignbox Failure of the demilitarization and renewed fighting") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Failure_of_the_demilitarization_and_renewed_fighting "Template talk:Campaignbox Failure of the demilitarization and renewed fighting") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_Failure_of_the_demilitarization_and_renewed_fighting "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox Failure of the demilitarization and renewed fighting")[First Idlib offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93August_2019\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (April–August 2019)"), *[Operation Peace Spring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Turkish_offensive_into_north-eastern_Syria "2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria")*, & [Second Idlib offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(December_2019%E2%80%93March_2020\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)") (April 2019 – March 2020) |
| **[4th Northwestern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93August_2019\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (April–August 2019)")** [Tell Rifaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Tell_Rifaat_clashes "2019 Tell Rifaat clashes") [Raqqa & Azaz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_2019_Syria_bombings "June 2019 Syria bombings") [Hass](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hass_refugee_camp_bombing "Hass refugee camp bombing") [2nd Israeli missile strikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_missile_strikes_\(August_2019\) "Syria missile strikes (August 2019)") **[Peace Spring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Turkish_offensive_into_north-eastern_Syria "2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria")** ([2nd Ras al-Ayn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ras_al-Ayn_\(2019\) "Battle of Ras al-Ayn (2019)")) [Kayla Mueller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi "Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi") [Northern bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_2019_Syria_bombings "November 2019 Syria bombings") [3rd Israeli missile strikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_2019_Israeli_missile_strikes_in_Syria "November 2019 Israeli missile strikes in Syria") [Qah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qah_missile_strike "Qah missile strike") **[5th Northwestern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(2019%E2%80%932020\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (2019–2020)")** [Balyun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Balyun_airstrikes "2020 Balyun airstrikes") **[Spring Shield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Spring_Shield "Operation Spring Shield")** [2nd U.S. missile strikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_2019_United_States_airstrikes_in_Iraq_and_Syria "December 2019 United States airstrikes in Iraq and Syria") [10th Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_2020_Daraa_clashes "March 2020 Daraa clashes") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_Idlib_ceasefire "Template:Campaignbox Idlib ceasefire") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Idlib_ceasefire "Template talk:Campaignbox Idlib ceasefire") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_Idlib_ceasefire "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox Idlib ceasefire")Idlib ceasefire (March 2020 – Nov. 2024) |
| [6th Idlib inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate_clashes_\(June_2020\) "Idlib Governorate clashes (June 2020)") [Ayn Issa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%932021_Ayn_Issa_clashes "2020–2021 Ayn Issa clashes") [Qamishli & Al-Hasakah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Qamishli_and_Al-Hasakah "Siege of Qamishli and Al-Hasakah") [4th Israeli missile strikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_missile_strikes_\(January_2021\) "Syria missile strikes (January 2021)") [3rd Qamishli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Qamishli_\(2021\) "Battle of Qamishli (2021)") [11th Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Daraa_offensive "2021 Daraa offensive") [7th Idlib inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahrir_al-Sham%E2%80%93Junud_al-Sham_conflict "Tahrir al-Sham–Junud al-Sham conflict") [3rd Al-Hasakah city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Hasakah_\(2022\) "Battle of al-Hasakah (2022)") [1st Aleppo inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Ahrar_al-Sham%E2%80%93Levant_Front_clashes "2022 Ahrar al-Sham–Levant Front clashes") [Jabal al-Bishrī](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Jabal_al-Bishr%C4%AB_clashes "2022 Jabal al-Bishrī clashes") [2nd Aleppo inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Aleppo_clashes_\(October_2022\) "Northern Aleppo clashes (October 2022)") [Claw-Sword](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Claw-Sword "Operation Claw-Sword") [Northwestern clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_clashes_\(December_2022%E2%80%93November_2024\) "Northwestern Syria clashes (December 2022–November 2024)") [3rd U.S. missile strikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_2023_northeastern_Syria_clashes "March 2023 northeastern Syria clashes") [2nd Northern clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_2023_Northeastern_Syria_clashes "June 2023 Northeastern Syria clashes") [Deir ez-Zor clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_clashes_\(2023\) "Deir ez-Zor clashes (2023)") [3rd Northern clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_2023_Northern_Syria_clashes "October 2023 Northern Syria clashes") [Homs drone strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Homs_drone_strike "2023 Homs drone strike") *[Israel–Hezbollah conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel-Hezbollah_conflict_\(2023%E2%80%93present\) "Israel-Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)")* ([Iranian consulate airstrike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_consulate_airstrike_in_Damascus "Iranian consulate airstrike in Damascus")) [February 2024 airstrikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_2024_United_States_airstrikes_in_Iraq_and_Syria "February 2024 United States airstrikes in Iraq and Syria") [Anti-Turkish riots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_anti-Turkish_riots_in_Syria "2024 anti-Turkish riots in Syria") [Masyaf raid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Masyaf_raid "2024 Masyaf raid") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_2024_Syrian_opposition_offensives "Template:Campaignbox 2024 Syrian opposition offensives") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_2024_Syrian_opposition_offensives "Template talk:Campaignbox 2024 Syrian opposition offensives") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_2024_Syrian_opposition_offensives "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox 2024 Syrian opposition offensives")[Opposition offensives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Syrian_opposition_offensives "2024 Syrian opposition offensives") and [Assad overthrown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_the_Assad_regime "Fall of the Assad regime") (Nov. – Dec. 2024) |
| **[Opposition offensives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Syrian_opposition_offensives "2024 Syrian opposition offensives")** **[6th Northwestern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(2024\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (2024)")** [2nd Aleppo city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2024\) "Battle of Aleppo (2024)") [Hospital strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Aleppo_University_Hospital_airstrike "2024 Aleppo University Hospital airstrike") [8th Hama offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Hama_offensive "2024 Hama offensive") [19th Aleppo offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Dawn_of_Freedom "Operation Dawn of Freedom") [7th Deir ez-Zor offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(2024\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (2024)") [3rd Homs offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Homs_offensive "2024 Homs offensive") [6th Palmyra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(2024\) "Palmyra offensive (2024)") [Al-Mustariha strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Al-Mustariha_massacre "2024 Al-Mustariha massacre") [3rd Southern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Syria_offensive_\(2024\) "Southern Syria offensive (2024)") [3rd Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Damascus_\(2024\) "Fall of Damascus (2024)") **[Fall of the Assad regime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_the_Assad_regime "Fall of the Assad regime")** |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_Spillover_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template:Campaignbox Spillover of the Syrian civil war") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Spillover_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template talk:Campaignbox Spillover of the Syrian civil war") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_Spillover_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox Spillover of the Syrian civil war")[Syrian War spillover and international incidents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spillover_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Spillover of the Syrian civil war") |
| [Lebanon spillover](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war_spillover_in_Lebanon "Syrian civil war spillover in Lebanon") [Lebanese–Syrian border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%932017_Lebanon%E2%80%93Syria_border_clashes "2012–2017 Lebanon–Syria border clashes") [Sidon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Sidon_clash "2013 Sidon clash") [Iranian embassy bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Iranian_embassy_bombing_in_Beirut "2013 Iranian embassy bombing in Beirut") [North Lebanon clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Lebanon_clashes_\(2014\) "North Lebanon clashes (2014)") [Syrian–Turkish border incidents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian%E2%80%93Turkish_border_clashes_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Syrian–Turkish border clashes during the Syrian civil war") [Turkish F4 shootdown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Turkish_F-4_Phantom_shootdown "2012 Turkish F-4 Phantom shootdown") [Reyhanlı bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Reyhanl%C4%B1_car_bombings "2013 Reyhanlı car bombings") [Turkish occupation of northern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_occupation_of_northern_Syria "Turkish occupation of northern Syria") [Kurdish riots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Koban%C3%AE_protests "2014 Kobanî protests") [Jordanian–Syrian border incidents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordanian%E2%80%93Syrian_border_incidents_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Jordanian–Syrian border incidents during the Syrian civil war") [Israeli–Syrian ceasefire line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli%E2%80%93Syrian_ceasefire_line_incidents_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Israeli–Syrian ceasefire line incidents during the Syrian civil war") [February 2018 incident](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_2018_Israel%E2%80%93Syria_incident "February 2018 Israel–Syria incident") [May 2018 incident](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_House_of_Cards "Operation House of Cards") [Iraqi–Syrian border incidents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Iraq_\(2013%E2%80%932017\) "War in Iraq (2013–2017)") [Akashat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akashat_ambush "Akashat ambush") [al-Shabah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_al-Shabah "Operation al-Shabah") [Western Nineveh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Nineveh_offensive_\(2017\) "Western Nineveh offensive (2017)") [Western Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Western_Iraq_campaign "2017 Western Iraq campaign") Spillover in Iran [2017 Tehran attacks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Tehran_attacks "2017 Tehran attacks") [2017 Deir ez-Zor missile strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Laylat_al-Qadr "Operation Laylat al-Qadr") [2024 Iranian airstrikes in Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Erbil_attack "2024 Erbil attack") [Spillover in Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey%E2%80%93Islamic_State_conflict "Turkey–Islamic State conflict") [Russian Su-24 shootdown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Russian_Sukhoi_Su-24_shootdown "2015 Russian Sukhoi Su-24 shootdown") [Andrei Karlov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Andrei_Karlov "Assassination of Andrei Karlov") [Balyun airstrikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Balyun_airstrikes "2020 Balyun airstrikes") [Kafr Takharim airstrikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Kafr_Takharim_airstrike "2020 Kafr Takharim airstrike") [Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Saudi_Arabia_proxy_war "Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy war") [Spillover in Europe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_terrorism_in_Europe "Islamic terrorism in Europe") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_Foreign_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template:Campaignbox Foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Foreign_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Template talk:Campaignbox Foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox_Foreign_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Special:EditPage/Template:Campaignbox Foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war")[Foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war") |
| Foreign intervention on behalf of Syrian Arab Republic [Russian involvement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Russian involvement in the Syrian civil war") [2015 intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war") [Iranian intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Iranian intervention in the Syrian civil war") [2017 missile strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Laylat_al-Qadr "Operation Laylat al-Qadr") [2012 Hezbollah involvement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Hezbollah involvement in the Syrian civil war") Foreign intervention on behalf of Syrian rebels [Foreign rebel fighters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_fighters_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Foreign fighters in the Syrian civil war") [Turkish involvement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war") [Turkey–Islamic State conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey%E2%80%93Islamic_State_conflict "Turkey–Islamic State conflict") [Tomb of Suleyman Shah relocation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_Suleyman_Shah#Events_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Tomb of Suleyman Shah") [Euphrates Shield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Euphrates_Shield "Operation Euphrates Shield") [2017 airstrikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2017_Turkish_airstrikes_in_Syria_and_Iraq "April 2017 Turkish airstrikes in Syria and Iraq") [Idlib Governorate operation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_military_operation_in_Idlib_Governorate "Turkish military operation in Idlib Governorate") [Afrin operation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Olive_Branch "Operation Olive Branch") [2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Turkish_offensive_into_north-eastern_Syria "2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria") [Israel's role](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_and_the_Syrian_civil_war "Israel and the Syrian civil war") U.S.-led intervention against ISIL [US intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "US intervention in the Syrian civil war") [Timeline](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_US_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Timeline of US intervention in the Syrian civil war") [List of attacks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_attacks_on_Syria_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "List of United States attacks on Syria during the Syrian civil war") [2014 rescue operation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_American_rescue_mission_in_Syria "2014 American rescue mission in Syria") [May 2015 raid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_2015_U.S._special_forces_raid_in_Syria "May 2015 U.S. special forces raid in Syria") [2017 missile strikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Shayrat_missile_strike "2017 Shayrat missile strike") [Qatari involvement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatari_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Qatari involvement in the Syrian civil war") [Jordanian intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordanian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Jordanian intervention in the Syrian civil war") [Operation Martyr Muath](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Martyr_Muath "Operation Martyr Muath") [Lebanon's role](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon%27s_role_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Lebanon's role in the Syrian civil war") [Saudi involvement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Saudi involvement in the Syrian civil war") [April 2018 missile strikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2018_missile_strikes_against_Syria "April 2018 missile strikes against Syria") [Dutch involvement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Dutch involvement in the Syrian civil war") [German intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_intervention_against_the_Islamic_State "German intervention against the Islamic State") [French intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Op%C3%A9ration_Chammal "Opération Chammal") [Australian intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Okra "Operation Okra") [UK intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Shader "Operation Shader") |
This is a broad timeline of the course of major events of the [Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war "Syrian civil war"). It only includes major territorial changes and attacks and does not include every event.
The uprising against Syrian president [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad") gradually turned into a full-scale [civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_war "Civil war"),[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbc_timeline-1) with two significant milestones being the initial March 2011 [Arab Spring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring "Arab Spring") protests and the 15 July 2012 declaration by the [International Committee of the Red Cross](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Committee_of_the_Red_Cross "International Committee of the Red Cross") that the fighting had gradually become so widespread that the situation should be regarded as a civil war.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-2)[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-3)
Rebel forces, which received arms from [Gulf Cooperation Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Cooperation_Council "Gulf Cooperation Council") states, [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey "Turkey") and some Western countries, initially made significant advances against the government forces, which were receiving financial and military support from [Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran "Iran") and [Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia "Russia"). Rebels captured the regional capitals of [Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Raqqa_\(2013\) "Battle of Raqqa (2013)") in 2013 and [Idlib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Idlib_\(2015\) "Battle of Idlib (2015)") in 2015. Consequently, [Iran launched a military intervention in support of the Syrian government in 2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Iranian intervention in the Syrian civil war") and [Russia followed in 2015](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war"), shifting the balance of the conflict. By late 2018, all rebel strongholds except parts of [Idlib region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate "Idlib Governorate") had fallen to the government forces.
In 2014, the [Islamic State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State "Islamic State") won many battles against both the rebel factions and the Syrian government. Combined with simultaneous success in [Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Iraq_\(2013-2017\) "War in Iraq (2013-2017)"), the group was able to seize control of large parts of [Eastern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Eastern_Syria_offensive "2014 Eastern Syria offensive") and [Western Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Iraq_offensive_\(June_2014\) "Northern Iraq offensive (June 2014)"), prompting the [U.S.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States")\-led [CJTF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_Joint_Task_Force_%E2%80%93_Operation_Inherent_Resolve "Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve") coalition to launch an aerial [bombing campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_against_the_Islamic_State "War against the Islamic State") against it, while providing [ground support](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "US intervention in the Syrian civil war") and supplies to the [Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurds "Kurds")\-majority [Syrian Democratic Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces"). By way of battles that culminated in the [Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa_campaign_\(2016%E2%80%932017\) "Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)") and [Deir ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_campaign_\(2017%E2%80%932019\) "Deir ez-Zor campaign (2017–2019)") offensives, the Islamic State was territorially defeated by late 2017. In August 2016, Turkey launched [a multi-pronged invasion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war") of [northern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_occupation_of_northern_Syria "Turkish occupation of northern Syria"), in response to the creation of [Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria"), while also [fighting the Islamic State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Euphrates_Shield "Operation Euphrates Shield") and [government forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Spring_Shield "Operation Spring Shield") in the process.
In October 2019, Kurdish leaders of [Rojava](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria") announced they had reached a major deal with the government of Syria under Assad. This deal was enacted in the wake of the US withdrawal from Syria.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceE-4)[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-5)[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-6) Between the March 2020 [Idlib ceasefire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(December_2019%E2%80%93March_2020\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)") and late 2024, frontline fighting mostly subsided, but there were [regular skirmishes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_clashes_\(December_2022%E2%80%93November_2024\) "Northwestern Syria clashes (December 2022–November 2024)").
Heavy fighting renewed with a major [rebel offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(2024\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (2024)") in the northwest led by [Tahrir al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahrir_al-Sham "Tahrir al-Sham") in November 2024, [seizing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2024\) "Battle of Aleppo (2024)") the second-largest city [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo "Aleppo"). On 8 December 2024, Syrian opposition forces [captured](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Damascus_\(2024\) "Fall of Damascus (2024)") [Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus "Damascus") after Bashar al-Assad's forces withdrew and subsequently announced the [collapse of Assad's regime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_the_Assad_regime "Fall of the Assad regime").
There remain millions of Syrian refugees who are displaced into refugee camps across the region, under severe conditions.
The more detailed timeline of the Syrian Civil War is contained in the articles linked to in the infobox on the right and in the list below. A chronological narrative of some of the main events and developments follows the list of years, but it is not comprehensive.[\[a\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-7)
## Initial phase of the conflict (2011–2012)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=1 "Edit section: Initial phase of the conflict (2011–2012)")\]
### Protests, civil uprising, and defections (March–July 2011)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=2 "Edit section: Protests, civil uprising, and defections (March–July 2011)")\]
Main article: [Syrian revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_revolution "Syrian revolution")
See also: [Arab Spring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring "Arab Spring") and [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2011)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2011\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2011)")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:\(Banyas_demonstration\)_%D9%85%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3_%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%B6%D8%A8_-_29_%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86_2011.jpg)
Anti-Assad protests in [Baniyas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baniyas "Baniyas"), 29 April 2011
Major unrest began on 15 March 2011, when protesters marched in [Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus "Damascus") and [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo "Aleppo"), demanding democratic reforms and the release of political prisoners, triggered by the arrest of a teenage boy and his friends a few days earlier in the city of [Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa "Daraa"), for writing in [graffiti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graffiti "Graffiti"), "It's your turn, doctor".[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-DaraaVice-8) Security forces retaliated by opening fire on the protesters,[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-SCW-9) and according to witnesses who spoke to the [BBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC "BBC"), the Ba'ath government forces detained six of them.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-10)[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-DR-11) On 18 March, the Syrian Army fired on demonstrators, killing four people.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-12) Writer and analyst Louai al-Hussein, referencing the [Arab Spring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring "Arab Spring") ongoing at that time, wrote that, "Syria is now on the map of countries in the region with an uprising".[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-DR-11) On 20 March, the protesters burned down a [Ba'ath Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba%27ath_Party_\(Syrian-dominated_faction\) "Ba'ath Party (Syrian-dominated faction)") headquarters and other government buildings. The ensuing clashes claimed the lives of 15 protesters.[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-13) Ten days later in a speech, President [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad") blamed "foreign conspirators" pushing Israeli propaganda for the protests.[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-14)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_Demonstration_Douma_Damascus_08-04-2011.jpg)
Protests in [Douma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douma,_Syria "Douma, Syria") on 8 April 2011 against President [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad")
Until 7 April, the protesters predominantly demanded democratic reforms, release of political prisoners, an increase in freedoms, abolition of the emergency law and an end to corruption. After 8 April, the emphasis in demonstration slogans shifted slowly towards a call to overthrow the Assad government. Protests spread; on Friday 8 April, they occurred simultaneously in ten cities. By Friday 22 April, protests were taking place in twenty cities. On 25 April, the [Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Army "Syrian Army") initiated a series of large-scale deadly military attacks on towns with tanks, infantry carriers, and artillery, leading to hundreds of civilian deaths. By the end of May 2011, 1,000 civilians[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbc24M11-15) and 150 soldiers and policemen[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Kh.31-5-11-16) had been killed and thousands detained;[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbc5511,17.19GMT-17) among the arrested were many students, liberal activists and human rights advocates.[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-18)
Unverified reports claim that a portion of the security forces in [Jisr al-Shughur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jisr_al-Shughur "Jisr al-Shughur") defected after secret police and intelligence officers executed soldiers who had refused to fire on civilians.[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-understandingwar-19) Later, more protesters in Syria took up arms, and more soldiers defected to protect protesters.
On 1 July 2011, 100,000 people protested against the government across Syria.[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-United_States_Institute_of_Peace_2021-20)
### Initial armed insurgency (July 2011–April 2012)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=3 "Edit section: Initial armed insurgency (July 2011–April 2012)")\]
Main article: [Early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_insurgency_phase_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war")
See also: [List of Syrian defectors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Syrian_defectors "List of Syrian defectors"), [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2011)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93August_2011\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2011)"), [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2011)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(September%E2%80%93December_2011\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2011)"), and [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2012)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2012\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2012)")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SyrianWarAnimation2011-2019.gif)
Animation showing changes in Syrian territorial control, as well as foreign military bases, between October 2011 and March 2019.
The [Early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_insurgency_phase_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war") lasted from late July 2011 to April 2012, and was associated with the rise of armed oppositional militias across Syria and the beginning of armed rebellion against the authorities of the [Syrian Arab Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Arab_Republic "Syrian Arab Republic"). The beginning of organized insurgency is typically marked by the formation of the [Free Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Syrian_Army "Free Syrian Army") (FSA) on 29 July 2011, when a group of defected officers declared the establishment of the first organized oppositional military force. Composed of defected Syrian Armed Forces personnel, the rebel army aimed to protect protestors and ultimately remove Bashar al-Assad and his government from power.[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-United_States_Institute_of_Peace_2021-20)
This period of the war saw the initial civil uprising take on many of the characteristics of a civil war, according to several outside observers, including the [United Nations Commission on Human Rights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Commission_on_Human_Rights "United Nations Commission on Human Rights"), as [armed elements](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Syrian_Army "Free Syrian Army") became better organized and began carrying out successful attacks in retaliation for the crackdown by the Syrian Ba'athist government on demonstrators and defectors.[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-nowin-21)
The [Arab League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_League "Arab League") [monitoring mission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_League_monitors_in_Syria "Arab League monitors in Syria"), initiated in December 2011, ended in failure by February 2012, as [Syrian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria "Syria") Ba'athist troops and [oppositional militants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Syrian_Army "Free Syrian Army") continued to battle across the country and the [Syrian Ba'athist government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baathist_Syria "Baathist Syria") prevented foreign observers from touring active battlefields, including besieged [oppositional](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_opposition "Syrian opposition") strongholds.
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VOA_Arrott_-_A_View_of_Syria,_Under_Government_Crackdown_01.jpg)
Syrian army checkpoint in [Douma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douma,_Syria "Douma, Syria"), January 2012
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Timeline_-_Syria-_two_years_of_tragedy_\(8559744374\).jpg)
Timeline - Syria
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:20151030_Syrians_and_Iraq_refugees_arrive_at_Skala_Sykamias_Lesvos_Greece_2.jpg)
Syrian and Iraqi refugees arrive at Skala Sykamias, [Lesvos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesbos "Lesbos"), Greece
### Kofi Annan ceasefire attempt (April–May 2012)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=4 "Edit section: Kofi Annan ceasefire attempt (April–May 2012)")\]
Main articles: [Kofi Annan Syrian peace plan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofi_Annan_Syrian_peace_plan "Kofi Annan Syrian peace plan"), [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2012)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2012\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2012)"), and [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2012)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93August_2012\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2012)")
In early 2012, [Kofi Annan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofi_Annan "Kofi Annan") acted as the UN–[Arab League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_League "Arab League") [Joint Special Representative for](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Envoy_of_the_Secretary-General "Special Envoy of the Secretary-General") Syria and started negotiations for a peace plan, which included provision for a ceasefire. However, even as the negotiations for it were being conducted, the Syrian army continued fighting.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-deadly_reprisals-22): 11 Incommunicado detention, including of children, also continued.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-23) In April, Assad began employing [attack helicopters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_helicopter "Attack helicopter") against rebel forces.[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Air_War-24)
On 12 April, both sides, the Syrian Ba'athist Government and rebels of the FSA, entered a UN-mediated ceasefire period. It was a failure, with infractions of the ceasefire by both sides resulting in several dozen casualties. For examples, the [30 April 2012 Idlib bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_April_2012_Idlib_bombing "30 April 2012 Idlib bombing") was a [car bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_bombing "Car bombing") that targeted the Syrian military in [Idlib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib "Idlib"), killing twenty people. Most of those killed were members of the security forces.[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-25) Acknowledging its failure, Annan called for Iran to be "part of the solution", though the country has been excluded from the Friends of Syria initiative.[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-26) The peace plan practically collapsed by early June and the UN mission was withdrawn from Syria. Annan officially resigned in frustration on 2 August 2012.[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-27)
## Next phase of the war starts: escalation (2012–2013)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=5 "Edit section: Next phase of the war starts: escalation (2012–2013)")\]
Main article: [2012–2013 escalation of the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%932013_escalation_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "2012–2013 escalation of the Syrian civil war")
### Renewed fighting (June–October 2012)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=6 "Edit section: Renewed fighting (June–October 2012)")\]
Main articles: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2012)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93August_2012\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2012)") and [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2012)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(September%E2%80%93December_2012\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2012)")
Further information: [Battle of Damascus (2012)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Damascus_\(2012\) "Battle of Damascus (2012)"), [Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2012%E2%80%932016\) "Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)"), and [Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(August%E2%80%93October_2012\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012)")
Following the [Houla massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houla_massacre "Houla massacre") of 25 May 2012, in which 108 people were summarily executed and the consequent FSA ultimatum to the Syrian Ba'athist government, the ceasefire practically collapsed, as the FSA began nationwide offensives against government troops. On 1 June, President Assad vowed to crush the anti-government uprising.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-aa0406-28)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Formation_of_Conquest_Brigade_in_Tell_Rifaat.png)
A [colonel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel "Colonel") (left) and a [first lieutenant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_lieutenant "First lieutenant") (right) in the FSA announce the formation of the [Conquest Brigade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conquest_Brigade "Conquest Brigade"), part of the FSA in [Tell Rifaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tell_Rifaat "Tell Rifaat"), north of [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo "Aleppo"), 31 July 2012.
On 5 June, [fighting broke out in Haffa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Haffah "Battle of al-Haffah") and nearby villages in the coastal governorate of [Latakia Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latakia_Governorate "Latakia Governorate"). Syrian Army troops were backed by [helicopter gunships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter_gunship "Helicopter gunship") in the heaviest clashes in the governorate since the revolt began. Government forces seized the territory following days of fighting and shelling.[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-29) On 6 June, 78 civilians were killed in the [Al-Qubeir massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qubeir_massacre "Al-Qubeir massacre"). According to activist sources, the Syrian Army started by shelling the village before the [Shabiha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabiha "Shabiha") militia moved in.[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-30) The UN observers headed to Al-Qubeir in the hope of investigating the alleged massacre, but they were met with a roadblock and small arms fire and were forced to retreat.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-31)
On 12 June 2012, the UN for the first time officially proclaimed Syria to be in a state of civil war.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbc12-6-12-32) The conflict began moving into the two largest cities, Damascus and Aleppo. In both cities, peaceful protests – including a general strike by Damascus shopkeepers and a small strike in Aleppo were interpreted as indicating that the historical alliance between the Ba'ath government and the business establishment in the large cities had become weak.[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-33)
On 22 June, a Turkish [F-4 fighter jet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F-4_Phantom_II "McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II") was [shot down by Syrian government forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Turkish_F-4_Phantom_shootdown "2012 Turkish F-4 Phantom shootdown"), killing both pilots. Syria and Turkey disputed whether the jet had been flying in Syrian or international [airspace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airspace "Airspace") when it was shot down. Despite Turkish Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip Erdoğan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recep_Tayyip_Erdo%C4%9Fan "Recep Tayyip Erdoğan")'s vows to retaliate harshly against Assad's government, no such intervention materialised. Bashar al-Assad publicly apologised for the incident. By 10 July, rebel forces had captured most of the city of [Al-Qusayr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qusayr,_Syria "Al-Qusayr, Syria"), in [Homs Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homs_Governorate "Homs Governorate"), after weeks of fighting.[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-34) By mid-July, rebels had captured the town of [Saraqeb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraqib "Saraqib"), in Idlib Governorate.[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-35)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Situation_in_Syria_\(August_2012\).svg)
Military situation in Syria in August 2012
By 15 July 2012, with fighting spread across the country and 16,000 people killed, the [International Committee of the Red Cross](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Committee_of_the_Red_Cross "International Committee of the Red Cross") declared the conflict a civil war.[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-36) Fighting in Damascus intensified, with a [major rebel push](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Damascus_\(2012\) "Battle of Damascus (2012)") to take the city.[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-37) On 18 July, [Syrian Defense Minister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Defense_\(Syria\) "Ministry of Defense (Syria)") [Dawoud Rajiha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawoud_Rajiha "Dawoud Rajiha"), former defense minister [Hasan Turkmani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasan_Turkmani "Hasan Turkmani"), and the president's brother-in-law General [Assef Shawkat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assef_Shawkat "Assef Shawkat") were killed by a [suicide bomb attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18_July_2012_Damascus_bombing "18 July 2012 Damascus bombing") in Damascus.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-telegraph9408321-38) The Syrian intelligence chief [Hisham Ikhtiyar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hisham_Ikhtiyar "Hisham Ikhtiyar"), who was injured in the same explosion, later died from his injuries.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-39) Both the FSA and Liwa al-Islam claimed responsibility for the assassination.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-40)
In mid-July, rebel forces [attacked Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Damascus_\(2012\) "Battle of Damascus (2012)") and were repelled in two weeks, although [fighting continued in the outskirts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(August%E2%80%93October_2012\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012)"). After this, the focus shifted to the [battle for control of Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2012%E2%80%932016\) "Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)").[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-41) On 25 July, multiple sources reported that the government was using fighter jets to attack rebel positions in Aleppo and Damascus,[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-42) and on 1 August, UN observers in Syria witnessed government fighter jets firing on rebels in Aleppo.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-43) In early August, the Syrian Army recaptured Salaheddin district, an important rebel stronghold in Aleppo. In August, the Ba'athist government began using fixed-wing warplanes against the rebels.[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Air_War-24)[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ISW_Air-44)
On 19 July, Iraqi officials reported that the FSA had gained control of all four border checkpoints between Syria and Iraq, increasing concerns for the safety of Iraqis trying to escape the violence in Syria.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-45) On 19 September, rebel forces seized a border crossing between Syria and Turkey in [Raqqa Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa_Governorate "Raqqa Governorate"). It was speculated that this crossing could provide opposition forces with strategic and logistical advantages due to Turkish support of the rebels, whose headquarters subsequently relocated from southern Turkey into northern Syria.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-46)
On 6 September 2012 Kurdish activists reported that 21 civilians were killed in the Kurdish neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsud in [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo "Aleppo"), when the Syrian Army shelled the local mosque and its surroundings. Despite the district being neutral during the [Battle of Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2012%E2%80%932016\) "Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)") and free of Ba'athist government and FSA clashes, local residents believed that the district was shelled as retaliation for sheltering anti-government civilians from other parts of the city. In a statement released shortly after the deaths, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) vowed to retaliate.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-47)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blown_out_tank_Aleppo.jpg)
A destroyed tank on a road in Aleppo, 6 October 2012
A few days later, Kurdish forces killed 3 soldiers in [Afrin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrin,_Syria "Afrin, Syria") ([Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdish_language "Kurdish language"): *Efrîn*) and captured a number of other Ba'athist government soldiers in [Ayn al-Arab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_al-Arab "Ayn al-Arab") ([Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdish_language "Kurdish language"): *Kobanî*) and [Al-Malikiyah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Malikiyah "Al-Malikiyah") ([Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdish_language "Kurdish language"): *Dêrika Hemko*) from where they drove the remaining Ba'athist government security forces. It was also reported that the Ba'athist government had begun to arm Arab tribes around [Qamishli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamishli "Qamishli") in preparation for a possible confrontation with Kurdish forces, who still did not completely control the city.[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-pydkills-48)
At least 8 Ba'athist government soldiers were killed and 15 wounded by a car bomb in the al-Gharibi district of Qamishli on 30 September 2012. The explosion targeted the Political Security branch.[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-49)
In October, rebel forces [seized control of Maarat al-Numan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maarrat_al-Nu%27man_\(2012\) "Battle of Maarrat al-Nu'man (2012)"), a town in Idlib Governorate on the highway linking Damascus with Aleppo[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-50) and captured [Douma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douma,_Syria "Douma, Syria"), marking increased influence in [Rif Dimashq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_Governorate "Rif Dimashq Governorate").[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-51) Lakhdar Brahimi arranged for a ceasefire during [Eid al-Adha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_al-Adha "Eid al-Adha") in late October, but it quickly collapsed.[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-52)
### Rebel offensives (November 2012–April 2013)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=7 "Edit section: Rebel offensives (November 2012–April 2013)")\]
Main articles: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2012)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(September%E2%80%93December_2012\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2012)") and [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2013\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2013)")
Further information: [Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2012%E2%80%932016\) "Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)"), [Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–February 2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(November_2012%E2%80%93February_2013\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–February 2013)"), [2012 Hama offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Hama_offensive "2012 Hama offensive"), [Damascus offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_offensive "Damascus offensive"), [Battle of Shaddadi (2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Shaddadi_\(2013\) "Battle of Shaddadi (2013)"), and [Battle of Raqqa (2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Raqqa_\(2013\) "Battle of Raqqa (2013)")
After Brahimi's ceasefire agreement ended on 30 October, the Syrian military expanded its aerial bombing campaign in Damascus. A bombing of the Damascus district of Jobar was the first instance of a [fighter jet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighter_jet "Fighter jet") being used to bomb Damascus. The following day, Gen. Abdullah Mahmud al-Khalidi, a Syrian Air Force commander, was assassinated by opposition gunmen in the Damascus district of Rukn al-Din.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-53) In early November 2012, rebels made significant gains in northern Syria. The rebel capture of [Saraqib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraqib "Saraqib") in Idlib Governorate, which lies on the [M5 highway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M5_Motorway_\(Syria\) "M5 Motorway (Syria)"), further isolated Aleppo.[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-54) Due to insufficient anti-aircraft weapons, rebel units attempted to nullify the Ba'athist government's air power by destroying landed helicopters and aircraft on air bases.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-55) On 3 November, rebels launched an attack on the [Taftanaz air base](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taftanaz_air_base "Taftanaz air base").[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-56)
On 18 November, rebels [took control of](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Base_46 "Siege of Base 46") Base 46 in the [Aleppo Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_Governorate "Aleppo Governorate"), one of the Syrian Army's largest bases in northern Syria, after weeks of intense fighting. Defected General Mohammed Ahmed al-Faj, who commanded the assault, stated that nearly 300 Syrian troops had been killed and 60 had been captured, with rebels seizing large amounts of heavy weapons, including tanks.[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-57) On 22 November, rebels captured the [Mayadin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayadin "Mayadin") military base in the country's eastern [Deir ez-Zor Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate "Deir ez-Zor Governorate"). Activists said this gave the rebels control of a large amount of territory east of the base, stretching to the Iraqi border.[\[57\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-58) On 29 November, at approximately 10:26 [UTC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinated_Universal_Time "Coordinated Universal Time"), the Syrian Internet and phone service was shut off for a two-day period.[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-59) Syrian officials blamed the blackout on terrorists having cut "a main fiber optic cable connecting Damascus to the rest of the world";[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-60) [Edward Snowden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Snowden "Edward Snowden") in August 2014 claimed that this Internet breakdown had been caused, though unintended, by hackers of the [NSA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Security_Agency "National Security Agency") during an operation to intercept Internet communication in Syria.[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-61)
In mid-December 2012, American officials said that the Syrian military had fired [Scud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scud "Scud") ballistic missiles at rebel fighters inside Syria. Reportedly, six Scud missiles were fired at the Sheikh Suleiman base north of Aleppo, which rebel forces had occupied. It is unclear whether the Scuds hit the intended target.[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Scud_Missiles2-62) The Ba'athist government denied this claim.[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-63) Later that month, a further Scud attack took place near Marea, a town north of Aleppo near the Turkish border. The missile appeared to have missed its target.[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Scud_Missiles2-62) That same month, the British *[Daily Telegraph](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Daily_Telegraph "The Daily Telegraph")* reported that the FSA had now penetrated into Latakia Governorate's coast through Turkey.[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-64) In late December, rebel forces pushed further into Damascus, taking control of the adjoining [Yarmouk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarmouk_Camp "Yarmouk Camp") and Palestine refugee camps, pushing out pro-Ba'athist government [Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_Front_for_the_Liberation_of_Palestine_%E2%80%93_General_Command "Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command") fighters with the help of other factions.[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-65) Rebel forces launched [an offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Hama_offensive "2012 Hama offensive") in Hama Governorate, later claiming to have forced army regulars to evacuate several towns and bases,[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-66) and stating that "three-quarters of western rural Hama is under our control."[\[66\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-67) Rebels also captured the town of Harem near the Turkish border in Idlib Governorate, after weeks of heavy fighting.[\[67\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-68)
On 11 January 2013, Islamist groups, including al-Nusra Front, took full control of the [Taftanaz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taftanaz "Taftanaz") air base in the Idlib Governorate, after weeks of fighting. The air base was often used by the Syrian military to carry out helicopter raids and deliver supplies. The rebels claimed to have seized helicopters, tanks and multiple rocket launchers, before being forced to withdraw by a Ba'athist government counter-attack. The leader of the al-Nusra Front said the amount of weapons they took was a "game changer".[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-69) On 11 February, Islamist rebels captured the town of [Al-Thawrah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Thawrah "Al-Thawrah") in [Raqqa Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa_Governorate "Raqqa Governorate") and the nearby [Tabqa Dam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabqa_Dam "Tabqa Dam"), Syria's largest dam and a key source of [hydroelectricity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroelectricity "Hydroelectricity").[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-70)[\[70\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-71) The next day, rebel forces took control of Jarrah air base, located 60 kilometres (37 mi) east of Aleppo.[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-72) On 14 February, fighters from al-Nusra Front took control of Shadadeh, a town in [Al-Hasakah Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah_Governorate "Al-Hasakah Governorate") near the Iraqi border.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-73)
On 20 February, a [car bomb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_bomb "Car bomb") exploded in Damascus near the Ba'ath Syrian Regional Branch headquarters, killing at least 53 people and injuring more than 235.[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-74) None of the groups claimed responsibility.[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-75) On 21 February, the FSA in Quasar began shelling Hezbollah positions in [Lebanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon "Lebanon"). Prior to this, Hezbollah had been shelling villages near Quasar from within Lebanon. A 48-hour ultimatum was issued by a FSA commander on 20 February, warning the militant group to stop the attacks.[\[75\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-76)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syria-_two_years_of_tragedy_\(8642756918\).jpg)
Aleppo, Karm al Jabal neighborhood, 4 March 2013
On 2 March, intense clashes between rebels and the Syrian Army erupted in the city of Raqqa, with many reportedly killed on both sides.[\[76\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-77) On the same day, Syrian troops regained several villages near Aleppo.[\[77\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-78) By 3 March, rebels had overrun Raqqa's central prison, allowing them to free hundreds of prisoners, according to the SOHR.[\[78\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-79) The SOHR also stated that rebel fighters were now in control of most of an [Aleppo police academy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_al-Asal_Police_Academy "Khan al-Asal Police Academy") in [Khan al-Asal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_al-Asal "Khan al-Asal"), and that over 200 rebels and Ba'athist government troops had been killed fighting for control of it.[\[79\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-80)
By 6 March, the rebels had captured the city of Raqqa, effectively making it the first provincial capital to be lost by the Assad government. Residents of Raqqa toppled a bronze statue of his late father Hafez al-Assad in the centre of the city. The rebels also seized two top Ba'athist government officials.[\[80\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-USAToday1-81) On 18 March, the Syrian Air Force attacked rebel positions in [Lebanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon "Lebanon") for the first time. The attack occurred at the Wadi al-Khayl Valley area, near the town of Arsal.[\[81\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-82) On 21 March, a suspected suicide bombing in the Iman Mosque in Mazraa district killed as many as 41 people, including the pro-Assad Sunni cleric, Sheikh [Mohammed al-Buti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_al-Buti "Mohammed al-Buti").[\[82\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-83) On 23 March, several rebel groups seized the 38th division air defense base in southern Daraa Governorate near a highway linking Damascus to Jordan.[\[83\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-84) On the next day, rebels captured a 25 km strip of land near the Jordanian border, which included the towns of [Muzrib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzayrib "Muzayrib"), Abdin, and the al-Rai military checkpoint.[\[84\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-85)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_Civil_War_map_\(March_15_2013\).svg)
Military situation in March 2013
On 25 March, rebels launched one of their heaviest bombardments of Central Damascus since the revolt began. Fighting between the army and YPG fighters in the Kurdish village of Gir Zîro (Tall Adas), near [al-Maabadah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Maabadah "Al-Maabadah") ([Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdish_language "Kurdish language"): *Girkê Legê*), where an army battalion of around 200 soldiers had been blockaded[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-firat_heavier-86) since 9 January.[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ypg_mabada1-87) YPG forces claimed to have expelled Ba'athist government after the clashes.[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-main_opposition-88) One soldier was reportedly killed and another eight injured, while seven were captured (later released[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ypg_mabada1-87)) and 27 defected.[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-firat_heavier-86) Fighting at the oil field near Gir Zîro ended on 21 January, when Ba'athist government forces withdrew after receiving no assistance from Damascus.[\[88\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-89) In Rumeilan, directly west of al-Maabadah, another 200 soldiers had been surrounded by YPG forces, and 10 soldiers were reported to have defected.[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-main_opposition-88)
From 8 to 11 February,[\[89\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-90) heavy clashes broke out between the YPG and Ba'athist government troops in the PYD/YPG-held district Ashrafiyah where, according to SOHR, at least 3 soldiers and 5 pro-Ba'athist government militiamen were killed. The fighting followed deadly shelling on 31 January on Ashrafiyah, in which 23[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-5killed27213-91) civilians were killed after FSA units moved into the Kurdish sector of Aleppo.[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-92) According to its own reports, the YPG lost 7 of its members in the fighting, while also claiming that 48 soldiers were killed and 22 captured,[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-5killed27213-91) and a further 70 injured.[\[92\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-93)
In early March, YPG forces established full control of oil fields and installations in north-east Syria after Ba'athist government forces posted there surrendered. Also, YPG assaulted Ba'athist government forces and took control of the towns of [Tall ʿAdas](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tall_%CA%BFAdas&action=edit&redlink=1 "Tall ʿAdas (page does not exist)"), which is adjacent to Rumeilan oil fields, and [Al-Qahtaniya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qahtaniyah,_Al-Hasakah_Governorate "Al-Qahtaniyah, Al-Hasakah Governorate") ([Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdish_language "Kurdish language"): *Tirbespî*).[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-94)
### Ba'athist government offensives (April–June 2013)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=8 "Edit section: Ba'athist government offensives (April–June 2013)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Situation_in_Syria_\(June_2013\).svg)
Military situation in Syria in June 2013
Main articles: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2013\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2013)") and [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–December 2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93December_2013\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–December 2013)")
Further information: [Al-Qusayr offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qusayr_offensive "Al-Qusayr offensive") and [Battle of al-Qusayr (2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Qusayr_\(2013\) "Battle of al-Qusayr (2013)")
On 17 April, Ba'athist government forces breached a six-month rebel blockade in Wadi al-Deif, near Idlib. Heavy fighting was reported around the town of Babuleen after Ba'athist government troops attempt to secure control of a main highway leading to Aleppo. The break in the siege also allowed Ba'athist government forces to resupply two major military bases in the region which had been relying on sporadic airdrops.[\[94\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-95) On 18 April, the FSA took control of Al-Dab'a Air Base near the city of al-Qusayr.[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-96) The base was being used primarily to garrison ground troops. Meanwhile, the Syrian Army re-captured the town of Abel. The SOHR said the loss of the town would hamper rebel movements between al-Qusayr and Homs city. The capture of the airport would have relieved the pressure on the rebels in the area, but their loss of [Abel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abil "Abil") made the situation more complicated.[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-seize-97) The same day, rebels reportedly assassinated Ali Ballan, who was a Ba'athist government employee, in the Mazzeh district of Damascus.[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-98) On 21 April, Ba'athist government forces [captured the town of Jdaidet al-Fadl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Jdaidet_al-Fadl "Battle of Jdaidet al-Fadl"), near Damascus.[\[98\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-99)
In April, Ba'athist government and [Hezbollah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah "Hezbollah") forces launched [an offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qusayr_offensive "Al-Qusayr offensive") to capture areas near al-Qusayr. On 21 April, pro-Assad forces captured the towns of Burhaniya, Saqraja and al-Radwaniya near the Lebanese border.[\[99\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-100)[\[100\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-101) By this point, eight villages had fallen to the Ba'athist government offensive in the area.[\[101\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-102) On 24 April, after five weeks of fighting, Ba'athist government troops re-took control of the town of Otaiba, east of Damascus, which had been serving as the main arms supply route from Jordan.[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-103) Meanwhile, in the north of the country, rebels took control of a position on the edge of the strategic Mennagh Military airbase, on the outskirts of Aleppo. This allowed them to enter the airbase after months of besieging it.[\[103\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-104)
On 2 May, Ba'athist government forces captured the town of [Qaysa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qisa "Al-Qisa") in a push north from the city's airport. Troops also retook the Wadi al-Sayeh central district of Homs, driving a wedge between two rebel strongholds.[\[104\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-105) SOHR reported [a massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayda_and_Baniyas_massacres "Bayda and Baniyas massacres") of over 100 people by the Syrian Army in the coastal town of Al Bayda, Baniyas. However, this could not be independently verified due to movement restrictions on the ground.[\[105\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-106) Yet the multiple video images that residents had recorded – particularly of small children, were so shocking that even some Ba'athist government supporters rejected Syrian television's official version of events, that the army had simply "crushed a number of terrorists."[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-nytimes-107)
On 15 June, the Syrian Army captured the Damascus suburb of Ahmadiyeh near the city's airport,[\[107\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-108)[\[108\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-109) and on 22 June, captured the rebel stronghold town of [Talkalakh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talkalakh "Talkalakh").[\[109\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-110)[\[110\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-111)
### Continued fighting (July–October 2013)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=9 "Edit section: Continued fighting (July–October 2013)")\]
Main article: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–December 2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93December_2013\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–December 2013)")
Further information: [Rojava–Islamist conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rojava%E2%80%93Islamist_conflict "Rojava–Islamist conflict") and [Ghouta chemical attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghouta_chemical_attack "Ghouta chemical attack")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Total_deaths_during_the_syrian_civil_war_\(October_2013\).png)
Total deaths during the syrian civil war (October 2013)
On 28 June, rebel forces captured a major military checkpoint in the city of Daraa.[\[111\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-112) On 12 July FSA reported that one of its commanders, Kamal Hamami, had been killed by Islamists a day before. The rebels declared that the assassination by the [Islamic State of Iraq and Levant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State_of_Iraq_and_Levant "Islamic State of Iraq and Levant"), was tantamount to a declaration of war.[\[112\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-113) On 17 July, FSA forces took control of most of the southern city of [Nawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawa,_Syria "Nawa, Syria") after seizing up to 40 army posts stationed in the city.[\[113\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-114) On 18 July, Kurdish YPG forces secured control of the northern town of [Ras al-Ain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ras_al-Ayn,_al-Hasakah "Ras al-Ayn, al-Hasakah"), after days of fighting with the al-Nusra Front.[\[114\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-115) In the following three months, continued fighting between Kurdish and mainly jihadist rebel forces led to the capture of two dozen towns and villages in [Hasakah Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah_Governorate "Al-Hasakah Governorate") by Kurdish fighters,[\[115\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-fr-kurdes-chassent-des-jihadistes-116) while the Jihadists made limited gains in Aleppo and Raqqa governorates after they turned on the Kurdish rebel group [Jabhat al-Akrad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabhat_al-Akrad "Jabhat al-Akrad") over its relationship with the YPG. In Aleppo Governorate, Islamists massacred the Kurds leading to a mass migration of civilians to the town of Afrin.[\[116\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-117)
On 22 July, FSA fighters seized control of the western Aleppo suburb of [Khan al-Asal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_al-Asal "Khan al-Asal"). The town was the last Ba'athist government stronghold in the western portion of Aleppo Governorate.[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-118) On 27 July, after weeks of fighting and bombardment in Homs, the Syrian Army captured the historic [Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalid_ibn_al-Walid_Mosque "Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque"),[\[118\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-119) and two days later, captured the district of Khaldiyeh.[\[119\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-120)
On 4 August, around 10 rebel brigades, launched [a large-scale offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Latakia_offensive "2013 Latakia offensive") on the Ba'athist government stronghold of [Latakia Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latakia_Governorate "Latakia Governorate"). Initial attacks by 2,000 opposition members seized as many as 12 villages in the mountainous area. Between 4 and 5 August 20 rebels and 32 Ba'athist government soldiers and militiamen had been killed in the clashes. Hundreds of Alawite villagers fled to Latakia. By 5 August, rebel fighters advanced to 20 kilometers from Qardaha, the home town of the Assad family.[\[120\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-RegimeRegainsGround-121)[\[121\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-122) However, in mid-August, the military counter-attacked and recaptured all of the territory previously lost to the rebels in the coastal region during the offensive.[\[122\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-serious-123)[\[123\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-pushback-124) A Syrian security force source "told AFP the army still had to recapture the Salma region, a strategic area along the border with Turkey."[\[124\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-125) According to a [Human Rights Watch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Rights_Watch "Human Rights Watch") report 190 civilians were killed by rebel forces during the offensive, at least 67 being executed while fleeing, including 48 women and 11 children. Another 200 civilians, primarily women and children, were taken hostage.[\[125\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-hrw-126)[\[126\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-nytimes2-127)
On 6 August, rebels captured [Menagh Military Airbase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menagh_Military_Airbase "Menagh Military Airbase") after a 10-month siege. The strategic airbase is located on the road between Aleppo city and the Turkish border.[\[127\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-128)[\[128\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-129) On 21 August, [a chemical attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Ghouta_attacks "2013 Ghouta attacks") took place in the Ghouta region of the Damascus countryside, leading to thousands of casualties and several hundred dead in the opposition-held stronghold. The attack was followed by a military offensive by Ba'athist government forces into the area, which had been hotbeds of the opposition.[\[129\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-SyriaOffensive-130) On 24 August, rebels captured the town of [Ariha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariha,_Syria "Ariha, Syria"). However, Ba'athist government forces recaptured Ariha on 3 September.[\[130\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-131)[\[131\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-132) On 26 August, rebel forces took over the town of [Khanasir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khanasir "Khanasir") in Aleppo Governorate which was the Ba'athist government's last supply route for the city of Aleppo.[\[132\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-133) On 8 September, rebels led by the al-Nusra Front [captured the Christian town of Maaloula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maaloula "Battle of Maaloula"), 43 km north of Damascus,[\[133\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-134) The Syrian Army launched a counterattack a few days later, recapturing the town.[\[134\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-135)
On 18 September, the [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State_of_Iraq_and_the_Levant "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant") (ISIS) overran the FSA-held town of Azaz in the north. The fighting was the most severe since tensions rose between militant factions in Syria earlier in the year.[\[135\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-136) Soon after ISIS captured Azaz, a ceasefire was announced between the rival rebel groups. However, in early October, more fighting erupted in the town.[\[136\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-137) On 20 September, Alawite militias including the NDF killed 15 civilians in the Sunni village of [Shaykh al-Hadid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaykh_al-Hadid "Shaykh al-Hadid") in Hama Governorate. The massacre occurred in retaliation for a rebel capture of the village of Jalma, in Hama, which killed five soldiers, along with the seizure of a military checkpoint which killed 16 soldiers and 10 NDF militiamen.[\[137\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-138)[\[138\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-139) In mid-September, the military captured the towns of Deir Salman and Shebaa on the outskirts of Damascus. The Army also captured six villages in eastern Homs.[\[139\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-140) Fighting broke out in those towns again in October.[\[140\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-141)
On 28 September, rebels seized the Ramtha border post in [Daraa Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_Governorate "Daraa Governorate") on the Syria Jordan crossing after fighting which left 26 soldiers dead along with 7 foreign rebel fighters.[\[141\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-142) On 3 October, AFP reported that Syria's army re-took the town of [Khanasir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khanasir "Khanasir"), which is located on a supply route linking central Syria to the city of Aleppo.[\[142\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-143) On 7 October, the Syrian Army managed to reopen the supply route between Aleppo and Khanasir.[\[143\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-144)
On 9 October, rebels seized the Hajanar guard post on the Jordanian border after a month of fierce fighting. Rebels were now in control of a swath of territory along the border from outside of Daraa to the edge of Golan Heights.[\[144\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-145) The same day, Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite fighters, backed up by artillery, air-strikes and tanks, captured the town of Sheikh Omar, on the southern outskirts of Damascus. Two days later, they also captured the towns of al-Thiabiya and Husseiniya on the southern approaches to Damascus. The capture of the three towns strengthened the Ba'athist government hold on major supply lines and put more pressure on rebels under siege in the Eastern Ghouta area.[\[145\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-146)[\[146\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-147) On 14 October, SOHR reported that rebels captured the Resefa and Sinaa districts of [Deir ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor "Deir ez-Zor") city, as well as Deir ez-Zor's military hospital.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\]
### Ba'athist Government offensives (October–December 2013)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=10 "Edit section: Ba'athist Government offensives (October–December 2013)")\]
Further information: [Aleppo offensive (October–December 2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93December_2013\) "Aleppo offensive (October–December 2013)") and [Battle of Qalamoun (2013–2014)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Qalamoun_\(2013%E2%80%932014\) "Battle of Qalamoun (2013–2014)")
The Syrian Army along with its allies, Hezbollah and the [al-Abas brigade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liwa_Abu_al-Fadhal_al-Abbas "Liwa Abu al-Fadhal al-Abbas"), launched an offensive on Damascus and Aleppo.[\[147\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-148)[\[148\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-149) On 16 October, [AFP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agence_France-Presse "Agence France-Presse") reported that Syrian troops recaptured the town of Bweida, south of Damascus. On 17 October, the Syrian Ba'athist government's head of Military Intelligence in [Deir ez-Zor Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate "Deir ez-Zor Governorate"), Jameh Jameh, was assassinated by rebels in Deir ez-Zor city. SOHR reported that he had been shot by a rebel sniper during a battle with rebel brigades.[\[149\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-150) On 24 October, the Syrian Army retook control of the town of Hatetat al-Turkman, located southeast of Damascus, along the Damascus International Airport road.[\[150\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-151)
On 26 October, Kurdish rebel fighters seized control of the strategic Yarubiya border crossing between Syria and Iraq from al-Nusra in Al Hasakah Governorate.[\[151\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-152) Elsewhere, in Daraa Governorate, rebel fighters captured the town of [Tafas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tafas "Tafas") from Ba'athist government forces after weeks of clashes which left scores dead.[\[152\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-153) On 1 November, the Syrian Army retook control of the key city of [Al-Safira](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Safira "Al-Safira")[\[153\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-154) and the next day, the Syrian Army and its allies recaptured the village of Aziziyeh on the northern outskirts of Al-Safira.[\[154\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-155) From early to mid-November, Syrian Army forces captured several towns south of Damascus, including Hejeira and Sbeineh. Ba'athist Government forces also recaptured the town of Tel Aran, southeast of Aleppo, and a military base near Aleppo's international airport.[\[155\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-156)
On 10 November, the Syrian Army had taken full control of "Base 80", near Aleppo's airport.[\[156\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-157) According to the SOHR, 63 rebels,[\[157\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-retakes-158) and 32 soldiers were killed during the battle.[\[157\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-retakes-158) One other report put the number of rebels killed between 60 and 80.[\[158\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-159) Army units were backed-up by Hezbollah fighters and pro-Ba'athist government militias during the assault.[\[157\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-retakes-158) The following day, Ba'athist government forces secured most of the area around the airport.[\[159\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-160)[\[160\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-reopen-161) On 13 November, Ba'athist government forces captured most of Hejeira.[\[161\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-162) Rebels retreated from Hejeira to [Al-Hajar al-Aswad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hajar_al-Aswad "Al-Hajar al-Aswad"). However, their defenses in besieged districts closer to the heart of Damascus were still reportedly solid.[\[162\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-163) On 15 November, the Syrian Army retook control of the city of Tell Hassel near Aleppo.[\[163\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-164) On 18 November, the Syrian troops stormed the town of Babbila.[\[164\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-165) On 19 November, Ba'athist government forces took full control of Qara.[\[165\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-mmedia-166) The same day, the Syrian Army captured al-Duwayrinah.[\[166\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-167) On 23 November, al-Nusra Front and other Islamist rebels captured the [al-Omar oil field](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Al-Omar_Field&action=edit&redlink=1 "Al-Omar Field (page does not exist)"), Syria's largest oil field, in Deir al-Zor Governorate causing the Ba'athist government to rely almost entirely on imported oil.[\[167\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-168)[\[168\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-169) On 24 November, rebels captured the towns of Bahariya, Qasimiya, Abbadah, and Deir Salman in Damascus's countryside.[\[169\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-170) On 28 November, the Syrian Army recaptured Deir Attiyeh.[\[170\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-171)
On 2 December, rebels led by the Free Syrian Army recaptured the historic Christian town of [Ma'loula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27loula "Ma'loula"). After the fighting, reports emerged that 12 nuns had been abducted by the rebels. However, the FSA disputes this and said that the nuns had been evacuated to the nearby rebel held town of [Yabrud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria "Syria") due to the Army shelling.[\[171\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-172)[\[172\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-173) In early December, the Islamic Front seized control of Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, which had been in hands of FSA.[\[173\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-174) The groups also captured warehouses containing equipment delivered by the U.S. In response, the U.S. and Britain said they halted all non-lethal aid to the FSA, fearing that further supplies could fall in hands of [al-Qaeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda "Al-Qaeda") militants.[\[174\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-175) On 9 December, the Army took full control of Nabek,[\[175\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-alabama-176) with fighting continuing in its outskirts.[\[80\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-USAToday1-81)
## Rise of the Islamic State (January–September 2014)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=11 "Edit section: Rise of the Islamic State (January–September 2014)")\]
### Fighting between ISIL and other rebel groups (January–March 2014)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=12 "Edit section: Fighting between ISIL and other rebel groups (January–March 2014)")\]
Main article: [Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-rebel_conflict_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian civil war")
Tension between moderate rebel forces and ISIL had been high since ISIL captured the border town of [Azaz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azaz "Azaz") from FSA forces on 18 September 2013.[\[176\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-177) Conflict was renewed over [Azaz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azaz "Azaz") in early October[\[177\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-178) and in late November ISIL captured the border town of [Atme](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atme "Atme") from an FSA brigade.[\[178\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-179) On 3 January 2014, the Army of the Mujahideen, the Free Syrian Army and the Islamic Front launched an offensive against ISIL in Aleppo and Idlib governorates. A spokesman for the rebels said that rebels attacked ISIL in up to 80% of all ISIL-held villages in Idlib and 65% of those in Aleppo.[\[179\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-180)
By 6 January, opposition rebels managed to expel ISIL forces from the city of Raqqa, ISIL's largest stronghold and capital of the Raqqa Governorate.[\[180\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-181) On 8 January, opposition rebels expelled most ISIL forces from the city of Aleppo, however ISIL reinforcements from the [Deir ez-Zor Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate "Deir ez-Zor Governorate") managed to retake several neighborhoods of the city of Raqqa.[\[181\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-182)[\[182\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-183) By mid January ISIL had retaken the entire city of Raqqa, while rebels expelled ISIL fighters fully from Aleppo city and the villages west of it.
On 29 January, Turkish aircraft near the border fired on an ISIL convoy inside the Aleppo province of Syria, killing 11 ISIL fighters and an ISIL emir.[\[183\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-184)[\[184\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-185) In late January it was confirmed that rebels had assassinated ISIL's second in command, [Haji Bakr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haji_Bakr "Haji Bakr"), who was al-Qaeda's military council head and a former military officer in Saddam Hussein's army.[\[185\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-186) By mid-February, the al-Nusra Front joined the battle in support of rebel forces, and expelled ISIL from the Deir Ezzor Governorate.[\[186\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-187) By March, the ISIL forces fully retreated from the Idlib Governorate.[\[187\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-188)[\[188\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-189) On 4 March, ISIL retreated from the border town of Azaz and other nearby villages, choosing instead to consolidate around Raqqa in an anticipation of an escalation of fighting with al-Nusra.[\[189\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-190)
### Ba'athist Government offensives (March–May 2014)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=13 "Edit section: Ba'athist Government offensives (March–May 2014)")\]
On 4 March, the [Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Army "Syrian Army") took control of Sahel in the Qalamoun region.[\[190\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-191) On 8 March, Ba'athist government forces took over Zara, in Homs Governorate, further blocking rebel supply routes from Lebanon.[\[191\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-192) On 11 March, Ba'athist Government forces and [Hezbollah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah "Hezbollah") took control of the Rima Farms region, directly facing Yabrud.[\[192\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-193) On 16 March, Hezbollah and Ba'athist government forces captured [Yabrud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria "Syria"), after Free Syrian Army fighters made an unexpected withdrawal, leaving the al-Nusra Front to fight in the city on its own.[\[193\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-194) On 18 March, Israel used artillery against a Syrian Army base, after four of its soldiers had been wounded by a roadside bomb while patrolling Golan Heights.[\[194\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-195) On 19 March, the Syrian Army captured Ras al-Ain near [Yabrud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria "Syria"), after two days of fighting and al-Husn in Homs Governorate, while rebels in the Daraa Governorate captured Daraa prison, and freed hundreds of detainees.[\[195\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-196)[\[196\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-197)[\[197\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-lorientlejour.com-198) On 20 March, the [Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Army "Syrian Army") took control of the [Krak des Chevaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krak_des_Chevaliers "Krak des Chevaliers") in al-Husn.[\[197\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-lorientlejour.com-198) On 29 March, Syrian Army took control of the villages of [Flitah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flitah "Flitah") and Ras Maara near the border with Lebanon.[\[198\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-199) On 22 March, rebels took control of the Kesab border post in the Latakia Governorate.[\[199\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-200) By 23 March, rebels had taken most of Khan Sheikhoun in Hama.[\[200\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-201) During clashes near the rebel-controlled Kesab border post in Latakia, Hilal al-Assad, NDF leader in Latakia and one of [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad")'s cousins was killed by rebel fighters.[\[201\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-202)[\[202\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-203)
On 4 April, rebels captured the town of Babulin, Idlib.[\[203\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-204) On 9 April, the Syrian Army took control of [Rankous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rankous "Rankous") in the Qalamoun region.[\[204\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-205) On 12 April, rebels in Aleppo stormed the Ba'athist government-held Ramouseh industrial district in an attempt to cut the Army supply route between the airport and a large Army base. The rebels also took the Rashidin neighbourhood and parts of the Jamiat al-Zahra district.[\[205\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-206) On 26 April, the Syrian Army took control of [Al-Zabadani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Zabadani "Al-Zabadani").[\[206\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-207) According to SOHR, rebels took control of Tell Ahrmar, Quneitra.[\[207\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-208) Rebels in Daraa also took over Brigade 61 Base and the 74th battalion.[\[208\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-209) On 26 April, the FSA announced they had begun an offensive against ISIL in the Raqqa Governorate, and had seized five towns west of Raqqa city.[\[209\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-210) On 29 April, activists said that the Syrian Army captured Tal Buraq near the town of Mashara in Quneitra without any clashes.[\[210\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-211)
On 7 May, a truce went into effect in the city of Homs, SOHR reported. The terms of the agreement include safe evacuation of Islamist fighters from the city, which would then fall under Ba'athist government control, in exchange for release of prisoners and safe passage of humanitarian aid for Nubul and Zahraa, two Shiite enclaves besieged by the rebels.[\[211\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-212) On 18 May, the head of Syria's Air Defense, General [Hussein Ishaq](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hussein_Ishaq&action=edit&redlink=1 "Hussein Ishaq (page does not exist)"), died of wounds sustained during a rebel attack on an air defense base near Mleiha the previous day. In Hama Governorate, rebel forces took control of the town of Tel Malah, killing 34 pro-Assad fighters at an army post near the town. Its seizure marked the third time rebels have taken control of the town.[\[212\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-213)[\[213\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-214)
### Presidential election (3 June 2014)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=14 "Edit section: Presidential election (3 June 2014)")\]
Further information: [2014 Syrian presidential election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Syrian_presidential_election "2014 Syrian presidential election")
Syria held a presidential election in Ba'athist government-held areas on 3 June 2014. For the first time in the history of Syria more than one person was allowed to stand as a presidential candidate.[\[214\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BBC030614-215) More than 9,000 polling stations were set up in Ba'athist government-held areas.[\[215\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-216)[\[216\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-217) According to the [Supreme Constitutional Court of Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Constitutional_Court_of_Syria "Supreme Constitutional Court of Syria"), 11.63 million Syrians voted (the turnout was 73.42%).[\[217\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-218) President [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad") won the election with 88.7% of the votes. As for Assad's challengers, [Hassan al-Nouri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hassan_al-Nouri "Hassan al-Nouri") received 4.3% of the votes and [Maher Hajjar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maher_Hajjar "Maher Hajjar") received 3.2%.[\[218\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BBC040614-219) Allies of Assad from more than 30 countries were invited by the Syrian Ba'athist government to follow the presidential election,[\[219\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-220) including Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, India, Iran, Iraq, Nicaragua, Russia, South Africa and Venezuela.[\[220\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-221)[\[221\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-222) The Iranian official [Alaeddin Boroujerdi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaeddin_Boroujerdi "Alaeddin Boroujerdi") read a statement by the group saying the election was "free, fair and transparent".[\[222\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-223) The [Gulf Cooperation Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooperation_Council_for_the_Arab_States_of_the_Gulf "Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf"), the [European Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union "European Union") and the United States all dismissed the election as illegitimate and a farce.[\[223\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-224)[\[224\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-225)[\[225\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-226)[\[226\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-227) State employees were told to vote or face interrogation.[\[227\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-228) On the ground there were no independent monitors stationed at the polling stations.[\[228\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-229)[\[229\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-230)[\[230\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-231)
It is claimed in an opinion piece that as few as 6 million eligible voters remained in Syria.[\[231\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Haaretz-232)[\[232\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-independentuksyriaelection-233) Due to rebel, Kurdish and ISIL control of Syrian territories there was no voting in roughly 60% of the country.[\[233\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-234)[\[234\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-235)
### ISIL–Ba'athist government conflict intensifies (June–September 2014)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=15 "Edit section: ISIL–Ba'athist government conflict intensifies (June–September 2014)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_war_map_18_6_14.png)
Military situation in Syria in June 2014
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Territorial_control_of_the_ISIS_-_12-31-2014.svg)
In red: the area controlled by the [Islamic State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State "Islamic State") (IS/ISIS/ISIL) *proto-state* in December 2014
Starting on 5 June, [ISIL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State "Islamic State") seized swathes of territory in [Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq "Iraq") in addition to heavy weapons and equipment from the [Iraqi Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi_Army "Iraqi Army"), some of which they brought into Syria. Ba'athist Government airstrikes targeted ISIL bases in [Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa "Raqqa") and [Al-Hasakah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah "Al-Hasakah") in coordination with an Iraqi Army counteroffensive.[\[235\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-236) On 14 June, Ba'athist government forces retook the town of [Kessab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessab "Kessab") in northern [Latakia Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latakia_Governorate "Latakia Governorate"), while rebels took over Tall al-Gomo near the town of [Nawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawa,_Syria "Nawa, Syria") in the [Daraa Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_Governorate "Daraa Governorate"), as well as reentering the [Qalamoun area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An-Nabek_District "An-Nabek District").[\[236\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-237)[\[237\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-238) On 29 June, ISIL announced the establishment of a new [caliphate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphate "Caliphate"). [Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi "Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi") was appointed its [caliph](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliph "Caliph"), and the group formally changed its name to the "Islamic State".[\[238\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-newname1-239)
According to the [Syrian Observatory for Human Rights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Observatory_for_Human_Rights "Syrian Observatory for Human Rights"), on 17 July ISIL took control of the Shaar oil field, killing 90 pro-Ba'athist government forces while losing 21 fighters. In addition, 270 guards and Ba'athist government-aligned fighters were missing. About 30 Ba'athist government persons managed to escape to the nearby Hajjar field.[\[239\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-240) On 20 July, the Syrian Army secured the field, although fighting continued in its outskirts.[\[240\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-241) On 25 July, the Islamic State took control of the Division 17 base near Raqqa.[\[241\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-242)
On 7 August, ISIL took the Brigade 93 base in Raqqa using weapons captured from their offensive in Iraq. Multiple [suicide bombs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_attack "Suicide attack") also went off before the base was stormed.[\[242\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-243) On 13 August, ISIL forces took the towns of [Akhtarin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhtarin "Akhtarin") and Turkmanbareh from rebels in [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_Governorate "Aleppo Governorate"). ISIL forces also took a handful of nearby villages. The other towns seized include Masoudiyeh, [Dabiq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dabiq,_Syria "Dabiq, Syria") and Ghouz.[\[243\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-244)
On 14 August, the [Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Army "Syrian Army") as well as [Hezbollah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah "Hezbollah") militias retook the town of Mleiha in [Rif Dimashq Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_Governorate "Rif Dimashq Governorate"). The Supreme Military Council of the FSA denied claims of Mleiha's seizure, rather the rebels have redeployed from recent advances to other defensive lines.[\[244\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-245) Mleiha has been held by the [Islamic Front](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Front_\(Syria\) "Islamic Front (Syria)"). Rebels had used the town to fire mortars on Ba'athist government held areas inside Damascus.[\[245\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-246)[\[246\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-alarabiya-247)
Meanwhile, ISIL forces in Raqqa were launching a siege on [Tabqa airbase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_for_Tabqa_Air_base "Battle for Tabqa Air base"), the Syrian Ba'athist government's last military base in Raqqa. Kuwaires airbase in Aleppo also came under fierce attack by ISIL.[\[247\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-248) On 16 August, there were reports that 22 people were killed in the village of Daraa by a [car bomb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_bomb "Car bomb") outside a mosque. The bomb was thought to be detonated by ISIL. Also on 16 August, the Islamic State seized the village of Beden in Aleppo Governorate from rebels.[\[248\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-249)[\[249\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-250)
On 17 August, SOHR said that in the past two weeks ISIL jihadists had killed over 700 tribal members in oil-rich [Deir ez-Zor Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate "Deir ez-Zor Governorate").[\[250\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-251)
On 19 August, a senior figure in ISIL who had helped prepare and plan car and suicide bombs across Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq was killed. Some reports said that he was killed by Hezbollah fighters. There were also several reports that he was killed by the Syrian Army in the Qalamoun region, near the border with [Lebanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon "Lebanon").[\[251\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-252)[\[252\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-253)[\[253\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-254)
On 19 August, American journalist [James Foley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Foley_\(journalist\) "James Foley (journalist)") was executed by ISIL, who claimed it was in retaliation for the United States operations in Iraq. Boston-based website [GlobalPost](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GlobalPost "GlobalPost"), for which Foley previously worked, reported they were certain that he was held by pro-government forces before.[\[254\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-255) ISIL also threatened to execute [Steven Sotloff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Sotloff "Steven Sotloff"), who was kidnapped at the Syria–Turkey border in August 2013.[\[255\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-256) There were reports ISIL captured a Japanese national, two Italian nationals, and a Danish national as well.[\[256\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-257) At least 70 journalists have been killed covering the Syrian war, and more than 80 kidnapped, according to the [Committee to Protect Journalists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_to_Protect_Journalists "Committee to Protect Journalists").[\[257\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-258)
On 22 August, the [al-Nusra Front](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Nusra_Front "Al-Nusra Front") released a video of captured Lebanese soldiers and demanded that Hezbollah withdraw from Syria under threat of their execution.[\[258\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-259)
On 23 August, in Raqqa, the Syrian Army took control of the town of Al-Ejeil.[\[259\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-aljazeera.com-260) ISIL reportedly sent reinforcements from Iraq to the governorate of Raqqa. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 400 ISIL fighters had also been wounded in the previous five days in clashes with the Syrian Army and [National Defence Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Defence_Force_\(Syria\) "National Defence Force (Syria)") in Raqqa alone.[\[259\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-aljazeera.com-260)[\[260\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-261) At the same time, several senior UK and US figures urged Turkey to stop allowing ISIL to cross the border to Syria and Iraq.[\[261\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-262) It was around this time that the Americans realized that the Turks had no intention of sealing their side of the border, and so Washington decided to work with the Syrian Kurds to close off the border on the Syrian side.[\[262\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-263) A year later, with the Kurds in control of most of the Turkey–Syria border, and the Syrian army advancing under Russian air support to seal the remainder, the situation was causing great ructions in Ankara.[\[263\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-264)
On the following day, the Islamic State seized Tabqa airbase from Ba'athist government forces.[\[264\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-265) The battle for the base left 346 ISIL fighters and 195 soldiers dead.[\[265\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-266) Prisoners taken by ISIL forces were executed and a video from the mass killing was posted on YouTube. The death toll varied from 120 to 250.[\[266\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-267)
On 26 August, the Syrian Air Force carried out airstrikes against ISIL targets in the Governorate of Deir ez-Zor (for its oil and natural gas resources as well as strategically splitting ISIL territories). This was the first time the Syrian Army had attacked them in Deir ez-Zor, as the Syrian Army pulled out of Raqqa and shifted to Deir ez-Zor in a bid to seize its oil and natural gas resources as well as strategically splitting ISIL territories.[\[267\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-268)
## U.S. intervention and rebel offensives (September 2014–September 2015)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=16 "Edit section: U.S. intervention and rebel offensives (September 2014–September 2015)")\]
Main article: [American intervention in the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "American intervention in the Syrian civil war")
See also: [List of terrorist incidents linked to the Islamic State § 2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terrorist_incidents_linked_to_the_Islamic_State#2014 "List of terrorist incidents linked to the Islamic State"), [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (August–December 2014)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(August%E2%80%93December_2014\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (August–December 2014)"), and [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–July 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93July_2015\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–July 2015)")
### U.S. intervenes
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=17 "Edit section: U.S. intervenes")\]
American jets began bombing ISIL in Syria on 23 September 2014, raising U.S. involvement in the war-torn country. At least 20 targets in and around Raqqa were hit, the opposition group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Foreign partners participating in the strikes with the United States were Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan. The U.S. and "partner nation forces" began striking ISIL targets using fighters, bombers and Tomahawk missiles, Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said.[\[268\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-269)
U.S. aircraft include [B-1 bombers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-1_bomber "B-1 bomber"), [F-16s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-16 "F-16"), [F-18s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-18 "F-18") and [Predator drones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predator_drones "Predator drones"), with F-18s flying missions off the [USS *George H.W. Bush* (CVN-77)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_George_H._W._Bush "USS George H. W. Bush") in the Persian Gulf. [Tomahawk missiles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomahawk_\(missile_family\) "Tomahawk (missile family)") were fired from the destroyer [USS *Arleigh Burke* (DDG-51)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Arleigh_Burke "USS Arleigh Burke") in the [Red Sea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Sea "Red Sea"). Syria's Foreign Ministry told the Associated Press that the U.S. informed Syria's envoy to the U.N. that "strikes will be launched against the terrorist group in Raqqa".[\[269\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-270) The United States informed the Free Syrian Army beforehand of the impending airstrikes, and the rebels said that weapons transfers to the Free Syrian Army had begun.[\[270\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-271)
The United States also attacked a specific faction of al-Nusra called the [Khorasan Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khorasan_\(Islamist_group\) "Khorasan (Islamist group)"), who according to the United States had training camps and plans for attacking the United States in the future.[\[271\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-272)
For its part, Turkey launched an official request to the U.N. for a no-fly zone over Syria.[\[272\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-273) The same day, Israel shot down a Syrian warplane after it entered the Golan area from Quneitra.[\[273\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-274)
By 3 October, ISIL forces were [heavily shelling the city of Kobanî](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Koban%C3%AA "Siege of Kobanê") and were within a kilometre of the town.[\[274\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-275)
Within 36 hours from 21 October, the Syrian air force carried out over 200 airstrikes on rebel-held areas across Syria and US and Arab jets attacked IS positions around Kobanî. Syrian Information Minister [Omran al-Zoubi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omran_al-Zoubi "Omran al-Zoubi") said the YPG forces in Kobanî had been provided with military and logistical support.[\[275\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-276) Syria reported that its air force had destroyed two fighter jets being operated by IS.[\[276\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-reuters-20141022-277)
By 26 January, the Kurdish YPG forced ISIL forces in Kobanî to retreat,[\[277\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-278) thus fully recapturing the city.[\[278\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-279) The U.S. confirmed that the city had been cleared of ISIL forces on 27 January,[\[279\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-280) and ISIL admitted defeat in Kobanî city three days later, although they vowed to return.[\[280\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-281)
### Southern Front (October 2014–February 2015)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=18 "Edit section: Southern Front (October 2014–February 2015)")\]
In February 2014, the [Southern Front of the Free Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Front_\(Syrian_rebel_group\) "Southern Front (Syrian rebel group)") formed in southern Syria. Six months later, they started a string of victories in Daraa and Quneitra during the [2014 Quneitra offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Quneitra_offensive "2014 Quneitra offensive"), the [Daraa offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(October_2014\) "Daraa offensive (October 2014)"), the [Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Al-Shaykh_Maskin "Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin"), the [Battle of Bosra (2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bosra_\(2015\) "Battle of Bosra (2015)") and the [Battle of Nasib Border Crossing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Nasib_Border_Crossing "Battle of Nasib Border Crossing"). A Ba'athist government counter-offensive (the [2015 Southern Syria offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Southern_Syria_offensive "2015 Southern Syria offensive")) during this period, that included the [IRGC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Revolutionary_Guard_Corps "Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps") and [Hezbollah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah "Hezbollah"), recaptured 15 towns, villages and hills,[\[281\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-282)[\[282\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-283)[\[283\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-284) but the operation slowed soon after[\[284\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Reuters_2April2015-285) and stalled.[\[285\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-march-286) From early 2015, opposition military operations rooms based in Jordan and Turkey began increasing cooperation,[\[286\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-FT_13_Feb_2015-287) with Saudi Arabia and Qatar also reportedly agreeing upon the necessity to unite opposition factions against the Syrian Ba'athist government.[\[287\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-288)
### Northern Al-Nusra Front and Islamist takeover (October 2014–March 2015)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=19 "Edit section: Northern Al-Nusra Front and Islamist takeover (October 2014–March 2015)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Coalition_Airstrike_on_ISIL_position_in_Kobane.jpg)
U.S.-led coalition airstrike targeting Islamic State positions during the [Siege of Kobanî](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Koban%C3%AE "Siege of Kobanî").
In late October 2014, a conflict erupted between the al-Nusra Front on one side and the western-backed [SRF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_Revolutionaries_Front "Syria Revolutionaries Front") and [Hazzm Movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazzm_Movement "Hazzm Movement") on the other ([Al-Nusra Front–SRF/Hazzm Movement conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Nusra_Front%E2%80%93SRF/Hazzm_Movement_conflict "Al-Nusra Front–SRF/Hazzm Movement conflict")). ISIL reportedly reinforced al-Nusra. By the end of February 2015 al-Nusra had defeated both groups, captured the entire [Zawiya Mountain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zawiya_Mountain "Zawiya Mountain") region in Idlib province and several towns and military bases in other governorates, and seized weapons supplied by the [CIA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Intelligence_Agency "Central Intelligence Agency") to the two moderate groups.[\[288\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-289)[\[289\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-290) The significant amount of weapons seized included a small number of [BGM-71](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BGM-71 "BGM-71") anti-tank missiles similar to weapons systems al-Nusra Front had previously captured from Ba'athist government stockpiles such as French [MILANs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MILAN "MILAN"), Chinese [HJ-8s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HJ-8 "HJ-8") and Russian [9K111 Fagots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9K111_Fagot "9K111 Fagot").[\[290\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-291) Reuters reported that this represented al-Nusra crushing pro-Western rebels in the north of the country.[\[291\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-292) According to FSA commanders in northern Syria, however, the elimination of Harakat Hazm and the SRF was a welcome development due to the leaders of those factions allegedly involved in corruption.[\[292\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Lister-293) The Western-backed [30th Division](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Syrian_Forces "New Syrian Forces") of the FSA remained active elsewhere in Idlib.[\[293\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-294)
By 24 March 2015 the al-Nusra Front dominated most of Idlib province, except for the Ba'athist government-held provincial capital, [Idlib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib "Idlib"), which they had encircled on three sides along with its Islamist allies.[\[294\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-295) On 28 March a joint coalition of Islamist forces, the [Army of Conquest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_of_Conquest "Army of Conquest"), captured Idlib.[\[295\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-296)[\[296\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-297)[\[297\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-298) This left the north largely taken over by [Ahrar ash-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahrar_ash-Sham "Ahrar ash-Sham"), al-Nusra Front and other Islamist rebels, with the south of the country becoming the last significant foothold for the mainstream, non-jihadist opposition fighters.[\[298\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-299)
### Army of Conquest advances in Idlib (April–June 2015)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=20 "Edit section: Army of Conquest advances in Idlib (April–June 2015)")\]
Main articles: [Northwestern Syria offensive (April–June 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93June_2015\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (April–June 2015)") and [Battle of Idlib (2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Idlib_\(2015\) "Battle of Idlib (2015)")
On 22 April, [a new rebel offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93June_2015\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (April–June 2015)") was launched in the north-west of Syria and by 25 April, the rebel coalition [Army of Conquest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_of_Conquest "Army of Conquest") had captured the city of [Jisr al-Shughur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jisr_al-Shughur "Jisr al-Shughur").[\[299\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-300) At the end of the following month, the rebels also seized the [Al-Mastumah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mastumah "Al-Mastumah") military base,[\[300\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-301) and [Ariha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariha,_Syria "Ariha, Syria"), leaving Ba'athist government forces in control of tiny pockets of Idlib, including the Abu Dhuhur military airport.[\[301\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-302) In addition, according to the [Brookings Doha Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brookings_Doha_Center "Brookings Doha Center"), the Army of Conquest coalition was a broad opposition effort to ensure that the Al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front was contained, with the rearguard involvement of Western-backed factions being regarded as crucial.[\[292\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Lister-293) Still, according to some, the FSA in northern Syria had by this point all but dissipated. Many of the moderate fighters joined more extremist organizations, such as [Ahrar ash-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahrar_ash-Sham "Ahrar ash-Sham"), the largest faction in the Army of Conquest, which led to the subsequent rise of the Islamist Army of Conquest coalition.[\[302\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-303)
Rebel advances led to Ba'athist government and Hezbollah morale plunging dramatically.[\[303\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-304) In north-west Syria these losses were countered by a Hezbollah-led offensive in the Qalamoun mountains north of Damascus, on the border with Lebanon, that gave Hezbollah effective control of the entire area.[\[304\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-North_mountains_gains-305)
### Resurgent ISIL advance (May–September 2015)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=21 "Edit section: Resurgent ISIL advance (May–September 2015)")\]
Main articles: [Palmyra offensive (May 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(May_2015\) "Palmyra offensive (May 2015)"), [Palmyra offensive (July–August 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(July%E2%80%93August_2015\) "Palmyra offensive (July–August 2015)"), and [Battle of al-Hasakah (2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Hasakah_\(2015\) "Battle of al-Hasakah (2015)")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Situation_in_Syria_\(August_2015\).svg)
Military situation in Syria in August 2015
On 21 May, ISIL took control of [Palmyra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra "Palmyra"), a [UNESCO World Heritage Site](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO_World_Heritage_Site "UNESCO World Heritage Site"), after eight days of fighting.[\[305\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-306) The jihadists also captured the nearby towns of [Al-Sukhnah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Sukhnah,_Syria "Al-Sukhnah, Syria") and [Amiriya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiriya "Amiriya"), as well as several oil fields.[\[306\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-307) Following the capture of Palmyra, ISIL conducted mass executions in the area, killing an estimated 217–329 Ba'athist government civilian supporters and soldiers, according to opposition activists.[\[307\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-308)[\[308\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-309)[\[309\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-310) Ba'athist Government sources put the number of killed at 400–450.[\[310\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-311)
By early June, ISIL reached the town of Hassia, which lies on the main road from Damascus to Homs and Latakia, and reportedly took up positions to the west of it, creating a potential disaster for the Ba'athist government and raising the threat of Lebanon being sucked further into the war.[\[311\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-312)
On 25 June, ISIL launched two offensives. One was a surprise diversionary attack on Kobanî, while the second targeted Ba'athist government-held parts of Al-Hasakah city.[\[312\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-313) The ISIL offensive on Al-Hasakah displaced 60,000 people, with the UN estimating a total of 200,000 would be displaced.[\[313\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-314)
In July 2015, a raid by U.S. special forces on a compound housing the Islamic State's "chief financial officer", [Abu Sayyaf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Sayyaf_\(ISIL\) "Abu Sayyaf (ISIL)"), produced evidence that [Turkish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war") officials directly dealt with ranking ISIS members.[\[314\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-yahoonews-315)
ISIL captured [Al-Qaryatayn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaryatayn "Al-Qaryatayn") from the Ba'athist government on 5 August 2015.[\[315\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-316)
Australia joined the bombing of ISIL in Syria in mid September, an extension of their efforts in Iraq for the past year.[\[316\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbc2-317)
## Russian intervention and Vienna peace talks (30 September 2015–July 2016)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=22 "Edit section: Russian intervention and Vienna peace talks (30 September 2015–July 2016)")\]
Main articles: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (August–December 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(August%E2%80%93December_2015\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (August–December 2015)") and [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2016)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2016\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2016)")
| Russian military facilities involved in the war in Syria |
|---|
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Outline_map_of_Middle_East.svg) [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Red_pog.svg "Caspian Flotilla") [Caspian Flotilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspian_Flotilla "Caspian Flotilla") [Russian Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Navy "Russian Navy") ([Astrakhan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrakhan "Astrakhan")) [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Red_pog.svg "Caspian Flotilla") [Caspian Flotilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspian_Flotilla "Caspian Flotilla") [Russian Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Navy "Russian Navy") ([Makhachkala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makhachkala "Makhachkala")) [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Red_pog.svg "Caspian Flotilla") [Caspian Flotilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspian_Flotilla "Caspian Flotilla") [Russian Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Navy "Russian Navy") ([Kaspiysk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaspiysk "Kaspiysk")) [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Red_pog.svg "Aircraft group") [Aircraft group](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aircraft_group&action=edit&redlink=1 "Aircraft group (page does not exist)") \[[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%90%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%B3%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BF%D0%BF%D0%B0_%D0%92%D0%92%D0%A1_%D0%A0%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B8_%D0%B2_%D0%A1%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B8 "ru:Авиационная группа ВВС России в Сирии")\] [ASF RF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Aerospace_Forces "Russian Aerospace Forces") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Red_pog.svg "Russian naval facility in Tartus") [720th PL of the Russian Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_naval_facility_in_Tartus "Russian naval facility in Tartus") [Russian Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Navy "Russian Navy")[\[317\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BBC_Russian_Navy-318) [Russian Aerospace Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Aerospace_Forces "Russian Aerospace Forces")[\[318\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-RIA_Novosti-319) [Group Special forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Group_Special_forces&action=edit&redlink=1 "Group Special forces (page does not exist)") \[[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%93%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BF%D0%BF%D0%B0_%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D1%85_%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D1%85_%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2_%D0%B2_%D0%A1%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B8 "ru:Группа российских военных специалистов в Сирии")\]\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\] |
### Russian intervention
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=23 "Edit section: Russian intervention")\]
See also: [Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war"), [Northwestern Syria offensive (October–November 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93November_2015\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (October–November 2015)"), and [Aleppo offensive (October–December 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93December_2015\) "Aleppo offensive (October–December 2015)")
On 30 September 2015,[\[319\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-320) at an official request by the Syrian Ba'athist government headed by President Bashar al-Assad,[\[320\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-321) the [Russian Aerospace Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Air_Force "Russian Air Force") began a sustained campaign of air strikes against both ISIL and the anti-Assad FSA.[\[321\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbc3-322)[\[322\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-stuff-323) Initially, the raids were conducted solely by Russian aircraft stationed in the [Khmeimim base](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmeimim_\(air_base\) "Khmeimim (air base)") in Syria. Shortly after the start of the Russian operation, U.S. president Barack Obama was reported to have authorized the resupply of Syrian Kurds and the Arab-Syrian opposition, Obama reportedly emphasizing to his team that the U.S. would continue to support the Syrian opposition now that Russia had joined the conflict.[\[323\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-cnn-324)
On 7 October 2015, Russian officials said the ships of the [Caspian Flotilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspian_Flotilla "Caspian Flotilla") had earlier that day fired 26 [sea-based cruise missiles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3M-54_Klub "3M-54 Klub") at 11 ISIL targets in Syria destroying those and causing no civilian casualties.[\[317\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BBC_Russian_Navy-318) On the same day, the Syrian Ba'athist government's ground forces launched the [Northwestern Syria ground offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93November_2015\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (October–November 2015)")[\[324\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-325)[\[325\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-326) that in the following few days succeeded in recapturing some territory in northern [Hama Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_Governorate "Hama Governorate"), close to the Ba'athist government's coastal heartland in the west of the country.[\[326\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-327)
On 8 October 2015, the U.S. officially announced the end of the Pentagon's \$500 million program to train and equip Syrian rebels in an acknowledgment that the program had failed.[\[327\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-fail-328) (However, other covert and significantly larger[\[328\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-larger-329) CIA programs to arm anti-Ba'athist government fighters in Syria continue.)[\[329\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-covert-330)[\[330\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-trim-331)
Two weeks after the start of the Russian campaign in Syria, *[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times")* opined that with anti-Ba'athist government commanders receiving for the first time bountiful supplies of U.S.-made anti-tank missiles and with Russia raising the number of airstrikes against the Ba'athist government's opponents that had raised morale in both camps, broadening war objectives and hardening political positions, the conflict was turning into an all-out [proxy war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxy_war "Proxy war") between the U.S. and Russia.[\[328\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-larger-329)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Secretary_Kerry_Meets_With_Turkish_Foreign_Minister_Sinirlioglu,_Saudi_Foreign_Minister_al-Jubeir,_and_Russian_Foreign_Minister_Lavrov_Before_Quadrilateral_Meeting_in_Austria_Focused_on_Syria_\(22580971515\).jpg)
The foreign ministers of [Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia "Russia"), the [U.S.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States"), [Saudi Arabia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia "Saudi Arabia"), and [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey "Turkey") in [Vienna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_peace_talks_in_Vienna "Syria peace talks in Vienna"), before a four-way discussion focused on Syria, 29 October 2015
Despite multiple top-ranking casualties incurred by the Iranian forces advising fighters in Syria,[\[331\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-332)[\[332\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-assessed-333)[\[333\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-2more-334) in mid-October the [Russian-Syrian-Iranian-Hezbollah offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(October_2015_%E2%80%93_present\) "Aleppo offensive (October 2015 – present)") targeting rebels in Aleppo went ahead.[\[334\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-newsru-335)[\[335\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-euronews-336)[\[336\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-planoff-337)[\[337\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-farsnews-338)[\[338\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbcoffensive-339)
### US air and ground strikes; Vienna peace talks; disagreements of Russia, Iran and Western powers (October–November 2015)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=24 "Edit section: US air and ground strikes; Vienna peace talks; disagreements of Russia, Iran and Western powers (October–November 2015)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_civil_war_07_10_2015.png)
Military situation in Syria in November 2015
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Participants_in_Syrian_Civil_War-en.svg)
Participants in Syrian Civil War
At the end of October 2015, the U.S. Secretary of Defense [Ashton Carter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashton_Carter "Ashton Carter") signalled a shift in the strategy of the U.S.-led campaign saying there will be more air strikes and ruling in the use of direct ground raids, the fight in Syria concentrating mostly on Raqqa.[\[339\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-cartershift-340)
On 30 October and two weeks later, [Syria peace talks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_peace_talks_in_Vienna "Syria peace talks in Vienna") were held in Vienna, initiated by the United States, Russia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, in which on 30 October Iran participated for the first time in negotiations on Syrian settlement.[\[340\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-viennabbc-341) The participants disagreed on the future of Bashar Assad.
On 10 November 2015, the Syrian Ba'athist government forces completed the [operation to break through](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuweires_offensive_\(September%E2%80%93November_2015\) "Kuweires offensive (September–November 2015)") the ISIL insurgents' blockade of the [Kweires air base](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuweires_Military_Aviation_Institute "Kuweires Military Aviation Institute") in Aleppo Province, where Ba'athist government forces had been under siege since April 2013.[\[341\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-deblock-342)
In mid-November 2015, in the wake of the [Russian plane bombing over Sinai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrojet_Flight_9268 "Metrojet Flight 9268") and the [Paris attacks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_2015_Paris_attacks "November 2015 Paris attacks"), both Russia[\[342\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-343) and France significantly intensified their strikes in Syria, France closely coordinating with the U.S. military.[\[343\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-344) On 17 November, Putin said he had issued orders for the [cruiser *Moskva*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_cruiser_Moskva "Russian cruiser Moskva") that had been in eastern Mediterranean since the start of the Russian operations to "work as with an ally",[\[344\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-345)[\[345\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-russtepup-346) with the French naval group led by flagship [*Charles De Gaulle*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_aircraft_carrier_Charles_de_Gaulle_\(R91\) "French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91)") then on her way to the [eastern Mediterranean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Mediterranean "Eastern Mediterranean").[\[346\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-347) Shortly afterwards, a Russian foreign ministry official criticised France's stridently anti-Assad stance as well as France's air strikes at oil and gas installations in Syria[\[347\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-syroilhits-348) as apparently designed to prevent those from returning under the Syrian Ba'athist government's control; the Russian official pointed out that such strikes by France could not be justified as they were carried out without the Syrian Ba'athist government's consent.[\[348\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-349)[\[349\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-350) In his remarks to a French delegation that included French parliamentarians, on 14 November, President Bashar Assad sharply criticised France's as well as other Western States' actions against the Syrian Ba'athist government suggesting that French support for Syrian opposition forces had led to the Islamic State-claimed attacks in Paris.[\[350\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-351)[\[351\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-352)
On 19 November 2015, U.S. President Barack Obama, speaking of the Vienna process, said he was unable to "foresee a situation in which we can end the civil war in Syria while Assad remains in power" and urged Russia and Iran to stop supporting the Syrian Ba'athist government.[\[352\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-353)[\[353\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-354) On 20 November 2015, the UN Security Council, while failing to invoke the UN's [Chapter VII](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapter_VII_of_the_United_Nations_Charter "Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter"), which gives specific legal authorisation for the use of force,[\[354\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-failing-355) unanimously passed [Resolution 2249](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_2249 "United Nations Security Council Resolution 2249") that urged UN members to "redouble and coordinate their efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed specifically by ISIL...as well as...all other...entities associated with Al-Qaida, and other terrorist groups, as designated by the United Nations Security Council, and as may further be agreed by the [International Syria Support Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_peace_talks_in_Vienna "Syria peace talks in Vienna") (ISSG) and endorsed by the UN Security Council".[\[355\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-356) The adopted resolution was drafted by France and co-sponsored by the UK[\[356\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-cosp-357) the following day after Russia introduced an updated version of its previously submitted draft resolution that was blocked by the Western powers as seeking to legitimise Assad's authority.[\[357\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-unsecurity-358)[\[358\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-guardunsecurity-359)
### Turkey shoots down Russian plane; Syrian army camp bombed; UN Resolution 2254 transitional plan (November–December 2015)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=25 "Edit section: Turkey shoots down Russian plane; Syrian army camp bombed; UN Resolution 2254 transitional plan (November–December 2015)")\]
On 24 November 2015, Turkey [shot down a Russian warplane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Russian_Sukhoi_Su-24_shootdown "2015 Russian Sukhoi Su-24 shootdown") that allegedly violated Turkish airspace and crashed in northwestern Syria, leading to the Russian pilot's death.[\[359\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-National_Post-360) Following the crash, it was reported that [Syrian Turkmen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Turkmen "Syrian Turkmen") rebels from [Syrian Turkmen Brigades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Turkmen_Brigades "Syrian Turkmen Brigades") attacked and shot down a [Russian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia "Russia") rescue helicopter, killing a Russian naval infantryman.[\[359\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-National_Post-360) A few days later, Russian aircraft were reported to have struck targets in the Syrian town of [Ariha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariha,_Syria "Ariha, Syria") in Idlib province that was controlled by the [Army of Conquest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_of_Conquest "Army of Conquest") causing multiple casualties on the ground.[\[360\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-arihaalj-361)[\[361\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-arihanewsru-362)
On 2 December 2015, the [Parliament of the United Kingdom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_the_United_Kingdom "Parliament of the United Kingdom") voted to expand [Operation Shader](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Shader "Operation Shader") into Syria with a majority of 397–223.[\[362\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-363) That day, two British [Tornado](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panavia_Tornado "Panavia Tornado") aircraft took off from [RAF Akrotiri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Akrotiri "RAF Akrotiri") immediately at 22:30, each carrying three [Paveway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paveway "Paveway") bombs. Two further aircraft were deployed at 00:30 on 3 December, and all aircraft returned by 06:30 without their bombs.[\[363\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-364) [Defence Secretary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary_of_State_for_Defence "Secretary of State for Defence") [Michael Fallon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Fallon "Michael Fallon") said that the strikes hit the Omar oil fields in eastern Syria, and that eight more jets (two Tornados and six [Typhoons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurofighter_Typhoon "Eurofighter Typhoon")) were being sent to RAF Akrotiri to join the eight already there.[\[364\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-365)
On 7 December 2015, the Ba'athist government of Syria announced that US-led coalition warplanes had fired nine missiles at its army camp near Ayyash, [Deir al-Zour province](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate "Deir ez-Zor Governorate"), on the evening prior, killing three soldiers and wounding 13 others; three armoured vehicles, four military vehicles, heavy machine-guns and an arms and ammunition depot were also destroyed.[\[365\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-agressbbc-366) The Ba'athist government condemned the strikes, the first time the Ba'athist government forces would be struck by the coalition,[\[366\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-1sttimesindep-367) as an act of "flagrant aggression"; the coalition spokesman denied it was responsible.[\[365\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-agressbbc-366) Anonymous Pentagon officials alleged later in the day that the Pentagon was "certain" that a Russian warplane (presumably a [TU-22 bomber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-22M "Tupolev Tu-22M")) had carried out the attack.[\[367\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-pentagclaim-368)[\[368\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-reutersdenied-369) The claim was denied by the Russian military spokesman who noted that four Western coalition warplanes (other than U.S.) had been spotted over the Deir az-Zor area in Syria on 6 December.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\]
On 14 December 2015, Russia's government news media reported that the Syrian Ba'athist government forces retook a [Marj al-Sultan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marj_al-Sultan "Marj al-Sultan") military airbase east of Damascus that had been held by [Jaysh al-Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaysh_al-Islam "Jaysh al-Islam").[\[369\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-marjalsultan-370)
The [UN resolution 2254](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_2254 "United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254") of 18 December 2015 endorsed the [ISSG](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_peace_talks_in_Vienna "Syria peace talks in Vienna")'s transitional plan but did not clarify who would represent the Syrian opposition, while condemning terrorist groups like ISIL and al-Qaeda; it made no mention of the future role of Syrian President Bashar Assad.[\[370\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-reutersendorse-371)[\[371\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-372)
### Syrian army pushes north and retakes Al-Shaykh Maskin in the south-west (January 2016)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=26 "Edit section: Syrian army pushes north and retakes Al-Shaykh Maskin in the south-west (January 2016)")\]
See also: [2015–2016 Latakia offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015%E2%80%932016_Latakia_offensive "2015–2016 Latakia offensive"), [Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin (2015–2016)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Al-Shaykh_Maskin_\(2015%E2%80%932016\) "Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin (2015–2016)"), and [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2016)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2016\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2016)")
On 12 January 2016, the Syria Ba'athist government announced that its army and allied forces had established "full control" of the strategically situated town of [Salma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salma,_Syria "Salma, Syria"), a predominantly Sunni village[\[372\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-373) in the mostly Alawite northwestern province of Latakia, and continued to advance north.[\[373\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-374)[\[374\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-375)
On 16 January 2016, ISIL militants [launched raid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(January_2016\)#Initial_assault_and_massacre "Deir ez-Zor offensive (January 2016)") on Ba'athist government-held areas in the city of [Deir ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor "Deir ez-Zor") and killed up to 300 people.[\[375\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-376) Counter-strikes by [Russian Air Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Air_Force "Russian Air Force") fighter jets, in support of Syrian army forces, were reported to take back the areas.[\[376\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-377)
On 21 January 2016, Russia's activity presumably aimed at setting up a new base in the Ba'athist government-controlled [Kamishly Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamishly_Airport "Kamishly Airport") was first reported;[\[377\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-378)[\[378\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-379)[\[379\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-cnnbase-380) the northeastern town of [Qamishli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamishli "Qamishli") in the [Al-Hasakah Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah_Governorate "Al-Hasakah Governorate") had been largely under the Syrian Kurds' control since the start of the [Syrian Kurdish–Islamist conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Kurdish%E2%80%93Islamist_conflict_\(2013%E2%80%93present\) "Syrian Kurdish–Islamist conflict (2013–present)") in the governorate of Al-Hasakah in July 2013. Similar activity by the U.S. forces was suspected in the [Rmelan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rmelan "Rmelan") Airbase in the same province, 50 km away from the Kamishly Airport; the area is likewise controlled by the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).[\[379\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-cnnbase-380)[\[380\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-381)
On 24 January 2016, the Syrian Ba'athist government announced its forces, carrying on with their [Latakia offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015%E2%80%932016_Latakia_offensive "2015–2016 Latakia offensive"), had seized the predominantly Sunni-populated town of [Rabia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabia,_Syria "Rabia, Syria"), the last major town held by rebels in western Latakia province; Russian forces were said to have played an important role in the recapture,[\[381\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbcrabia-382) which threatened rebel supply lines from Turkey.[\[381\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbcrabia-382)[\[382\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-383)
By 26 January 2016, the Syrian Ba'athist government established "full control" over the town of [Al-Shaykh Maskin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Shaykh_Maskin "Al-Shaykh Maskin") in the [Daraa Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_Governorate "Daraa Governorate"),[\[383\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-384)[\[384\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-385) thus completing the [operation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Al-Shaykh_Maskin "Second Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin") that had begun in late December 2015. Several analysts considered this a turning of the tide for the Syrian Ba'athist government, citing the significance of military help from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, considering that rebels had once controlled about 70% of the province.[\[385\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-386)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Liberation_of_Palmyra_by_RSII_coalition_\(1\).jpg)
[Palmyra offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(March_2016\) "Palmyra offensive (March 2016)") in March 2016
### Partial ceasefire (26 February–July 2016)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=27 "Edit section: Partial ceasefire (26 February–July 2016)")\]
Main articles: [Syrian civil war ceasefires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war_ceasefires "Syrian civil war ceasefires") and [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2016)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2016\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2016)")
On 26 February 2016, the [United Nations Security Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council "United Nations Security Council") unanimously adopted [resolution 2268](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_2268 "United Nations Security Council Resolution 2268") that endorsed a previously brokered U.S.-Russian deal on a "[cessation of hostilities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_peace_talks_on_Syria_\(2016\)#Cessation_of_hostilities_\(27_February_2016\) "Geneva peace talks on Syria (2016)")".[\[386\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-387) The cease-fire started on 27 February 2016 at 00:00 (Damascus time).[\[387\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-stopFighting-388) The ceasefire does not include attacks on UN-designated terrorist organizations.[\[388\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-theAtlanticCeasefire-389)[\[389\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ScrollinCeasefire-390) At the close of February 2016, despite individual clashes, the truce was reported to hold.[\[390\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-truceholds-391) By the end of March, the Syrian Ba'athist government forces with support from Russia and Iran successfully [captured Palmyra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(March_2016\) "Palmyra offensive (March 2016)") from the ISIL.[\[391\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-advancepalmyra-392)
By early July 2016, the truce was said to have mostly unraveled, violence again escalated, and the fighting between all the major parties to the conflict continued.[\[392\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-393) At the end of July 2016, [the fighting between the Ba'athist government and Islamist rebels in and around Aleppo intensified](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(June%E2%80%93August_2016\) "Aleppo offensive (June–August 2016)").
## Turkish interventions, Raqqa campaign, Aleppo recaptured, Deir ez-Zor siege broken (August 2016–December 2017)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=28 "Edit section: Turkish interventions, Raqqa campaign, Aleppo recaptured, Deir ez-Zor siege broken (August 2016–December 2017)")\]
### SDF advances; Turkish military intervention begins in northern Syria: Operation Euphrates Shield (August 2016–January 2017)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=29 "Edit section: SDF advances; Turkish military intervention begins in northern Syria: Operation Euphrates Shield (August 2016–January 2017)")\]
Main article: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2016)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(September%E2%80%93December_2016\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2016)")
See also: [Operation Euphrates Shield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Euphrates_Shield "Operation Euphrates Shield")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_civil_war_01_08_2016.png)
Military situation in August 2016
On 12 August 2016, the [Syrian Democratic Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces") fully [captured the northern city of Manbij](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij_offensive_\(2016\) "Manbij offensive (2016)") from ISIL and some days later announced a new offensive towards [Al-Bab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Bab "Al-Bab"), which could eventually connect the Kurdish regions in Northern Syria.[\[393\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-394)
On 16 August the [battle of al-Hasakah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Hasakah_\(2016\) "Battle of al-Hasakah (2016)") began with some minor clashes. On 19 August, the Pentagon warned the Syrian Ba'athist government against "interfering with coalition forces or our partners" in the northeastern region near the city of [al-Hasakah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah "Al-Hasakah"), adding that the U.S. had the right to defend its troops which were operational in the area.[\[394\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-395) On 22 August, the Kurdish YPG, having captured Ghwairan, the only major Arab neighbourhood in Hasaka that had been in Ba'athist government hands, launched a major assault to seize the last Ba'athist government-controlled areas of the northeastern Syrian city of Hasaka, after a Russian mediation team failed to mend the rift between the two sides;[\[395\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-396) the next day the capture of the city was completed.[\[396\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-397)
On 24 August 2016, Turkey's armed forces invaded Syria in the [Jarabulus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarabulus "Jarabulus") area controlled by ISIL starting what the Turkish president called the [Operation Euphrates Shield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Jarabulus_\(2016\) "Battle of Jarabulus (2016)"), aimed against, according to his statement, both the IS and Kurdish ″terror groups that threaten our country in northern Syria″.[\[397\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-398)[\[398\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-tanksroll-399)[\[399\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-400) The Syrian Ba'athist government denounced the intervention as a "blatant violation of its sovereignty" and said that "fighting terrorism isn't done by ousting ISIS and replacing it with other terrorist organizations backed directly by Turkey".[\[400\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-401) The PYD leader [Salih Muslim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salih_Muslim_Muhammad "Salih Muslim Muhammad") said that Turkey was now in the "Syrian quagmire" and would be defeated like IS.[\[398\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-tanksroll-399)[\[401\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-402) Speaking in [Ankara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankara "Ankara") the same day, U.S. vice president [Joe Biden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Biden "Joe Biden") indirectly endorsed Turkey's move and said that the U.S. had made it clear to the Syrian Kurdish forces that they should move back east across the Euphrates, or lose U.S. support.[\[402\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-403)[\[403\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-404)
As Turkish troops and the Turkish-aligned Syrian rebels took control of Jarabulus and moved further south towards the Syrian town of Manbij, they clashed with the Kurdish YPG, which led the U.S. officials to voice concern and issue a warning to both sides.[\[404\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-405)[\[405\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-406) On 29 August, U.S. Defense Secretary [Ashton Carter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashton_Carter "Ashton Carter") specified that the U.S. did not support Turkey's advance south of Jarabulus.[\[406\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-407) The warning as well as an announcement made by the U.S. of a tentative ceasefire between the Turkish forces and the Kurds in the area of Jarabulus were promptly and angrily dismissed by Turkey.[\[407\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-408)[\[408\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-409) However, combat between the Turkish forces and the SDF died down, and instead Turkish forces moved West to confront ISIL.[\[409\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-410) In the meantime the SDF, including Western volunteers, continued to reinforce Manbij.[\[410\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-411)[\[411\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-412)
At sunset on 12 September 2016, a [U.S.-Russian brokered cease-fire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war_ceasefires#Second_ceasefire_attempt_\(12_September_%E2%80%93_19_September\) "Syrian civil war ceasefires") came into effect.[\[412\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-413) Five days later, the U.S. and other coalition members′ jets [bombed Syrian Army positions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_2016_Deir_ez-Zor_air_raid "September 2016 Deir ez-Zor air raid") near Deir ez-Zor—purportedly by accident — but with Russia contending that it was intentional — killing at least 62 Syrian troops that were fighting ISIL militants.[\[413\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-414) On 19 September the Syrian Army declared that it would no longer observe the truce.[\[414\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-415) Also on 19 September, an [aid convoy in Aleppo was attacked](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_2016_Aleppo_Aid_Convoy_Attack "September 2016 Aleppo Aid Convoy Attack") with the U.S. coalition blaming the Russian and Syrian governments for the attack and these same governments denying these accusation and instead blaming terrorists for the attack.[\[415\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-416)
On 22 September, the Syrian army declared a [new offensive in Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(September_2016\) "Aleppo offensive (September 2016)")[\[416\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-417) and on 14 December the final rebel stronghold in Aleppo was recaptured by the Syrian Ba'athist government, followed by a ceasefire agreement.[\[417\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-418)
In March 2015, the Syrian Information Minister announced that his government considered recognizing Kurdish autonomy "within the law and constitution".[\[418\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-419) While the region's administration is not invited to the [Geneva III peace talks on Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_peace_talks_on_Syria_\(2016\) "Geneva peace talks on Syria (2016)"),[\[419\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-420) or any of the earlier talks, Russia in particular calls for the region's inclusion and does to some degree carry the region's positions into the talks, as documented in Russia's May 2016 draft for a new constitution for Syria.[\[420\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Now.MMedia/Al-Akhbar-421) In October 2016, there were reports of a Russian initiative for federalization with a focus on northern Syria, which at its core called to turn the existing institutions of the region into legitimate institutions of Syria; also reported was its rejection for the time being by the Syrian government.[\[421\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Al-Monitor-422) The Damascus ruling elite is split over the question whether the new model in the region can work in parallel and converge with the Syrian government, for the benefit of both, or if the agenda should be to centralize again all power at the end of the civil war, necessitating preparation for ultimate confrontation with the region's institutions.[\[422\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-chatham-423)
On 26 October 2016, US Defense Secretary [Ash Carter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ash_Carter "Ash Carter") said that an offensive to retake Raqqa from ISIL would begin within weeks.[\[423\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-424)
### Raqqa campaign (November 2016–January 2017)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=30 "Edit section: Raqqa campaign (November 2016–January 2017)")\]
Main article: [Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa_campaign_\(2016%E2%80%932017\) "Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Destroyed_neighborhood_in_Raqqa.png)
[Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa "Raqqa") suffered extensive damage during the [Battle of Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Raqqa_\(2017\) "Battle of Raqqa (2017)")
On 26 October the US Defense Secretary said that an offensive to retake Raqqa from ISIL would begin within weeks.[\[424\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-NBC_23-425) The SDF, using up to 30,000 Arab, Christian and Kurdish troops, and with support from the Western Coalition, undertook an operation codenamed [Wrath of Euphrates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa_campaign_\(2016%E2%80%932017\) "Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)"). By December 2016 it had captured many villages and land west of Raqqa previously controlled by ISIL[\[425\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-426) and by January 2017, much of the land west of Raqqa had been seized and the second phase of the operation was complete.
### Aleppo recaptured; Russian/Iranian/Turkish-backed ceasefire (December 2016–April 2017)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=31 "Edit section: Aleppo recaptured; Russian/Iranian/Turkish-backed ceasefire (December 2016–April 2017)")\]
Main article: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2017\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2017)")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:International_Mine_Action_Center_in_Syria_\(Aleppo\)_15.jpg)
Russian [sappers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Engineer_Troops "Russian Engineer Troops") in Aleppo, 23 December 2016
In December 2016, Syrian Ba'athist government forces [completely recaptured](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(November%E2%80%93December_2016\) "Aleppo offensive (November–December 2016)") all of rebel-held parts of Aleppo, ending the 4-year battle in the city.[\[426\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-427) On 29 December Russian President [Vladimir Putin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin "Vladimir Putin") announced a new ceasefire deal had been reached between the Syrian Ba'athist Government and opposition groups (excluding UN-designated terrorist groups such as ISIL and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham), with Russia and Turkey acting as guarantors and Iran as a signatory, which came into effect at 00:00 Syrian time (02:00 UTC) on 30 December. Talks were scheduled to be held between the groups in [Astana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astana "Astana"), capital of Kazakhstan, on 15 January.[\[427\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-428) On the same day the [United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Office_for_the_Coordination_of_Humanitarian_Affairs "United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs") reported that four million people in Damascus and surrounding areas were without reliable access to water after major supply infrastructure had been targeted, and called upon all parties to guarantee basic services.[\[428\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-auto-429)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lions_of_the_East_Army_rocket_artillery.png)
A [BM-21 Grad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BM-21_Grad "BM-21 Grad") [rocket artillery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_artillery "Rocket artillery") truck of the [Lions of the East Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lions_of_the_East_Army "Lions of the East Army") during the [2017 southern Syrian Desert campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_southern_Syrian_Desert_campaign "2017 southern Syrian Desert campaign")
On 2 January 2017, rebel groups said that they would disengage from planned talks after alleged ceasefire violations by Ba'athist Government forces in the Wadi [Barada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barada "Barada") valley near Damascus.[\[429\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-430) At the end of January, Ba'athist government forces managed to [capture Wadi Barada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Wadi_Barada "Siege of Wadi Barada") and the water supply of Damascus was restored.[\[430\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-431)[\[431\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-AZcaptureWadi-432) On 14 February, the ceasefire between Assad forces and rebels collapsed throughout the country, leading to fresh clashes in various locations and a [fresh rebel offensive in Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(February_2017\) "Daraa offensive (February 2017)").[\[432\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-433) A [new peace conference in Geneva](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_peace_talks_on_Syria_\(2017\) "Geneva peace talks on Syria (2017)") was held on 23 February,[\[433\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-434) the same day as [Turkish forces captured Al-Bab from ISIL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Bab#Turkish_forces_capture_al-Bab,_Syrian_Army_pushes_east_of_Kuweires_Airbase "Battle of al-Bab") north-east of Aleppo.[\[434\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-435) Syrian Ba'athist government forces started an [offensive east of Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Aleppo_offensive_\(February_2017\) "East Aleppo offensive (February 2017)") to conquer [Dayr Hafir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayr_Hafir "Dayr Hafir") from ISIL and prevent further Turkish advances.
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_rebels_in_combat_in_Qaboun_\(Damascus\).png)
Syrian rebels in combat against Ba'athist government forces in [Qaboun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qaboun_offensive_\(2017\) "Qaboun offensive (2017)"), Damascus, April 2017
On 17 March, Syrian military fired [S-200 missiles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-200_\(missile\) "S-200 (missile)") at Israeli jets over [Golan Heights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golan_Heights "Golan Heights"). The Israeli military claimed that the [Arrow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrow_\(Israeli_missile\) "Arrow (Israeli missile)") anti-ballistic system intercepted one missile, while the Syrian military claimed that they had downed an Israeli jet. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador for talks.[\[435\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-436)
The [U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_International_Commission_of_Inquiry_on_the_Syrian_Arab_Republic "Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic") reported that on 20 March up to 150 civilians were killed near a school in Raqqa by U.S.-led coalition air strikes.[\[436\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-437) Ba'athist Government forces entered [Dayr Hafir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayr_Hafir "Dayr Hafir"), the last stronghold held by ISIL in East Aleppo, and secured it by 23 March. This opened up an opportunity to push south into the Raqqa governorate; however on the same day, an SDF contingent landed on a peninsula west of Raqqa via boats and helicopters in an effort to cut off the Syrian Arab Army from entering the ISIL's de facto capital, Raqqa. On 28 March, an agreement was reportedly brokered by Qatar and Iran for the evacuation for four besieged towns in Syria. The deal involved evacuating the residents of [al-Fu'ah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Fu%27ah "Al-Fu'ah") and [Kafriya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafriya "Kafriya"), two towns in the [Idlib Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate "Idlib Governorate") besieged by rebel forces, in exchange for the evacuation of residents and rebels in [Zabadani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zabadani "Zabadani") and [Madaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madaya,_Syria "Madaya, Syria"), two towns under siege by Ba'athist government forces in the [Rif Dimashq Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_Governorate "Rif Dimashq Governorate").[\[437\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-438)
### Syrian-American conflict; de-escalation zones (April–June 2017)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=32 "Edit section: Syrian-American conflict; de-escalation zones (April–June 2017)")\]
Main articles: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93August_2017\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2017)"), [Khan Shaykhun chemical attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_Shaykhun_chemical_attack "Khan Shaykhun chemical attack"), [2017 Shayrat missile strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Shayrat_missile_strike "2017 Shayrat missile strike"), and [Hama offensive (March–April 2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_offensive_\(March%E2%80%93April_2017\) "Hama offensive (March–April 2017)")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:YPG_and_US_army_Hassaka_1-5-2017.jpg)
U.S. armored vehicle in [Al-Hasakah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah "Al-Hasakah"), northeastern Syria, May 2017
After the [chemical attack on Khan Shaykhun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_Shaykhun_chemical_attack "Khan Shaykhun chemical attack"), warships of the U.S. Navy launched 59 [Tomahawk missiles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomahawk_\(missile_family\) "Tomahawk (missile family)") at the Syrian Ba'athist government's [Shayrat Air Base](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shayrat_Air_Base "Shayrat Air Base") which was said to be the source of the chemical attack. The American attack, taking place on 7 April 2017, was the first officially announced deliberate attack on Syrian Ba'athist government forces.[\[438\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbcwhyshayrat-439)[\[439\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-UPI-440) Due to being launched without authorisation from [Congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress "United States Congress") or the [UN Security Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council "United Nations Security Council"), the strike triggered an emergency UNSC meeting.[\[440\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-441) Russian President Putin viewed the U.S. attack as "an act of aggression against a sovereign country violating the norms of international law".[\[441\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-442) The U.S. representative responded that "the moral stain of the Assad regime could no longer go unanswered."[\[442\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-443) American forces struck the Syrian military again on 18 May, when a Syrian army convoy advancing in the vicinity of the border town of [al-Tanf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Waleed_border_crossing "Al Waleed border crossing"), which hosted a US-controlled airbase, came under attack by US fighter jets.[\[443\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-444) Nevertheless, the Syrian Ba'athist government's [desert offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Desert_campaign_\(May%E2%80%93July_2017\) "Syrian Desert campaign (May–July 2017)") continued and on 9 June Ba'athist government forces secured a part of [Syrian–Iraqi border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq%E2%80%93Syria_border "Iraq–Syria border") for the first time since 2015.[\[444\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-445)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_civil_war_01_05_2017.svg)
Military situation in Syria in May 2017
Meanwhile, intense fighting between Ba'athist government forces and rebel groups that [began north of Hama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_offensive_\(March%E2%80%93April_2017\) "Hama offensive (March–April 2017)") on 21 March continued.[\[445\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-446) By 29 March, Ba'athist government forces, which had halted the rebel offensive at the outskirts of Hama, began a counterstrike, and by 16 April had reversed all rebel gains; by the end of April they had captured the towns of [Halfaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfaya "Halfaya") and [Taybat al-Imam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taybat_al-Imam "Taybat al-Imam").[\[446\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-447)
On 12 April, the [agreement to exchange the inhabitants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Zabadani_cease-fire_agreement "2015 Zabadani cease-fire agreement") of the rebel-held towns of [Zabadani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zabadani "Zabadani") and [Madaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madaya,_Syria "Madaya, Syria") with the inhabitants of the pro-Ba'athist government towns of [Al-Fu'ah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Fu%27ah "Al-Fu'ah") and [Kafraya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafraya "Kafraya") began to be implemented.[\[447\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-448) On 15 April, a convoy of buses carrying evacuees from [Al-Fu'ah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Fu%27ah "Al-Fu'ah") and [Kafriya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafriya "Kafriya") was [attacked by a suicide bomber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Aleppo_suicide_car_bombing "2017 Aleppo suicide car bombing") in Aleppo, killing more than 126 people.[\[448\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-449)
On 24 April, the Turkish Air Force [conducted several airstrikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2017_Turkish_airstrikes_in_Syria_and_Iraq "April 2017 Turkish airstrikes in Syria and Iraq") on YPG and YPJ positions near [al-Malikiyah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Malikiyah "Al-Malikiyah"). The attacks were condemned by the US.[\[449\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-450)
On 4 May, Russia, Iran, and Turkey signed an agreement in Astana to create four "[de-escalation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De-escalation "De-escalation") zones" in Syria: the [Idlib Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate "Idlib Governorate"), the northern rebel-controlled parts of the [Homs Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homs_Governorate "Homs Governorate"), the rebel-controlled eastern [Ghouta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghouta "Ghouta"), and the [Jordan–Syria border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan%E2%80%93Syria_border "Jordan–Syria border"). The agreement was rejected by some rebel groups,[\[450\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-451) and the Kurdish [Democratic Union Party or PYD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Union_Party_\(Syria\) "Democratic Union Party (Syria)") also denounced the deal, saying that the ceasefire zones are "dividing Syria up on a sectarian basis". The ceasefire came into effect on 6 May.[\[451\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-452)
### ISIL siege of Deir ez-Zor broken; CIA program halted; Russian forces permanent (July–December 2017)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=33 "Edit section: ISIL siege of Deir ez-Zor broken; CIA program halted; Russian forces permanent (July–December 2017)")\]
Main article: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(September%E2%80%93December_2017\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2017)")
See also: [Deir ez-Zor offensive (September–November 2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(September%E2%80%93November_2017\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (September–November 2017)")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thousands_of_tons_of_Iranian_aid_to_the_people_of_Deir-Al-Zor_02_\(2\).jpg)
Iranian convoy delivering aid to [Deir ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate "Deir ez-Zor Governorate") in September 2017
On 7 July 2017, the U.S., Russia, and Jordan agreed to a [ceasefire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war_ceasefires#Fifth_ceasefire_attempt_\(July_2017%E2%80%93present\) "Syrian civil war ceasefires") in part of southwestern Syria, Russia giving assurances that Assad would abide by the agreement.[\[452\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-453) On 19 July it was reported that the U.S. had decided to halt the [CIA program to equip and train anti-Ba'athist government rebel groups](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timber_Sycamore "Timber Sycamore"), a move sought by Russia.[\[453\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-454)
On 5 September the Ba'athist government's [Central Syria offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Syria_campaign_\(2017\) "Central Syria campaign (2017)") culminated in the breaking of the three-year ISIL [siege of Deir ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Deir_ez-Zor_\(2014%E2%80%9317\) "Siege of Deir ez-Zor (2014–17)"), with active participation of Russian air force and navy.[\[454\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-455)[\[455\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-456)[\[456\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-457) This was followed shortly thereafter by the lifting of the siege of the [city's airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Airport "Deir ez-Zor Airport").[\[457\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-458)
An analysis released in June 2017 described the Kurdish region's "relationship with the regime fraught but functional" and a "semi-cooperative dynamic".[\[458\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-459) In late September 2017, Syria's Foreign Minister said that Damascus would consider granting Kurds more autonomy in the region once ISIL is defeated.[\[459\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-460)
On 17 October, after over [four months of fierce fighting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Raqqa_\(2017\) "Battle of Raqqa (2017)") and the U.S.-led coalition's bombardment, the Kurdish-dominated SDF announced they had established full control of the city of [Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa "Raqqa") in northern Syria.[\[460\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-461)[\[461\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-462)[\[462\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-463) At the end of October, the Ba'athist government of Syria said that it still considered Raqqa to be an occupied city that can ″only be considered liberated when the Syrian Arab Army enter\[ed\] it.″[\[463\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-464)
By mid-November the Ba'athist government forces and allied militia [established full control](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(September%E2%80%93November_2017\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (September–November 2017)") over [Deir ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor "Deir ez-Zor") and [captured](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Abu_Kamal_offensive "2017 Abu Kamal offensive") the town of [Abu Kamal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Kamal "Abu Kamal") in eastern Syria, near the border with Iraq and Iraq's town of [al-Qaim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qa%27im_\(town\) "Al-Qa'im (town)"), which was concurrently [captured from ISIL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Western_Iraq_campaign "2017 Western Iraq campaign") by the Iraqi government.[\[464\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-465)[\[465\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-466)
On 6 December Russia declared Syria to have been "completely liberated" from ISIL; on 11 December President Putin visited the Russian base in Syria, where he announced that he had ordered the partial withdrawal of the forces deployed to Syria.[\[466\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-467)[\[467\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-468)[\[468\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-469)[\[469\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-470) On 26 December, Russian defence minister [Sergey Shoigu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Shoigu "Sergey Shoigu") said that Russia had set about "forming a permanent grouping" at its [naval facility](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_naval_facility_in_Tartus "Russian naval facility in Tartus") at [Tartus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartus "Tartus") and [Hmeymim airbase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmeimim_\(air_base\) "Khmeimim (air base)").[\[470\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-shoigutassperm-471)[\[471\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-reutersestablperm-472) Two days later, Russian foreign minister [Sergey Lavrov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Lavrov "Sergey Lavrov") said that Russia believed that the U.S. forces must leave Syrian territory completely once remnants of the terrorists were completely eliminated.[\[472\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-473)[\[473\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-474)
## Turkish forces enter conflict; continued civil conflicts; US withdrawal; diplomatic negotiations (January–December 2018)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=34 "Edit section: Turkish forces enter conflict; continued civil conflicts; US withdrawal; diplomatic negotiations (January–December 2018)")\]
### Army advance in Hama province and Ghouta; Operation Olive Branch (January–March 2018)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=35 "Edit section: Army advance in Hama province and Ghouta; Operation Olive Branch (January–March 2018)")\]
Main article: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2018)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2018\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2018)")
See also: [Northwestern Syria campaign (October 2017–February 2018)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_campaign_\(October_2017%E2%80%93February_2018\) "Northwestern Syria campaign (October 2017–February 2018)"), [Operation Olive Branch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Olive_Branch "Operation Olive Branch"), [Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(February%E2%80%93April_2018\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018)"), and [February 2018 Israel–Syria incident](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_2018_Israel%E2%80%93Syria_incident "February 2018 Israel–Syria incident")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_civil_war_01_02_2018.jpg)
Military situation in Syria in February 2018
On 20 January, the [Turkish military](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_military "Turkish military") began a [cross-border operation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Olive_Branch "Operation Olive Branch") in the [Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurds "Kurds")\-majority [Afrin Canton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrin_Canton "Afrin Canton") and the [Tel Rifaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Rifaat "Tel Rifaat") Area of [Shahba Canton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahba_Canton "Shahba Canton") in Northern Syria, against the Kurdish-led [Democratic Union Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Union_Party_\(Syria\) "Democratic Union Party (Syria)") in Syria (PYD),[\[474\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-475) its armed wing [People's Protection Units](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Protection_Units "People's Protection Units") (YPG),[\[475\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-476) and [Syrian Democratic Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces") (SDF) positions.[\[476\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-477) In January—February 2018, the Syrian Army and its allies [continued to advance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_campaign_\(October_2017%E2%80%93February_2018\) "Northwestern Syria campaign (October 2017–February 2018)") against the forces of [Tahrir al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahrir_al-Sham "Tahrir al-Sham") (HTS) and other rebels in the [Hama Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_Governorate "Hama Governorate").
On 10 February, the [Syrian Air Defense Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Air_Defense_Force "Syrian Air Defense Force") [shot down](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_2018_Israel%E2%80%93Syria_incident "February 2018 Israel–Syria incident") an Israeli F-16 fighter jet in response to an Israeli cross-border raid on Iranian targets near Damascus through Lebanese airspace.[\[477\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-478)
On 21 February, the Ba'athist government began an [operation to capture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(February_2018\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (February 2018)") rebel-held [Ghouta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghouta "Ghouta") east of Damascus; the operation started with an intensive air campaign.[\[478\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-479)
On 18 March, on the 58th day of the Turkish military operation in Afrin, [Operation Olive Branch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Olive_Branch "Operation Olive Branch"), the [Syrian National Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_National_Army "Syrian National Army") (SNA or FSA), [Turkish Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Armed_Forces "Turkish Armed Forces") and disparate rebel groups captured Afrin from the YPG and the [YPJ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YPJ "YPJ"), displacing up to 200,000 people. Shortly after the capture, SNA militants [looted](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_looting "War looting") parts of the city and destroyed numerous pro-Kurdish symbols as Turkish Army troops solidified control by raising Turkish flags and banners over the city.[\[479\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-480)[\[480\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-481) The battle was seen as an overall strategic victory, because it would open a ground corridor into nearby Idlib province (a stronghold for al-Qaida-linked militants) as well as linking them with other rebel factions that wanted to join the coalition there.[\[481\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-482) Turkey's relationship with the US was stretched to breaking point by the Afrin operation, which pitted the two NATO allies and their Syrian proxies against one another.[\[482\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-483)
### Douma chemical attack; U.S.-led missile strikes; Southern Syria offensive (April–August 2018)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=36 "Edit section: Douma chemical attack; U.S.-led missile strikes; Southern Syria offensive (April–August 2018)")\]
Main article: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2018)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93August_2018\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2018)")
See also: [Douma chemical attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douma_chemical_attack "Douma chemical attack"), [Operation House of Cards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_House_of_Cards "Operation House of Cards"), [Syria missile strikes (September 2018)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_missile_strikes_\(September_2018\) "Syria missile strikes (September 2018)"), and [2018 Southern Syria offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Southern_Syria_offensive "2018 Southern Syria offensive")
On 7 April 2018, a [chemical attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douma_chemical_attack "Douma chemical attack") was reported in the city of [Douma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douma,_Syria "Douma, Syria"), with 70 people killed[\[483\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-484) and 500 injured. On-site medics stated the cause of those deaths was exposure to [chlorine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorine_gas "Chlorine gas") and [sarin gas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarin_gas "Sarin gas").[\[484\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-485) The Syrian Ba'athist government denied any use of chemical weapons.[\[485\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-486) Following the incident in Douma, the UN Security Council failed to adopt three competing resolutions on an inquiry into the alleged chemical attack, with Russia and the U.S. clashing over the issue.[\[486\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-487)[\[487\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-488)[\[488\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-489)[\[489\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-490)[\[490\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-491) Following the incident, Syrian Ba'athist government forces [entered and established control](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(February%E2%80%93April_2018\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018)") over the city of Douma, ending the five-year [Siege of Ghouta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Eastern_Ghouta "Siege of Eastern Ghouta").[\[491\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-492)
On 14 April the U.S., U.K. and France [launched missile strikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_missile_strikes_against_Syria "2018 missile strikes against Syria") on multiple Ba'athist government targets in Syria as a response to the suspected chemical attack in Douma.
### Negotiations between Kurdish regional government and Syrian government
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=37 "Edit section: Negotiations between Kurdish regional government and Syrian government")\]
On 3 July, NES/SDF authorities removed some [YPG](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YPG "YPG") flags from cities and towns under their control in Northern Syria. Pro-government media reported this to be as a result of a preliminary agreement being struck between the NES/SDF and Syrian Government, in which the latter allegedly promised to include the Kurdish language as a part of the Syrian national [curriculum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curriculum "Curriculum"), consider military service in the YPG as analogous to service in the [Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Army "Syrian Army") (for the purposes of veteran status and military pensions), as well as the creation of a permanent post for a Kurdish official in Syria's oil ministry. Several Kurdish officials denied before [Kurdistan 24](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdistan_24 "Kurdistan 24") that such negotiations had taken place, stating that the removal of flags and portraits was part of "an administrative decision to organize and regulate roadside advertising" and had nothing to do with politics.[\[492\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-493)
On 28 July, the Kurdish-led council in northern Syria reported that it had decided to create a roadmap for a "democratic and decentralized Syria" with the Syrian Government, after reportedly meeting with Syrian government officials in Damascus at the invitation of Syrian President [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad").[\[493\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-494)
On 29 July, former PYD co-chair [Salih Muslim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salih_Muslim "Salih Muslim") reported that the atmosphere during the meeting with the Syrian government had been "positive and promising", adding that the government had accepted to discuss the notion of a decentralized Syria. He stated that the SDF was willing to join government offensives in Northwestern Syria and considered militant groups in Idlib to be no different than those [in Afrin.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Olive_Branch "Operation Olive Branch") He finished by stating that the NES did not wait for permission from international powers to start negotiations with the government, instead simply informed them that they had already started.[\[494\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-495) Later that day, the NES returned over 44 bodies of Syrian Army servicemen killed by [ISIL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISIL "ISIL") in 2014 to the Syrian Government.[\[495\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-:0-496)
On 30 July, a [Syrian Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Kurd "Syrian Kurd") MP and leader of the Damascus-based 'Syrian Kurds National Initiative', Omar Ose, urged the NES/SDF to enter into full negotiations (as opposed to 'talks') with the Syrian Government. He added that the two sides had managed to agree on 6 of the 10 key issues brought up during the previous two rounds of dialogue.[\[495\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-:0-496)[\[496\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-497)
By the end of July, the two sides had agreed to set up negotiations in "stages". The first stage would cover mutually beneficial and mostly technical matters, such as the restoration of government-sponsored energy, education and health projects, as well as the re-integration of government civil registrations with those within the NES. The second would involve the restoration of government control over the border crossings with [Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq "Iraq"), [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey "Turkey") and [Iraqi Kurdistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi_Kurdistan "Iraqi Kurdistan"), as well as the stationing of government security forces along the state borders currently under the control of the NES. The last stage would involve solving the "major issues" (such as a potential future re-integration of the NES as a whole, within the context of a 'decentralized' system) between the two sides, using the mutual confidence that would be built from the successful completion of the previous stages. The [Syrian Democratic Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Council "Syrian Democratic Council") reportedly voted in favour of negotiations with the Syrian government to this effect. The [U.S.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S. "U.S.") envoy [Brett McGurk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brett_McGurk "Brett McGurk") was informed of the ongoing talks and reportedly did not object to the prospect of negotiations between the two sides, but suggested starting out negotiations with a focus on "restoring services".[\[497\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-498)[\[498\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-499)
### Continuing conflicts, 2018
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=38 "Edit section: Continuing conflicts, 2018")\]
On 19 April the Syrian army and allied Palestinian groups began [an offensive against the Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees in Southern Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Damascus_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93May_2018\) "Southern Damascus offensive (April–May 2018)"), which had been partially occupied by ISIL. On 21 May, pro-Ba'athist government troops fully recaptured Yarmouk camp, thus allowing the Syrian Arab Army to fully control the capital after 6 years.[\[499\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Palestinian_Tragedy-500)[\[500\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-cleric-501)
On 1 May, the U.S. government announced the U.S.-led coalition's "operations to liberate the final ISIS strongholds in Syria", which would ensure that "populations liberated from ISIS are not exploited by the Assad regime or its Iranian supporters".[\[501\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-502)[\[502\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-503)
In May, Israel launched an extensive strike against Iranian targets in Syria (known as [Operation House of Cards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_House_of_Cards "Operation House of Cards")) after a series of short military confrontations between Israeli and Iranian forces in Syria.[\[503\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-504)
On 6 July, as a result of the [Southern Syria offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Southern_Syria_offensive "2018 Southern Syria offensive"), which had begun in June, the Syrian Army backed by Russian forces reached the border with Jordan and captured the [Nasib Border Crossing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasib_Border_Crossing "Nasib Border Crossing").[\[504\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-505)[\[505\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-506) By the end of July, the Southern Syria offensive ended, resulting in the complete Syrian Ba'athist government's control of [Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_Governorate "Daraa Governorate") and [Quneitra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quneitra_Governorate "Quneitra Governorate") provinces.
On 8 September 2018, clashes in Quamishli took place between the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and Syrian Arab Republic forces yet again. 10+ SAA troops and 7 Asayish fighters were killed. Many more on both sides were injured.[\[506\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-507)
On 17 September Israel [hit multiple targets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_missile_strikes_\(September_2018\) "Syria missile strikes (September 2018)") in western Syria. While trying to strike the Israeli planes, Syrian forces shot down a Russian plane, causing the deaths of 15 Russians.[\[507\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-508)[\[508\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-509) The strikes occurred a few hours after a Russo-Turkish agreement to create a [demilitarized zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demilitarized_zone "Demilitarized zone") around [Idlib Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate "Idlib Governorate") was achieved, which postponed an imminent offensive operation by Syrian Ba'athist government forces and its allies.[\[509\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-510) Russia blamed Israel for the incident; Russian defence ministry's spokesman [Igor Konashenkov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Konashenkov "Igor Konashenkov") named the Israeli military as the sole culprit of the accident.[\[510\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-511)[\[511\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-milru-20180923-512)
In the aftermath of the strikes, on 24 September 2018, Russian defence minister [Sergey Shoygu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Shoygu "Sergey Shoygu") confirmed that the Syrian army would receive [S-300](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-300_missile_system "S-300 missile system") air-defence missile systems to strengthen Syria's combat air defence capabilities. He added that the previous cancellation of the contract for S-300 delivery in 2013 had been due to Israel's request but following the downing of the Russian aircraft in Syria the situation had changed.[\[512\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-tassshoigus300-513)[\[513\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-514)[\[514\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-shoigukommer-515) The S-300 has modern [IFF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identification_friend_or_foe "Identification friend or foe") systems which would prevent the missiles from targeting Russian aircraft.[\[515\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-tass-20180924-516)
### Partial US withdrawal; Turkish buffer zone agreements; Iraq strikes ISIL targets (September–December 2018)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=39 "Edit section: Partial US withdrawal; Turkish buffer zone agreements; Iraq strikes ISIL targets (September–December 2018)")\]
Main article: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2018)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(September%E2%80%93December_2018\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2018)")
See also: [Idlib demilitarization (2018–2019)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_demilitarization_\(2018%E2%80%932019\) "Idlib demilitarization (2018–2019)") and [American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American-led_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war")
On 17 September 2018, Russian president [Vladimir Putin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin "Vladimir Putin") and Turkish president [Recep Tayyip Erdoğan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recep_Tayyip_Erdo%C4%9Fan "Recep Tayyip Erdoğan") reached an agreement to create a [buffer zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffer_zone "Buffer zone") in Idlib.[\[516\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-517)
At a summit in October 2018, envoys from Russia, Turkey, France and Germany issued a joint statement affirming the need to respect territorial integrity of Syria as a whole. This forms one basis for their role as "guarantor nations."[\[517\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Astana_Sabah-518) The second round of talks occurred around 25 November, but was not successful due to opposition from the Assad regime.[\[517\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Astana_Sabah-518) At the Astana Process meeting in December 2019, a UN official stated that in order for the third round of talks to proceed, co-chairs from the Assad regime and the opposition need to agree on an agenda.[\[517\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Astana_Sabah-518) The committee has two co-chairs, Ahmad Kuzbari representing the Syrian government, and Hadi Albahra from the opposition. It is unclear if the third round of talks will proceed on a firm schedule, until the Syrian government provides its assent to participate.[\[517\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Astana_Sabah-518)
While the war is still ongoing, Syrian President [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad") said that Syria would be able to rebuild the war-torn country on its own. As of July 2018[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit), the reconstruction was estimated to cost a minimum of US\$400 billion. Assad said he would be able to loan this money from friendly countries, Syrian diaspora and the state treasury.[\[518\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-519) Iran has expressed interest in helping rebuild Syria. One year later this seems to be materializing, Iran and the Syrian government signed a deal where Iran would help rebuild the Syrian energy grid, which has taken damage to 50% of the grid.[\[519\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-520) International donors have been suggested as one financier of the reconstruction.[\[520\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-521) As of November 2018[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit), reports emerged that rebuilding efforts had already started. It was reported that the biggest issue facing the rebuilding process is the lack of building material and a need to make sure the resources that do exist are managed efficiently. The rebuilding effort have so far remained at a limited capacity and has often been focused on certain areas of a city, thus ignoring other areas inhabited by disadvantaged people.[\[521\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-522)
On 12 December, the Turkish government announced it would begin operations against Rojava (the [Democratic Federation of Northern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Federation_of_Northern_Syria "Democratic Federation of Northern Syria")) "in a few days" in an apparent rebuke of US efforts at ensuring Turkish border security in the area.[\[522\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-523) In response, [the Pentagon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pentagon "The Pentagon") said that any unilateral military action taken in northern Syria where US forces are operating would be "unacceptable."[\[523\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-524) However, President Trump abruptly announced on 19 December 2018 the withdrawal of all troops from Syria, after which Turkey postponed the planned attack.[\[524\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-525)
Late on 25 December, Israel launched an attack from or across Lebanese air space, "in response to an anti-aircraft missile launched from Syria" according to the IDF; Russia condemned the strikes as provocative and said that they "directly threatened two airliners". Reports from Syria said an arms depot in Qatifah, about 40 km north-east of Damascus, was hit, injuring three soldiers.[\[525\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-526)
On 28 December, Ba'athist government forces were said to be on the outskirts of the strategically important northern city of [Manbij](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij "Manbij"), but the city was still held by Kurdish forces and US troops were still there.[\[526\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-527)
On 30 December, the Syrian Ba'athist government officially allowed Iraq to strike ISIL on Syrian territory.[\[527\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-528) Iraq struck ISIL targets in [Deir ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate "Deir ez-Zor Governorate") the next day.[\[528\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-529)
The Syrian government put forward a law commonly known as "[law 10](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Law_10&action=edit&redlink=1 "Law 10 (page does not exist)")", which could strip refugees of property, such as damaged real estate. There are also fears among some refugees that if they return to claim this property they will face negative consequences, such as forced conscription or prison. The Syrian government has been criticized for using this law to reward those who have supported the government. However, the government said this statement was false and has expressed that it wants the return of refugees from Lebanon.[\[529\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-530)[\[530\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-531) In December 2018, it was also reported that the Syrian government has started to seize property under an anti-terrorism law, which is affecting government opponents negatively, with many losing their property. Some people's pensions have also been cancelled.[\[531\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-532)
## ISIL attacks continue; US states conditions of withdrawal; fifth inter-rebel conflict (January–September 2019)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=40 "Edit section: ISIL attacks continue; US states conditions of withdrawal; fifth inter-rebel conflict (January–September 2019)")\]
Main article: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2019)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2019\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2019)")
See also: [American intervention in the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "American intervention in the Syrian civil war") and [National Front for Liberation–Tahrir al-Sham conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Front_for_Liberation%E2%80%93Tahrir_al-Sham_conflict "National Front for Liberation–Tahrir al-Sham conflict")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ongoing_conflicts_around_the_world_in_2019.svg)
[Ongoing armed conflicts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ongoing_armed_conflicts "List of ongoing armed conflicts") in 2019
***
Wars, 1,000–9,999 deaths in current or past calendar year
Beginning on 1 January 2019 and lasting through 10 January 2019, [Hayat Tahrir al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayat_Tahrir_al-Sham "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham") (HTS) [attacked and seized](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Front_for_Liberation%E2%80%93Tahrir_al-Sham_conflict "National Front for Liberation–Tahrir al-Sham conflict") the positions of the [National Front for Liberation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Front_for_Liberation "National Front for Liberation") (NLF) across rebel-held Idlib and Aleppo. On 9 January 2019, a truce was reached between the two factions, with the NLF surrendering their last positions in Idlib to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and evacuating to areas under the control of the [Syrian National Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_National_Army "Syrian National Army") in Afrin. On 10 January, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took control of the remaining positions previously held by the NLF.[\[532\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-533)
On 5 January 2019, a Kurdish fighter was killed and two British special forces troops were seriously injured by an ISIL attack near the town of Deir al-Zour. The injured men were evacuated by US forces.[\[533\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-534)
On 6 January 2019, US National Security Adviser [John Bolton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._Bolton "John R. Bolton") said, on a trip to Israel and Turkey, that the withdrawal of US troops from Syria depends on certain conditions, including the assurance that the remnants of ISIL forces are defeated and Kurds in northern Syria were safe from Turkish forces.[\[534\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-535) However, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected the call to protect Kurdish troops, whom he regarded as terrorist groups.[\[535\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-536) Also on 6 January, the SDF said that they'd caught and arrested two American ISIL fighters, along with suspected fighters from Ireland and Pakistan, who had been planning a terrorist attack on fleeing Syrian civilians.[\[536\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-537) On 10 January 2019, US Secretary of State, [Mike Pompeo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Pompeo "Mike Pompeo"), said at a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart [Sameh Shoukry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sameh_Shoukry "Sameh Shoukry") in Cairo that the US would withdraw its troops from Syria while continuing the battle against ISIL, but warned that there would be no US reconstruction aid for areas controlled by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad until Iran and its proxies had left.[\[537\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-538)[\[538\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-539)
On 15 January, a suicide bombing by an ISIL militant next to a US patrol in Kurdish-held Manbij killed 18 people, including four US service personnel, and wounded 18, on the same day that US vice-president [Mike Pence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Pence "Mike Pence") claimed that ISIL had been defeated.[\[539\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-540)
On 23 March, after many weeks of sporadic fighting as civilians left [Baghuz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghuz "Baghuz"), the SDF said the five-year "caliphate" was over and ISIL was now defeated in Syria.[\[540\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-541)
In April 2019, United Nations authorities estimated that the war in Syria has caused destruction reaching to about \$400 billion.[\[541\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-542)
On 20 April, ISIL reported that they had killed 35 government troops in the Homs and Deir al-Zour provinces; SOHR reported 27 killed, saying that this was the largest attack since ISIL had been declared defeated. Thousands of ISIL fighters and their families captured from Baghuz remained in camps nearby.[\[542\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-543)
### New outbreaks of civil war, 2019 Northwestern offensive (May–September 2019)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=41 "Edit section: New outbreaks of civil war, 2019 Northwestern offensive (May–September 2019)")\]
Main articles: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2019)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93August_2019\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2019)") and [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2019)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(September%E2%80%93December_2019\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2019)")
See also: [Northwestern Syria offensive (April–August 2019)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93August_2019\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (April–August 2019)") and [Northern Syria Buffer Zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Syria_Buffer_Zone "Northern Syria Buffer Zone")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Situation_in_Syria_\(September_2019\).svg)
Military situation in Syria in September 2019
On 6 May, the Syrian Government, in coordination with the [Russian Aerospace Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Aerospace_Forces "Russian Aerospace Forces"), [launched a ground offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93August_2019\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (April–August 2019)") against [Hayat Tahrir al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayat_Tahrir_al-Sham "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham"), [Jaysh al-Izza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaysh_al-Izza "Jaysh al-Izza") and [National Front for Liberation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Front_for_Liberation "National Front for Liberation")\-held territories in Northwestern Syria, in response to what it stated were repeated attacks on government-held areas, carried out by those groups from within the [demilitarized zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_demilitarization_\(2018%E2%80%932019\) "Idlib demilitarization (2018–2019)").[\[543\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-544)
Following the third northwestern Syria offensive, Syrian Government forces managed to take control over the town of [Khan Shaykhun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_Shaykhun "Khan Shaykhun") on 19 August, thus creating a rebel pocket on the towns of [Kafr Zita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafr_Zita "Kafr Zita"), [Lataminah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lataminah "Lataminah") and [Morek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murak,_Syria "Murak, Syria") including the [Turkish observation post in Morek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_military_operation_in_Idlib_Governorate "Turkish military operation in Idlib Governorate"). Syrian Army captured the entire pocket on 23 August, therefore encircling the observation post in Morek.[\[544\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-545)
By September 2019, according to a Syrian war monitor, over 120 Churches had been damaged or demolished by all sides in Syrian war since 2011.[\[545\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-546)
### New agreements in mid-2019
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=42 "Edit section: New agreements in mid-2019")\]
On 7 August, the [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") and [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey "Turkey") reached a deal, which would set up a new [demilitarized buffer zone in northern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Syria_Buffer_Zone "Northern Syria Buffer Zone").[\[546\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-547)
On 30 August, the Syrian government and Russia announced the launch of a unilateral ceasefire starting from 31 August to stabilise the situation in Idlib.[\[547\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BBC_News_2019_cease_fire-548)
## Turkish offensive and Second Turkish Buffer Zone; Kurdish collaboration; Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (October–December 2019)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=43 "Edit section: Turkish offensive and Second Turkish Buffer Zone; Kurdish collaboration; Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (October–December 2019)")\]
Main article: [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2019)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(September%E2%80%93December_2019\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2019)")
See also: [2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Turkish_offensive_into_north-eastern_Syria "2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria"), [Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Northern_Syria_Buffer_Zone "Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone"), and [Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi "Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi")
### Turkish offensive into northeastern Syria; Russian mediation and US power vacuum; Kurdish–Syrian collaboration; Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (October 2019)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=44 "Edit section: Turkish offensive into northeastern Syria; Russian mediation and US power vacuum; Kurdish–Syrian collaboration; Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (October 2019)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Changing_frontlines_of_the_Turkish_offensive_in_Rojava,_2019.gif)
Turkey launches a new offensive into Kurdish-controlled northern Syria in October 2019 after U.S. forces pull back. The SDF strikes a deal with the Syrian government to help defend the territory
In October 2019, Kurdish leaders of [Rojava](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria"), a region within Syria, announced they had reached a major deal with the government of Syria under Assad. This deal was enacted in the wake of the US withdrawal from Syria. The Kurdish leaders made this deal in order to obtain Syria's help in stopping hostile Turkish forces who were invading Syria and attacking Kurds.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceE-4)[\[548\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-549)[\[549\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-550)
In response to the [2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Turkish_offensive_into_north-eastern_Syria "2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria"), and the US withdrawal of forces, Russia began some efforts at mediation, and arranged for negotiations and the first-ever accordance between the Syrian government in Damascus and the [Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurds_in_Syria "Kurds in Syria")\-led [SDF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces").[\[550\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ft.com-551) Russia also negotiated an agreement to form the [Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Northern_Syria_Buffer_Zone "Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone"), which made new changes to the positions of Syrian, Turkish and SDF forces.[\[551\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Newsweek_middle_east-552)[\[552\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Fraser-553)[\[553\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BBCDeploy-554)[\[554\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-newsweek.com-555)
On 5 October, Turkish President Erdogan warned about a full-scale Turkish invasion of northern Syria.[\[555\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-556)[\[556\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-557)
On 7 October, the U.S. government declared that while U.S. forces would not support the Turkish operation, they would withdraw from the area and permit it to take place.[\[557\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-558) The withdrawal was ordered by President [Donald Trump](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump "Donald Trump"), a move that was strongly criticized domestically at the time for its apparent abandonment of the Kurds and for creating a power vacuum in the region Syria and Russia were expected to quickly fill.[\[558\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-559)
On 9 October, Turkish President Erdogan announced that [the offensive into north-eastern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Turkish_offensive_into_north-eastern_Syria "2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria") had begun.[\[559\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-560)[\[560\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-561) In response to the offensive, Russia arranged for negotiations between the Syrian government in Damascus and the Kurdish-led forces.[\[550\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ft.com-551)[\[561\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ko-il-rftv-562) [Mazloum Abdi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazloum_Abdi "Mazloum Abdi"), the Syrian Kurdish commander-in-chief, announced that they are ready to partner with [Vladimir Putin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin "Vladimir Putin") (Russia) and [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad") (Syria), stating that "We know that we would have to make painful compromises with Moscow and Bashar al-Assad if we go down the road of working with them. But if we have to choose between compromises and the genocide of our people, we will surely choose life for our people."[\[562\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-abma-if-we-563)[\[551\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Newsweek_middle_east-552)
On 13 October the Syrian government and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava) made an agreement focused on deterring the Turkish-led offensive in north-eastern Syria, brokered by the Russian government.[\[563\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-564)[\[564\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-565) The details of the agreement was unknown at the time, but there were reports that suggest that the SDF will be incorporated into the [Syrian Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Armed_Forces "Syrian Armed Forces") and that northeastern Syria will come under direct rule of the Syrian government in Damascus.[\[565\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-566) According to Syrian Kurdish officials, the deal allowed Syrian government forces to take over security in some border areas, but their own administration would maintain control of local institutions.[\[566\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-wapo-ssgse-567) Syrian troops began entering some key towns in northeastern Syria with Kurdish agreement.[\[567\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-568)[\[568\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-569) Syrian troops took up positions in some areas to oppose Turkish troops that were threatening various Kurdish forces, including entering cities such as Ayn Issa and Tell Tamer.[\[569\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-570)[\[570\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-571)[\[571\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-572)[\[572\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-573)[\[573\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-574) With these deals, the prospects for Kurdish autonomy in the region seemed severely diminished and the Kurds were concerned that the independence of their declared [Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (NES)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria_\(NES\) "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (NES)") in [Rojava](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria") might be severely curtailed.[\[574\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-dvcopt-575)[\[575\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-576)[\[562\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-abma-if-we-563)[\[576\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-577)[\[577\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-578)[\[578\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-579)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rojava_solidarity_demonstration_Berlin_2019-10-10_22.jpg)
Protest against the [2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Turkish_offensive_into_north-eastern_Syria "2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria")
Meanwhile, internationally, Turkey's role in [NATO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO "NATO") began to be scrutinized by analysts, commentators, and war observers in response to the offensive against the US-backed Kurds. Furthermore, there were apparent signs of a schism between Turkey and other NATO members, in which NATO was seen as effectively "powerless" to manage the situation and that the Turkish government was aware that NATO did not hold much leverage over on-the-ground developments in Syria.[\[579\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-580)[\[580\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-581) Due to Turkey's strategic position between Europe and the Middle East, NATO members were in a situation where they had limited themselves to relatively muted criticism.[\[581\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-582) According to [the New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times"), the U.S. began reviewing the potential withdrawal of its [nuclear weapons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapons_of_the_United_States "Nuclear weapons of the United States") from [Incirlik airbase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incirlik_airbase "Incirlik airbase") under NATO's [nuclear sharing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_sharing "Nuclear sharing").[\[582\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-583)[\[583\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-584) US congressmen, particularly Republican senator Lindsey Graham[\[584\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-585)[\[585\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-586) and Democratic representative [Eric Swalwell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Swalwell "Eric Swalwell")[\[586\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-587) began calling for possibly suspending Turkey's membership in NATO.
On 15 October, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Russian forces had begun patrolling the region along the line of contact between Turkish and Syrian forces,[\[561\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ko-il-rftv-562)[\[566\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-wapo-ssgse-567) indicating that Russia was now filling the security vacuum from the sudden US withdrawal.[\[566\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-wapo-ssgse-567)[\[587\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-588) Video footage showed Russian soldiers and journalists touring a base that the US had abandoned.[\[566\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-wapo-ssgse-567)[\[588\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ol-ram-589) Alexander Lavrentiev, Russia's special envoy on Syria, warned that the Turkish offensive into Syria was unacceptable and stated that Russia was seeking to prevent conflict between Turkish and Syrian troops.[\[589\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-590)
#### Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone (October 2019)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=45 "Edit section: Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone (October 2019)")\]
On 22 October, Russia and Turkey made an agreement via the Sochi Agreement of 2019 to set up a [Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Northern_Syria_Buffer_Zone "Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone").[\[590\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-591) Syrian President Assad expressed full support for the deal, as various terms of the agreement also applied to the Syrian government.[\[591\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-GuardianBuffer-592)
The demilitarization agreement reportedly included the following terms:[\[552\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Fraser-553)[\[591\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-GuardianBuffer-592)[\[554\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-newsweek.com-555)[\[592\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-593)[\[593\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-594)[\[594\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-595)
- A buffer zone would be established in Northern Syria. The zone would be around **30 kilometres (19 mi)** deep,[\[b\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-596) stretching from [Euphrates River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates_River "Euphrates River") to [Tall Abyad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tall_Abyad "Tall Abyad") and from [Ras al-Ayn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ras_al-Ayn "Ras al-Ayn") to the Iraq-Syria border, but excluding the town of [Qamishli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamishli "Qamishli"), the Kurds' *de facto* capital.[\[c\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-597)
- The buffer zone would be controlled jointly by the [Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Army "Syrian Army") and [Russian Military Police](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Military_Police "Russian Military Police").
- All [YPG](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YPG "YPG") forces, which constitute the majority of the SDF, must withdraw from the buffer zone entirely, along with their weapons, within 150 hours from the announcement of the deal. Their withdrawal would be overseen by Russian Military Police and the Syrian Border Guards, which would enter the zone at noon on 23 October.
- The YPG would also withdraw from the cities of [Manbij](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij "Manbij") and [Tell Rifaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tell_Rifaat "Tell Rifaat").[\[d\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-598)
- Following the YPG withdrawal, joint Russian-Turkish ground patrols would be held in the buffer zone area, but only within **10 kilometres (6.2 mi)** from the border and not including Qamishli.[\[e\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-599)[\[f\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-600)
- Turkey would retain sole control of the areas it had captured during its offensive between the towns of [Tell Abyad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tell_Abyad "Tell Abyad") and [Ras al-Ayn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ras_al-Ayn "Ras al-Ayn").
- The [Syrian Government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Government "Syrian Government") would construct and man 15 border posts on the [Turkish-Syrian border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish-Syrian_border "Turkish-Syrian border").
- The parties would launch a joint effort to resettle [Syrian refugees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_refugee "Syrian refugee") in a "safe and voluntary manner".
- The parties would agree to "preserve the political unity and territorial integrity of Syria" as well as protect the "national security of Turkey".
- The parties would agree to reaffirm the importance of the [Adana Agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adana_Agreement "Adana Agreement"). Russia will facilitate the implementation of the Adana Agreement.
Following the diplomatic breakthrough, the SDF stated that it was willing to merge with the Syrian Army if a political settlement between the Syrian government and the SDF was achieved.[\[595\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-601)
Meanwhile, on 26 October, U.S. [Joint Special Operations Command](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Special_Operations_Command "Joint Special Operations Command")'s (JSOC) [1st SFOD-D (Delta Force)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Force "Delta Force") conducted a raid into [Idlib province](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_province "Idlib province") on the border with Turkey that resulted in the death of ISIL leader [Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi "Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi"), striking a blow to the terror organization.[\[596\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-602)
### Russian troops enter Raqqa; Syrian Constitutional Committee; NATO summit; Turkish occupation; continued refugee crisis (October 2019–December 2019)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=46 "Edit section: Russian troops enter Raqqa; Syrian Constitutional Committee; NATO summit; Turkish occupation; continued refugee crisis (October 2019–December 2019)")\]
On 28 October, in response to a speech by Assad, the Syrian Democratic Council said it was ready to have positive discussions with the Assad government. They said their focus would shift to stopping the Turkish invasion.[\[597\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-603)[\[598\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-:4-604)[\[599\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-:5-605) Multiple Kurdish groups that were once rivals have begun to seek greater unity against Turkey. Additionally, Syrian Kurdish officials have had some positive discussions with the Assad government, and with local countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan.[\[600\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-al-monitor_overview-606)
On 30 October, the recently negotiated [Syrian Constitutional Committee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Constitutional_Committee "Syrian Constitutional Committee") held its inaugural meeting.[\[601\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-607) On 20 November, the committee began operating in order to discuss a new settlement and to draft a new constitution for Syria.[\[517\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Astana_Sabah-518) This committee comprises about 150 members. It includes representatives of the Syrian government, opposition groups, and countries serving as guarantors of the process such as e.g. Russia. However, this committee has faced strong opposition from the Syrian government. 50 of the committee members represent the government, and 50 members represent the opposition. The committee began its work in November 2019 in Geneva, under UN auspices. However, the Assad government delegation left on the second day of the process.[\[517\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Astana_Sabah-518)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:President_Trump_Meets_with_the_President_of_Turkey_\(49060819653\).jpg)
President [Donald Trump](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump "Donald Trump") meets with Turkish President [Recep Tayyip Erdoğan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recep_Tayyip_Erdo%C4%9Fan "Recep Tayyip Erdoğan") in the Oval Office of the White House, 13 November 2019
At the NATO summit in London in early December 2019, French president Emmanuel Macron of France highlighted major differences with Turkey over the definition of terrorism, and said there was little chance this aspect of the conflict could be resolved positively.[\[602\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-608) Macron criticized Turkey strongly for fighting against groups who had been allied with France and the West in fighting terrorism.[\[603\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-euobserver_nato-609) Numerous issues in resolving the conflict emerged at the NATO summit in London. Turkey proposed a safe zone where Syrian refugees could be relocated, but this idea did not receive support from all parties.[\[603\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-euobserver_nato-609) Prior to the NATO Summit, there was a meeting at 10 Downing Street of the leaders of France, the UK, Germany and Turkey. One key point that emerged that the Western countries insisted that refugees could only be relocated voluntarily.[\[604\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-610)[\[605\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-611) Meanwhile, there were concerns in NATO about Turkey's growing closeness with Russia.[\[606\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-612)
On 5 December, Erdogan claimed that a four-way summit on Syria was scheduled to occur in Turkey in February 2020 and will include Turkey, Germany, the UK, and France.[\[607\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-613) The same day, United States Defense Secretary [Mark Esper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Esper "Mark Esper") said that the United States had completed its military pullback in northeastern Syria and that 600 troops would remain in the rest of Syria.[\[608\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-614) On 12 December, Esper said that Turkey's northern buffer zone had now "stabilized" the situation in northern Syria.[\[609\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-615)[\[588\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ol-ram-589)[\[610\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-616)[\[611\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-617)
At a meeting in Damascus, Russian and Syrian officials clearly stated their support for Syria regaining control over all of its territory.[\[612\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-618)[\[613\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-619)[\[614\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-620) The United Arab Emirates also expressed official support for Assad.[\[615\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-621) Russia handled security through its own forces deployed in some key towns under the Sochi Agreement. On 9 December, Russian troops entered Raqqa and began distributing humanitarian aid.[\[616\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-622)[\[617\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-623)[\[618\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-624) As part of the buffer zone agreement, Russian military police were carrying out joint patrols and were bringing humanitarian aid to local communities.[\[619\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-625)[\[620\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-626) Meanwhile, the Assad government forged agreements with some opposition groups to return to various local border areas.[\[600\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-al-monitor_overview-606)[\[621\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-627)[\[598\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-:4-604)[\[599\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-:5-605)[\[622\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-628)[\[623\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-629)
Also on 9 December, it was reported that the Russian and Turkish armies had made a deal whereby electricity would be supplied to Tal Abyad by Russia's allies, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) who now support Assad; while water would be supplied by the Alouk water station that is controlled by Turkish forces.[\[624\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-630) This deal was mainly facilitated by Russian military officials.[\[625\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-631)[\[626\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-m4road-632)[\[627\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-633) It was also reported on 11 December that the [M4 road](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_Motorway_\(Syria\) "M4 Motorway (Syria)") to Aleppo would reopen soon, based on an agreement mediated by Russia with Turkey, Turkey's allies in Syria, and the SDF.[\[626\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-m4road-632)[\[628\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-634)[\[629\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-635) There were some reports that Turkey has become more involved with local infrastructure in areas that it controls. Some local schools have been provided with some teachers and curriculum components.[\[630\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-636)
Around 10 December, a new round of meetings for the Astana summit process took place in the Kazakh capital Nur Sultan. The meeting includes Russia, Syria, Turkey and Iran.[\[631\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-637) At this meeting Russia, stated that the "safe zone" established by Turkey should not be expanded, as this would not accomplish anything positive for the region.[\[632\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-638) The Astana process was created by Turkey, Iran and Russia in order to find a lasting solution to the conflict. They have examined a process to reform the constitution of Syria via the newly formed Syrian Constitutional Committee.[\[517\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Astana_Sabah-518) The parties reported that they reached some important understandings at this meeting, including affirming a commitment to work together to respect Syrian territorial integrity.[\[633\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-639) The United States has boycotted this process.[\[551\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Newsweek_middle_east-552)
Various efforts were proceeding to rebuild infrastructure in Syria in December 2019. On 12 December, Russia said it would spend \$500 million to modernize Syria's port of [Tartus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartus "Tartus"). Russia also said it would build a railway to link Syria with the Persian Gulf.[\[634\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-640)[\[635\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-641) Russia would also contribute to recovery efforts by the UN.[\[636\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-642) Syria awarded oil exploration contracts to two Russian firms.[\[637\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-643) On 16 December, Syria announced it was in serious dialogue with China to join China's [Belt and Road Initiative](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belt_and_Road_Initiative "Belt and Road Initiative") designed to foster investment in infrastructure in over one-hundred developing nations worldwide.[\[638\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-644)[\[639\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-645)
#### Continued refugee crisis, Kurdish fears of ethnic cleansing, and UN aid dispute (December 2019)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=47 "Edit section: Continued refugee crisis, Kurdish fears of ethnic cleansing, and UN aid dispute (December 2019)")\]
In December 2019, Erdogan stated that Turkey was ready to resettle 1 million Syrian refugees in the northern Syria areas that Turkey had invaded, and that Turkey would pay the costs to do it if necessary, while also calling for more support from the EU and from world organizations.[\[640\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceA-646)[\[641\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-middleeasteye.net-647)[\[642\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-middleeastmonitor.com-648)[\[643\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-wsau.com-649)[\[644\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-650) On 9 December, various local accounts indicated that Turkey was moving Syrian refugees into its zone of operations in Northern Syria for the first time.[\[645\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-651) Erdogan said that Turkey was working to settle one million people in the cities of Tal Abyad and Ras Al-Ain in northern Syria.[\[646\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-652) This led to fears of population change or [ethnic cleansing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_cleansing "Ethnic cleansing").[\[647\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-653) Turkey also began to appoint local mayors and governors in several northern Syrian towns.[\[648\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-654) They also appointed about 4,000 police officers and other local officials, and were providing some basic local services for citizens.[\[649\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-655)
The number of migrants crossing from Turkey into Europe doubled in 2019 to 70,000, raising questions about whether the 2016 EU-Turkey migrant deal is still effective, Deutsche Welle reported, citing a confidential EU report.[\[650\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-dw.com-656)[\[651\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-thehill.com-657) This caused the Kurds to raise some concerns about displacement of various existing populations and communities.[\[652\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-foreign_policy_Dec_2019-658) Erdogan claimed that Turkey had spent billions on approximately five million refugees now being housed in Turkey; and also asserted that wealthier nations had done little to address the situation.[\[653\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-dailysabah.com-659)[\[654\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-channelnewsasia.com-660)[\[655\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-al-monitor.com-661)
A major statement from NGO [ACT Alliance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACT_Alliance "ACT Alliance") found that millions of Syrian refugees remained displaced in countries around Syria. This included around 1.5 million refugees in Lebanon. Also the report found that refugees in camps in north-eastern Syria had tripled in the past year.[\[656\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-662) The UNHCR has also been tracking data on refugees, and maintains [an official website](https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria) to do so.[\[657\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-663) Numerous refugees remained in local refugee camps. Conditions there were reported to be severe, especially with winter approaching.[\[658\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-washokani-664)[\[659\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-665) Refugees in Northeast Syria report they had received no help from international aid organizations.[\[660\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-666)
Meanwhile, a diplomatic dispute was occurring at the UN over re-authorization of cross-border aid for refugees. China and Russia oppose the draft resolution that seeks to re-authorize crossing points in Turkey, Iraq, and Jordan; China and Russia, as allies of Assad, seek to close the two crossing points in Iraq and Jordan, and to leave only the two crossing points in Turkey active.[\[661\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-un_refugees-667) All of the ten individuals representing the non-permanent members of the Security Council stood in the corridor outside of the chamber speaking to the press to state that all four crossing points were crucial and must be renewed.[\[661\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-un_refugees-667)
UN official [Mark Lowcock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Lowcock "Mark Lowcock") had asked the UN to re-authorize cross-border aid to enable aid to continue to reach refugees in Syria. He said there was no other way to deliver the aid that was needed. He noted that four million refugees out of the over eleven million refugees who need assistance are being reached through four specific international crossing points. Lowcock serves as the United Nations [Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under-Secretary-General_for_Humanitarian_Affairs_and_Emergency_Relief_Coordinator "Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator") and the Head of the [United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Office_for_the_Coordination_of_Humanitarian_Affairs "United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs").[\[662\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-UN_VOA_12/2019-668)
Russia, aided by China's support, vetoed the resolution to retain all four border crossings. An alternate resolution also did not pass.[\[663\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-669)[\[664\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-670) The US strongly criticized the vetoes and opposition by Russia and China.[\[665\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-671)[\[666\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-672)
In regards to the Kurds, the EU held an international conference in mid-December 2019 which condemned any suppression of the Kurds, and called for the self-declared Autonomous Administration in Rojava to be preserved and to be reflected in any new Syrian Constitution. The Kurds are concerned that the independence of their declared Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in Rojava might be severely curtailed.[\[667\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-673)
Various Kurdish factions that were historical rivals began to meet in order to work together more. Their stated reason was to stand together against Russia and Turkey more strongly if needed.[\[668\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-674)[\[669\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-what_now-675) The Russian government has informed the Kurdish factions that they should reconcile and come up with a unified set of demands to clarify to Russia.[\[670\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-676) Various Kurdish factions blamed each other and their council for lack of progress.[\[671\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-677) The national Syrian government sent representatives to northeast Syria to meet with local groups there in order to address their concerns and to emphasize unity and combined effort to address problems.[\[672\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-678) A meeting occurred in Qamishli city, in northeast Syria, that included Syrian national officials, and delegates from Kurdish, Arab, and Syrian figures and forces.[\[673\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-679) Kurdish delegates emphasized their desire to help to protect Syria as a whole. They expressed willingness to have positive discussions with the Assad government.[\[674\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-680)[\[675\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-681)
SDF General Commander Mazlum Abdi met with local leaders of the Wise Committee, which is composed of leaders of local communities and local family groupings. This meeting emphasized the importance on national unity, and the need to stand against Turkish invaders.[\[676\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-682) Abdi called on the US and Russia to help stop Turkey from displacing entire communities and ethnic groups from the areas that it controls.[\[677\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-683) Some reports indicated that meetings between officials of the Assad government and leaders of local political factions went well, and all parties agreed on common goals to improve Syrian society as a whole.[\[678\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-684) The SDF showed some reluctance to integrate into the Syrian Arab Army as requested by the Assad government, though.[\[679\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-685)
Around 10 December, it appeared that Turkey was withdrawing all of its forces away from the al-Shirkark silos, which hold important supplies of wheat, this seemed to be a result of Russian mediation.[\[680\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-686) However, some reports said they later returned to re-occupy that area.[\[681\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-687) Russia said it would pledge to remove Turkish forces from a key highway in northern Syria, and replace them with Russian forces to maintain stability.[\[682\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-688) Russian and Turkish forces are continuing their joint patrols.[\[669\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-what_now-675) Questions remained about how much control Turkey had over its proxies, such as the Free Syrian Army.[\[683\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-689)
## Fourth northwestern Syria offensive and Operation Spring Shield (December 2019–April 2020)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=48 "Edit section: Fourth northwestern Syria offensive and Operation Spring Shield (December 2019–April 2020)")\]
See also: [Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(December_2019%E2%80%93March_2020\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)"), [Operation Spring Shield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Spring_Shield "Operation Spring Shield"), [COVID-19 pandemic in Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Syria "COVID-19 pandemic in Syria"), [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2020)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(2020\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2020)"), [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2021)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(2021\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2021)"), and [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2022)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(2022\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2022)")
### Fourth northwestern Syria offensive begins (December 2019–February 2020)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=49 "Edit section: Fourth northwestern Syria offensive begins (December 2019–February 2020)")\]
Russia and Syria escalated their attacks against rebel forces in and around the [Idlib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate "Idlib Governorate") province by the end of 2019 despite the unilateral ceasefire from August and announced sanctions by the United States.[\[684\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-690)[\[685\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-691) Air raids by the government forces targeted the [Ma'arrat al-Nu'man District](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27arrat_al-Nu%27man_District "Ma'arrat al-Nu'man District") which resulted in more than 20 killed.[\[686\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-692)[\[687\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-693) In the same week, a bill passed the US senate including new sanctions on Syria, Iran and Russia for their alleged war crimes during the Syrian civil war.[\[688\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-694)[\[689\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-695)
On 19 December 2019, Syrian Army forces and allies [launched a ground offensive in the northwestern Syria countryside](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(December_2019%E2%80%93March_2020\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)"). The main objective was to capture the [M5 road](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M5_Motorway_\(Syria\) "M5 Motorway (Syria)") which connects [Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus "Damascus") to [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo "Aleppo").[\[690\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-2ndphase-696) In late December 2019, Erdogan stated that Syrian bombing of Idlib had caused new waves of refugees to enter Turkey. Erdogan stated that Turkey could not handle this new influx, and that this influx would be "felt by all European countries".[\[691\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-697)[\[692\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-698)[\[693\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-699)
The [Syrian Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Armed_Forces "Syrian Armed Forces")' official statement on the capture of [Ma'arrat al-Nu'man](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27arrat_al-Nu%27man "Ma'arrat al-Nu'man") in February 2020
After a brief ceasefire, the Syrian Army started to advance towards the city of [Ma'arrat al-Nu'man](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27arrat_al-Nu%27man "Ma'arrat al-Nu'man") in January 2020. Following rapid advances, government forces reached the city from the eastern, northern and southern outskirts, nearly encircling it. The Syrian Army captured Ma'arrat al-Nu'man on 28 January 2020. It was the first time the Syrian government had control over the city since [the battle of 2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maarrat_al-Nu%27man_\(2012\) "Battle of Maarrat al-Nu'man (2012)").[\[694\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-700)[\[695\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-701)
Turkish President Erdogan on 19 February 2020, declared his intentions of changing the border between Syria and Turkey into a secure place for people from both countries, as Turkey prepared to commence an operation to prevent the Syrian army's attack on opposition-held Idlib province.[\[696\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-702)
In February 2020, the Syrian Army started pushing north towards the city of [Saraqib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraqib "Saraqib"). Meanwhile the offensive displaced over half a million people in northwestern Syria.[\[697\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-703) On 5 February 2020, government forces fully encircled Saraqib, including [four Turkish observation posts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_military_operation_in_Idlib_Governorate "Turkish military operation in Idlib Governorate"). After a two day siege, the Syrian Army entered the city and seized it on the same day.[\[698\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-704)
The Army advanced further to the north along the M5 towards [Aleppo city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo "Aleppo"). The road was fully under government control on 14 February 2020. In the meantime, [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey "Turkey") started to send military convoys into Idlib to reinforce their observation points.[\[699\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-705) The Syrian Army's next objective was to secure the western outskirts of Aleppo. Following a major breakthrough on the southern axis, government forces managed to cut off several rebel supply lines. In fear of getting encircled by the Syrian Army, the rebels decided to retreat westwards, leaving the government in control over western Aleppo, including the cities of [Haritan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haritan "Haritan") and [Anadan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anadan "Anadan") on 16 February 2020.[\[700\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-706)
On 20 February 2020, the rebels launched a counteroffensive towards Saraqib with [Turkish artillery support](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-155_F%C4%B1rt%C4%B1na "T-155 Fırtına").[\[701\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-707) At the same time, the Syrian Army shifted their ground advances to the [Jabal al-Zawiya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabal_Zawiya "Jabal Zawiya") and [al-Ghab plain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Ghab_plain "Al-Ghab plain") regions. According to SOHR, government forces managed to capture 33 towns and villages in 60 hours by 26 February 2020 .[\[702\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-708) The following day, the rebels backed by Turkey had fully recaptured Saraqib from government forces, thus cutting the Damascus-Aleppo M5 highway and lifting the siege of the four encircled Turkish observation points.[\[703\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-709)
### Balyun airstrikes and Operation Spring Shield (February–April 2020)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=50 "Edit section: Balyun airstrikes and Operation Spring Shield (February–April 2020)")\]
The offensive in northwestern Syria witnessed a major escalation on 27 February 2020 as a result of [pro-government airstrikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Balyun_airstrikes "2020 Balyun airstrikes") which targeted a Turkish mechanized infantry battalion near a post in the town of [Balyun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balyun "Balyun"). The strikes resulted in the death of at least 34 Turkish soldiers.[\[704\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Gurcan_deciphering-710)[\[705\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-711)[\[706\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-712) In response to the Balyun airstrikes, Turkish National Defense Minister [Hulusi Akar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulusi_Akar "Hulusi Akar") announced the launch of [Operation Spring Shield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Spring_Shield "Operation Spring Shield"). The purpose of the operation was in retaliation for the government attack on Turkish soldiers and to halt the Syrian Army advances towards Idlib.[\[707\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-713) The United States and [NATO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO "NATO") expressed support for Turkey's operation.[\[708\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-stoltennatoremarks-714) [Turkish Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Armed_Forces "Turkish Armed Forces") and their allies managed to recapture the strategic [Zawiya Mountain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabal_Zawiya "Jabal Zawiya") together with 18 villages, while the Syrian Army captured Saraqib for the second time in a month.[\[709\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-715)[\[710\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-716)
On 5 March 2020, the presidents of Turkey and Russia, [Erdoğan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recep_Tayyip_Erdo%C4%9Fan "Recep Tayyip Erdoğan") and [Putin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin "Vladimir Putin"), met in [Moscow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow "Moscow") to talk about the situation in northwestern Syria. They agreed on a ceasefire in the region that was to come into force from 00:00 hrs on 6 March.[\[711\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceC-717) Meanwhile, Erdogan said that Turkey expected to resettle about 1 million refugees in the "buffer zone" that it controls.[\[640\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceA-646) Erdogan claimed that Turkey had spent billions on approximately five million refugees now being housed in Turkey; and called for more funding from wealthier nations and from the EU.[\[653\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-dailysabah.com-659)[\[641\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-middleeasteye.net-647)[\[642\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-middleeastmonitor.com-648)
## Civil conflict ends, clashes with Turkish forces, economic crisis (May 2020–2022)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=51 "Edit section: Civil conflict ends, clashes with Turkish forces, economic crisis (May 2020–2022)")\]
For a chronological guide, see [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2020)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(2020\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2020)"), [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2021)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(2021\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2021)"), and [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2022)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(2022\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2022)").
### U.S. Caesar Act sanctions, economic crisis, crime wave (May–July 2020)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=52 "Edit section: U.S. Caesar Act sanctions, economic crisis, crime wave (May–July 2020)")\]
Analysts noted that the upcoming implementation of new heavy sanctions under the [U.S. Caesar Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesar_Syria_Civilian_Protection_Act "Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act") could devastate the Syrian economy, ruin any chances of recovery, and destroy regional stability.[\[712\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Guardian_6-12-2020-718)
A leading analyst, [Julien Barnes-Dacey](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Julien_Barnes-Dacey&action=edit&redlink=1 "Julien Barnes-Dacey (page does not exist)"), director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at the [European Council on Foreign Relations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Council_on_Foreign_Relations "European Council on Foreign Relations"), said:
> "Assad is absolutely the prime driver of Syria's ongoing collapse. \[But\] the US position now appears to be fundamentally driven by great power politics and the goal of ensuring that Russia and Iran can't claim a win. My fear is that Caesar will achieve the exact opposite of its stated goals, fuelling the worst impulses of the Syrian regime and wider conflict. The US self-declared maximum pressure campaign aims to bring the regime to its knees and force its backers to concede defeat but the regime knows how to brutally hold onto power and it's clear that its key backers aren't for moving.
>
> "The Syrian people have been brutalised for a decade now and the country is devastated by conflict but we appear to be staring into the precipice of a dangerous new stage of the conflict ... which risks a devastating new unravelling".[\[712\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Guardian_6-12-2020-718)
The sanctions severely affected the Syrian economy, especially its construction, finance and energy sectors, and complicated the reconstruction efforts.[\[713\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Financial_Times-719)
On 10 June, hundreds of protesters returned to the streets of [Sweida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweida "Sweida") for the fourth consecutive day, rallying against the collapse of the [country's economy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Syria "Economy of Syria"), as the [Syrian pound](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_pound "Syrian pound") had plummeted to 3,000:1 Syrian pounds to US dollars within the previous week.[\[714\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-720) On 11 June, Prime Minister [Imad Khamis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imad_Khamis "Imad Khamis") was dismissed by President Bashar al-Assad, amid anti-government protests over deteriorating economic conditions.[\[715\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-721) The new lows for the Syrian currency, and the dramatic increase in sanctions began to raise new threats to the survival of the Assad government.[\[716\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-722)[\[717\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-723)[\[718\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-724)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Situation_in_Syria_\(July_2020\).svg)
Military situation in Syria in July 2020
Analysts noted that a resolution to the current [banking crisis in Lebanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanese_liquidity_crisis "Lebanese liquidity crisis") might be crucial to restoring stability in Syria.[\[719\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-725) Some analysts began to raise concerns that Assad might be on the verge of losing power; but that any such collapse in the regime might cause conditions to worsen, as the result might be mass chaos rather than an improvement in political or economic conditions.[\[720\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-726)[\[721\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-727)[\[722\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-728)
During summer 2020, several Syrian officers were either detained or killed in mysterious circumstances upon and after the implementation of the Caesar Act.\[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify "Wikipedia:Please clarify")*\] For instance, Syrian authorities detained Major general Maan Hussein and seized his assets on 14 June.[\[723\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-729) Moreover, some other officers were assassinated in front of their houses, including: Colonel Ali Jumblat in [Yaafour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaafour "Yaafour"), Brigadier general Jihad Zaal in [Deir Ezzor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_Ezzor "Deir Ezzor"), Brigadier general Thaer Khair Bek in Al Zahera, [Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus "Damascus"),[\[724\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-730) Nizar Zidane in [Wadi Barada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadi_Barada "Wadi Barada"), Brigadier general Maan Idris in [Dummar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dummar "Dummar"), Brigadier general Somar Deeb in Al Tijara neighborhood in Damascus, and Brigadier general Haitham Othman, who was claimed to have died of [COVID-19](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19 "COVID-19").[\[725\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-731) In July 2020, the Syrian authorities led by Prime Minister [Hussein Arnous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hussein_Arnous "Hussein Arnous") imposed a \$100 entry fee for Syrians; due to this, a 17-year-old Syrian girl, Zainab Mohammed Al-Ibrahim, died at the border with Lebanon unable to pay the fee.[\[726\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-732)
Meanwhile, throughout 2020, several recreational drug deliveries (a total of about 27 tons or 162 million [Captagon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captagon "Captagon") pills, four tons of [hashish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashish "Hashish") and other loads of [amphetamine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphetamine "Amphetamine")), exported via the seaport of [Latakia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latakia "Latakia"), were intercepted; the production of which was organized by relatives of the [al-Assad family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Assad_family "Al-Assad family"). The subsequent sale can be used to obtain foreign currency that was difficult to obtain due to the international sanctions for the Syrian state or its government.[\[727\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-733)[\[728\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-734)
### Entrenched Russian influence and continued Kurdish–Turkish tensions (July 2020–June 2022)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=53 "Edit section: Entrenched Russian influence and continued Kurdish–Turkish tensions (July 2020–June 2022)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_Civil_War_map_\(November_24,_2023\).svg)
Military situation from March 2020 to November 2024
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:M2_Bradley_Infantry_Fighting_Vehicles_in_Northeast_Syria_November_2020.jpg)
U.S. soldiers deployed in northeast Syria, 12 November 2020
After June 2020, Russia continued to expand its influence and military role in the areas of Syria where the main military conflict was occurring.[\[729\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-735)
As of 2022, the main military threat and conflict faced by Rojava's official defense force, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), are firstly, an ongoing conflict with ISIS; and secondly, ongoing concerns of possible invasion of the northeast regions of Syria by Turkish forces, in order to strike Kurdish groups in general, and Rojava in particular.[\[730\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-736)[\[731\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-737)[\[732\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-738) An official report by the Rojava government noted Turkey-backed militias as the main threat to the region of Rojava and its government.[\[733\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-739)
In May 2022, [Middle East Eye](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East_Eye "Middle East Eye") and [Middle East Monitor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East_Monitor "Middle East Monitor") reported that Turkish and Syrian opposition officials said that Turkey's Armed Forces and the [Syrian National Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_National_Army "Syrian National Army") were planning a new operation against the SDF, composed mostly of the YPG/YPJ.[\[734\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceB-740)[\[735\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceD-741)\[*[unreliable source?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Reliable_sources "Wikipedia:Reliable sources")*\] The new operation is set to resume efforts to create 30-kilometer (18.6-mile) wide "safe zones" along Turkey's border with Syria, President Erdoğan said in a statement.[\[736\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Agencies-742) The operation aims at the [Tal Rifaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Rifaat "Tal Rifaat") and [Manbij](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij "Manbij") regions west of the [Euphrates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates "Euphrates") and other areas further east. Meanwhile, Ankara is in talks with Moscow over the operation. Erdoğan reiterated his determination for the operation on 8 August 2022.[\[737\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-743)
## Accords between Syrian government and rebels, conflicts with Turkish forces and proxies (2022–November 2024)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=54 "Edit section: Accords between Syrian government and rebels, conflicts with Turkish forces and proxies (2022–November 2024)")\]
For a chronological guide, see [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2023)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(2023\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2023)") and [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–October 2024)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93October_2024\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–October 2024)").
### Discussion by Kurdish groups and Syrian government on joint efforts against Turkey, and ISIS, June 2022–November 2024
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=55 "Edit section: Discussion by Kurdish groups and Syrian government on joint efforts against Turkey, and ISIS, June 2022–November 2024")\]
On 5 June 2022, the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, said that forces of the Kurdish government in the [Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria") (AANES) were willing to work with Syrian government forces to defend against Turkey, saying "Damascus should use its air defense systems against Turkish planes." Abdi said that Kurdish groups would be able to cooperate with the Syrian government, and still retain their autonomy.[\[738\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-voanews.com-744)[\[739\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-thenationalnews.com-745)[\[740\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-forbes.com-746)[\[741\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Kurdish,_Syrian_2022-747)[\[742\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-abcnews.go.com-748) The joint discussions were a result of the negotiation processes that had begun in October 2019.[\[743\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-749)
In July 2022, the SDF and the official Syrian military forged active plans to coordinate actively together to create defense plans to guard against invasion by Turkey.[\[744\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-english.aawsat.com-750) The SDF said that they felt that the main threat to Kurdish groups was an invasion by Turkey.[\[745\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-coffeeordie.com-751)
In August 2022, Kurdish forces focused mainly on fighting ISIS forces in the areas around Kurdish portions of Syria.[\[746\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-752)
In September 2022, a new UN report stated that the [Syrian Civil War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Civil_War "Syrian Civil War") was in danger of flaring up again. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, chair of the UN's Syria commission, said that "Syria cannot afford a return to larger-scale fighting, but that is where it may be heading." The UN report described increased arrests and crackdowns on opposition leaders. The UN also said it had been totally unable to deliver any supplies during the first half of 2022.[\[747\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-UN_report_9-2022-753)
In summer 2022, there were reports that Syrian diplomats had met with Turkish diplomats, at an international conference.[\[748\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-754) In late 2022, Turkish President Erdogan expressed openness to meeting with Assad.[\[749\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-755)[\[750\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-756)[\[751\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-757) Some analysts attributed this new attitude to Erdogan's desire to improve his popularity with voters, ahead of upcoming elections; and also, to improve Turkey's relations with Russia, which has forces deployed in Syria.[\[752\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-758)
Various rights advocates expressed concerns that improved relations between Syrian President Assad and Turkish President Erdogan might eventually be detrimental to Syrian refugees in Turkey. Also, there were reports of an increase of attacks on Syrian immigrants living in Turkey. In October 2022, some NGOs stated that thousands of Syrian refugees in Turkey were being forcibly returned to Syria by Turkish forces, and specifically being forced to relocate to the northern zone of Syria controlled by Turkey.[\[753\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-759) The Commander of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi, expressed concerns that normalization of relations between Assad and Erdogan might be detrimental to Kurdish communities.[\[754\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-760)
In October 2022, the United Nations called for a "nationwide ceasefire" in Syria. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, met with Syria's foreign minister in Damascus; afterwards, Pedersen said that Syria's economic situation is "extremely difficult as close to 15 million people are in need for humanitarian assistance."[\[755\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-761) One of the main local military conflicts was an internal conflict, amongst factions of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA).[\[756\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-762)[\[757\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-763)
Various [Kurdish leaders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria") indicated that any military cooperation with the [Syrian government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_government "Syrian government") was separate from political negotiations, and that military cooperation would not necessarily solve all political questions on a permanent basis.[\[758\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-764) In December 2022, [Mazloum Abdi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazloum_Abdi "Mazloum Abdi") said:
> "In the absence of a political solution, the objective of our military coordination with the Syrian army is to prevent a [Turkish occupation of Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_occupation_of_northern_Syria "Turkish occupation of northern Syria"). We believe that Syrians must unite in the face of external interference and fight to preserve Syria's territorial integrity."[\[759\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-765)
As of 2023, active fighting in the conflict between the Syrian government and rebel groups had mostly subsided, but there were occasional flareups in Northwestern Syria.[\[760\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Jazeera_Staff_2023-766)[\[761\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-news.un.org-767) In early 2023, reports indicated that the forces of ISIS in Syria had mostly been defeated, with only a few cells remaining in various remote locations.[\[762\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-iraq.un.org-768)[\[763\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-centcom.mil-769)[\[764\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-euronews.com-770)
As of 2023, Turkey was continuing its attacks on various militias within Syria, consisting mostly of the YPG.[\[765\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-newlinesinstitute.org-771)[\[734\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceB-740)[\[735\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceD-741) One stated goal was to create "safe zones" along Turkey's border with Syria, according to a statement by Turkish President Erdoğan.[\[736\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Agencies-742) The operations were generally aimed at the [Tal Rifaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Rifaat "Tal Rifaat") and [Manbij](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij "Manbij") regions west of the [Euphrates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates "Euphrates") and other areas further east. President Erdoğan openly stated his support for the operations, in talks with Moscow in mid-2022.[\[766\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-hurriyetdailynews.com-772)
In early 2023, Turkish-backed militias carried out military attacks against Kurdish militias, using tanks and artillery.[\[767\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-773)
In March 2023, the Syrian government declared that it would not seek any reconciliation with Turkey, unless Turkey withdrew all of its proxy forces from Syria. This statement occurred in response to diplomatic efforts by Russia, which sought to encourage Syria and Turkey to seek reconciliation, and restoration of diplomatic ties.[\[768\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-774)
In August, the [10th of August movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_of_August_movement "10th of August movement") was launched, a new pan-Syrian protest movement. In late August, a [general strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_strike "General strike") in [Suweida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suweida "Suweida") sparked [protests across southern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Syrian_protests "2023 Syrian protests").[\[769\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Lebanon_2023_v151-775)
### Stalemate in civil conflict, renewed relations with Assad government
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=56 "Edit section: Stalemate in civil conflict, renewed relations with Assad government")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_Civil_War_map_\(November_24,_2023\).svg)
Military situation before the opposition offensives in late 2024.
Territories held by [Tahrir al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahrir_al-Sham "Tahrir al-Sham") (white) and the Syrian government (red).
As of 2023, active fighting in the conflict between the Syrian government and rebel groups had mostly subsided, but there were occasional flareups in Northwestern Syria.[\[760\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Jazeera_Staff_2023-766)[\[761\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-news.un.org-767) In early 2023, reports indicated that the forces of ISIS in Syria had mostly been defeated, with only a few cells remaining in various remote locations.[\[762\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-iraq.un.org-768)[\[763\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-centcom.mil-769)[\[764\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-euronews.com-770)
As of 2023, Turkey was continuing its support for various militias within Syria, consisting mostly of the [SNA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_National_Army "Syrian National Army"), which periodically attempted some operations against Kurdish groups such as the YPG/YPJ.[\[765\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-newlinesinstitute.org-771)[\[770\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-rebelgroups-776)[\[734\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceB-740)[\[735\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceD-741) One stated goal was to create "safe zones" along Turkey's border with Syria, according to a statement by Turkish President Erdoğan.[\[736\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Agencies-742) The operations were generally aimed at the [Tal Rifaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Rifaat "Tal Rifaat") and [Manbij](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij "Manbij") regions west of the [Euphrates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates "Euphrates") and other areas further east. President Erdoğan openly stated his support for the operations, in talks with Moscow in mid-2022.[\[766\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-hurriyetdailynews.com-772)
In 2023, various sources reported that the war had settled into the status of a low-level conflict, which had mainly achieved a stalemate. The [Council on Foreign Relations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_on_Foreign_Relations "Council on Foreign Relations") stated:
> The war whose brutality once dominated headlines has settled into an uncomfortable stalemate. Hopes for regime change have largely died out, peace talks have been fruitless, and some regional governments are reconsidering their opposition to engaging with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. The government has regained control of most of the country, and Assad's hold on power seems secure. Meanwhile, the Syrian people are suffering an economic crisis, and a massive earthquake at the start of 2023 cast much of the population in the north into further despair.[\[771\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-cfr_2023-777)
The [United States Institute for Peace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Institute_for_Peace "United States Institute for Peace") stated:
> Twelve years into Syria’s devastating civil war, the conflict appears to have settled into a frozen state. Although roughly 30% of the country is controlled by opposition forces, heavy fighting has largely ceased and there is a growing regional trending toward normalizing relations with the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Over the last decade, the conflict erupted into one of the most complicated in the world, with a dizzying array of international and regional powers, opposition groups, proxies, local militias and extremist groups all playing a role. The Syrian population has been brutalized, with nearly a half a million killed, 12 million fleeing their homes to find safety elsewhere, and widespread poverty and hunger. Meanwhile, efforts to broker a political settlement have gone nowhere, leaving the Assad regime firmly in power.[\[772\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-usip.org-778)
### Conflict with Turkish forces
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=57 "Edit section: Conflict with Turkish forces")\]
In 2023, the main military conflict was not between the Syrian government and rebels, but rather between Turkish forces and factions within Syria. In late 2023, Turkish forces continued to attack Kurdish forces, in the region of Rojava,[\[773\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-779) Starting on 5 October 2023, the [Turkish Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Armed_Forces "Turkish Armed Forces") launched a series of air and ground strikes targeting the [Syrian Democratic Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces") in [Northeastern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria"). The airstrikes were launched in response to the [2023 Ankara bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Ankara_bombing "2023 Ankara bombing"), which the Turkish government alleges was carried out by attackers originating from Northeastern Syria.[\[774\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-reuters1-780)
### October 2023
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=58 "Edit section: October 2023")\]
- On 12 October 2023, Israel struck the Damascus and Aleppo airports.
- On 14 October 2023, an Israeli airstrike temporarily took the Damascus airport out of service.
- On 22 October 2023, Israeli airstrikes simultaneously hit the Damascus and Aleppo airports, damaging the runways.
- On 25 October 2023, after rockets were fired from Syria into the Golan Heights, Israeli fighters targeted the Aleppo airport and several military sites.[\[775\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-781)
## Renewed rebel offensive and collapse of Assad's regime (November 2024–present)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=59 "Edit section: Renewed rebel offensive and collapse of Assad's regime (November 2024–present)")\]
For a chronological guide, see [Timeline of the Syrian civil war (November 2024–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(November_2024%E2%80%93present\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (November 2024–present)").
### Opposition Rapid Offensive; SAA in retreat (November–December 2024)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=60 "Edit section: Opposition Rapid Offensive; SAA in retreat (November–December 2024)")\]
Further information: [2024 Syrian opposition offensives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Syrian_opposition_offensives "2024 Syrian opposition offensives")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_Civil_War_\(November_-_December_2024\).svg)
[Syrian opposition offensives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Syrian_opposition_offensives "2024 Syrian opposition offensives") that overthrew Assad's regime in 11 days
On 27 November 2024, a coalition of [Syrian opposition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_opposition "Syrian opposition") groups called the [Military Operations Command](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Operations_Command_\(Syria\) "Military Operations Command (Syria)")[\[776\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-782) led by [Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hay%27at_Tahrir_al-Sham "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham") (HTS) launched a lightning [offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deterrence_of_Aggression "Deterrence of Aggression")[\[777\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-783) against the pro-government [Syrian Arab Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Arab_Army "Syrian Arab Army") (SAA) forces in [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_Governorate "Aleppo Governorate"), [Idlib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate "Idlib Governorate"), [Hama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_Governorate "Hama Governorate") and [Homs Governorates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homs_Governorate "Homs Governorate") in [Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria "Syria") which was followed by [other rebel offensives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Syrian_opposition_offensives "2024 Syrian opposition offensives") from the [Southern Front](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Front_\(Syrian_rebel_group\) "Southern Front (Syrian rebel group)"), the [SDF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces") and the [Syrian Free Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Free_Army "Syrian Free Army").[\[778\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-784)[\[779\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-785)[\[780\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-786) On 28 November, it was reported that Russian and Syrian warplanes were bombing rebel positions in response to the offensive. Additionally, Iranian state media said that [Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Revolutionary_Guards_Corps "Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps") (IRGC) Brigadier General [Kioumars Pourhashemi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kioumars_Pourhashemi "Kioumars Pourhashemi"), a senior Iranian military adviser in Syria, was killed in [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo "Aleppo").[\[781\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-787)[\[782\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-788) On 29 November, rebel forces entered Aleppo, [restarting conflict over the city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2024\) "Battle of Aleppo (2024)").[\[783\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-789) On 30 November, several more settlements were seized, with the rebels entering [Hama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama "Hama") and [Homs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homs "Homs").[\[784\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-790)[\[785\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-791)[\[786\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-792)[\[787\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-793)[\[788\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-794) On 7 December 2024, the outskirts of [Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus "Damascus") were reached by rebel forces.[\[789\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-795)[\[790\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-796)
### Fall of Damascus; End of the Assad's regime (December 2024)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=61 "Edit section: Fall of Damascus; End of the Assad's regime (December 2024)")\]
On 8 December, Syrian opposition forces [captured](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Damascus_\(2024\) "Fall of Damascus (2024)") Damascus after Bashar al-Assad's forces withdrew[\[791\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-797)[\[792\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-798) and subsequently announced the [collapse of Assad's regime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_the_Assad_regime "Fall of the Assad regime").[\[793\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-799)
Despite the collapse of the Assad regime Turkish-backed forces in northern Syria have continued to attack the [Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria").[\[794\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-800)[\[795\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-801) On 10 December, according to [reason.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reason.com "Reason.com"), "....Kobane came under attack again. With the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in Damascus and the uncertainty over what comes next, Turkey has been seeking an opportunity to wipe out its Kurdish opponents and carve out a puppet state in Syria's north. With air cover from the Turkish Air Force, militias known as the Syrian National Army (SNA) overran the nearby city of Manbij and marched toward Kobane."[\[796\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-802)\[*[better source needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Questionable_sources "Wikipedia:Verifiability")*\] In December 2024, the factions supported by Turkey announced they would discontinue the ceasefire with groups supported by the US, such as Syrian Democratic Forces. [Al-Monitor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Monitor "Al-Monitor") reported that Kurdish soures had told them that the SNA "informed the SDF... that it would be returning to 'a state of combat against us,'... The sources said negotiations between the SDF and the SNA had 'failed' and that 'significant military buildups' in areas east and west of... Kobani on the Turkish border were being observed."[\[797\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-803)
On 26 December 2024, former Syrian [major general](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_General "Major General") [Mohammad Kanjo Hassan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Kanjo_Hassan "Mohammad Kanjo Hassan") was found hiding in a hole in the town of [Khirbet al-Ma'zah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khirbet_al-Ma%27zah "Khirbet al-Ma'zah"), he was [arrested](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Syria_clashes_\(December_2024%E2%80%93present\) "Western Syria clashes (December 2024–present)") along with 20 of his loyalists.[\[798\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-France_24-804)
### Events and conflicts after fall of Assad (December 2024–present)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=62 "Edit section: Events and conflicts after fall of Assad (December 2024–present)")\]
See also: [Syrian conflict (2024–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_conflict_\(2024%E2%80%93present\) "Syrian conflict (2024–present)"), [Israeli invasion of Syria (2024–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_invasion_of_Syria_\(2024%E2%80%93present\) "Israeli invasion of Syria (2024–present)"), [Turkish offensive in northern Syria (2024–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_offensive_in_northern_Syria_\(2024%E2%80%93present\) "Turkish offensive in northern Syria (2024–present)"), [Jaramana clashes (2025–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaramana_clashes_\(2025%E2%80%93present\) "Jaramana clashes (2025–present)"), [Western Syria clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Syria_clashes "Western Syria clashes"), and [2025 massacres of Syrian Alawites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_massacres_of_Syrian_Alawites "2025 massacres of Syrian Alawites")
On 5 January 2025, major fighting occurred between pro-Turkish militias, and Kurdish forces.[\[799\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-805)
On 30 January 2025, the interim government officially announces that Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of HTS, had been appointed as Syrias transitional president.[\[800\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BritannicaUprising-806)[\[801\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-807)
Between 6 March and 10 March, violent confrontations erupt between remnants of Assad-aligned forces and units loyal to the interim government. In response, the interim authorities initiate a crackdown in predominantly Alawite towns, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people were killed during the operation.[\[802\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-808) Similarly, attacks on minorities, in particular [Druze](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze "Druze") peoples, have shaken confidence in the post Assad Government [\[803\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-809)
On 11 March 2025, the interim government and the Syrian Democratic Forces reached an agreement to incorporate the Kurdish-led group into the new governing structure.[\[804\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-TimesDeal-810)
In July 2025, heavy fighting broke out between [Druze](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze "Druze") and [Bedouin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedouin "Bedouin") in [Suweida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suwayda "Suwayda"), killing dozens.[\[805\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BBCDruze-811) The Syrian government deployed regular soldiers and Interior Ministry units there. According to Israeli officials, this was done to crack down on the Druze minority.[\[806\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-TagesschauDruze-812) The [IDF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Defense_Forces "Israel Defense Forces") attacked [Syrian Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Armed_Forces "Syrian Armed Forces") vehicles from the air and with URVs in order to prevent their arrival to the area. In a response, Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Netanyahu "Benjamin Netanyahu") and Defense Minister [Israel Katz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Katz "Israel Katz") cited the need to protect the Druze religious minority due to their close ties to [Israeli Druze](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_Druze "Israeli Druze") as well as assuring the security of Israel's borders by preventing the deployment of weaponry and Syrian military forces in the area.[\[807\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-:3-813)
## See also
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=63 "Edit section: See also")\]
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Asia_\(orthographic_projection\).svg)[Asia portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Asia "Portal:Asia")
- [Belligerents in the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belligerents_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Belligerents in the Syrian civil war")
- [Cities and towns during the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_and_towns_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Cities and towns during the Syrian civil war")
- [Control of cities during the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_of_cities_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Control of cities during the Syrian civil war")
- [Timeline of the Arab Spring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Arab_Spring "Timeline of the Arab Spring")
### Events within Syrian society
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=64 "Edit section: Events within Syrian society")\]
- [Cities and towns during the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_and_towns_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Cities and towns during the Syrian civil war")
- [Civil uprising phase of the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_uprising_phase_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Civil uprising phase of the Syrian civil war")
- [Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-rebel_conflict_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian civil war")
- [2010s in Syria political history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010s_in_Syria_political_history "2010s in Syria political history")
- [Rojava conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rojava_conflict "Rojava conflict")
### Historical aspects
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=65 "Edit section: Historical aspects")\]
- [American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American-led_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war")
- [Foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war")
- [Hezbollah involvement in the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Hezbollah involvement in the Syrian civil war")
- [Rojava conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rojava_conflict "Rojava conflict") ([Democratic Federation of Northern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Federation_of_Northern_Syria "Democratic Federation of Northern Syria")) – Kurdish participation in the war
- [Russian involvement in the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Russian involvement in the Syrian civil war")
- [Spillover of the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spillover_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Spillover of the Syrian civil war")
- [Syria chemical weapons program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_chemical_weapons_program "Syria chemical weapons program")
- [Syrian–Turkish border clashes during the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian%E2%80%93Turkish_border_clashes_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Syrian–Turkish border clashes during the Syrian civil war")
- [Terrorism in Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism_in_Syria "Terrorism in Syria")
- [Syrian civil war in popular culture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war_in_popular_culture "Syrian civil war in popular culture")
### Lists and statistical records
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=66 "Edit section: Lists and statistical records")\]
- [Casualty recording](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualty_recording "Casualty recording")
- [Human rights violations during the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_violations_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Human rights violations during the Syrian civil war")
- [List of aviation shootdowns and accidents during the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aviation_shootdowns_and_accidents_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "List of aviation shootdowns and accidents during the Syrian civil war")
- [List of terrorist incidents in Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terrorist_incidents_in_Syria "List of terrorist incidents in Syria")
- [Belligerents in the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belligerents_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Belligerents in the Syrian civil war")
- [List of Syrian defectors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Syrian_defectors "List of Syrian defectors")
- [Refugees of the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refugees_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Refugees of the Syrian civil war")
### Specific offensives
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=67 "Edit section: Specific offensives")\]
- [Northwestern Syria offensive (April–June 2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93June_2015\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (April–June 2015)") ("Battle of Victory")
### Peace efforts and civil society groups
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=68 "Edit section: Peace efforts and civil society groups")\]
- [Syrian civil war ceasefires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war_ceasefires "Syrian civil war ceasefires")
- [Syrian peace process](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_peace_process "Syrian peace process")
- [Syrian Democratic Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Council "Syrian Democratic Council")
- [Syrian diaspora](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_diaspora "Syrian diaspora")
- [Syrian Observatory for Human Rights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Observatory_for_Human_Rights "Syrian Observatory for Human Rights")
- [White Helmets (Syrian civil war)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Helmets_\(Syrian_civil_war\) "White Helmets (Syrian civil war)")
### History of other local conflicts
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=69 "Edit section: History of other local conflicts")\]
- [2023 American–Middle East conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_American%E2%80%93Middle_East_conflict "2023 American–Middle East conflict")
- [Iraqi insurgency (2011–2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi_insurgency_\(2011%E2%80%932013\) "Iraqi insurgency (2011–2013)")
- [Islamist uprising in Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamist_uprising_in_Syria "Islamist uprising in Syria") from 1976 until 1982
- [List of wars involving Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_Syria "List of wars involving Syria")
- [War in Iraq (2013–2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Iraq_\(2013%E2%80%932017\) "War in Iraq (2013–2017)")
## Notes
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=70 "Edit section: Notes")\]
1. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-7)** As at 3 January 2019, the information in the narrative section here have not been fully synced with the linked-to sub-articles.
2. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-596)** Starting from the [Syria–Turkey border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria%E2%80%93Turkey_border "Syria–Turkey border") and going south into Syria
3. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-597)** See the "External links" section in the article [Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Northern_Syria_Buffer_Zone "Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone"), for a link to an article containing an explanatory map of the buffer zone.
4. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-598)** Both of these cities are further to the south and not covered by the depth of the buffer zone, but are nonetheless explicitly mentioned in the agreement.
5. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-599)** No joint patrols will be held in the remaining part of the buffer zone.
6. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-600)** Later, the Turkish President announced that the patrols would only be held to a depth of 7 km, as opposed to 10. No reason was given for this change.
## References
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=71 "Edit section: References")\]
1. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-bbc_timeline_1-0)**
["Syria profile – Timeline"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703995). *BBC News*. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
2. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-2)**
["Syria's civil war: key facts, important players – CBCNews.ca"](http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/syria-dashboard/). *www.cbc.ca*. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
3. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-3)**
["Syria in civil war, Red Cross says"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-18849362). *BBC News*. 15 July 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
4. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceE_4-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceE_4-1) [Syria’s Kurds forge ‘costly deal’ with al-Assad as US pulls out: Damascus has much to gain from deal with Kurds, but its ability to halt Turkey’s push depends on Russia, say analysts.](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/15/syrias-kurds-forge-costly-deal-with-al-assad-as-us-pulls-out) By Arwa Ibrahim, Published On 15 Oct 2019 on website of Al-Jazeera.
5. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-5)** : [Kurdish forces backed by US strike deal with Syria’s Assad, in major shift in 8-year war](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/14/middleeast/syria-turkey-kurds-civilians-isis-intl-hnk/index.html), By Helen Regan and Eliza Mackintosh, CNN, Mon 14 October 2019.
6. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-6)** [Turkey-Syria offensive: Kurds reach deal with Damascus to stave off assault](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/13/kurds-reach-deal-with-damascus-in-face-of-turkish-offensive). Agreement to hand over border towns comes after more than 700 Isis affiliates escape camp. Bethan McKernan in Akçakale Mon 14 Oct 2019 website of The Guardian.
7. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-DaraaVice_8-0)**
Asher-Schapiro, Avi (15 March 2016). ["The Young Men Who Started Syria's Revolution Speak About Daraa, Where It All Began"](https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-young-men-who-started-syrias-revolution-speak-about-daraa-where-it-all-began/). Vice Media Group. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
8. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-SCW_9-0)**
Fahim, Kareem; [Saad, Hwaida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwaida_Saad "Hwaida Saad") (8 February 2013). ["A Faceless Teenage Refugee Who Helped Ignite Syria's War"](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/09/world/middleeast/a-faceless-teenage-refugee-who-helped-ignite-syrias-war.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
9. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-10)**
["Mid-East unrest: Syrian protests in Damascus and Aleppo"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-12749674). *BBC News*. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
10. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-DR_11-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-DR_11-1)
Sinjab, Lina (19 March 2011). ["Middle East unrest: Silence broken in Syria"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-12794882). *BBC News*. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
11. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-12)**
Dicker, Katie (2017). *The Syrian Civil War* (First ed.). New York, NY: Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC. p. 8. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-5026-3254-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-5026-3254-8 "Special:BookSources/978-1-5026-3254-8")
. [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [1026389327](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1026389327).
12. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-13)**
["The struggle for Syria in 2011"](http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Struggle_For_Syria.pdf) (PDF). Understanding War. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
13. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-14)**
["Assad blames conspirators for Syrian protests"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/30/syrian-protests-assad-blames-conspirators). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
14. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-bbc24M11_15-0)**
["US policy on Syria 'depends on success in Libya'"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13529923). *BBC News*. 24 May 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
15. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Kh.31-5-11_16-0)**
["Armed residents put up resistance to Syrian army"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140223074232/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/May/middleeast_May870.xml§ion=middleeast). *Khaleej Times (Dubai)*. 31 May 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/May/middleeast_May870.xml§ion=middleeast) on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
16. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-bbc5511,17.19GMT_17-0)**
["Syria protests: Rights group warns of 'Deraa massacre'"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13299793). *BBC News*. 5 May 2011. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110506035755/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13299793) from the original on 6 May 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
17. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-18)**
Salloum, Raniah (10 October 2013). ["From Jail to Jihad: Former Prisoners Fight in Syrian Insurgency"](http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/former-prisoners-fight-in-syrian-insurgency-a-927158.html). *Spiegel*. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
18. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-understandingwar_19-0)**
Holliday, Joseph (December 2011). ["The Struggle for Syria in 2011"](http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Struggle_For_Syria.pdf) (PDF). *Institute for the Study of War*. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
(page 21)
19. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-United_States_Institute_of_Peace_2021_20-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-United_States_Institute_of_Peace_2021_20-1)
["Syria Timeline: Since the Uprising Against Assad"](https://www.usip.org/syria-timeline-uprising-against-assad). *United States Institute of Peace*. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
20. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-nowin_21-0)**
["UN: Syria now in a civil war"](https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna45514855). MSNBC. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
21. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-deadly_reprisals_22-0)**
["Deadly Reprisals: deliberate killings and other abuses by Syria's armed forces"](https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde24/041/2012/en/). Amnesty International. June 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
22. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-23)**
["Syria: Repression continues despite Annan plan hopes"](https://www.amnesty.org/en/news/syria-repression-continues-despite-annan-plan-hopes-2012-04-03). Amnesty International. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
23. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Air_War_24-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Air_War_24-1)
["Observations on the Air War in Syria"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234154/http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/opeds/Boxx20130301-AirSpace.pdf) (PDF). *Air & Space Power Journal*. March–April 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/opeds/Boxx20130301-AirSpace.pdf) (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
24. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-25)** [AlArabiya Network. 30 April 2012](http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/04/30/211156.html)
25. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-26)**
["Iran reaffirms full support for Annan's Syria peace plan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120711013905/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/07/10/225485.html). Al Arabiya. 10 July 2012. Archived from [the original](http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/07/10/225485.html) on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
26. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-27)**
["Kofi Annan resigns as UN Syria envoy"](http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Kofi-Annan-resigns-as-UN-Syria-envoy/articleshow/15329904.cms). *The Times of India*. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
27. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-aa0406_28-0)**
["Deadly violence flares in Syria as EU-Russia seek solutions"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120705033042/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/06/04/218430.html). Al Arabiya. 4 June 2012. Archived from [the original](http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/06/04/218430.html) on 5 July 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
28. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-29)**
["Assad names new Syrian PM, army battles rebels"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130224031049/http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/assad-names-new-syrian-pm-army-battles-rebels/). Trust. Reuters. 6 June 2012. Archived from [the original](http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/assad-names-new-syrian-pm-army-battles-rebels/) on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
29. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-30)**
["New 'massacre' reported in Syria's Hama province"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18348201). *BBC News*. 7 June 2012.
30. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-31)**
["Syria UN team 'shot at' near Qubair 'massacre site'"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18352281). *BBC News*. 7 June 2012.
31. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-bbc12-6-12_32-0)**
["Syria in civil war, says UN official Herve Ladsous"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18417952). *BBC News*. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
32. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-33)** Ivan Watson (12 June 2012). ["Syria: Battle for the cities"](https://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/11/world/meast/syria-battle-for-cities/index.html). CNN. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
33. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-34)**
["Syria's Qusayr prepares for Ramadan under siege"](http://beta.dawn.com/news/733230/syrias-qusayr-prepares-for-ramadan-under-siege). 10 July 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
34. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-35)**
Abouzeid, Rania (20 July 2012). ["In Rebel Syria: Celebrating Assad's Departure–Even Though He's Still Staying"](https://world.time.com/2012/07/20/in-rebel-syria-celebrating-assads-departure-even-though-hes-still-staying/). *Time*. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
35. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-36)**
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`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
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281. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-282)**
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291. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-292)**
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`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
310. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-311)**
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327. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-fail_328-0)**
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332. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-assessed_333-0)**
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333. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-2more_334-0)**
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334. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-newsru_335-0)**
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345. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-russtepup_346-0)**
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347. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-syroilhits_348-0)**
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348. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-349)** [МИД РФ: удары Парижа по инфраструктуре Сирии не оправданы самообороной](http://ria.ru/syria/20151120/1324636454.html) RIA Novosti, 20 November 2015.
349. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-350)** [«Если ничего не предпринимать, то террористическая угроза приобретет для нас еще более серьезные масштабы»](http://kommersant.ru/doc/2857933) [Kommersant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kommersant "Kommersant"), 20 November 2015.
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354. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-failing_355-0)**
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355. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-356)**
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356. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-cosp_357-0)**
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359. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-National_Post_360-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-National_Post_360-1)
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364. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-365)**
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365. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-agressbbc_366-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-agressbbc_366-1)
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366. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-1sttimesindep_367-0)**
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367. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-pentagclaim_368-0)**
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368. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-reutersdenied_369-0)**
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369. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-marjalsultan_370-0)**
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370. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-reutersendorse_371-0)**
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371. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-372)**
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372. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-373)** Balanche, 2006, p. 88.
373. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-374)**
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374. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-375)**
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375. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-376)**
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376. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-377)**
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377. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-378)**
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378. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-379)**
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379. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-cnnbase_380-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-cnnbase_380-1)
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380. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-381)**
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381. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-bbcrabia_382-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-bbcrabia_382-1)
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382. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-383)** [Syria regime advances in northwest ahead of peace talks](https://news.yahoo.com/syria-army-seizes-key-rebel-held-town-latakia-085537098.html) AFP, 24 December 2016.
383. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-384)**
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384. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-385)** [Syrian army seizes strategic town in Deraa province: monitor](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-town-idUSKCN0V32P1) Reuters, 25 January 2016.
385. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-386)** [Tide turns in Syrian war with capture of key town](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/syrian-army-captures-key-southern-town-rebels-160126040829177.html) Al Jazeera, 26 December 2016.
386. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-387)**
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387. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-stopFighting_388-0)**
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388. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-theAtlanticCeasefire_389-0)** [A Potential Cease-Fire in Syria](https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/02/syria-russia-ceasefire/470421/). *[The Atlantic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Atlantic "The Atlantic")*. Published 22 February 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
389. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ScrollinCeasefire_390-0)** [Landmark Syria ceasefire begins, with terrorist groups excluded](http://scroll.in/latest/804266/landmark-syria-ceasefire-begins-with-terrorist-groups-excluded). Scroll.in. Published 27 February 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
390. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-truceholds_391-0)**
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391. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-advancepalmyra_392-0)**
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392. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-393)**
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393. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-394)**
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394. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-395)**
Ali, Idrees. ["Coalition jets scrambled to defend U.S. forces from Syrian bombing"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160823001734/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-usa-aircraft-idUKKCN10U1OS?il=0). Reuters UK. Archived from [the original](http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-usa-aircraft-idUKKCN10U1OS?il=0) on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
395. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-396)**
["Syria: YPG launches assault to take all of Hasaka"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/syria-ypg-launches-assault-hasaka-160822041843880.html).
396. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-397)** [Syria Kurds win battle with government, Turkey mobilises against them](http://in.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-syria-kurds-idINKCN10Y12O) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170215033955/http://in.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-syria-kurds-idINKCN10Y12O) 15 February 2017 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") reuters, 24 August 2016.
397. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-398)**
["Erdogan says Syria operation aimed at IS jihadists, Kurdish PYD"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160825183523/http://www.france24.com/en/20160824-erdogan-says-syria-operation-aimed-jihadists-kurdish-pyd). *France 24*. 24 August 2016. Archived from [the original](http://www.france24.com/en/20160824-erdogan-says-syria-operation-aimed-jihadists-kurdish-pyd) on 25 August 2016.
398. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-tanksroll_399-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-tanksroll_399-1) [Syria Jarablus: Turkish tanks roll into northern Syria](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37171995) BBC. 24 August 2016.
399. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-400)** [Turkey sends tanks into Syria in operation aimed at Isis and Kurds](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/24/turkey-launches-major-operation-against-isis-in-key-border-town) The Guardian, 24 August 2016.
400. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-401)** [Syria condemns Turkey's breach of Syria's sovereignty in Jarablos](http://sana.sy/en/?p=86277) Sana, 24 August 2016.
401. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-402)**
["MIDEAST – Erdoğan to PYD: Those issuing threats should think about what will happen"](http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-to-pyd-those-issuing-threats-should-think-what-will-happen.aspx?PageID=238&NID=103176&NewsCatID=352). 25 August 2016.
402. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-403)**
["Biden orders Syrian Kurds to pull back; Assad govt slams Turkish incursion"](http://www.arabnews.com/node/974651/middle-east). 24 August 2016.
403. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-404)** [Байден назвал условия, при которых США будут поддерживать курдов](https://ria.ru/syria/20160824/1475162680.html) [RIA Novosti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIA_Novosti "RIA Novosti").
404. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-405)** [Turkish forces deepen push into Syria, draw U.S. rebuke over their target](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-idUSKCN11305C) Reuters, 29 August 2016.
405. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-406)**
["Turkish-backed Syrian rebels advance towards Manbij"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/turkish-backed-syrian-rebels-advance-manbij-160829154225197.html). *www.aljazeera.com*. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
406. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-407)**
Babb, Carla (29 August 2016). ["Carter Calls on Turkey to 'Stay Focused' on Islamic State"](https://www.voanews.com/a/us-condemns-clashes-between-turkish-and-allied-kurdish-forces/3484741.html). Retrieved 15 July 2017.
407. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-408)**
["US' comments about Turkey's targets in Syria unacceptable, says Turkish MFA"](http://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2016/08/30/us-comments-about-turkeys-targets-in-syria-unacceptable-says-turkish-mfa). Daily Sabah. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
408. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-409)**
["Syria war: Turkey hits out at US over Kurds comments"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37231760). BBC. 31 August 2016.
409. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-410)** "Turkey Pushes West in Syrian Offensive" <http://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/turkey-pushes-west-in-syrian-offensive/news-story/562f05093dd0dad72e6a2d4c7b09c597> [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161220165855/http://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/turkey-pushes-west-in-syrian-offensive/news-story/562f05093dd0dad72e6a2d4c7b09c597) 20 December 2016 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
410. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-411)**
["British YPG fighters 'head to Manbij to face Turkish forces'"](http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/british-ypg-fighters-head-manbij-face-turkish-forces). *Middle East Eye*. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
411. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-412)**
["Syrian Kurdish spokesman says Manbij reinforced, but not by YPG"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-city-idUSKCN1140EU). *Reuters*. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
412. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-413)**
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413. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-414)**
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414. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-415)**
Julian Borger (20 September 2016). ["US blames Russia after UN aid convoy in Syria targeted by air attack"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/19/syria-ceasefire-is-over-says-countrys-military). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
415. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-416)**
["Aleppo aerial campaign deliberately targeted hospitals and humanitarian convoy amounting to war crimes, while armed groups' indiscriminate shelling terrorised civilians – UN Commission"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181203153930/https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21256&LangID=E). Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights. 1 March 2017. Archived from [the original](http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21256&LangID=E) on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
416. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-417)**
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417. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-418)**
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418. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-419)**
["KRG: Elections in Jazira are Not Acceptable"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150316122001/http://basnews.com/en/news/2015/03/14/krg-elections-in-jazira-are-not-acceptable/). Basnews. 14 March 2015. Archived from [the original](http://basnews.com/en/news/2015/03/14/krg-elections-in-jazira-are-not-acceptable/) on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
419. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-420)**
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420. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Now.MMedia/Al-Akhbar_421-0)**
["Russia finishes draft for new Syria constitution"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160807092054/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567021-russia-finishes-draft-for-new-syria-constitution-report). Now.MMedia/Al-Akhbar. 24 May 2016. Archived from [the original](https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567021-russia-finishes-draft-for-new-syria-constitution-report) on 7 August 2016.
421. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Al-Monitor_422-0)**
["Syria rejects Russian proposal for Kurdish federation"](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/10/turkey-russia-mediates-between-kurds-and-assad.html). Al-Monitor. 24 October 2016.
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Ghadi Sary (September 2016). ["Kurdish Self-governance in Syria: Survival and Ambition"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171009204816/https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/files/chathamhouse/publications/research/2016-09-15-kurdish-self-governance-syria-sary_0.pdf) (PDF). Chatham House. Archived from [the original](https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/files/chathamhouse/publications/research/2016-09-15-kurdish-self-governance-syria-sary_0.pdf) (PDF) on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
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427. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-428)**
["Syria conflict: Ceasefire agreed, backed by Russia and Turkey"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38460127). BBC World News. 29 December 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
428. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-auto_429-0)**
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429. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-430)**
Zeina, Karam (3 January 2017). ["Syria rebels suspend talks over alleged truce violations"](https://apnews.com/0f807697edfb426198bc347ff63b86d2/Syria-rebels-suspend-talks-over-alleged-truce-violations). *Associated Press*. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
430. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-431)**
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431. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-AZcaptureWadi_432-0)**
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432. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-433)**
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433. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-434)**
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434. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-435)**
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436. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-437)**
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438. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-bbcwhyshayrat_439-0)**
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442. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-443)**
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445. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-446)**
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453. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-454)**
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455. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-456)**
["Syrian army breaks three-year siege of Deir ez-Zor"](http://www.teletrader.com/syrian-army-breaks-three-year-siege-of-deir-ez-zor/news/details/40217428?ts=1504609552247). Teletrader.
456. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-457)** [Syrian army breaks Isis' three-year-long siege of Deir Ezzor: Liberating the city will mean relief for its 70,000 residents as Isis, feeling the pressure, begins to conscript female fighters](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syrian-army-isis-deir-ezzor-siege-three-years-assad-regime-town-loyal-a7930276.html). *The Independent*, 5 September 2017.
457. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-458)** [Syrian troops broke the Islamic State group's siege of Deir Ezzor military airport Saturday, dealing a fresh blow to the jihadists who also face a new offensive from US-backed fighters elsewhere in the province](http://www.france24.com/en/20170910-syrian-army-retakes-strategic-military-airport-islamic-state-group), France 24, 10 September 2017
458. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-459)**
Sam Heller (30 June 2017). ["The Signal in Syria's Noise"](https://warontherocks.com/2017/06/the-signal-in-syrias-noise/). warontherocks.com.
459. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-460)**
["Syria to consider granting Kurds greater autonomy"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/syria-granting-kurds-greater-autonomy-170926121821968.html). *Al Jazeera*. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
460. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-461)** [Raqqa, ISIS ‘Capital,’ Is Captured, U.S.-Backed Forces Say](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/17/world/middleeast/isis-syria-raqqa.html), *The New York Times*
461. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-462)** [U.S.-backed forces say Raqqa liberated from ISIS](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/raqqa-isis-liberated-us-backed-syria-democratic-forces-holly-williams/), CBS
462. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-463)** [Syria: Raqqa 'liberated from Islamic State' in sign of jihadists' collapsing fortunes](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-17/raqqa-liberated-from-islamic-state/9060010), ABC
463. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-464)** [Foreign Ministry: Raqqa still occupied, can only be considered liberated when Syrian Army enters it](http://sana.sy/en/?p=116827) [SANA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Arab_News_Agency "Syrian Arab News Agency"), 29 October 2017.
464. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-465)**
["Isis dealt twin blows with loss of Deir ez-Zor and key Iraq border post"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/02/deir-ez-zor-cleared-of-last-islamic-state-fighters-isis). *The Guardian*. 3 November 2017.
465. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-466)** [Syrian army, allies, take last IS stronghold in Syria: commander](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-islamic-state/syrian-army-allies-take-last-is-stronghold-in-syria-commander-idUSKBN1D81NM), Reuters, 8 November 2017.
466. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-467)** [Putin declares "complete victory" on both banks of Euphrates in Syria](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-putin/putin-declares-complete-victory-on-both-banks-of-euphrates-in-syria-idUSKBN1E027H) Reuters, 6 December 2017.
467. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-468)** [Putin announces Russian troop withdrawal from Syria during visit](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42307365) BBC.
468. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-469)** [Владимир Путин посетил авиабазу Хмеймим в Сирии](http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/56351) kremlin.ru, 11 December 2017.
469. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-470)** [Vladimir Putin announces Russian withdrawal from Syria during visit to airbase](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/11/vladimir-putin-announces-russian-withdrawal-syria-visit-airbase/) The Telegraph, 11 December 2017.
470. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-shoigutassperm_471-0)** [Россия начала формировать постоянную группировку в Тартусе и Хмеймиме](http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/4843441) TASS, 26 December 2017.
471. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-reutersestablperm_472-0)**
["Russia establishing permanent presence at its Syria bases: RIA"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-bases/russia-establishing-permanent-presence-at-its-syria-bases-ria-cites-minister-idUSKBN1EK0HD). *Reuters*. 26 December 2017.
472. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-473)** [Лавров потребовал от американцев покинуть Сирию](https://www.rg.ru/2017/12/28/lavrov-potreboval-ot-amerikancev-pokinut-siriiu.html) [Rossiyskaya Gazeta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rossiyskaya_Gazeta "Rossiyskaya Gazeta"), 28 December 2017.
473. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-474)** [Lavrov: US forces must leave Syrian territory completely](https://sana.sy/en/?p=122708) [Syrian Arab News Agency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Arab_News_Agency "Syrian Arab News Agency"), 28 December 2017.
474. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-475)**
["Erdogan: Operation in Syria's Afrin has begun"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/01/erdogan-operation-syria-afrin-begun-180120120424928.html). Al Jazeera.
475. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-476)** [The Turkish military operation in Afrin, northern Syria](https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2018-01-24/turkish-military-operation-afrin-northern-syria) Retrieved 7 July 2024
476. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-477)** [Mustafa Aydın](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustafa_Ayd%C4%B1n "Mustafa Aydın"). [Public support for cross-border operations](http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/opinion/mustafa-aydin/public-support-for-cross-border-operations-126603) [Hürriyet Daily News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCrriyet_Daily_News "Hürriyet Daily News"), 1 February 2018.
477. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-478)** [Israeli Air Force targets Syrian air defense system, Iranian bases in Syria during morning hours of February 10 – Israel & Syria Alert](https://www.max-security.com/reports/israel-targets-syrian-air-defense-system-iranian-bases-israel-syria-alert/) Retrieved 7 July 2024 \[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot "Wikipedia:Link rot")*\]
478. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-479)**
["Syria's Ghouta residents 'wait to die' as more bombs fall"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-ghouta/pro-government-forces-hit-syrias-ghouta-with-rockets-air-raids-idUSKCN1G50S2). *Reuters*. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
479. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-480)**
["Pro-Turkish forces pillage Afrin after taking Syrian city"](https://sg.news.yahoo.com/pro-turkish-forces-pillage-afrin-taking-syrian-city-195451166.html). Yahoo! News. Agence France-Presse. 18 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
480. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-481)**
["Afrin: Turkey's President Erdogan threatens to expand military offensive beyond Kurdish town"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-20/syrian-government-demands-turkey-to-withdrawal-from-afrin/9565882). *Australian Broadcasting Corporation*. 20 March 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180501202042/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-20/syrian-government-demands-turkey-to-withdrawal-from-afrin/9565882) from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
481. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-482)**
["Syrian rebel victory in Afrin reveals strength of Turkish-backed force"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181216005707/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/22/syrian-rebel-victory-in-afrin-reveals-strength-of-turkish-backed-force). *The Guardian*. 22 March 2018. Archived from [the original](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/22/syrian-rebel-victory-in-afrin-reveals-strength-of-turkish-backed-force) on 16 December 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
482. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-483)**
Collard, Rebecca (19 March 2018). ["Turkish forces take Syrian town of Afrin from Kurds"](https://www.ft.com/content/1181ebd0-2aab-11e8-a34a-7e7563b0b0f4). Beirut. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
483. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-484)**
["Syria attack: nerve agent experts race to smuggle bodies out of Douma"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/12/syria-attack-experts-check-signs-nerve-agent). *The Guardian*. 12 April 2018.
484. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-485)**
Graham, Chris; Krol, Charlotte; Crilly, Rob; Ensor, Josie; Swinford, Steven; Riley-Smith, Ben; Emanuel, Louis (8 April 2018). ["Russia blames Israel for attack on Syrian air base as pressure mounts over gas atrocity"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/08/dozens-reported-dead-chemical-attack-insyria-us-blames-russia/). *The Daily Telegraph*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/08/dozens-reported-dead-chemical-attack-insyria-us-blames-russia/) from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
485. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-486)**
["Douma chemical attack draws international outrage"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/douma-chemical-attack-draws-international-outrage-180408123134301.html). Al Jazeera. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
486. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-487)** [Security Council fails to adopt three resolutions on chemical weapons use in Syria](https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/04/1006991) UN, 10 April 2018.
487. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-488)** [U.S., Russia clash at U.N. over chemical weapons attacks in Syria](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/u-s-russia-clash-at-u-n-over-chemical-weapons-attacks-in-syria-idUSKBN1HG0D8) Reuters, 9 April 2018.
488. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-489)** [Russian officials warn of possible military clash with US over Syria](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/10/russian-officials-warn-of-possible-military-clash-with-us-over-syria) *The Guardian*, 10 April 2018.
489. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-490)** [Россия нацелила "Калибры" на базы США в Сирии: Вооруженные силы РФ скрытно приведены в полную боеготовность](http://www.ng.ru/world/2018-04-11/1_7209_calibrs.html) [Nezavisimaya Gazeta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nezavisimaya_Gazeta "Nezavisimaya Gazeta"), 11 April 2018.
490. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-491)**
["America vows to respond to a suspected chemical attack in Syria"](https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21740282-donald-trump-says-there-will-be-big-price-pay). *[The Economist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Economist "The Economist")*. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
491. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-492)**
Ensor, Josie (12 April 2018). ["Syrian flag flying over onetime rebel stronghold Douma as Russians announce victory in Eastern Ghouta"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/12/syrian-flag-flying-onetime-rebel-stronghold-douma-russians-announce/). *The Telegraph*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/12/syrian-flag-flying-onetime-rebel-stronghold-douma-russians-announce/) from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
492. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-493)**
["News of alleged agreement between Assad, Kurds followed by removal of YPG flags in Syrian north"](https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/959575d0-1203-4153-95bd-7126691870ae). *Kurdistan24*. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
493. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-494)**
["Kurdish authorities reveal results of meetings with Syrian government"](https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/a7be0e42-6230-4a25-a4a2-9887c6b36851). *Kurdistan24*. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
494. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-495)**
["Kurdish leader reveals details of first meeting with Syrian government"](https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/54d92d6a-2f82-457f-a8da-5b5b579ef70c). *Kurdistan24*. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
495. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-:0_496-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-:0_496-1)
["Syrian MP says US to leave Syria soon, Kurds should return to government"](https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/3f14cd6f-9309-48c6-b566-a5d22143e977). *Kurdistan24*. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
496. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-497)**
["Official Warns Kurds of US Greenlight to Ankara to Attack Eastern Euphrates"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190731174951/https://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13980508000293). *en.farsnews.com*. 30 July 2019. Archived from [the original](https://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13980508000293) on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
497. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-498)**
["وفد كردي "يجسّ نبض" دمشق: الخدمات قبل معابر الحدود"](https://aawsat.com/home/article/1345681/%D9%88%D9%81%D8%AF-%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%8A-%C2%AB%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%B3%D9%91-%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%B6%C2%BB-%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%B4%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%AF). *الشرق الأوسط* (in Arabic). Retrieved 3 August 2019.
498. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-499)**
["Will the Syrian government strike a deal with the Kurds?"](http://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/will-syrian-government-strike-deal-kurds). *Middle East Eye*. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
499. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Palestinian_Tragedy_500-0)** Osama Moussa and Tom Rollins [Yarmouk, A Palestinian Tragedy Plays Out In Syria](https://www.worldcrunch.com/syria-crisis-1/yarmouk-a-palestinian-tragedy-plays-out-in-syria), Mada Masr, 24 May 2018
500. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-cleric_501-0)** [Syrian cleric condemns 'flagrant looting' after regime captured Yarmouk](https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2018/5/23/syrian-cleric-condemns-flagrant-looting-after-regime-captured-yarmouk), *Al-Araby* 24 May 2018
501. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-502)** [Launching of Operations To Liberate Final ISIS Strongholds in Syria](https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2018/05/281355.htm) U.S. Department of State, 1 May 2018.
502. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-503)** [Syria: US-backed forces launch 'final' operation against 'Islamic State' strongholds](http://www.dw.com/en/syria-us-backed-forces-launch-final-operation-against-islamic-state-strongholds/a-43609417) Deutsche Welle, 1 May 2018.
503. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-504)**
Kershner (10 May 2018). ["Israeli Jets Hit Dozens of Iranian Targets in Syria"](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/10/world/middleeast/israel-iran-syria-military.html). *New York Times*.
504. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-505)**
["Rebels in southern Syria reach deal to end violence"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/rebels-southern-syria-reach-ceasefire-deal-russia-180706130719825.html). *www.aljazeera.com*. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
505. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-506)**
["Сирийская армия взяла под контроль главный пограничный переход с Иорданией"](https://ria.ru/syria/20180706/1524110423.html?referrer_block=index_main_3). *РИА Новости*. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
506. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-507)**
["At least 17 members of the regime's security and Asayish Forces were killed during clashes in Qameshly city • the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights"](http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=102044). *The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights*. 8 September 2018.
507. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-508)**
["In rare move, IDF admits Syria strike, expresses sorrow over Russian plane"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-rare-move-idf-admits-syria-strike-expresses-sorrow-over-russian-plane/). *The Times of israel*. 18 September 2018.
508. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-509)**
Ensor, Josie; Luhn, Alec (18 September 2018). ["Russia blames Israel for friendly fire attack on its aircraft by Syria which killed 15 servicemen"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/18/russianmilitaryjetvanishes-radar-syria/). *The Telegraph*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/18/russianmilitaryjetvanishes-radar-syria/) from the original on 12 January 2022 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
509. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-510)**
Jim Heintz; Sarah El Deeb (17 September 2018). ["Russia, Turkey to create demilitarized zone for Syria's Idlib"](https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2018/09/17/russia-turkey-to-create-demilitarized-zone-for-syrias-idlib/). Associated Press.
510. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-511)** [Israeli Air Force solely to blame for Il-20 crash – Russian Defense Ministry](http://tass.com/politics/1022770) TASS, 23 September 2018.
511. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-milru-20180923_512-0)**
["Russian Defence Ministry held a special briefing on curcumstances of the Russian Il-20 aircraft crash near the Syrian coast"](http://eng.mil.ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12196560@egNews). Russian Defence Ministry. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
512. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-tassshoigus300_513-0)** [Syria to get Russia's S-300 air-defense missile system within two weeks](http://tass.com/defense/1022844) TASS, 24 September 2018.
513. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-514)** [Гутенев: реакция Израиля на инцидент с Ил-20 вынудила РФ на поставки С-300 в Сирию: Председатель комиссии Госдумы по правовому обеспечению развития ОПК отметил, что теперь израильские летчики не смогут прятаться за российскими самолетами](https://tass.ru/politika/5597868) TASS, 24 September 2018.
514. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-shoigukommer_515-0)** [Россия передаст Сирии С-300 в течение двух недель](https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3751224) [Kommersant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kommersant "Kommersant"), 24 September 2018.
515. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-tass-20180924_516-0)**
["Syria to get Russia's S-300 air-defence missile system within two weeks"](http://tass.com/defense/1022844). *TASS*. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
516. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-517)**
Karadeniz, Tulay; Al-Khaleidi, Suleiman (18 September 2018). ["Syria's Idlib spared attack, Turkey to send in more troops"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181203052807/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-rebels/syrias-idlib-spared-attack-turkey-to-send-in-more-troops-idUSKCN1LY0T9). *Reuters*. Archived from [the original](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-rebels/syrias-idlib-spared-attack-turkey-to-send-in-more-troops-idUSKCN1LY0T9) on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
517. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Astana_Sabah_518-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Astana_Sabah_518-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Astana_Sabah_518-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Astana_Sabah_518-3) [***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Astana_Sabah_518-4) [***f***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Astana_Sabah_518-5) [***g***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Astana_Sabah_518-6) [Regime continues to violate Sochi deal amid diplomatic efforts for political solution in Syria](https://www.dailysabah.com/syrian-crisis/2019/12/10/regime-continues-to-violate-sochi-deal-amid-diplomatic-efforts-for-political-solution-in-syria) DAILY SABAH, ISTANBUL Published 10 December 2019.
518. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-519)**
["Syrians will reconstruct country after war themselves, Assad says"](http://tass.com/world/1010788). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180627192505/http://tass.com/world/1010788) from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
519. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-520)**
["Iran strikes initial deal to rebuild Syrian power grid"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191102122614/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-iran-syria-electricity/iran-strikes-initial-deal-to-rebuild-syrian-power-grid-idUKKBN1XC07L). *Reuters*. 2 November 2019. Archived from [the original](https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-iran-syria-electricity/iran-strikes-initial-deal-to-rebuild-syrian-power-grid-idUKKBN1XC07L) on 2 November 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
520. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-521)**
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521. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-522)**
[""Upon land soaked with the blood": on the architects planning the reconstruction of Syria – CityMetric"](https://www.citymetric.com/fabric/upon-land-soaked-blood-architects-planning-reconstruction-syria-4298). *www.citymetric.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223511/https://www.citymetric.com/fabric/upon-land-soaked-blood-architects-planning-reconstruction-syria-4298) from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
522. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-523)**
["Turkey will start operation east of Euphrates in Syria in a 'few days' – Breaking News – Jerusalem Post"](https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Turkey-will-start-operation-east-of-Euphrates-in-Syria-in-a-few-days-574135). *www.jpost.com*. REUTERS. 12 December 2018.
523. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-524)**
["Unilateral military action into northeast Syria 'unacceptable': Pentagon"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-pentagon/unilateral-military-action-into-northeast-syria-unacceptable-pentagon-idUSKBN1OB2WC). *Reuters*. 12 December 2018.
524. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-525)**
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525. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-526)**
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526. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-527)**
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527. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-528)** [Assad Authorizes Iraq to Attack ISIS in Syria](https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/assad-authorizes-iraq-to-attack-isis-in-syria-1.6790471) , Haaretz, 30 December 2018.
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530. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-531)**
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531. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-532)**
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532. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-533)**
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533. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-534)**
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536. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-537)**
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538. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-539)**
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539. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-540)**
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540. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-541)**
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541. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-542)**
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543. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-544)**
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544. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-545)**
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545. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-546)**
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546. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-547)**
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547. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-BBC_News_2019_cease_fire_548-0)**
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548. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-549)** : [Kurdish forces backed by US strike deal with Syria’s Assad, in major shift in 8-year war](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/14/middleeast/syria-turkey-kurds-civilians-isis-intl-hnk/index.html), By Helen Regan and Eliza Mackintosh, CNN, Mon 14 October 2019.
549. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-550)** [Turkey-Syria offensive: Kurds reach deal with Damascus to stave off assault](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/13/kurds-reach-deal-with-damascus-in-face-of-turkish-offensive). Agreement to hand over border towns comes after more than 700 Isis affiliates escape camp. Bethan McKernan in Akçakale, Mon 14 Oct 2019 website of The Guardian.
550. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ft.com_551-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ft.com_551-1)
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551. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Newsweek_middle_east_552-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Newsweek_middle_east_552-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Newsweek_middle_east_552-2)
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552. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Fraser_553-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Fraser_553-1)
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553. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-BBCDeploy_554-0)**
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554. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-newsweek.com_555-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-newsweek.com_555-1)
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555. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-556)**
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556. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-557)**
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557. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-558)**
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558. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-559)**
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559. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-560)**
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560. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-561)**
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561. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ko-il-rftv_562-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ko-il-rftv_562-1)
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562. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-abma-if-we_563-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-abma-if-we_563-1)
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563. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-564)**
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564. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-565)**
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565. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-566)**
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566. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-wapo-ssgse_567-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-wapo-ssgse_567-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-wapo-ssgse_567-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-wapo-ssgse_567-3)
Fahim, Kareem; Dadouch, Sarah; Englund, Will (15 October 2019). ["Russia patrolling between Turkish and Syrian forces after U.S. troops withdraw"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syria-says-government-soldiers-enter-manbij-after-us-troops-withdraw/2019/10/15/d494405a-eeb8-11e9-bb7e-d2026ee0c199_story.html). *Washington Post*.
567. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-568)** [Syrian troops enter northeastern town after deal with Kurdish forces - state media](https://www.reuters.com/article/syria-security-turkey-usa/syrian-troops-enter-northeastern-town-after-deal-with-kurdish-forces-state-media-idUSL5N26Z12W), Ellen Francis, Tuvan Gumrukcu, 14 October 2019.
568. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-569)** [Syrian troops enter northern towns and villages, setting up a potential clash with Turkish-led forces](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/15/syrian-troops-enter-northern-towns-and-villages-near-turkish-border.html), 15 OCT 2019, cnbc.com
569. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-570)**
["Syrian army to deploy along Turkish border in deal with Kurdish-led forces"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-government-sdf-idUSKBN1WS0PF). *Reuters*. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
570. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-571)**
["Syrian army moves to confront Turkish forces as US withdraws"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-army-moves-to-confront-turkish-forces-as-us-withdraws/). *Times of Israel*. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
571. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-572)** [Syrian troops enter Kurdish fight against Turkish forces](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/14/syrian-troops-enter-kurdish-fight-against-turkish-forces). Deal to support Kurds in exchange for key cities set to open new front in civil war. Michael Safi in Amman and Bethan McKernan in Akçakale Mon 14 October 2019.
572. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-573)** [What is the situation in north-eastern Syria?](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/09/what-is-situation-north-eastern-syria-turkey-kurds) Turkey has begun an offensive in an area controlled by the Kurdish-led SDF. Michael Safi, Mon 14 October 2019.
573. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-574)**
["Report: Syrian army to enter SDF-held Kobani, Manbij"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-towns-report-idUSKBN1WS0K0). *Reuters*. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
574. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-dvcopt_575-0)**
Dominic Evans, Dominic; Coskun, Orhan; Perry, Tom (16 October 2019). ["Power shift: Who gains in the battle for Syria's northeast?"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-usa-power-analy/power-shift-who-gains-in-the-battle-for-syrias-northeast-idUSKBN1WU2K8). *Reuters*.
575. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-576)**
Seligman, Lara (30 October 2019). ["How the Iran Hawks Botched Trump's Syria Withdrawal"](https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/10/30/iran-hawks-botched-trump-syria-policy-james-jeffrey-turkey/). *Foreign Policy*.
576. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-577)**
Evans, Margaret (20 October 2019). ["Turkey 'outsourcing war crimes' to armed groups, Amnesty says after Kurdish politician's murder"](https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/syria-turkey-1.5328109). *CBC*.
577. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-578)**
Perry, Tom; Francis, Ellen (22 October 2019). ["For Syrian Kurds, a leader's killing deepens sense of U.S. betrayal"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-kurds-future/for-syrian-kurds-a-leaders-killing-deepens-sense-of-us-betrayal-idUSKBN1X11HZ). *Reuters*.
578. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-579)**
Hubbard, Ben; Kirkpatrick, David D. (18 October 2019). ["Kurds' Sense of Betrayal Compounded by Empowerment of Unsavory Rivals"](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/18/world/middleeast/kurds-sense-of-betrayal-compounded-by-empowerment-of-unsavory-rivals.html). *The New York Times*.
579. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-580)**
Stolton, Samuel (14 October 2019). ["Turkey's relationship with NATO tested over Syria operation"](https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/turkey-relationship-nato-tested-syria-operation-191013190857028.html). *Aljazeera*.
580. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-581)**
Wolfgang, Ben; Glenn, Mike (16 October 2019). ["Turkey's NATO status complicates U.S. response to Erdogan's Syria incursion"](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/oct/16/turkey-nato-status-complicates-response-erdogan-sy/). *The Washington Times*.
581. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-582)**
["Esper chides NATO ally Turkey for "heading in the wrong direction" with Russia in Syria"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/turkey-syria-wrong-direction-russia-mark-esper-says-us-nato-ally-donald-trump-lauds-ceasefire-2019-10-24/). *CBS News*. 24 October 2019.
582. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-583)**
["US said considering plan to remove nukes from Turkish base near Syrian border"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/amid-rising-tensions-us-said-considering-plan-to-remove-nukes-from-turkish-base/). *timesofisrael.com*. 15 October 2019.
583. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-584)**
Brennan, David (15 October 2019). ["U.S.-Turkey tensions raise fears over future of nuclear weapons near Syria"](https://www.newsweek.com/u-s-turkey-tensions-fears-future-nuclear-weapons-syria-donald-trump-erdogan-1465331). *Newsweek*.
584. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-585)**
["Why is Turkey in NATO Anyway?"](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/10/turkey-and-nato-troubled-relationship/599890/). The Atlantic.
585. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-586)**
["Lindsey Graham says Congress will call for Turkey to be suspended from NATO and hit it with sanctions if it attacks Kurds"](https://www.businessinsider.com/lindsey-graham-warns-turkey-nato-suspension-sanctions-if-kurds-attacked-2019-10). Business Insider. 7 October 2019.
586. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-587)**
["Democratic lawmaker: Expelling Turkey from NATO 'should be on the table'"](https://thehill.com/homenews/house/465847-democratic-lawmaker-expelling-turkey-from-nato-should-be-on-the-table). The Hill. 15 October 2019.
587. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-588)**
Mortazavi, Negar (16 October 2019). ["How Russia is filling the gap left by Trump's withdrawal of US troops in Syria"](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/trump-syria-kurds-russia-putin-assad-a9157656.html). *The Independent*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/trump-syria-kurds-russia-putin-assad-a9157656.html) from the original on 21 June 2022.
588. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ol-ram_589-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ol-ram_589-1)
Oliphant, Roland (15 October 2019). ["Russia assumes mantle of supreme power broker in Middle East as US retreats from Syria"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/15/russia-assumes-mantle-supreme-power-broker-middle-east-us-retreats/). *The Telegraph*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/15/russia-assumes-mantle-supreme-power-broker-middle-east-us-retreats/) from the original on 12 January 2022.
589. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-590)**
Sevastopulo, Demetri; Williams, Aime; Pitel, Laura; Foy, Henry (16 October 2019). ["US delegation to press Turkey for Syrian ceasefire"](https://www.ft.com/content/3123143a-ef41-11e9-ad1e-4367d8281195). *Financial Times*.
590. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-591)**
["Putin and Erdogan just did a deal on Syria. The US is the biggest loser"](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/22/middleeast/putin-erdogan-syria-deal-hodge-analysis-intl/index.html). *cnn.com*. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
591. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-GuardianBuffer_592-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-GuardianBuffer_592-1) [Turkey and Russia agree on deal over buffer zone in northern Syria](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/22/turkey-and-russia-agree-deal-over-buffer-zone-in-northern-syria). Erdoğan hails agreement with Putin in which Kurdish fighters will be moved from border area. guardian.com.
592. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-593)**
Fahim, Kareem; DeYoung. ["Russia and Turkey reach deal to push Kurdish forces out of zone in northern Syria"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191022204410/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/turkeys-erdogan-meets-with-putin-in-russia-to-discuss-syrian-operation/2019/10/22/764abcea-f43f-11e9-b2d2-1f37c9d82dbb_story.html). *Washington Post*. Archived from [the original](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/turkeys-erdogan-meets-with-putin-in-russia-to-discuss-syrian-operation/2019/10/22/764abcea-f43f-11e9-b2d2-1f37c9d82dbb_story.html) on 22 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
593. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-594)**
Soylu, Ragıp (22 October 2019). ["LATEST – Here is the complete text of Turkish, Russian agreement on Northern Syria, that pushed YPG 30 km from Turkish, Syria borderpic.twitter.com/jwiOurbfa3"](https://twitter.com/ragipsoylu/status/1186692319703130119). *@ragipsoylu*. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
594. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-595)** [The Sochi Agreement And Its Implications](https://lobelog.com/the-sochi-agreement-and-its-implications/) 25 OCTOBER 2019.
595. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-601)**
["Syrian Kurds accuse Turkey of violations, Russia says peace plan on track"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191024140036/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-security-idUKKBN1X319A). *Reuters*. 24 October 2019. Archived from [the original](https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-security-idUKKBN1X319A) on 24 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
596. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-602)**
["Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: US releases first images of raid on compound"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50243895). *BBC News*. 31 October 2019.
597. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-603)** [Syrian Democratic Council : We are ready to start negotiating with Damascus](https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/021120192), 02-11-2019, Lawk Ghafuri, rudaw.net.
598. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-:4_604-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-:4_604-1)
["SDF Agrees to Sochi Deal for Northern Syria"](https://syrianobserver.com/EN/news/53885/sdf-agrees-to-sochi-deal-for-northern-syria.html). *The Syrian Observer*. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
599. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-:5_605-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-:5_605-1)
["Syrian Kurds say pulling out from entire length of Turkey border"](https://ekurd.net/syrian-kurds-say-pulling-2019-10-28). *Kurd Net - Ekurd.net Daily News*. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
600. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-al-monitor_overview_606-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-al-monitor_overview_606-1) [Turkey's Kurdish sweep backfires](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/turkey-syria-gulf-ankara-kurdish-sweep-backfiring.html), Fehim Tastekin 11 December 2019, al-monitor.com
601. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-607)**
["Syria government raps 'occupation', opposition urges justice as peace panel opens"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-un-idUSKBN1X919S). *Reuters*. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
602. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-608)** [Macron says 'no consensus' with Turkey over definition of terrorism](https://www.france24.com/en/20191204-macron-says-no-consensus-turkey-definition-terrorism-syria-kurds-nato), 4 December 2019, France24.
603. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-euobserver_nato_609-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-euobserver_nato_609-1) [Macron spars with US and Turkey over Nato](https://euobserver.com/foreign/146810), By NIKOLAJ NIELSEN BRUSSELS, 4. DEC, euobserver.com.
604. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-610)** [Erdogan: Quartet meeting was ‘good’](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191203-erdogan-quartet-meeting-was-good/), 3 December 2019, middleeastmonitor.com/.
605. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-611)** [Exclusive details of Erdoğan's meeting with Johnson, Merkel and Macron](https://www.dailysabah.com/columns/yahya_bostan/2019/12/09/exclusive-details-of-erdogans-meeting-with-johnson-merkel-and-macron), by Yahya Bostan, dailysabah.com
606. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-612)** [Erdogan in NATO: Russia's ‘Trojan horse’?](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/turkey-united-states-russia-is-erdogan-trojan-horse-in-nato.html), by Cengiz Candar 9 December 2019.
607. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-613)** [A four-way summit on Syria will be in Turkey](http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/a-four-way-summit-on-syria-will-be-in-turkey-149498), NewsTurkey 5 December 2019.
608. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-614)**
["Exclusive: U.S. military completes pullback from northeast Syria, Esper says"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-usa-syria-exclusive-idUSKBN1Y90CU). *Reuters*. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
609. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-615)** [Turkey's safe zone stabilized northern Syria, says Esper](https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2019/12/12/turkeys-safe-zone-stabilized-northern-syria-says-esper) DAILY SABAH, ANKARA, Published 12.12.2019.
610. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-616)**
Rosenberg, Steve (17 October 2019). ["Putin: From pariah to Middle East power broker"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50068498). *BBC*.
611. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-617)**
Pitarakis, Lefteris; Mroue, Bassem (16 October 2019). ["Russia Seeks to Cement its Role as a Power Broker in Syria"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191016020939/https://time.com/5701729/russia-troops-syria-turkey-conflict/). *Time*. Archived from [the original](https://time.com/5701729/russia-troops-syria-turkey-conflict/) on 16 October 2019.
612. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-618)** [Putin's Envoy Tells Assad Russia Supports ‘Recapturing All Syrian Territories’](https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2018801/putin%E2%80%99s-envoy-tells-assad-russia-supports-%E2%80%98recapturing-all-syrian-territories%E2%80%99) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200210152102/https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2018801/putin%E2%80%99s-envoy-tells-assad-russia-supports-%E2%80%98recapturing-all-syrian-territories%E2%80%99) 10 February 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), Tuesday, 3 December 2019.
613. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-619)** [Intel: How Russia is changing course in Syria](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/intel-russia-change-course-syria.html), Maxim A. Suchkov 3 December 2019.
614. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-620)** [Press release on Russian officials’ meeting with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad](https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/3928776), 02-12-2019.
615. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-621)** [UAE OFFICIALLY BACKS SYRIA'S ASSAD TO WIN WAR](https://www.newsweek.com/uae-officially-backs-syria-assad-win-1475341), BY TOM O'CONNOR ON 12/3/19.
616. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-622)** [Russian forces enter former Islamic State stronghold in Syria](https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Russian-forces-enter-former-Islamic-State-stronghold-in-Syria-610347):Russian troops in Raqqa were handing out humanitarian aid and its military doctors were offering residents medical attention. By REUTERS 9 DECEMBER 2019.
617. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-623)** [Russian troops enter Syria's Raqqa, filling void of withdrawing US forces](https://thedefensepost.com/2019/12/10/syria-russia-raqqa-us-withdraw/), by Jared Szuba 10 DECEMBER 2019.
618. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-624)** [Russians near Raqqa two years after US helped take city from ISIS](https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Russians-in-Raqqa-two-years-after-US-helped-take-city-from-ISIS-610377) By SETH J. FRANTZMAN 9 DECEMBER 2019.
619. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-625)** [Russian military police conduct patrol missions in three Syrian governorates. The Russian military policy carried out patrol missions in Syria's Aleppo, Raqqa and al-Hasakah governorates](https://tass.com/world/1097485). 9 December 2019. tass.com.
620. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-626)** [Russian forces in Syria, SDF discuss phase two in border security deal](https://ahvalnews.com/northern-syria/russian-forces-syria-sdf-discuss-phase-two-border-security-deal) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200724183004/https://ahvalnews.com/northern-syria/russian-forces-syria-sdf-discuss-phase-two-border-security-deal) 24 July 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 7 December 2019.
621. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-627)** [Russian forces in Syria, SDF discuss phase two in border security deal](https://ahvalnews.com/northern-syria/russian-forces-syria-sdf-discuss-phase-two-border-security-deal) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200724183004/https://ahvalnews.com/northern-syria/russian-forces-syria-sdf-discuss-phase-two-border-security-deal) 24 July 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 7 Dec 2019, ahvalnews.com.
622. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-628)** [Live: Day 6 of Turkey's Syria operation](https://ahvalnews.com/operation-peace-spring/live-day-6-turkeys-syria-operation), Ahval, 14 October 2019.
623. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-629)** [The Takeaway: 11 December 2019](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/the-takeaway-december-11-2019.html), Andrew Parasiliti 11 December 2019.
624. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-630)** [Russia and Turkey armies strike deal to swap water for electricity](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191209-russia-and-turkey-armies-strike-deal-to-swap-water-for-electricity/), 9 December 2019, middleeastmonitor.com
625. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-631)** [Russians appear to broker deal with Turkey in electricity for water swap in Syria](https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/860c5e68-1e9e-4bb5-a014-6a3505d90ad4), Wladimir van Wilgenburg Wladimir van Wilgenburg \|9 December-2019.
626. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-m4road_632-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-m4road_632-1) [Major road connecting Aleppo to eastern Syria to reopen after Russian-Turkish agreement](https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/12/11/major-road-connecting-aleppo-to-eastern-syria-to-reopen), 11 December 2019.
627. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-633)** [Turkish-Russian agreement to deliver electricity to Tel Abyad and Ras al-Ain through Tishreen Dam](https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2019/12/turkish-russian-agreement-to-deliver-electricity-to-tel-abyad-and-ras-al-ain-through-tishreen-dam/?so=popular), Enab Baladi, 20 December 2019.
628. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-634)** [Russia and Turkey oversee withdrawal of military forces from "M4 road"](https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2019/12/russia-and-turkey-oversee-withdrawal-of-military-forces-from-m4-road/), Enab Baladi, 8 December 2019.
629. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-635)** [Turkish-Russian agreements redraws the map of eastern Euphrates](https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2019/12/turkish-russian-agreements-redraws-the-map-of-eastern-euphrates/), Enab Baladi, 4 December 2019.
630. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-636)** [Turkey's changing story on Syria: From self-defense to long-term control. Turkey's narrative is slowly changing on its expanding role in northern Syria](https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Turkeys-changing-story-on-Syria-From-self-defense-to-long-term-control-610250). By SETH J. FRANTZMAN 8 DECEMBER 2019, jpost.com.
631. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-637)** [Astana round begins with a meeting between the meeting sponsors](https://www.hawarnews.com/en/haber/astana-round-begins-with-a-meeting-between-the-meeting-sponsors-h13118.html) The 14th round of the Astana meetings began in the Kazakh capital Nur Sultan on Tuesday morning with a series of meetings of the meeting sponsors (Russia, Turkey and Iran). 10 Dec 2019, Tue - 14:07 2019-12-10T14:07:00 NEWS DESK
632. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-638)** [Astana talks: Expanding Syria ‘safe zone’ will ‘do nothing good’, says Russian envoy](https://www.rudaw.net/english/world/10122019), 18 hours ago, Karwan Faidhi Dri, rudaw.net.
633. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-639)** [14th round led to significant results, MFA about the Astana process on Syria](https://www.inform.kz/en/14th-round-led-to-significant-results-mfa-about-the-astana-process-on-syria_a3593712), 11 December 2019, inform.kz, kazinform news agency.
634. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-640)**
Agencies and ToI Staff (17 December 2019). ["Russia to modernize Syria port, build railway across Syria to Persian Gulf"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/russia-to-modernize-syria-port-build-railway-across-syria-to-persian-gulf/). *[The Times of Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Times_of_Israel "The Times of Israel")*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0040-7909](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0040-7909). Retrieved 1 February 2025.
635. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-641)** [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/article/syria-security-russia-grains/update-1-russia-to-invest-500-mln-in-syrian-port-build-grain-hub-interfax-idUSL8N28R32J) UPDATE 1-Russia to invest \$500 mln in Syrian port, build grain hub, Reuters.
636. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-642)**
["5 Russian-Syrian Projects Announced This Week"](https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/12/18/5-russian-syrian-projects-announced-this-week-a68655). *The Moscow Times*. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
637. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-643)**
["Syria hands oil exploration contracts to two Russian firms"](https://www.oilandgas360.com/syria-hands-oil-exploration-contracts-to-two-russian-firms/). *Oil & Gas 360*. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
638. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-644)** [The Daily Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/12/16/syria-serious-dialogue-china-joining-belt-road-initiative-says/) Syria in 'serious dialogue' with China about joining Belt and Road initiative, says Assad, Josie Ensor, beirut, 16 DECEMBER 2019.
639. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-645)**
["Syria Reaches Out To Join China's Belt & Road Initiative"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191218142838/https://www.silkroadbriefing.com/news/2019/12/17/syria-reaches-join-chinas-belt-road-initiative/). *Silk Road Briefing*. 17 December 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.silkroadbriefing.com/news/2019/12/17/syria-reaches-join-chinas-belt-road-initiative/) on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
640. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceA_646-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceA_646-1) [Erdogan urges resettling of 1 million refugees in northern Syria](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/erdogan-urges-resettling-1-million-refugees-northern-syria-191217100317971.html). Turkish president says formula needed to allow refugees to return on a voluntary basis but in 'short period of time'.
641. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-middleeasteye.net_647-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-middleeasteye.net_647-1) [Turkey says EU should increase funding of Syrian refugees beyond \$6.6bn pledged](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-says-eu-should-increase-funding-syrian-refugees-beyond-66bn-pledged).EU funds support 3.5 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, as Syria's civil war has killed hundreds of thousands and pushed millions from their homes.
642. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-middleeastmonitor.com_648-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-middleeastmonitor.com_648-1) [Turkish official says EU should boost funding of Syrian refugees](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191215-turkish-official-says-eu-should-boost-funding-of-syrian-refugees/) 15 December 2019.
643. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-wsau.com_649-0)** [Erdogan says world cares more about Syria's oil than its children](https://wsau.com/news/articles/2019/dec/17/erdogan-urges-resettling-of-one-million-refugees-in-northern-syria-peace-zone/967200/?refer-section=world) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200211192144/https://wsau.com/news/articles/2019/dec/17/erdogan-urges-resettling-of-one-million-refugees-in-northern-syria-peace-zone/967200/?refer-section=world) 11 February 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") Tuesday, 17 December 2019.
644. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-650)**
["Erdogan says Turkey aims to settle 1 million refugees in Syria offensive area"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-idUSKBN1YD27R). *Reuters*. 9 December 2019 – via www.reuters.com.
645. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-651)** [Turkey Begins Resettling Refugees in Northeastern Syria: Continued reports of atrocities by Turkish-backed forces raise concerns about ethnic cleansing](https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/12/09/turkey-resettling-refugees-northeastern-syria/). BY LARA SELIGMAN \| 9 DECEMBER 2019.
646. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-652)** [Erdogan announces start working to house one million people in northern Syria](https://www.shafaaq.com/en/world/erdogan-announces-start-working-to-house-one-million-people-in-northern-syria/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200724181315/https://www.shafaaq.com/en/world/erdogan-announces-start-working-to-house-one-million-people-in-northern-syria/) 24 July 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 9 December 2019.
647. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-653)**
["America's Ally in Syria Warns of Ethnic Cleansing by Turkey"](https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/americas-ally-in-syria-warns-of-ethnic-cleansing-by-turkey). *The New Yorker*. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
648. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-654)** [Turkey appoints mayors in recently invaded northern Syrian towns](https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/06122019), 06-12-2019, Karwan Faidhi Dri.
649. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-655)** [Turkey to appoint 4,000 police officers to Syria](https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-syria/turkey-appoint-4000-police-officers-syria) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191207062508/https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-syria/turkey-appoint-4000-police-officers-syria) 7 December 2019 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 7 Dec 2019.
650. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-dw.com_656-0)** [Migrant arrivals in Europe from Turkey nearly double in 2019](https://www.dw.com/en/migrant-arrivals-in-europe-from-turkey-nearly-double-in-2019/a-51702064). According to a confidential EU report, 70,000 migrants have crossed from Turkey to the EU this year. The numbers raised questions about whether an EU-Turkey refugee deal was unravelling.
651. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-thehill.com_657-0)** [Turkish President Erdoğan calls for resettlement of 1M refugees in northern Syria](https://thehill.com/policy/international/europe/474863-turkeys-erdogan-calls-for-resettlement-of-1m-refugees-in-northern) BY MARTY JOHNSON - 12/17/19.
652. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-foreign_policy_Dec_2019_658-0)** [Turkey Pitches Plan to Settle 1 Million Refugees in Northern Syria](https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/12/18/turkey-pitches-plan-settle-1-million-refugees-northern-syria-erdogan-kurds/). Questions arise as to whether Erdogan's \$26 billion megaproject is intended to clear his border of Kurds. BY COLUM LYNCH, LARA SELIGMAN \| 18 DECEMBER 2019, Foreign Policy Magazine.
653. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-dailysabah.com_659-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-dailysabah.com_659-1) [Erdoğan: Return of Syrian refugees as crucial as fight against terrorism](https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2019/12/17/erdogan-return-of-syrian-refugees-as-crucial-as-fight-against-terrorism), DAILY SABAH 17.12.2019.
654. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-channelnewsasia.com_660-0)** [Lack of refugee aid forced Turkey into Syria operation: Erdogan](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/lack-refugee-aid-forced-turkey-syria-operation-erdogan-12191402) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191218020301/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/lack-refugee-aid-forced-turkey-syria-operation-erdogan-12191402) 18 December 2019 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 17 December 2019.
655. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-al-monitor.com_661-0)** [Erdogan renews call for ‘safe zone’ support as Syrians return](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/erdogan-renew-call-safe-zone-syria.html), Ayla Jean Yackley 17 December 2019.
656. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-662)**
["ACT Alliance Call for Action: Jordan, Syria and Lebanon (18 December 2019) - Syrian Arab Republic"](https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/act-alliance-call-action-jordan-syria-and-lebanon-18-december-2019). *ReliefWeb*. 18 December 2019.
657. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-663)**
["Situation Syria Regional Refugee Response"](https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria). *data2.unhcr.org*. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
658. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-washokani_664-0)** [Winter threatens the IDPs in the Washokani Camp](https://anfenglishmobile.com/rojava-syria/winter-threatens-the-idps-in-the-washokani-camp-39991).For the displaced people in northern and eastern Syria, winter is a torture: many set up for those seeking shelter have already collapsed due to rain and wind. Almost all international aid organisations are watching the misery. ANF HESEKÊ Tuesday, 10 December 2019.
659. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-665)** [Residents in northeast Syria brace for winter as oil smugglers thrive](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/syria-oil-smuggling-hyena-sdf-deir-ezzor-tankers.html), by Dan Wilkofsky 18 December 2019.
660. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-666)** [Ignorance of aid organisations exacerbates the situation of IDPs](https://anfenglishmobile.com/rojava-syria/ignorance-of-aid-organisations-exacerbates-the-situation-of-idps-39283) Hundreds of thousands have fled home due to the attacks of the AKP regime and its gangs on Northern Syria. The living conditions of the refugees are being exacerbated by the ignorance of international aid organisations. ANF HESEKE Wednesday, 13 November 2019.
661. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-un_refugees_667-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-un_refugees_667-1)
["Clash at UN Security Council over cross-border aid for Syria"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/19/clash-at-un-security-council-over-cross-border-aid-for-syria). *www.aljazeera.com*. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
662. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-UN_VOA_12/2019_668-0)** [UN: Ability to Get Lifesaving Aid to 4 Million Syrians at Risk](https://www.voanews.com/a/middle-east_un-ability-get-lifesaving-aid-4-million-syrians-risk/6181303.html) By Margaret Besheer, 18 December 2019.
663. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-669)** [Russia, backed by China, casts 14th U.N. veto on Syria to block cross-border aid](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-un/russia-backed-by-china-casts-14th-u-n-veto-on-syria-to-block-cross-border-aid-idUSKBN1YO23V). 20 December 2019. Reuters.
664. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-670)** [UN defeats rival resolutions to keep Syria cross-border aid](https://apnews.com/e3d23c9f8ecdb2a146b55f3464d15660) By EDITH M. LEDERER, 20 December 2019, ap.com.
665. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-671)** [US slams China, Russia veto on humanitarian aid to Syria](https://www.dailysabah.com/syrian-crisis/2019/12/22/us-slams-china-russia-veto-on-humanitarian-aid-to-syria), DAILY SABAH WITH AFP, ISTANBUL 22 December 2019.
666. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-672)** [Russia, China block extension of cross-borderhumanitarian aid for millions of Syrians](https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/12/21/russia-china-block-extension-of-syria-cross-border-aid), alaraby.co.uk
667. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-673)** [EU condemns Turkey again while sticking to its position on the Kurdish administration in north-east Syria](https://www.brusselstimes.com/all-news/eu-affairs/84361/eu-condemns-turkey-again-while-sticking-to-its-position-on-the-kurdish-administration-in-north-east-syria/), Tuesday, 17 December 2019.
668. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-674)** [SDF woos Syrian Kurdish rivals in wake of Turkish assault](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/sdf-woo-syria-kurd-rivals-turkey-assault.html), Amberin Zaman 4 December 2019.
669. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-what_now_675-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-what_now_675-1) [2 months of Operation Peace Spring: what now?](https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/09122019) Karwan Faidhi Dri, 10 December 2019.
670. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-676)** [Russia wants Syrian Kurds to unify, clarify their demands of Moscow: Kurdish opposition](https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/10122019) Karwan Faidhi Dri, 10 December 2019.
671. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-677)** [Syria's Kurdish parties do not see eye to eye](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/kurds-syria-pyd-national-council-russia-syrian-regime.html), Shivan Ibrahim 9 December 2019.
672. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-678)** [Faisal Azouz: Our goal is to know region's project, we do not wish to see any disagreement](https://www.hawarnews.com/en/haber/faisal-azouz-our-goal-is-to-know-regions-project-we-do-not-wish-to-see-any-disagreement-h13091.html). The coordinator of the National Dialogue Follow-up Committee of the Arab Socialist Baath Party, Faisal, indicated that they were looking for ways to find a formula for compatibility between the Autonomous Administration project and Article 107 of the Syrian constitution related to local administrations. 8 Dec 2019, Sun - 13:54 2019-12-08T13:54:00 QAMISHLO\_ SHINDA AKRAM – AKRAM BARAKAT.
673. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-679)** [Northeast Syria Between Autonomous, Local Administrations](https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2027786/northeast-syria-between-autonomous-local-administrations) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200210165246/https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2027786/northeast-syria-between-autonomous-local-administrations) 10 February 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), Monday, 9 December 2019.
674. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-680)** [Syrian delegation explores dialogue between Kurds and Damascus, following US withdrawal](https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/e0a4a994-9c19-4560-af63-eeddc1c0aac2) by Wladimir van Wilgenburg, 10 December 2019.
675. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-681)** [Ehmê: We are ready for dialogue with Damascus](https://anfenglish.com/rojava-syria/ehme-we-are-ready-for-dialogue-with-damascus-39977) – ANF RAQQA Tuesday, 10 Dec 2019, 09:33. "We are ready for dialogue with the Damascus government for a lasting solution to the Syrian crisis," said Luqman Ehmê, spokesman for the North East Syria Autonomous Administration in a press release.
676. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-682)** [SDF General Commander Abdi met Wise leaders](https://anfenglishmobile.com/rojava-syria/sdf-general-commander-abdi-met-wise-leaders-40002). SDF General Commander Mazlum Abdi met with the Committee of Wise people in North and East Syria. At the meeting, developments in the region were discussed. NF NEWS DESK Wednesday, 11 December 2019.
677. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-683)** [Syrian Kurdish leader calls on US, Russia to prevent ethnic cleansing by Turkey](https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/b622efd0-c175-4602-aa3c-a118cd8ee09e), Wladimir van Wilgenburg Wladimir van Wilgenburg \| 11 December 2019.
678. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-684)** [Al-Mulhim: The Syrian delegation's meeting with the self-management parties was positive](http://www.adarpress.net/english/index.php/news/3013-al-mulhim-the-syrian-delegation-s-meeting-with-the-self-management-parties-was-positive) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191213043538/http://www.adarpress.net/english/index.php/news/3013-al-mulhim-the-syrian-delegation-s-meeting-with-the-self-management-parties-was-positive) 13 December 2019 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), Published on Monday, 9 December 2019, adarpress.com
679. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-685)** [SDF meets Arab tribes to discourage them from joining Syria regime army](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191211-sdf-meets-arab-tribes-to-discourage-them-from-joining-syria-regime-army/), 11 December 2019.
680. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-686)** [What is happening in al-Shirkark silos in Ain Issa district?](https://www.hawarnews.com/en/haber/what-is-happening-in-al-shirkark-silos-in-ain-issa-district-h13119.html) The Turkish occupation army withdrew from al-Shirkrak silo, according it seems agreement with Russia, while yesterday, the Russian forces headed with the Syrian regime to remove mines in the silos' vicinity, we have no precise information about the forces which will be stationed in the silos. 10 Dec 2019, Tue - 14:38 2019-12-10T14:38:00 AIN ISSA – SHARVIN MUSTAFA. hawarnews.com
681. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-687)** [Turkish forces re-occupy the wheat silo they retreated from.](https://anfenglishmobile.com/rojava-syria/turkish-forces-re-occupy-the-wheat-silo-it-retreated-from-39989) AIN ISSA Tuesday, 10 December 2019.
682. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-688)** [Russia has pledged to remove Turkish forces from strategic highway](https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/051220193), 05-12-2019 by Karwan Faidhi Dri.
683. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-689)** [Life on the Front Lines in Northern Syria](https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/11/23/life-on-the-front-lines-in-northern-syria/); With echoes of shelling from Turkish-allied forces nearby, families sheltering in abandoned villages wonder when they can go home. BY JADE SACKER, 23 NOVEMBER 2019.
684. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-690)**
Sirwan Kajjo (8 December 2019). ["Russian, Syrian Regime Forces Step Up Attacks on Rebel Stronghold Idlib"](https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_russian-syrian-regime-forces-step-attacks-rebel-stronghold-idlib/6180760.html). *Voice of America*. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
685. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-691)**
Tom O'Connor (17 December 2019). ["Syria Prepares for Massive Offensive as U.S. Votes for New Sanctions on Assad, Russia and Iran"](https://www.newsweek.com/syria-prepares-massive-offensive-us-votes-new-sanctions-assad-russia-iran-1477752). *Newsweek*. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
686. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-692)**
["More than 20 killed in air raids on towns in Syria's Idlib"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/17/more-than-20-killed-in-air-raids-on-towns-in-syrias-idlib/). *Al-Jazeera*. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
687. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-693)**
["Syria war: Air strikes and shelling kill 24 civilians in Idlib"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50821277). *BBC News*. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
688. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-694)**
["Pentagon budget would hit Syria, Iran, Russia with tough sanctions"](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pentagon-budget-syria-iran-russia-sanctions). *Fox News*. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
689. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-695)**
Deborah Amos (17 December 2019). ["Congress Authorizes Sanctions On Syria, Iran And Russia"](https://www.npr.org/2019/12/17/788924967/congress-authorizes-sanctions-on-syria-iran-and-russia). *NPR*. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
690. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-2ndphase_696-0)**
["Breaking: Syrian Army kicks off 2nd phase of Idlib offensive"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200209142837/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-kicks-off-2nd-phase-of-idlib-offensive/). *Al-Masdar News*. 19 December 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-kicks-off-2nd-phase-of-idlib-offensive/) on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
691. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-697)**
["Syria war: Turkey can't handle new 'refugee wave', says Erdogan"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50886120). *BBC News*. 22 December 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
692. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-698)**
["Europe 'will feel' new refugee wave: Turkey – DW – 12/23/2019"](https://www.dw.com/en/europe-will-feel-new-refugee-wave-warns-turkeys-erdogan/a-51776809). *dw.com*. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
693. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-699)**
Helena DeMoura; Jonny Hallam; Ben Westcott (23 December 2019). ["Turkey can't handle a fresh wave of Syrian migrants, Erdogan warns"](https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/23/middleeast/turkey-erdogan-idlib-syria-intl-hnk/index.html). *CNN*. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
694. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-700)**
Bethan McKernan (28 January 2020). ["Assad regime captures town in Syria's last rebel-held territory"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/28/syrian-regime-captures-maarat-al-numan-in-idlib). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
695. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-701)**
["Syria war: Army 'recaptures' key town from opposition in Idlib"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51293327). *BBC News*. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
696. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-702)**
["Turkish operation in Idlib 'only a matter of time'"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51558770). *BBC News*. 19 February 2020.
697. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-703)**
Bethan McKernan (5 February 2020). ["500,000 flee Syrian regime's deadly offensive in Idlib"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/04/syria-half-a-million-displaced-in-idlib-says-un-body). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
698. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-704)**
["Syria war: Government troops seize part of key Idlib town Saraqeb"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51413260). *BBC News*. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
699. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-705)**
["Syrian Government Captures Last Stretch of Highway Between Damascus and Aleppo"](https://www.voanews.com/a/middle-east_syrian-government-captures-last-stretch-highway-between-damascus-and-aleppo/6184308.html). *Voice of America*. 15 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
700. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-706)**
["Syrian forces seize most of Aleppo province, on eve of Turkey-Russia talks"](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/syrian-forces-seize-most-aleppo-province-eve-turkey-russia-talks-n1137631). *NBC News*. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
701. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-707)**
["Turkey launches 'limited' operation to retake Idlib towns"](https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/turkey-launches-limited-operation-retake-idlib-towns). *The New Arab*. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
702. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-708)**
["Regime forces target Turkish military column in Jabal Al-Zawiyah destroying at least one vehicle"](https://www.syriahr.com/en/155825/). *SOHR*. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
703. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-709)**
Khaled al-Khateb (27 February 2020). ["Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces claim gains in Idlib"](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2020/02/syria-south-idlib-regime-advances-rebels-lose-russia-turkey.html). *Al-Monitor*. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
704. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Gurcan_deciphering_710-0)**
Gurcan, Metin (28 February 2020). ["Deciphering Turkey's darkest night in Syria"](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/02/turkey-syria-russia-deciphering-attack-on-turkish-troops.html). *Al-Monitor*. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
705. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-711)**
["At least 34 soldiers of the Turkish Forces were killed in airstrikes today"](https://www.syriahr.com/en/155973/). The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 27 February 2020.
706. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-712)**
["1 year ago Assad attack killed 34 Turkish troops in Syria's Idlib"](https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/1-year-ago-assad-attack-killed-34-turkish-troops-in-syrias-idlib/news). *Daily Sabah*. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
707. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-713)**
["Turkey launches Operation Spring Shield"](http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/opinion/serkan-demirtas/turkey-launches-operation-spring-shield-152580). *Hürriyet Daily News*. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
708. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-stoltennatoremarks_714-0)**
["Press point by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the North Atlantic Council meeting at Turkey's request for Article 4 consultations on the situation in Syria"](https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_173931.htm). *nato.int*. 28 February 2020.
709. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-715)**
["Opposition factions capture more areas in south Idlib as regime forces advance into Saraqeb"](https://www.syriahr.com/en/156173/). SOHR. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
710. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-716)**
["Syria army retakes Saraqib city in Idlib from opposition"](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200302-syria-army-retakes-saraqib-city-in-idlib-from-opposition/). *Middle East Monitor*. 2 March 2020.
711. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceC_717-0)**
Soldatkin, Vladimir (6 March 2020). ["Russia, Turkey agree ceasefire deal for Syria's Idlib"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-idUSKBN20S161). *Reuters*. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
712. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Guardian_6-12-2020_718-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Guardian_6-12-2020_718-1)
Chulov, Martin (12 June 2020). ["US 'Caesar Act' sanctions could devastate Syria's flatlining economy"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/12/us-caesar-act-sanctions-and-could-devastate-syrias-flatlining-economy). *The Guardian*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved 5 July 2023.
713. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Financial_Times_719-0)**
["Syria's perfect economic storm should not be ignored (FT Alphaville)"](https://www.ft.com/content/b06ad848-1066-447c-9d33-a83daad3a080). Financial Times. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
714. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-720)**
["Protests hit Druze city in Syria for fourth day"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-sweida-protests/protests-hit-druze-city-in-syria-for-fourth-day-idUSKBN23H3LR). *Reuters*. 10 June 2020.
715. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-721)**
["Syria war: Assad sacks PM as economic crisis sparks protests"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53006408). *BBC News*. 11 June 2020.
716. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-722)** [Syrian pound hits record low ahead of new U.S. sanctions: dealers](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-economy-currency/syrian-pound-hits-record-low-ahead-of-new-u-s-sanctions-dealers-idUSKBN23F2YL). The Syrian pound sank to a new record low on Monday as investors scrambled for dollars ahead of new U.S. sanctions later this month, which many fear will tighten the noose around President Bashar al-Assad's government, dealers and bankers said. 8 June 2020, Reuters.
717. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-723)** [Syrian currency collapse throws country into uncertainty](https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/syrian-currency-collapse-throws-country-into-uncertainty-630719) The Syrian regime thought it was finally out of the woods in its almost decade-long civil war. By SETH J. FRANTZMAN 8 JUNE 2020, jpost. com.
718. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-724)** [Syrian currency loses more value as sanctions hit](https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/11062020) 11 June 2020, Associated Press.
719. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-725)** [Charting the dramatic collapse of Syria's national currency](https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2020/6/4/charting-the-dramatic-collapse-of-syrias-national-currency), by Hugo Goodridge, 4 June 2020. Despite fears of a spill over from Syria affecting neighbouring Lebanon, it was conversely the collapse of the Lebanese pound that plunged Syria deeper into its economic quagmire. Rising Lebanese debts and a lack of financial ability to pay off these debts, with a seeming absence of political will to find a solution, led to capital controls being imposed. Throughout the war in Syria, Lebanon had been used by Syrians as a reliable place to withdraw dollars. "Syrians, who bought a lot of their dollars in Lebanon, suddenly couldn't access dollars, the value of the Syrian pound started to collapse.
720. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-726)** [Is Assad About to Fall?](https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/06/11/assad-syria-collapse-313276) While the world wasn't watching, Syria has edged toward collapse, and the dictator is in his weakest position ever. The U.S. now has a narrow chance to prevent a catastrophe. y CHARLES LISTER, 6/11/2020, politico.com.
721. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-727)**
Browne, Gareth (8 June 2020). ["Assad faces backlash in Syria as economy crashes"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/06/08/assad-faces-backlash-syria-economy-crashes/). *The Telegraph*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/06/08/assad-faces-backlash-syria-economy-crashes/) from the original on 12 January 2022 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
722. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-728)** [Syria Insight: Syria's collapsing economy threatens Assad's rule](https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2020/6/7/syria-insight-syrias-collapsing-economy-threatens-assads-rule), Syria has been hit by further economic instability Date of publication: 7 June 2020, english.alaraby.co.uk
723. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-729)**
وعالم, المدن عرب (29 June 2020). ["دمشق:إعتقال ضباط إستخبارات..والإشتباه بإختراق أميركي إسرائيلي"](https://www.almodon.com/arabworld/2020/6/29/%D9%87%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A3%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%B3%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%87-%D9%88%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%87). *almodon.com* (in Arabic).
724. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-730)**
وعالم, المدن عرب (6 July 2020). ["من قتل مرافق ماهر الأسد وضباط المخابرات الجوية؟"](https://www.almodon.com/arabworld/2020/7/6/%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%82-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%AF-%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9). *almodon.com* (in Arabic).
725. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-731)**
["سوريا.. اغتيالات غامضة تستهدف ضباطا مقربين من ماهر الأسد"](https://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/syria/2020/07/08/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D8%BA%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF%D9%81-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%AF-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7.html). *Al Arabiya* (in Arabic). 8 July 2020.
726. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-732)**
["Syrian girl dies on border while stranded due to \$100 entry fee"](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200907-syrian-girl-dies-on-border-while-stranded-due-to-100-entry-fee/). *Middle East Monitor*. 7 September 2020.
727. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-733)**
Reuter, Christoph (3 July 2020). ["Italien: Hat der Islamische Staat 14 Tonnen Capatgon-Tabletten geschmuggelt?"](https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/italien-hat-der-islamische-staat-14-tonnen-captagon-tabletten-geschmuggelt-a-5501a79f-096b-4998-9d29-0b95594fe359). *Der Spiegel*.
728. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-734)**
Reuter, Christoph (15 May 2020). ["Der Familienkrieg von Damaskus"](https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/syrien-assads-gegen-makhloufs-der-familienkrieg-von-damaskus-a-00000000-0002-0001-0000-000170923519). *Der Spiegel*.
729. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-735)** [Warm waters at last: Russia's expanding military footprint in the Middle East](https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2020/6/9/Russias-expanding-military-footprint-in-the-Middle-East). Russia is increasing its presence in the wider Middle East and North Africa region through the deployment of its armed forces, the sale of arms and the establishment of new military bases. In recent weeks, it began negotiating the establishment of new concessions from the Syrian regime on its indefinite military presence in that country and has also become more directly involved in the civil war tearing Libya apart. 9 June 2020. alaraby.co.uk.
730. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-736)** [Is This the End of Rojava?The Kurdish region of northeast Syria was autonomous for seven years, but had to ask the Syrian government for protection after an invasion by Turkey.](https://www.thenation.com/article/world/rojava-kurds-syria/) By Mireille Court and Chris Den Hond, FEBRUARY 18, 2020, The Nation website.
731. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-737)** [We stand in solidarity with Rojava, an example to the world](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/01/we-stand-in-solidarity-with-rojava-an-example-to-the-world).Leaders from social movements, communities and First Nations from around the world, including LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, Eve Ensler and Stuart Basden on the Turkish invasion in north-east Syria. Fri 1 Nov 2019 guardian.com.
732. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-738)** [Statement regarding Syrian Democratic Forces security operation in al-Hol camp](https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/STATEMENTS/Statements-View/Article/3161976/statement-regarding-syrian-democratic-forces-security-operation-in-al-hol-camp/), 18 Sept. 2022 U.S. Army Central Command Communication Integration official statement.
733. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-739)** [The Syrian National Army: The Turkish Proxy Militias of Northern Syria](https://rojavainformationcenter.com/2022/07/the-syrian-national-army-the-turkish-proxy-militias-of-northern-syria/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220721092444/https://rojavainformationcenter.com/2022/07/the-syrian-national-army-the-turkish-proxy-militias-of-northern-syria/) 21 July 2022 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 21 July 2022, Rojava official website.
734. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceB_740-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceB_740-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceB_740-2)
["Turkey planned Syria military operation after Russia withdrawal, sources reveal"](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220605-turkey-planned-syria-military-operation-after-russia-withdrawal-sources-reveal/). *Middle East Monitor*. 5 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
735. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceD_741-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceD_741-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceD_741-2)
["Syria: US-backed SDF 'open' to working with Syrian troops to fight off Turkey invasion"](http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-sdf-open-working-syrian-troops-fight-turkey-invasion). *Middle East Eye*. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
736. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Agencies_742-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Agencies_742-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Agencies_742-2)
Agencies (7 June 2022). ["Russian, regime forces boosted after Turkey signals Syria operation"](https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/russian-regime-forces-boosted-after-turkey-signals-syria-operation). *Daily Sabah*. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
737. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-743)**
["President Erdoğan reiterates determination for Syria operation - Türkiye News"](https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/president-erdogan-reiterates-determination-for-syria-operation-175967). *Hürriyet Daily News*. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
738. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-voanews.com_744-0)** [US-Backed Kurdish-Led Forces Say Ready to Coordinate With Syrian Army Against Turkey](https://www.voanews.com/a/us-backed-kurdish-led-forces-say-ready-to-coordinate-with-syrian-army-against-turkey/6606769.html), Reuters, via VOA website, By Maya Gebeily, 5 June 2022.
739. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-thenationalnews.com_745-0)** [Syria 'should use air defences' against Turkish invasion](https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/syria/2022/06/06/syria-should-use-air-defences-against-turkish-invasion/), The National, 6 June 2022.
740. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-forbes.com_746-0)** [These Kurdish-Led Forces Cannot Count On Syrian Air Defenses To Protect Them Against The Turkish Air Force](https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2022/06/20/these-kurdish-led-forces-cannot-count-on-syrian-air-defenses-to-protect-them-against-the-turkish-air-force/), Paul Iddon, 20 Jun 2022.
741. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Kurdish,_Syrian_2022_747-0)** [Kurdish, Syrian, Iranian forces coordinate ahead of Turkish operation:Kurdish units and Iranian-affiliated factions in Syria have formed a joint operations room under Russian supervision to counter a possible Turkish military operation in northern Syria.](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/06/kurdish-syrian-iranian-forces-coordinate-ahead-turkish-operation), by Mohammed Hardan, 17 June 2022. al-monitor.com
742. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-abcnews.go.com_748-0)** [US-backed Syrian Kurds to turn to Damascus if Turkey attacks. The U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria say they will turn to the government in Damascus for support should Turkey go ahead with its threat to launch a new incursion into the war-torn country.](https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/us-backed-syrian-kurds-turn-damascus-turkey-attacks-85231755) By BASSEM MROUE Associated Press, 7 June 2022.
743. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-749)** [Syria's Kurds strike deal with Assad after being abandoned by US](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/turkey-syria-news-kurds-deal-bashar-al-assad-sdf-latest-updates-a9154561.html), Kurdish fighters agree to hand over border towns to Damascus in deal brokered by Russia\], Richard Hall, Sunday 13 October 2019, the UK Independent.
744. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-english.aawsat.com_750-0)** [SDF, Syrian Regime Agree on Defense Plan to Repel Turkish Attack](https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3743096/sdf-syrian-regime-agree-defense-plan-repel-turkish-attack), Wednesday, by Qamishli – Kamal Sheikho, 6 July 2022.
745. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-coffeeordie.com_751-0)** [DISPATCH FROM SYRIA: DEMOCRATIC FORCES PREPARE FOR TURKISH INVASION:The regional government in north and east Syria declares a state of emergency as Turkey threatens invasion. Troops on the front say they're ready for war.](https://www.coffeeordie.com/syria-turkey-invasion) By Michael R. Shea, 8 July 2022.
746. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-752)** [U.S.-Backed Syrian Kurdish Forces Move to Halt 'Brutal Torture' at IS Camp](https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-08-28/u-s-backed-syrian-kurdish-forces-move-to-halt-brutal-torture-at-is-camp), by Reuters, 28 Aug. 2022,
747. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-UN_report_9-2022_753-0)** [Syria may ‘return to larger-scale fighting,’ UN warns in new report](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2162421/middle-east), Sept 14, 2022, Arab News.
748. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-754)** [Is Turkey on the cusp of restoring ties with Syria's Assad?](https://english.alaraby.co.uk/analysis/turkey-cusp-restoring-ties-syrias-assad), Adnan Nasser, Christopher Solomon, 22 August 2022.
749. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-755)** [Turkey's President Erdogan hints at meeting Syria's Bashar al-Assad](https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2022/10/07/turkeys-president-erdogan-hints-at-meeting-syrias-bashar-al-assad/), 7 October 2022, The National.
750. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-756)** [Turkey Signals Possible Rapprochement With Syria](https://www.voanews.com/a/turkey-signals-possible-rapprochement-with-syria-/6763615.html), by Ezel Sahinkaya, 26 September 2022, VOA News.
751. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-757)** [Normalization With Assad Could Lead to a New Exodus of Syrian Refugees](https://dawnmena.org/normalization-with-assad-could-lead-to-a-new-exodus-of-syrian-refugees/), 23 September 2022, Democracy In Exile, by Rena Netjes.
752. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-758)** [Turkish election the keyword for Erdogan's normalization with Assad](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2185101), by Ghassahn Ibrahim, 21 October 2022, Arab News.
753. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-759)** [Rights group: Turkey forces hundreds to return to Syria](https://www.startribune.com/rights-group-turkey-forces-hundreds-to-return-to-syria/600218465/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221024153823/https://www.startribune.com/rights-group-turkey-forces-hundreds-to-return-to-syria/600218465/) 24 October 2022 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), Associated Press, OCTOBER 24, 2022.
754. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-760)** [SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi to Asharq Al-Awsat: Our Forces Cannot Be Dismantled](https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3950031/sdf-commander-mazloum-abdi-asharq-al-awsat-our-forces-cannot-be-dismantled), Tuesday, 25 October 2022, aawsat.com.
755. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-761)** [Envoy says UN to push for nationwide cease-fire in Syria.](https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/envoy-push-nationwide-cease-fire-syria-91619149) The U.N. envoy for Syria says the United Nations will push for a nationwide cease-fire in the war-wrecked country — even after bursts of fighting in the last rebel-held region have punctured a two-year truce there ByALBERT AJI Associated Press, 17 October 2022.
756. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-762)** [The Power Shift In North West Syria: Three Consequences Of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham's (HTS) Seizure Of Afrin](https://www.forbes.com/sites/guneyyildiz/2022/10/22/the-power-shift-in-north-west-syria-three-consequences-of-hayat-tahrir-al-shams-hts-seizure-of-afrin), by Guney Yildiz, 22 Oct 2022 forbes.com.
757. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-763)** [Syrian jihadist group HTS, armed groups agree to uneasy truce.](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/10/syrian-jihadist-group-hts-armed-groups-agree-uneasy-truce) Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has seized several cities and towns in areas under the control of the Turkish-backed factions after days of clashes between rival factions, by Ahmed Read Jamus, 23 October 2022, al-monitor.com.
758. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-764)** [Talks with the Assad Regime](https://newlinesinstitute.org/nonstate-actors/the-limits-of-northeast-syrias-talks-with-the-assad-regime/), byCalvin Wilder, 22 August 2022.
759. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-765)** [Mazloum Abdi: Turkish Attacks Impact Fight Against ISIS](https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/2022/12/mazloum-abdi-turkish-attacks-impact-fight-against-isis?lang=en), 12 December 2022, website of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
760. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Jazeera_Staff_2023_766-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Jazeera_Staff_2023_766-1) [Twelve years on from the beginning of Syria's war](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/15/twelve-years-on-from-the-beginning-of-syrias-war) By Al Jazeera Staff ,15 Mar 2023.
761. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-news.un.org_767-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-news.un.org_767-1) [Security Council: 12 years of war, leaves 70 per cent of Syrians needing aid](https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/01/1132837), 25 January 2023, UN official website.
762. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-iraq.un.org_768-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-iraq.un.org_768-1) [Sixteenth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat](https://iraq.un.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/S202376%20EN.pdf), UN official website, February 2023.
763. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-centcom.mil_769-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-centcom.mil_769-1) [CENTCOM – YEAR IN REVIEW 2022: THE FIGHT AGAINST ISIS](https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/3255908/centcom-year-in-review-2022-the-fight-against-isis/), USCENTCOM, official website of US Army Central Command,29 Dec. 2022.
764. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-euronews.com_770-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-euronews.com_770-1) [Ex-Islamic State fighters still pose a risk in Turkey, finds report](https://www.euronews.com/2023/03/01/ex-islamic-state-fighters-still-pose-a-risk-in-turkey-finds-report), By Joshua Askew, 1 March 2023.
765. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-newlinesinstitute.org_771-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-newlinesinstitute.org_771-1) [Operation Claw-Sword Exposes Blind Spots in the US’ NE Syria Strategy](https://newlinesinstitute.org/syria/operation-claw-sword-exposes-blind-spots-in-the-us-ne-syria-strategy/) by Caroline Rose, Aram Shabanian, Calvin Wilder, 7 March 2023, website of new Lines Institute.
766. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-hurriyetdailynews.com_772-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-hurriyetdailynews.com_772-1)
["President Erdoğan reiterates determination for Syria operation – Türkiye News"](https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/president-erdogan-reiterates-determination-for-syria-operation-175967). *Hürriyet Daily News*. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
767. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-773)** [Turkish occupation launches more than 43 attacks on Mediay areas, 21 March 2023, hawarnews website.](https://hawarnews.com/en/haber/turkish-occupation-launches-more-than-43-attacks-on-mediay-areas-h35649.html)
768. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-774)** [Turkey-Syria summit postponed at last minute as Russia nudges rivals to reconcile](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/03/turkey-syria-summit-postponed-last-minute-russia-nudges-rivals-reconcile), The two countries' deputy foreign ministers plus those of Russia and Iran had been due to meet to discuss further rapprochement efforts, by Andrew Wilks, 16 March 2023, Al-Monitor website.
769. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Lebanon_2023_v151_775-0)**
William Christou (18 August 2023). ["Protests against living conditions spread across Syria"](https://www.newarab.com/news/protests-against-living-conditions-spread-across-syria). *The New Arab*. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
770. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-rebelgroups_776-0)**
["Which Syrian Groups Are Involved in Turkey's Syria Offensive?"](https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_which-syrian-groups-are-involved-turkeys-syria-offensive/6177353.html). *VOA News*. 9 October 2019.
771. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-cfr_2023_777-0)** [The civil uprising against the longtime rule of the Assads deteriorated into protracted civil war. Here’s a look at the elements that have deepened Syria’s tragedy.](https://www.cfr.org/article/syrias-civil-war) By Zachary Laub, February 14, 2023.
772. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-usip.org_778-0)** [Syria’s Stalemate Has Only Benefitted Assad and His Backers](https://web.archive.org/web/20230315000406/https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/03/syrias-stalemate-has-only-benefitted-assad-and-his-backers). On the conflict’s 12th anniversary, everyday Syrians face a dire humanitarian situation, while Assad’s grip on power holds steady. Tuesday, March 14, 2023 / BY: Mona Yacoubian
773. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-779)** [Turkey is trying to bomb Rojava out of existence](https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2023/10/09/turkey-is-trying-to-bomb-rojava-out-of-existence/), By Sarah Glynn, 9 October 2023.
774. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-reuters1_780-0)**
["Turkey says bombers came from Syria, eyes cross-border targets"](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-says-ankara-bomb-attackers-came-syria-2023-10-04/). Reuters. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
775. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-781)** [of Attacks: Israel versus Hezbollah & Iran](https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2024/apr/02/timeline-israel-against-iran-hezbollahTimeline)\[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot "Wikipedia:Link rot")*\] Retrieved 5 July 2024
776. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-782)**
Eyad Kourdi; Mostafa Salem; Allegra Goodwin; Christian Edwards; Annoa Abekah-Mensah; Lauren Kent; Avery Schmitz (29 November 2024). ["Syrian rebels enter Aleppo for first time in eight years during shock offensive"](https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/29/world/syria-rebels-aleppo-war-intl/index.html). *CNN*. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
777. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-783)**
["Syrian Rebels' Lightning Offensive Zeroes In on Major City"](https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/syrian-rebels-advance-on-third-major-city-in-growing-threat-to-assad-bd21f39f). *[The Wall Street Journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall_Street_Journal "The Wall Street Journal")*.
778. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-784)**
["Syrian insurgents have reached the suburbs of Damascus in swiftly moving offensive - CBS News"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/syrian-insurgents-suburbs-of-damascus/). *www.cbsnews.com*. 7 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
779. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-785)**
["Syria's US-backed Kurdish forces seize Deir ez-Zor as Assad hangs by thread - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012"](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/12/syrias-us-backed-kurdish-forces-seize-deir-ez-zor-assad-hangs-thread). *www.al-monitor.com*. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
780. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-786)**
["'Syrian Free Army' take control of Palmyra as regime forces fall back"](https://www.newarab.com/news/syrian-free-army-take-control-palmyra-regime-withdraws). *[The New Arab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Arab "The New Arab")*.
781. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-787)**
Al-Khalidi, Suleiman; Toksabay, Ece (28 November 2024). ["Syrian and Russian jets bomb rebel-held northwest Syria"](https://www.reuters.com/world/syrian-russian-jets-bomb-rebel-held-northwest-syria-2024-11-28/). *[Reuters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuters "Reuters")*.
782. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-788)**
Salem, Mostafa (28 November 2024). ["Syria's rebels exploit weaknesses in Iran's proxies to launch surprise offensive"](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/28/europe/syria-rebels-government-iran-analysis-intl/index.html). *[CNN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNN "CNN")*.
783. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-789)**
Abdulrahim, Raja (29 November 2024). ["Syrian Rebels Reach City of Aleppo, in Biggest Advance in Years"](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/29/world/middleeast/syria-war-aleppo-rebels-government.html). *[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times")*. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
784. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-790)**
Shaiovich, Niv (30 November 2024). ["Syrian army retreats from Hama amid rebel gains"](https://www.ynetnews.com/article/skqyo0dq1x). *Ynetnews*. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
785. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-791)**
["Syrian rebels closing in on city of Hama - report"](https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-831386). *[The Jerusalem Post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jerusalem_Post "The Jerusalem Post")*. 30 November 2024. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0792-822X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0792-822X). Retrieved 30 November 2024.
786. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-792)**
Armstrong, Kathryn (8 December 2024). ["Syrian rebels say they have taken control of Homs"](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy7kk30rdjpo). *BBC News*. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
787. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-793)**
["Syria's US-backed Kurdish forces seize Deir ez-Zor as Assad hangs by thread"](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/12/syrias-us-backed-kurdish-forces-seize-deir-ez-zor-assad-hangs-thread). *[Al Monitor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Monitor "Al Monitor")*. 6 December 2024.
788. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-794)**
["US-backed Syrian Free Army advances in Homs, with reports of clashes with regime forces in Palmyra"](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20241206-us-backed-syrian-free-army-advances-in-homs-with-reports-of-clashes-with-regime-forces-in-palmyra/). *[Middle East Monitor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East_Monitor "Middle East Monitor")*. 6 December 2024.
789. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-795)**
["Rebel forces 'reach Damascus suburbs' as protesters topple statue on outskirts"](https://news.sky.com/story/rebel-forces-expand-control-in-syria-as-assad-faces-fight-for-key-city-13268577). *Sky News*. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
790. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-796)**
Marcos, Coral Murphy; Ambrose, Tom; Mackay, Hamish; Ambrose, Coral Murphy Marcos (now); Tom; Mackay (earlier), Hamish (7 December 2024). ["Syrian rebels say they have reached Damascus in 'final stage' of offensive – Middle East crisis live"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/dec/07/syria-rebels-reach-damascus-bashar-al-assad). *the Guardian*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved 7 December 2024.
`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list "Category:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list"))
791. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-797)**
Al-Khalidi, Suleiman; Azhari, Timour (8 December 2024). ["Syrian rebels topple President Assad, prime minister calls for free elections"](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syria-rebels-celebrate-captured-homs-set-sights-damascus-2024-12-07/). [Reuters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuters "Reuters"). Retrieved 8 December 2024.
792. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-798)**
["Syrian rebels capture Damascus, saying President Assad has fled"](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cwy8xzxe0w7t). [BBC News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_News "BBC News"). 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
793. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-799)**
Al Jazeera Staff (8 December 2024). ["What happened in Syria? How did al-Assad fall?"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/8/what-happened-in-syria-has-al-assad-really-fallen). [Al Jazeera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Jazeera "Al Jazeera"). Retrieved 8 December 2024.
794. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-800)** [Kurds' dream of self-rule under threat as Turkish-backed forces sweep across Syria](https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241205-kurds-dream-of-self-rule-under-threat-as-turkish-backed-forces-sweep-across-syria), 5 Dec 2024, france24.
795. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-801)** [As Assad falls, fighting intensifying over northern Syria town](https://www.voanews.com/a/as-assad-falls-fighting-intensifying-over-northern-syria-town-/7891689.html), by Sirwan Kajjo, 8 December 2024, Voice of America.
796. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-802)** Matthew Petti, [Syria's Rojava Revolution Is in Grave Danger](https://www.yahoo.com/news/syrias-rojava-revolution-grave-danger-154509954.html), reason.com, 11 December 2024.
797. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-803)** [Turkey-backed Syrian factions end US-mediated ceasefire with Kurdish-led SDF](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/12/turkey-backed-syrian-factions-end-us-mediated-ceasefire-kurdish-led-sdf), Sources told Al-Monitor that negotiations between the sides had "failed" amid "significant military buildups" on the Turkish border. by Amberin Zaman, 16 Dec 2024.
798. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-France_24_804-0)**
["Syria's new rulers arrest official behind Saydnaya death penalties"](https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241226-syria-new-rulers-arrest-key-military-official-behind-saydnaya-death-penalties-assad). *France 24*. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
799. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-805)** [Dozens of pro-Turkey and Kurdish forces killed in fighting in northern Syria](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/dozens-pro-turkey-and-kurdish-forces-killed-fighting-northern-syria). Monitoring group says Turkish-backed groups aiming to seize Kobane and al-Tabqa before moving on to Raqqa. By MEE staff, Published date: 5 January 2025.
800. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-BritannicaUprising_806-0)**
["Syrian Civil War - Uprising in Syria, 2011– \| Britannica"](https://www.britannica.com/event/Syrian-Civil-War/Uprising-in-Syria-2011). *www.britannica.com*. 16 April 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
801. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-807)**
["Ahmed al-Sharaa named Syria's transitional president"](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8d9r0vg6v7o). *www.bbc.com*. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
802. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-808)**
["2 days of clashes and revenge killings in Syria leave more than 1,000 people dead"](https://apnews.com/article/syria-alawites-sectarian-killings-coast-assad-hts-610cdee1d5762d3ecb75c700fb7cf5f2). *AP News*. 8 March 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
803. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-809)**
Salhani, Justin. ["Syria's Druze divided as sectarian tensions linger after violence"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/9/syrias-druze-divided-as-sectarian-tensions-linger-after-violence). *Al Jazeera*. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
804. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-TimesDeal_810-0)**
Goldbaum, Christina; Ward, Euan (10 March 2025). ["Syrian Government Signs Breakthrough Deal With Kurdish-Led Forces"](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/world/middleeast/syria-kurds-agreement.html). *[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times")*.
805. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-BBCDruze_811-0)**
["Israel bombs Syrian forces entering Druze city after sectarian clashes"](https://www.https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c89e3j4e911o). *bbc.com*. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
806. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-TagesschauDruze_812-0)**
["Israel greift syrische Armeeeinheiten in Suweida an"](https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/asien/syrien-kaempfe-sunniten-drusen-106.html). *tagesschau.de* (in German). Retrieved 15 July 2025.
807. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-:3_813-0)**
["Israel strikes Syrian city, vows to protect Druze from government forces"](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrian-druze-leader-urges-local-fighters-confront-incoming-government-troops-2025-07-15/). *reuters.com*. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
## Further reading
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=72 "Edit section: Further reading")\]
- ["Syria profile - Timeline"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703995). *BBC News*. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- House of Commons Library [The Syrian civil war: Timeline and statistics](https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9381/), 6 September 2022
- ["Syria Timeline: Since the Uprising Against Assad"](https://www.usip.org/syria-timeline-uprising-against-assad). *United States Institute of Peace*. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
## External links
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=73 "Edit section: External links")\]
- [UNHCR Syria situation data](https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria)
- [Map of Syria showing land held by various belligerents as of January 2019](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46785140)
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Syrian_civil_war "Template:Syrian civil war") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Syrian_civil_war "Template talk:Syrian civil war") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Syrian_civil_war "Special:EditPage/Template:Syrian civil war")[Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war "Syrian civil war") | |
|---|---|
| Overviews | |
| | |
| Main overviews | [Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war "Syrian civil war") [Timeline]() [Background and causes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Background_and_causes_of_the_Syrian_Civil_War "Background and causes of the Syrian Civil War") [Syrian government reactions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_government_reactions_to_the_Syrian_civil_war "Syrian government reactions to the Syrian civil war") [Belligerents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belligerents_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Belligerents in the Syrian civil war") [Inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-rebel_conflict_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian civil war") [Spillover](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spillover_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Spillover of the Syrian civil war") [Cities and towns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_of_cities_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Control of cities during the Syrian civil war") [Sectarianism and minorities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sectarianism_and_minorities_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Sectarianism and minorities in the Syrian civil war") [Syrian Desert campaign (2017–2024)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Desert_campaign_\(2017%E2%80%932024\) "Syrian Desert campaign (2017–2024)") [2024 Syrian opposition offensives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Syrian_opposition_offensives "2024 Syrian opposition offensives") [Fall of the Assad regime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_the_Assad_regime "Fall of the Assad regime") |
| Effects and ongoing concerns | [Casualties of the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Casualties of the Syrian civil war") [Refugees of the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refugees_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Refugees of the Syrian civil war") [Humanitarian aid during the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_aid_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Humanitarian aid during the Syrian civil war") [Human rights violations during the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_violations_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Human rights violations during the Syrian civil war") |
| Phases and processes | [Syrian revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_revolution "Syrian revolution") [Early insurgency phase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_insurgency_phase_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war") [2012–2013 escalation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%932013_escalation_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "2012–2013 escalation of the Syrian civil war") [Ceasefires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war_ceasefires "Syrian civil war ceasefires") [Syrian peace process](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_peace_process "Syrian peace process") |
| World reaction | [International reactions to the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reactions_to_the_Syrian_civil_war "International reactions to the Syrian civil war") [Foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war") [Reactions to the fall of the Assad regime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactions_to_the_fall_of_the_Assad_regime "Reactions to the fall of the Assad regime") |
| Specific groups and countries | [Russian involvement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Russian involvement in the Syrian civil war") [Russian intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war") [Turkish involvement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war") [Turkish occupation of northern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_occupation_of_northern_Syria "Turkish occupation of northern Syria") [Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Northern_Syria_Buffer_Zone "Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone") [Russian-Turkish agreement on Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_demilitarization_\(2018%E2%80%932019\) "Idlib demilitarization (2018–2019)") [US intervention in the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "US intervention in the Syrian civil war") [2023 attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_attacks_on_U.S._bases_in_Iraq_and_Syria "2023 attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria") [Kurdish Area in Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdish_Area_in_Syria "Kurdish Area in Syria") [Syrian Democratic Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces") [Rojava conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rojava_conflict "Rojava conflict") [U.S. task force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_Joint_Task_Force_%E2%80%93_Operation_Inherent_Resolve "Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve") |
| Agreements and dialogues | [Russian-Turkish agreement on Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian-Turkish_agreement_on_Syria "Russian-Turkish agreement on Syria") [Relations between the Syrian government and North-East Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AANES%E2%80%93Syria_relations "AANES–Syria relations") |
| Transitional phase | [Syrian caretaker government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_caretaker_government "Syrian caretaker government") [Syrian transitional government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_transitional_government "Syrian transitional government") |
| [Timeline]() | |
| | |
| [**Background**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Background_and_causes_of_the_Syrian_Civil_War "Background and causes of the Syrian Civil War") | [1963 coup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1963_Syrian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat "1963 Syrian coup d'état") [1963 failed coup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_1963_Syrian_coup_attempt "July 1963 Syrian coup attempt") [1966 coup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966_Syrian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat "1966 Syrian coup d'état") [Corrective Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrective_Revolution_\(Syria\) "Corrective Revolution (Syria)") [Islamist uprising](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamist_uprising_in_Syria "Islamist uprising in Syria") [Latakia protests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_Latakia_protests "1999 Latakia protests") [Damascus Spring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_Spring "Damascus Spring") [Qamishli riots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Qamishli_riots "2004 Qamishli riots") [Syrian occupation of Lebanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_occupation_of_Lebanon "Syrian occupation of Lebanon") [Damascus Declaration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_Declaration "Damascus Declaration") [Human rights in Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Syria "Human rights in Syria") [2010s in Syria political history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010s_in_Syria_political_history "2010s in Syria political history") [Arab Spring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring "Arab Spring") |
| **2011** [Jan–Apr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2011\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2011)") [May–Aug](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93August_2011\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2011)") [Sep–Dec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(September%E2%80%93December_2011\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2011)") | [Syrian revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_revolution "Syrian revolution") [Death of Hamza Ali Al-Khateeb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Hamza_Ali_Al-Khateeb "Death of Hamza Ali Al-Khateeb") [Siege of Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Daraa "Siege of Daraa") [Siege of Baniyas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Baniyas "Siege of Baniyas") [May Talkalakh siege](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Talkalakh_\(May_2011\) "Siege of Talkalakh (May 2011)") [Siege of Rastan and Talbiseh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Rastan_and_Talbiseh "Siege of Rastan and Talbiseh") [June Jisr ash-Shughur operation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_2011_Jisr_ash-Shughur_clashes "June 2011 Jisr ash-Shughur clashes") [Siege of Hama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Hama_\(2011\) "Siege of Hama (2011)") [Siege of Homs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Homs "Siege of Homs") [Siege of Latakia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Latakia_\(2011\) "Siege of Latakia (2011)") [Deir ez-Zor clashes (2011–2014)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_clashes_\(2011%E2%80%932014\) "Deir ez-Zor clashes (2011–2014)") [Rif Dimashq clashes (Nov 2011-Mar 2012)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_clashes_\(November_2011%E2%80%93March_2012\) "Rif Dimashq clashes (November 2011–March 2012)") [Battle of Zabadani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Zabadani_\(2012\) "Battle of Zabadani (2012)") [Battle of Douma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Douma "Battle of Douma") [Daraa Governorate clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_Governorate_clashes_\(2011%E2%80%932013\) "Daraa Governorate clashes (2011–2013)") [Battle of Rastan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rastan_\(2011\) "Battle of Rastan (2011)") [Idlib Governorate clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate_clashes_\(September_2011_%E2%80%93_March_2012\) "Idlib Governorate clashes (September 2011 – March 2012)") [December Jabal al-Zawiya massacres](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_2011_Jabal_al-Zawiya_massacres "December 2011 Jabal al-Zawiya massacres") |
| **2012** [Jan–Apr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2012\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2012)") [May–Aug](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93August_2012\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2012)") [Sep–Dec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(September%E2%80%93December_2012\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2012)") | [January al-Midan bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_2012_al-Midan_bombing "January 2012 al-Midan bombing") [Battle of Rastan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rastan_\(January%E2%80%93February_2012\) "Battle of Rastan (January–February 2012)") [First Battle of Idlib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Idlib_\(2012\) "Battle of Idlib (2012)") [Battle of al-Qusayr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Qusayr_\(2012\) "Battle of al-Qusayr (2012)") [Idlib Governorate operation (Apr)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2012_Idlib_Governorate_Operation "April 2012 Idlib Governorate Operation") [Battle of Taftanaz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Taftanaz "Battle of Taftanaz") [May Battle of Rastan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rastan_\(May_2012\) "Battle of Rastan (May 2012)") [Houla massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houla_massacre "Houla massacre") [Battle of al-Haffah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Haffah "Battle of al-Haffah") [Al-Qubeir massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qubeir_massacre "Al-Qubeir massacre") [Battle of Tremseh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tremseh "Battle of Tremseh") [Battle of Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Damascus_\(2012\) "Battle of Damascus (2012)") [18 July 2012 Damascus bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18_July_2012_Damascus_bombing "18 July 2012 Damascus bombing") [Battle of Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2012%E2%80%932016\) "Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)") [Battle of Anadan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Anadan "Battle of Anadan") [Siege of Base 46](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Base_46 "Siege of Base 46") [Al-Hasakah Governorate campaign (2012–2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah_Governorate_campaign_\(2012%E2%80%932013\) "Al-Hasakah Governorate campaign (2012–2013)") [Rif Dimashq offensive (Aug-Oct)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(August%E2%80%93October_2012\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012)") [Darayya massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darayya_massacre "Darayya massacre") [Battle of Khirbet Al-Joz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Khirbet_Al-Joz "Battle of Khirbet Al-Joz") [Battle of Maarrat al-Numan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maarrat_al-Numan_\(2012\) "Battle of Maarrat al-Numan (2012)") [First siege of Wadi Deif](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Wadi_Deif_\(2012%E2%80%932013\) "Siege of Wadi Deif (2012–2013)") [Battle of Harem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Harem "Battle of Harem") [Rif Dimashq offensive (Nov 2012–Feb 2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(November_2012%E2%80%93February_2013\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–February 2013)") [Battle of Darayya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Darayya_\(November_2012%E2%80%93February_2013\) "Battle of Darayya (November 2012–February 2013)") [Aqrab massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqrab_massacre "Aqrab massacre") [Hama offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Hama_offensive "2012 Hama offensive") [Halfaya massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfaya_massacre "Halfaya massacre") [Battle of Darayya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Darayya_\(November_2012%E2%80%93February_2013\) "Battle of Darayya (November 2012–February 2013)") [Quneitra Governorate clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quneitra_Governorate_clashes_\(2012%E2%80%932014\) "Quneitra Governorate clashes (2012–2014)") [Talbiseh bakery massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talbiseh_bakery_massacre "Talbiseh bakery massacre") |
| **2013** [Jan–Apr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2013\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2013)") [May–Dec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93December_2013\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–December 2013)") | [Battle of Safira](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Safira "Battle of Safira") [Battle of Shadadeh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Shaddadi_\(2013\) "Battle of Shaddadi (2013)") [Damascus offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_offensive_\(2013\) "Damascus offensive (2013)") [Raqqa campaign (2012–2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa_campaign_\(2012%E2%80%932013\) "Raqqa campaign (2012–2013)") [Battle of Raqqa (Mar)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Raqqa_\(2013\) "Battle of Raqqa (2013)") [Daraa offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Daraa_offensive "2013 Daraa offensive") [Rif Dimashq offensive (Mar–Aug)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(March%E2%80%93August_2013\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (March–August 2013)") [Battle of Jdaidet al-Fadl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Jdaidet_al-Fadl "Battle of Jdaidet al-Fadl") [Ghouta chemical attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghouta_chemical_attack "Ghouta chemical attack") [Al-Qusayr offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qusayr_offensive "Al-Qusayr offensive") [Battle of al-Qusayr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Qusayr_\(2013\) "Battle of al-Qusayr (2013)") [Bayda and Baniyas massacres](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayda_and_Baniyas_massacres "Bayda and Baniyas massacres") [Hama offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Hama_offensive "2013 Hama offensive") [Hatla massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatla_massacre "Hatla massacre") [Khan al-Assal chemical attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_al-Assal_chemical_attack "Khan al-Assal chemical attack") [Khan al-Assal massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_al-Assal_massacre "Khan al-Assal massacre") [Adra massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adra_massacre "Adra massacre") [Battle of Ras al-Ayn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ras_al-Ayn_\(2012%E2%80%9313\) "Battle of Ras al-Ayn (2012–13)") [Battle of Tell Abyad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tell_Abyad_\(2013\) "Battle of Tell Abyad (2013)") [Rif Dimashq offensive (Sep–Nov)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(September%E2%80%93November_2013\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (September–November 2013)") [Aleppo offensive (Oct–Dec)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93December_2013\) "Aleppo offensive (October–December 2013)") [Battle of al-Yaarubiyah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Yaarubiyah "Battle of al-Yaarubiyah") [Battle of Tell Hamis and Tell Brak (Dec–Jan)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tell_Hamis_and_Tell_Brak_\(December_2013%E2%80%93January_2014\) "Battle of Tell Hamis and Tell Brak (December 2013–January 2014)") |
| **2014** [Jan–Jul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93July_2014\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–July 2014)") [Aug–Dec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(August%E2%80%93December_2014\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (August–December 2014)") | [First Inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-rebel_conflict_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian civil war") [Battle of Markada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Markada "Battle of Markada") [Deir ez-Zor offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93July_2014\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (April–July 2014)") [Battle of Morek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Morek "Battle of Morek") [Daraa offensive (Feb–May)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(February%E2%80%93May_2014\) "Daraa offensive (February–May 2014)") [Maan massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maan_massacre "Maan massacre") [Al-Otaiba ambush](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Otaiba_ambush "Al-Otaiba ambush") [Idlib offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Idlib_offensive "2014 Idlib offensive") [Battle of Hosn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hosn "Battle of Hosn") [Latakia Offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Latakia_offensive "2014 Latakia offensive") [Battle of Al-Malihah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Al-Malihah "Battle of Al-Malihah") [Kafr Zita chemical attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Kafr_Zita_chemical_attack "2014 Kafr Zita chemical attack") [Second siege of Wadi Deif](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Wadi_Deif_\(2014\) "Siege of Wadi Deif (2014)") [Qalamoun offensive (Jun–Aug)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qalamoun_offensive_\(2014\) "Qalamoun offensive (2014)") [Battle of Arsal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Arsal_\(2014\) "Battle of Arsal (2014)") [First Battle of the Shaer gas field](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Shaer_gas_field_\(July_2014\) "Battle of the Shaer gas field (July 2014)") [Eastern Syria offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Eastern_Syria_offensive "2014 Eastern Syria offensive") [Battle of Tabqa Airbase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tabqa_Airbase "Battle of Tabqa Airbase") [Northern Aleppo offensive (Feb–Jul)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Aleppo_offensive_\(February%E2%80%93July_2014\) "Northern Aleppo offensive (February–July 2014)") [Hama Offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Hama_offensive "2014 Hama offensive") [Quneitra offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Quneitra_offensive "2014 Quneitra offensive") [Rif Dimashq offensive (Aug–Nov)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(August%E2%80%93November_2014\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (August–November 2014)") [Siege of Kobanî](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Koban%C3%AE "Siege of Kobanî") [Homs school bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homs_school_bombing "Homs school bombing") [Daraa offensive (Oct)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(October_2014\) "Daraa offensive (October 2014)") [Al-Safira offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Al-Safira_offensive "2014 Al-Safira offensive") [Idlib Raid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_raid_on_Idlib_city "2014 raid on Idlib city") [Second Inter-Rebel Conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Nusra_Front%E2%80%93SRF/Hazzm_Movement_conflict "Al-Nusra Front–SRF/Hazzm Movement conflict") [Second Battle of the Shaer gas field](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Shaer_gas_field_\(October%E2%80%93November_2014\) "Battle of the Shaer gas field (October–November 2014)") [Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Al-Shaykh_Maskin_\(2014\) "Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin (2014)") [Deir ez-Zor offensive (Dec)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(December_2014\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (December 2014)") |
| **2015** [Jan–Jul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93July_2015\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–July 2015)") [Aug–Dec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(August%E2%80%93December_2015\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (August–December 2015)") | [Air Force An-26 crash](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Syrian_Air_Force_An-26_crash "2015 Syrian Air Force An-26 crash") [Daraa Offensive (Jan)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(January_2015\) "Daraa offensive (January 2015)") [Southern Syria Offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Southern_Syria_offensive "2015 Southern Syria offensive") [Eastern al-Hasakah offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_al-Hasakah_offensive "Eastern al-Hasakah offensive") [Battle of Sarrin (Mar–Apr)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sarrin_\(March%E2%80%93April_2015\) "Battle of Sarrin (March–April 2015)") [Battle of Sarrin (Jun–Jul)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sarrin_\(June%E2%80%93July_2015\) "Battle of Sarrin (June–July 2015)") [Battle of Bosra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bosra_\(2015\) "Battle of Bosra (2015)") [Idlib Offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Idlib_offensive "2015 Idlib offensive") [Second Battle of Idlib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Idlib_\(2015\) "Battle of Idlib (2015)") [Battle of Nasib Border Crossing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Nasib_Border_Crossing "Battle of Nasib Border Crossing") [Battle of Yarmouk Camp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Yarmouk_Camp_\(2015\) "Battle of Yarmouk Camp (2015)") [Western al-Hasakah offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_al-Hasakah_offensive "Western al-Hasakah offensive") [Palmyra offensive (May)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(May_2015\) "Palmyra offensive (May 2015)") [Qamishli bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Qamishli_bombings "2015 Qamishli bombings") [Tell Abyad offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tell_Abyad_offensive "Tell Abyad offensive") [Kobanî massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koban%C3%AE_massacre "Kobanî massacre") [Quneitra offensive (Jun)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quneitra_offensive_\(June_2015\) "Quneitra offensive (June 2015)") [Palmyra offensive (Jul–Aug)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(July%E2%80%93August_2015\) "Palmyra offensive (July–August 2015)") [Rif Dimashq offensive (Sep)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(September_2015\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (September 2015)") [Northwestern Syria offensive (Oct–Nov)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93November_2015\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (October–November 2015)") [Aleppo offensive (Oct–Dec)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93December_2015\) "Aleppo offensive (October–December 2015)") [Al-Hawl offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_al-Hawl_offensive "2015 al-Hawl offensive") [Homs offensive (Nov-Dec)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homs_offensive_\(November%E2%80%93December_2015\) "Homs offensive (November–December 2015)") [East Aleppo offensive (2015–2016)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Aleppo_offensive_\(2015%E2%80%932016\) "East Aleppo offensive (2015–2016)") [2015–2016 Latakia offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015%E2%80%932016_Latakia_offensive "2015–2016 Latakia offensive") [Tishrin Dam offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tishrin_Dam_offensive "Tishrin Dam offensive") [Russian Sukhoi Su-24 shootdown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Russian_Sukhoi_Su-24_shootdown "2015 Russian Sukhoi Su-24 shootdown") |
| **2016** [Jan–Apr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2016\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2016)") [May–Aug](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93August_2016\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2016)") [Sep–Dec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(September%E2%80%93December_2016\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2016)") | [Second Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Al-Shaykh_Maskin_\(2015%E2%80%932016\) "Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin (2015–2016)") [Deir ez-Zor offensive (Jan)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(2016\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (2016)") [January Sayyidah Zaynab bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Sayyidah_Zaynab_attacks#January "2016 Sayyidah Zaynab attacks") [Northern Aleppo offensive (Feb)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Aleppo_offensive_\(February_2016\) "Northern Aleppo offensive (February 2016)") [Ithriyah-Raqqa offensive (Feb–Mar)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithriyah-Raqqa_offensive_\(February%E2%80%93March_2016\) "Ithriyah-Raqqa offensive (February–March 2016)") [Al-Shaddadi offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Shaddadi_offensive_\(2016\) "Al-Shaddadi offensive (2016)") [February Homs bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_2016_Homs_bombings "February 2016 Homs bombings") [February Sayyidah Zaynab bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Sayyidah_Zaynab_attacks#February "2016 Sayyidah Zaynab attacks") [Khanasir offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Khanasir_offensive "2016 Khanasir offensive") [Battle of Tel Abyad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tell_Abyad_\(2016\) "Battle of Tell Abyad (2016)") [Battle of Maarrat al-Numan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maarrat_al-Numan_\(2016\) "Battle of Maarrat al-Numan (2016)") [Battle of Qamishli (Apr)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Qamishli_\(2016\) "Battle of Qamishli (2016)") [Northern Aleppo offensive (Mar–Jun)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Aleppo_offensive_\(March%E2%80%93June_2016\) "Northern Aleppo offensive (March–June 2016)") [Palmyra offensive (Mar)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(March_2016\) "Palmyra offensive (March 2016)") [East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (Apr–May)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Ghouta_inter-rebel_conflict_\(April%E2%80%93May_2016\) "East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016)") [Rif Dimashq offensive (Apr–May)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93May_2016\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (April–May 2016)") [Northern Raqqa offensive (May)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Raqqa_offensive "Northern Raqqa offensive") [May Jableh & Tartous bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_2016_Jableh_and_Tartous_bombings "May 2016 Jableh and Tartous bombings") [Ithriyah-Raqqa offensive (Jun)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithriyah-Raqqa_offensive_\(June_2016\) "Ithriyah-Raqqa offensive (June 2016)") [Rif Dimashq offensive (Jun–Oct)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(June%E2%80%93October_2016\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (June–October 2016)") [Manbij offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij_offensive_\(2016\) "Manbij offensive (2016)") [Tokhar massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokhar_massacre "Tokhar massacre") [Southern Aleppo campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Southern_Aleppo_campaign "2016 Southern Aleppo campaign") [Battle of al-Rai (Aug)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Rai_\(August_2016\) "Battle of al-Rai (August 2016)") [Operation Euphrates Shield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Euphrates_Shield "Operation Euphrates Shield") [Aleppo summer campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Aleppo_summer_campaign "2016 Aleppo summer campaign") [Western al-Bab offensive (Sep)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_al-Bab_offensive_\(September_2016\) "Western al-Bab offensive (September 2016)") [5 September bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_September_2016_Syria_bombings "5 September 2016 Syria bombings") [September Deir ez-Zor air raid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_2016_Deir_ez-Zor_air_raid "September 2016 Deir ez-Zor air raid") [September Urum al-Kubra aid convoy attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_2016_Urum_al-Kubra_aid_convoy_attack "September 2016 Urum al-Kubra aid convoy attack") [Aleppo offensive (Sep–Oct)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(September%E2%80%93October_2016\) "Aleppo offensive (September–October 2016)") [Dabiq offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Dabiq_offensive "2016 Dabiq offensive") [Western al-Bab offensive (Oct–Nov)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_al-Bab_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93November_2016\) "Western al-Bab offensive (October–November 2016)") [Khan al-Shih offensive (Oct–Nov)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_al-Shih_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93November_2016\) "Khan al-Shih offensive (October–November 2016)") [Raqqa campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa_campaign_\(2016%E2%80%932017\) "Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)") [Battle of al-Bab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Bab "Battle of al-Bab") [Aleppo offensive (Nov-Dec)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(November%E2%80%93December_2016\) "Aleppo offensive (November–December 2016)") [Palmyra offensive (Dec)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(December_2016\) "Palmyra offensive (December 2016)") |
| **2017** [Jan–Apr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2017\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2017)") [May–Aug](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93August_2017\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2017)") [Sep–Dec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(September%E2%80%93December_2017\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2017)") | [Wadi Barada offensive (2016–2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadi_Barada_offensive_\(2016%E2%80%932017\) "Wadi Barada offensive (2016–2017)") [January Azaz bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_2017_Azaz_bombing "January 2017 Azaz bombing") [Desert campaign (Dec 16–Apr 17)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Desert_campaign_\(December_2016%E2%80%93April_2017\) "Syrian Desert campaign (December 2016–April 2017)") [Idlib clashes (Jan–Mar)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate_clashes_\(January%E2%80%93March_2017\) "Idlib Governorate clashes (January–March 2017)") [Deir ez-Zor offensive (Jan–Feb)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(January%E2%80%93February_2017\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (January–February 2017)") [Daraa offensive (Feb–Jun)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(February%E2%80%93June_2017\) "Daraa offensive (February–June 2017)") [Southwestern Daraa offensive (Feb)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwestern_Daraa_offensive_\(February_2017\) "Southwestern Daraa offensive (February 2017)") [Qaboun offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qaboun_offensive_\(2017\) "Qaboun offensive (2017)") [Palmyra offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(2017\) "Palmyra offensive (2017)") [East Aleppo offensive (Jan–Apr)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Aleppo_offensive_\(2017\) "East Aleppo offensive (2017)") [March Damascus bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_2017_Damascus_bombings "March 2017 Damascus bombings") [Al-Jinah airstrike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_al-Jinah_airstrike "2017 al-Jinah airstrike") [Hama offensive (Mar–Apr)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_offensive_\(March%E2%80%93April_2017\) "Hama offensive (March–April 2017)") [Battle of Tabqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tabqa "Battle of Tabqa") [Khan Shaykhun chemical attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_Shaykhun_chemical_attack "Khan Shaykhun chemical attack") [Shayrat missile strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Shayrat_missile_strike "2017 Shayrat missile strike") [Aleppo bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Aleppo_suicide_car_bombing "2017 Aleppo suicide car bombing") [April Turkish airstrikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2017_Turkish_airstrikes_in_Syria_and_Iraq "April 2017 Turkish airstrikes in Syria and Iraq") [East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (Apr–May)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Ghouta_inter-rebel_conflict_\(April%E2%80%93May_2017\) "East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2017)") [Desert campaign (May–Jul)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Desert_campaign_\(May%E2%80%93July_2017\) "Syrian Desert campaign (May–July 2017)") [Maskanah Plains offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maskanah_Plains_offensive "Maskanah Plains offensive") [East Hama offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Hama_offensive_\(2017\) "East Hama offensive (2017)") [Battle of Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Raqqa_\(2017\) "Battle of Raqqa (2017)") [Daraa offensive (Jun)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(June_2017\) "Daraa offensive (June 2017)") [Southern Raqqa offensive (Jun)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Southern_Raqqa_offensive "2017 Southern Raqqa offensive") [Jobar offensive (Jun–Aug)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Jobar_offensive "2017 Jobar offensive") [Quneitra offensive (Jun)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quneitra_offensive_\(June_2017\) "Quneitra offensive (June 2017)") [Idlib clashes (Jul)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate_clashes_\(July_2017\) "Idlib Governorate clashes (July 2017)") [Central campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Syria_campaign "Central Syria campaign") [Qalamoun (Jul–Aug)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qalamoun_offensive_\(2017\) "Qalamoun offensive (2017)") [Deir ez-Zor offensive (Sep 17–Mar 18)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_campaign_\(2017%E2%80%932019\) "Deir ez-Zor campaign (2017–2019)") [Hama offensive (Sep)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_offensive_\(September_2017\) "Hama offensive (September 2017)") [Northwestern campaign (Oct 17–Feb 18)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_campaign_\(October_2017%E2%80%93February_2018\) "Northwestern Syria campaign (October 2017–February 2018)") [Turkish military operation in Idlib Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_military_operation_in_Idlib_Governorate "Turkish military operation in Idlib Governorate") [Battle of Harasta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Harasta_\(2017%E2%80%932018\) "Battle of Harasta (2017–2018)") [Eastern campaign (Sep–Dec)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Syria_campaign_\(September%E2%80%93December_2017\) "Eastern Syria campaign (September–December 2017)") [Euphrates Crossing offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Euphrates_Crossing_offensive "2017 Euphrates Crossing offensive") [Mayadin offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Mayadin_offensive "2017 Mayadin offensive") [Battle of Deir ez-Zor (Sep–Nov)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(September%E2%80%93November_2017\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (September–November 2017)") [Abu Kamal offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Abu_Kamal_offensive "2017 Abu Kamal offensive") [Beit Jinn offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beit_Jinn_offensive "Beit Jinn offensive") |
| **2018** [Jan–Apr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2018\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2018)") [May–Aug](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93August_2018\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2018)") [Sep–Dec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(September%E2%80%93December_2018\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2018)") | [Operation Olive Branch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Olive_Branch "Operation Olive Branch") [Battle of Khasham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Khasham "Battle of Khasham") [Rif Dimashq offensive (Feb–Apr)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(February%E2%80%93April_2018\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018)") [Southern Damascus offensive (Jan–Feb)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Damascus_offensive_\(January%E2%80%93February_2018\) "Southern Damascus offensive (January–February 2018)") [Syrian Liberation Front–Tahrir al-Sham conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Liberation_Front%E2%80%93Tahrir_al-Sham_conflict "Syrian Liberation Front–Tahrir al-Sham conflict") [Southern Damascus offensive (Mar)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Damascus_offensive_\(March_2018\) "Southern Damascus offensive (March 2018)") [Douma chemical attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douma_chemical_attack "Douma chemical attack") [Missile strikes (Apr)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2018_missile_strikes_against_Syria "April 2018 missile strikes against Syria") [Northern Homs offensive (Apr–May)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Homs_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93May_2018\) "Northern Homs offensive (April–May 2018)") [Eastern Qalamoun offensive (Apr)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Qalamoun_offensive_\(April_2018\) "Eastern Qalamoun offensive (April 2018)") [Southern Damascus offensive (Apr–May)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Damascus_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93May_2018\) "Southern Damascus offensive (April–May 2018)") [Deir ez-Zor clashes (Apr)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate_clashes "Deir ez-Zor Governorate clashes") [Deir ez-Zor offensive (May–Jun)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(2018\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (2018)") [As-Suwayda offensive (Jun)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Suwayda_offensive_\(June_2018\) "As-Suwayda offensive (June 2018)") [Southern offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Southern_Syria_offensive "2018 Southern Syria offensive") [As-Suwayda attacks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_As-Suwayda_attacks "2018 As-Suwayda attacks") [As-Suwayda (Aug-Nov)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Suwayda_offensive_\(August%E2%80%93November_2018\) "As-Suwayda offensive (August–November 2018)") [Qamishli clashes (Sep)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamishli_clashes_\(2018\) "Qamishli clashes (2018)") [Missile strikes (Sep)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_missile_strikes_\(September_2018\) "Syria missile strikes (September 2018)") [Northern border clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Syrian-Turkish_border_clashes "2018 Syrian-Turkish border clashes") |
| **2019** [Jan–Apr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93April_2019\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2019)") [May–Aug](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(May%E2%80%93August_2019\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2019)") [Sep–Dec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(September%E2%80%93December_2019\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2019)") | [Idlib inter-rebel conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Front_for_Liberation%E2%80%93Tahrir_al-Sham_conflict "National Front for Liberation–Tahrir al-Sham conflict") [Manbij bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Manbij_bombing "2019 Manbij bombing") [Battle of Baghuz Fawqani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baghuz_Fawqani "Battle of Baghuz Fawqani") [ISIL insurgency in Deir-ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISIL_insurgency_in_Deir_ez-Zor_\(2019\) "ISIL insurgency in Deir ez-Zor (2019)") [Dêrik prison escape attempt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%AArik_prison_escape_attempt "Dêrik prison escape attempt") [Tell Rifaat clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Tell_Rifaat_clashes "2019 Tell Rifaat clashes") [Northwestern offensive (Apr–Aug)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93August_2019\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (April–August 2019)") [June bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_2019_Syria_bombings "June 2019 Syria bombings") [Hass refugee camp bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hass_refugee_camp_bombing "Hass refugee camp bombing") [Missile strikes (Aug)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_missile_strikes_\(August_2019\) "Syria missile strikes (August 2019)") [Turkish offensive into northeast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Turkish_offensive_into_north-eastern_Syria "2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria") [Barisha raid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi "Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi") [November bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_2019_Syria_bombings "November 2019 Syria bombings") [Israeli missile strikes (Nov)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_2019_Israeli_missile_strikes_in_Syria "November 2019 Israeli missile strikes in Syria") [Qah missile strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qah_missile_strike "Qah missile strike") [Northwestern offensive (Dec 19–Mar 20)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(December_2019%E2%80%93March_2020\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)") [US airstrikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_2019_United_States_airstrikes_in_Iraq_and_Syria "December 2019 United States airstrikes in Iraq and Syria") |
| **2020** [Jan–Dec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(2020\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2020)") | [COVID-19 pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Syria "COVID-19 pandemic in Syria") [Afrin bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Afrin_bombing "2020 Afrin bombing") [Idlib Governorate clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate_clashes_\(June_2020\) "Idlib Governorate clashes (June 2020)") [Kafr-Takharim airstrike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Kafr_Takharim_airstrike "2020 Kafr Takharim airstrike") [Ayn Issa clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%932021_Ayn_Issa_clashes "2020–2021 Ayn Issa clashes") [Deir ez-Zor ambush](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Deir_ez-Zor_ambush "2020 Deir ez-Zor ambush") |
| **2021** [Jan–Dec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(2021\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2021)") | [Siege of Qamishli and Al-Hasakah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Qamishli_and_Al-Hasakah "Siege of Qamishli and Al-Hasakah") [Missile strikes (Jan)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_missile_strikes_\(January_2021\) "Syria missile strikes (January 2021)") [US airstrike (Feb)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_2021_United_States_airstrike_in_Syria "February 2021 United States airstrike in Syria") [Battle of Qamishli (Apr)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Qamishli_\(2021\) "Battle of Qamishli (2021)") [US airstrike (Jun)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_2021_United_States_airstrike_in_Syria "June 2021 United States airstrike in Syria") [Daraa clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Daraa_clashes "2021 Daraa clashes") [Tahrir al-Sham–Junud al-Sham conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahrir_al-Sham%E2%80%93Junud_al-Sham_conflict "Tahrir al-Sham–Junud al-Sham conflict") |
| **2022** [Jan–Dec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(2022\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2022)") | [Battle of al-Hasakah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Hasakah_\(2022\) "Battle of al-Hasakah (2022)") [Ahrar al-Sham–Levant Front clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Ahrar_al-Sham%E2%80%93Levant_Front_clashes "2022 Ahrar al-Sham–Levant Front clashes") [Jabal al-Bishrī clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Jabal_al-Bishr%C4%AB_clashes "2022 Jabal al-Bishrī clashes") [Jarqli airstrikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Jarqli_airstrikes "2022 Jarqli airstrikes") [Northern Aleppo clashes (Oct)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Aleppo_clashes_\(October_2022\) "Northern Aleppo clashes (October 2022)") [Operation Claw-Sword](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Claw-Sword "Operation Claw-Sword") [Northwest clashes (Dec)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_clashes_\(December_2022%E2%80%93present\) "Northwestern Syria clashes (December 2022–present)") |
| **2023** [Jan–Dec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(2023\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (2023)") | [Al-Sukhnah attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Al-Sukhnah_attack "2023 Al-Sukhnah attack") [Damascus airstrike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Damascus_airstrike "2023 Damascus airstrike") [Hama attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Hama_attack "2023 Hama attack") [Northern border clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Northern_Syria_clashes "2023 Northern Syria clashes") |
| **2024** [Jan–Oct](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(January%E2%80%93October_2024\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–October 2024)") [Nov–present](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(November_2024%E2%80%93present\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (November 2024–present)") | [Opposition offensives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Syrian_opposition_offensives "2024 Syrian opposition offensives") [Deir ez-Zor offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(2024\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (2024)") [Northwestern Syria offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(2024\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (2024)") [Battle of Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2024\) "Battle of Aleppo (2024)") [Hama offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Hama_offensive "2024 Hama offensive") [Southern offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Syria_offensive_\(2024\) "Southern Syria offensive (2024)") [Operation Dawn of Freedom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Dawn_of_Freedom "Operation Dawn of Freedom") [Manbij offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij_offensive_\(2024\) "Manbij offensive (2024)") [Ayn Issa attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Ayn_Issa_attack "2024 Ayn Issa attack") [Kobani clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Kobani_clashes "2024 Kobani clashes") [Homs offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Homs_offensive "2024 Homs offensive") [Palmyra offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(2024\) "Palmyra offensive (2024)") [Fall of Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Damascus_\(2024\) "Fall of Damascus (2024)") [Fall of the Assad regime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_the_Assad_regime "Fall of the Assad regime") [Western Syria clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Syria_clashes "Western Syria clashes") [Hezbollah-Syria clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah%E2%80%93Syria_clashes_\(2024%E2%80%93present\) "Hezbollah–Syria clashes (2024–present)") [Turkish offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_offensive_into_northeastern_Syria_\(2024%E2%80%932025\) "Turkish offensive into northeastern Syria (2024–2025)") [Israeli invasion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_invasion_of_Syria_\(2024%E2%80%93present\) "Israeli invasion of Syria (2024–present)") |
| **2025** [Nov 2024 –present](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(November_2024%E2%80%93present\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (November 2024–present)") | [Druze insurgency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze_insurgency_in_Southern_Syria "Druze insurgency in Southern Syria") [Jaramana clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Jaramana_clashes "2025 Jaramana clashes") [Southern clashes (April–May)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Syria_clashes_\(April%E2%80%93May_2025\) "Southern Syria clashes (April–May 2025)") [Massacres of Syrian Druze](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2025_massacres_of_Syrian_Druze "April 2025 massacres of Syrian Druze") [Southern clashes (July–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Syria_clashes_\(July_2025%E2%80%93present\) "Southern Syria clashes (July 2025–present)") [Massacres of Syrian Alawites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_massacres_of_Syrian_Alawites "2025 massacres of Syrian Alawites") [Daraa clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_2025_Daraa_clashes "March 2025 Daraa clashes") [Mar Elias Church attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar_Elias_Church_attack "Mar Elias Church attack") [Aleppo clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_clashes_\(2025%E2%80%932026\) "Aleppo clashes (2025–2026)") [Homs mosque bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Homs_mosque_bombing "2025 Homs mosque bombing") |
| **2026** [Nov 2024 –present](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war_\(November_2024%E2%80%93present\) "Timeline of the Syrian civil war (November 2024–present)") | [Northeastern Syria offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_northeastern_Syria_offensive "2026 northeastern Syria offensive") |
| [**Spillover**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spillover_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Spillover of the Syrian civil war") | |
| | |
| [Israel and Golan Heights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli%E2%80%93Syrian_ceasefire_line_incidents_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Israeli–Syrian ceasefire line incidents during the Syrian civil war"): | [March 2017 incident](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_2017_Israel%E2%80%93Syria_incident "March 2017 Israel–Syria incident") [February 2018 incident](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_2018_Israel%E2%80%93Syria_incident "February 2018 Israel–Syria incident") [May 2018 Israel–Iran incidents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_House_of_Cards "Operation House of Cards") |
| [Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_War_in_Iraq_\(2014\) "Timeline of the War in Iraq (2014)"): | [Akashat ambush](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akashat_ambush "Akashat ambush") [Operation al-Shabah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_al-Shabah "Operation al-Shabah") [April 2014 Iraqi border airstrike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_War_in_Iraq_\(2014\)#April "Timeline of the War in Iraq (2014)") |
| [Jordanian border incidents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordanian%E2%80%93Syrian_border_incidents_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Jordanian–Syrian border incidents during the Syrian civil war") | [April 2014 Jordanian border airstrike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordanian%E2%80%93Syrian_border_incidents_during_the_Syrian_civil_war#2014 "Jordanian–Syrian border incidents during the Syrian civil war") |
| [Lebanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war_spillover_in_Lebanon "Syrian civil war spillover in Lebanon"): | [Lebanese border clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%932017_Lebanon%E2%80%93Syria_border_clashes "2012–2017 Lebanon–Syria border clashes") [Battle of Sidon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Sidon_clash "2013 Sidon clash") [Iranian embassy bombing in Beirut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_embassy_bombing_in_Beirut "Iranian embassy bombing in Beirut") [North Lebanon clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Lebanon_clashes_\(2014\) "North Lebanon clashes (2014)") [Qalamoun (Jul–Aug 2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qalamoun_offensive_\(2017\) "Qalamoun offensive (2017)") |
| [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian%E2%80%93Turkish_border_clashes_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Syrian–Turkish border clashes during the Syrian civil war"): | [December 2011 Turkish border clash](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_2011_Syrian%E2%80%93Turkish_border_clash "December 2011 Syrian–Turkish border clash") [2012 Turkish F-4 Phantom shootdown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Turkish_F-4_Phantom_shootdown "2012 Turkish F-4 Phantom shootdown") [2012 Turkish border clashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Syrian%E2%80%93Turkish_border_clashes "2012 Syrian–Turkish border clashes") [2013 Reyhanlı car bombings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Reyhanl%C4%B1_car_bombings "2013 Reyhanlı car bombings") [January 2014 Turkish attack in Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_2014_Turkish_attack_in_Syria "January 2014 Turkish attack in Syria") [Assassination of Andrei Karlov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Andrei_Karlov "Assassination of Andrei Karlov") [Russian Air Force Al-Bab incident](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Russian_Air_Force_Al-Bab_incident "2017 Russian Air Force Al-Bab incident") [2020 Balyun airstrikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Balyun_airstrikes "2020 Balyun airstrikes") [Operation Spring Shield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Spring_Shield "Operation Spring Shield") |
| Elsewhere: | [Deir ez-Zor missile strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Deir_ez-Zor_missile_strike "2017 Deir ez-Zor missile strike") (Iran) |
| Belligerents | |
| | |
| [Ba'athist regime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba%27athist_Syria "Ba'athist Syria") | |
| | |
| [Politics of Ba'athist Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Ba%27athist_Syria "Politics of Ba'athist Syria") | [Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Socialist_Ba%27ath_Party_%E2%80%93_Syria_Region "Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region") [Ba'ath Brigades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba%27ath_Brigades "Ba'ath Brigades") [Syrian Social Nationalist Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Social_Nationalist_Party "Syrian Social Nationalist Party") [Arab Socialist Movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Socialist_Movement "Arab Socialist Movement") [Syrian Communist Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Communist_Party_\(Bakdash\) "Syrian Communist Party (Bakdash)") [Syrian Communist Party (Unified)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Communist_Party_\(Unified\) "Syrian Communist Party (Unified)") |
| Military and militias | [Lions of Hussein](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lions_of_Hussein "Lions of Hussein") [Guardians of the Dawn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardians_of_the_Dawn "Guardians of the Dawn") [Arab Nationalist Guard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Nationalist_Guard "Arab Nationalist Guard") [Jaysh al-Muwahhidin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaysh_al-Muwahhidin "Jaysh al-Muwahhidin") [Sootoro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sootoro "Sootoro") [Ba'ath Brigades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba%27ath_Brigades "Ba'ath Brigades") [National Defence Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Defence_Forces "National Defence Forces") [Popular Committees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_Committees_\(Syria\) "Popular Committees (Syria)") [Golan Regiment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golan_Regiment "Golan Regiment") [Syrian Arab Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Arab_Armed_Forces_\(Ba%27athist_Syria\) "Syrian Arab Armed Forces (Ba'athist Syria)") [Eagles of the Whirlwind](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagles_of_the_Whirlwind "Eagles of the Whirlwind") [The Islamic Resistance Front in Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Islamic_Resistance_Front_in_Syria "The Islamic Resistance Front in Syria") [Military Council for the Liberation of Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Council_for_the_Liberation_of_Syria "Military Council for the Liberation of Syria") [Syrian Popular Resistance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Popular_Resistance "Syrian Popular Resistance") [Syrian Resistance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Resistance "Syrian Resistance") [Popular Resistance of the Eastern Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_Resistance_of_the_Eastern_Region "Popular Resistance of the Eastern Region") [PFLP-GC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_Front_for_the_Liberation_of_Palestine_%E2%80%93_General_Command "Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command") [Jihad Jibril Brigades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jihad_Jibril_Brigades "Jihad Jibril Brigades") [Galilee Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galilee_Forces "Galilee Forces") [Free Palestine Movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Palestine_Movement "Free Palestine Movement") [Palestinian People's Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_People%27s_Party "Palestinian People's Party") [Liwa Fatemiyoun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liwa_Fatemiyoun "Liwa Fatemiyoun") [As-Sa'iqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Sa%27iqa "As-Sa'iqa") [al-Quds Brigade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liwa_al-Quds "Liwa al-Quds") [Palestine Liberation Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine_Liberation_Army "Palestine Liberation Army") |
| [Foreign support](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war") | [Hezbollah involvement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Hezbollah involvement in the Syrian civil war") [Iranian involvement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Iranian intervention in the Syrian civil war") [Liwa Fatemiyoun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liwa_Fatemiyoun "Liwa Fatemiyoun") [Russian involvement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Russian involvement in the Syrian civil war") [medical facility targeting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian%E2%80%93Syrian_hospital_bombing_campaign "Russian–Syrian hospital bombing campaign") [military intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war") [Wagner Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagner_Group_activities_in_Syria "Wagner Group activities in Syria") [Russia–Syria–Iran–Iraq coalition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia%E2%80%93Syria%E2%80%93Iran%E2%80%93Iraq_coalition "Russia–Syria–Iran–Iraq coalition") [Popular Mobilization Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_Mobilization_Forces "Popular Mobilization Forces") |
| [Opposition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_opposition_\(2011%E2%80%932024\) "Syrian opposition (2011–2024)") | |
| | |
| [Interim government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Interim_Government "Syrian Interim Government") | [National Coalition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Coalition_of_Syrian_Revolutionary_and_Opposition_Forces "National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces") [Local Coordination Committees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Coordination_Committees_of_Syria "Local Coordination Committees of Syria") [Syrian National Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_National_Council "Syrian National Council") [Supreme Council of the Syrian Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Council_of_the_Syrian_Revolution "Supreme Council of the Syrian Revolution") [National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Coordination_Committee_for_Democratic_Change "National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change") [Syrian Revolution General Commission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Revolution_General_Commission "Syrian Revolution General Commission") [Syrian Support Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Support_Group "Syrian Support Group") [Adopt a Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adopt_a_Revolution "Adopt a Revolution") [Syrian Patriotic Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_National_Council#Syrian_Patriotic_Group "Syrian National Council") |
| Opposition militias | [Syrian National Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_National_Army "Syrian National Army") [Free Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Syrian_Army "Free Syrian Army") [National Front for Liberation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Front_for_Liberation "National Front for Liberation") [Army of Glory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaysh_al-Izza "Jaysh al-Izza") [Authenticity and Development Front](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authenticity_and_Development_Front "Authenticity and Development Front") [Army of Free Tribes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_of_Free_Tribes "Army of Free Tribes") [Syrian Free Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Free_Army "Syrian Free Army") [Muslim Brotherhood in Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_Brotherhood_in_Syria "Muslim Brotherhood in Syria") [Grey Wolves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_Wolves_\(organization\) "Grey Wolves (organization)") [Syrian Council of Tribes and Clans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Council_of_Tribes_and_Clans "Syrian Council of Tribes and Clans") |
| [Foreign support](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war") | [US intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "US intervention in the Syrian civil war") [Jordanian intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordanian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Jordanian intervention in the Syrian civil war") [Qatar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatari_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Qatari involvement in the Syrian civil war") [Saudi Arabia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Saudi involvement in the Syrian civil war") [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war") |
| [Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria") | |
| | |
| [DFNS Government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movement_for_a_Democratic_Society "Movement for a Democratic Society") | [Democratic Union Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Union_Party_\(Syria\) "Democratic Union Party (Syria)") [Kurdish National Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdish_National_Council "Kurdish National Council") [Smaller political parties](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_Rojava "List of political parties in Rojava") |
| [SDF militias](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces") | [People's Protection Units](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Defense_Units "People's Defense Units") [Women's Protection Units](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Protection_Units "Women's Protection Units") [Anti-Terror Units](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Terror_Units "Anti-Terror Units") [Al-Sanadid Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Sanadid_Forces "Al-Sanadid Forces") [Army of Revolutionaries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_of_Revolutionaries "Army of Revolutionaries") [SDF military councils](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces_military_councils "Syrian Democratic Forces military councils") [Syriac Military Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syriac_Military_Council "Syriac Military Council") [Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liwa_Thuwar_al-Raqqa "Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa") [Northern Democratic Brigade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Democratic_Brigade "Northern Democratic Brigade") |
| Support | [Patriotic Union of Kurdistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriotic_Union_of_Kurdistan "Patriotic Union of Kurdistan") [Kurdistan Workers' Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdistan_Workers%27_Party "Kurdistan Workers' Party") [International Freedom Battalion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Freedom_Battalion "International Freedom Battalion") [Sinjar Resistance Units](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinjar_Resistance_Units "Sinjar Resistance Units") [Êzîdxan Women's Units](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%8Az%C3%AEdxan_Women%27s_Units "Êzîdxan Women's Units") |
| [Islamists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamism "Islamism") | |
| | |
| [Islamic State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State "Islamic State") | [Military activity of ISIL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_the_Islamic_State "Military of the Islamic State") [Dokumacılar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dokumac%C4%B1lar "Dokumacılar") [Al-Barakah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Barakah_\(Islamic_State_administrative_district\) "Al-Barakah (Islamic State administrative district)") [Khalid ibn al-Walid Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalid_ibn_al-Walid_Army "Khalid ibn al-Walid Army") [Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarmouk_Martyrs_Brigade "Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade") [Islamic Muthanna Movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Muthanna_Movement "Islamic Muthanna Movement") [Jaysh al-Jihad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaysh_al-Jihad "Jaysh al-Jihad") [Jund al-Aqsa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jund_al-Aqsa "Jund al-Aqsa") [Group of the One and Only](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_of_the_One_and_Only "Group of the One and Only") [Liwa Dawud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liwa_Dawud "Liwa Dawud") [Liwa Aqab al-Islami](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liwa_Aqab_al-Islami "Liwa Aqab al-Islami") [Katibah Nusantara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katibah_Nusantara "Katibah Nusantara") [Katiba al-Bittar al-Libi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katiba_al-Bittar_al-Libi "Katiba al-Bittar al-Libi") [Al-Khansaa Brigade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Khansaa_Brigade "Al-Khansaa Brigade") [Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraya_Ansar_al-Sunnah "Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah") |
| [al-Qaeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda "Al-Qaeda") and allies | [Al-Nusra Front](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Nusra_Front "Al-Nusra Front") ([Jabhat Fatah al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabhat_Fatah_al-Sham "Jabhat Fatah al-Sham") ([Khorasan group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khorasan_group "Khorasan group"), [Suqour al-Ezz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suqour_al-Ezz "Suqour al-Ezz")) [Jaysh Muhammad in Bilad al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaysh_Muhammad_in_Bilad_al-Sham "Jaysh Muhammad in Bilad al-Sham") [Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hay%27at_Tahrir_al-Sham "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham") [Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkistan_Islamic_Party_in_Syria "Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria") [Caucasus Emirate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasus_Emirate "Caucasus Emirate") [Ajnad al-Kavkaz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajnad_al-Kavkaz "Ajnad al-Kavkaz") [Junud al-Makhdi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junud_al-Makhdi "Junud al-Makhdi") [Rouse the Believers Operations Room](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rouse_the_Believers_Operations_Room "Rouse the Believers Operations Room") ([Ansar al-Tawhid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansar_al-Tawhid_\(Syria\) "Ansar al-Tawhid (Syria)") ([Firqat al-Ghuraba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firqat_al-Ghuraba "Firqat al-Ghuraba")), [Hurras al-Din](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurras_al-Din "Hurras al-Din"), [Ansar al-Din Front](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansar_al-Din_Front "Ansar al-Din Front") ([Harakat Sham al-Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harakat_Sham_al-Islam "Harakat Sham al-Islam")), [Ansar al-Islam in Kurdistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansar_al-Islam_in_Kurdistan "Ansar al-Islam in Kurdistan")) [Jaish al-Haramoun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaish_al-Haramoun "Jaish al-Haramoun") [Jaysh al-Sunna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaysh_al-Sunna "Jaysh al-Sunna") [Liwa al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liwa_al-Muhajireen_wal-Ansar "Liwa al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar") ([Green Battalion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Battalion "Green Battalion")) [Mujahideen Shura Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mujahideen_Shura_Council_\(Syria\) "Mujahideen Shura Council (Syria)") [Malhama Tactical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malhama_Tactical "Malhama Tactical") [Katibat al-Tawhid wal-Jihad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katibat_al-Tawhid_wal-Jihad "Katibat al-Tawhid wal-Jihad") [Katibat Jabal al-Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katibat_Jabal_al-Islam "Katibat Jabal al-Islam") [Jama'at Ansar al-Furqan in Bilad al Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jama%27at_Ansar_al-Furqan_in_Bilad_al_Sham "Jama'at Ansar al-Furqan in Bilad al Sham") [Ghuraba al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghuraba_al-Sham "Ghuraba al-Sham") [Taliban](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taliban "Taliban") ([Pakistani Taliban](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistani_Taliban "Pakistani Taliban"), [Imam Bukhari Jamaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imam_Bukhari_Jamaat "Imam Bukhari Jamaat")) [Fatah al-Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatah_al-Islam "Fatah al-Islam") [Muhajirin wa-Ansar Alliance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhajirin_wa-Ansar_Alliance "Muhajirin wa-Ansar Alliance") ([Liwaa al-Umma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liwaa_al-Umma "Liwaa al-Umma")) |
| People | |
| | |
| Pro-[Government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba%27athist_Syria "Ba'athist Syria") | [Assad family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assad_family "Assad family") [Bashar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad") [Maher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maher_al-Assad "Maher al-Assad") [Rifaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifaat_al-Assad "Rifaat al-Assad") [Rami Makhlouf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rami_Makhlouf "Rami Makhlouf") [Hafez Makhlouf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hafez_Makhlouf "Hafez Makhlouf") [Fahd Jassem al-Freij](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahd_Jassem_al-Freij "Fahd Jassem al-Freij") [Suheil al-Hassan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suheil_al-Hassan "Suheil al-Hassan") [Ali Habib Mahmud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Habib_Mahmud "Ali Habib Mahmud") [Dawoud Rajiha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawoud_Rajiha "Dawoud Rajiha") [Bouthaina Shaaban](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouthaina_Shaaban "Bouthaina Shaaban") [Mohamad Anas Haitham Soueid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamad_Anas_Haitham_Soueid "Mohamad Anas Haitham Soueid") (Accused) |
| [Dissidents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_opposition "Syrian opposition") | [Ammar Abdulhamid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammar_Abdulhamid "Ammar Abdulhamid") [Ali al-Abdallah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_al-Abdallah "Ali al-Abdallah") [Adnan al-Aroor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adnan_al-Aroor "Adnan al-Aroor") [Riad al-Asaad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riad_al-Asaad "Riad al-Asaad") [Hadi al-Bahra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadi_al-Bahra "Hadi al-Bahra") [Anwar al-Bunni](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anwar_al-Bunni "Anwar al-Bunni") [Haitham al-Maleh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitham_al-Maleh "Haitham al-Maleh") [Moaz al-Khatib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moaz_al-Khatib "Moaz al-Khatib") [Kamal al-Labwani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamal_al-Labwani "Kamal al-Labwani") [Hamza al-Khateeb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Hamza_Ali_Al-Khateeb "Death of Hamza Ali Al-Khateeb") [Tal al-Mallohi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_al-Mallohi "Tal al-Mallohi") [Fida al-Sayed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fida_al-Sayed "Fida al-Sayed") [Riad al-Turk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riad_al-Turk "Riad al-Turk") [Khaled Khoja](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaled_Khoja "Khaled Khoja") [Ammar al-Qurabi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammar_al-Qurabi "Ammar al-Qurabi") [Suheir Atassi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suheir_Atassi "Suheir Atassi") [Ali Sadreddine Al-Bayanouni](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Sadreddine_Al-Bayanouni "Ali Sadreddine Al-Bayanouni") [Aref Dalila](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aref_Dalila "Aref Dalila") [Farid Ghadry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farid_Ghadry "Farid Ghadry") [Burhan Ghalioun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burhan_Ghalioun "Burhan Ghalioun") [Razan Ghazzawi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razan_Ghazzawi "Razan Ghazzawi") [Ghassan Hitto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghassan_Hitto "Ghassan Hitto") [Salim Idris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salim_Idris "Salim Idris") [Randa Kassis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randa_Kassis "Randa Kassis") [Abdul Halim Khaddam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Halim_Khaddam "Abdul Halim Khaddam") [Michel Kilo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Kilo "Michel Kilo") [Bassma Kodmani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bassma_Kodmani "Bassma Kodmani") [Ali Mahmoud Othman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Mahmoud_Othman "Ali Mahmoud Othman") [Ibrahim Qashoush](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibrahim_Qashoush "Ibrahim Qashoush") [Yassin al-Haj Saleh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yassin_al-Haj_Saleh "Yassin al-Haj Saleh") [Ahmed al-Sharaa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_al-Sharaa "Ahmed al-Sharaa") [Abdulbaset Sieda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdulbaset_Sieda "Abdulbaset Sieda") [Riad Seif](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riad_Seif "Riad Seif") [Fadwa Souleimane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fadwa_Souleimane "Fadwa Souleimane") [Yaser Tabbara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaser_Tabbara "Yaser Tabbara") [Razan Zaitouneh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razan_Zaitouneh "Razan Zaitouneh") [Rami Jarrah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rami_Jarrah "Rami Jarrah") [Abdurrahman Mustafa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdurrahman_Mustafa "Abdurrahman Mustafa") [Fadlallah al-Haji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fadlallah_al-Haji "Fadlallah al-Haji") |
| [DAANES](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DAANES "DAANES") | [Mazloum Abdi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazloum_Abdi "Mazloum Abdi") [Ferhad Şamî](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferhad_%C5%9Eam%C3%AE "Ferhad Şamî") [Salih Muslim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salih_Muslim "Salih Muslim") |
| Related | |
| | |
| [Elections](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Syria "Elections in Syria") | [2011 local elections](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Syrian_local_elections "2011 Syrian local elections") [2012 parliamentary election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Syrian_parliamentary_election "2012 Syrian parliamentary election") [2014 presidential election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Syrian_presidential_election "2014 Syrian presidential election") [2015 Northern local elections](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Rojava_local_elections "2015 Rojava local elections") [2016 parliamentary election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Syrian_parliamentary_election "2016 Syrian parliamentary election") [2017 Northern local elections](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Rojava_local_elections "2017 Rojava local elections") [2017 Northern regional elections](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Rojava_regional_elections "2017 Rojava regional elections") [2018 local elections](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Syrian_local_elections "2018 Syrian local elections") [2020 parliamentary election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Syrian_parliamentary_election "2020 Syrian parliamentary election") [2021 presidential election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Syrian_presidential_election "2021 Syrian presidential election") |
| Issues | [Casualties](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Casualties of the Syrian civil war") [Cities and towns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_and_towns_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Cities and towns during the Syrian civil war") [Chemical weapons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_of_chemical_weapons_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Use of chemical weapons in the Syrian civil war") [Damaged heritage sites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_heritage_sites_damaged_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "List of heritage sites damaged during the Syrian civil war") [Foreign involvement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war") [Human rights violations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_violations_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Human rights violations during the Syrian civil war") [Humanitarian aid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_aid_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "Humanitarian aid during the Syrian civil war") [International demonstrations and protests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_demonstrations_and_protests_relating_to_the_Syrian_civil_war "International demonstrations and protests relating to the Syrian civil war") [International reactions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reactions_to_the_Syrian_civil_war "International reactions to the Syrian civil war") [Massacres](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_massacres_during_the_Syrian_civil_war "List of massacres during the Syrian civil war") [Mass graves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_mass_graves "Syrian mass graves") [Refugees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refugees_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Refugees of the Syrian civil war") [Sectarianism and minorities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sectarianism_and_minorities_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Sectarianism and minorities in the Syrian civil war") [Status of the Golan Heights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Status_of_the_Golan_Heights "Status of the Golan Heights") [Spillover in Lebanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war_spillover_in_Lebanon "Syrian civil war spillover in Lebanon") [Syrian government reactions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_government_reactions_to_the_Syrian_civil_war "Syrian government reactions to the Syrian civil war") |
| [Peace process](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_peace_process "Syrian peace process") | [Arab League monitors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_League_monitors_in_Syria "Arab League monitors in Syria") [Friends of Syria Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_of_Syria_Group "Friends of Syria Group") [Kofi Annan peace plan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofi_Annan_Syrian_peace_plan "Kofi Annan Syrian peace plan") [UN supervision mission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Supervision_Mission_in_Syria "United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria") [Lakhdar Brahimi peace plan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakhdar_Brahimi_Syrian_peace_plan "Lakhdar Brahimi Syrian peace plan") [U.S.–Russia peace proposals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S.%E2%80%93Russia_peace_proposals_on_Syria "U.S.–Russia peace proposals on Syria") [39th G8 summit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/39th_G8_summit "39th G8 summit") [UN Security Council Resolution 2118](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_2118 "United Nations Security Council Resolution 2118") [Geneva II conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_II_Conference_on_Syria "Geneva II Conference on Syria") [2015 Zabadani cease-fire agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Zabadani_cease-fire_agreement "2015 Zabadani cease-fire agreement") [Vienna talks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_peace_talks_for_Syria "Vienna peace talks for Syria") [2016 Geneva talks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_peace_talks_on_Syria_\(2016\) "Geneva peace talks on Syria (2016)") [Idlib demilitarization (2018–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_demilitarization_\(2018%E2%80%932019\) "Idlib demilitarization (2018–2019)") [First Northern Syria Demilitarization Deal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Syria_Buffer_Zone "Northern Syria Buffer Zone") [Second Northern Syria Demilitarization Deal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Northern_Syria_Buffer_Zone "Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone") [Syrian Negotiation Commission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Negotiation_Commission "Syrian Negotiation Commission") [Syrian Constitutional Committee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Constitutional_Committee "Syrian Constitutional Committee") |
| Investigations/legal cases | Investigations [International Commission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_International_Commission_of_Inquiry_on_the_Syrian_Arab_Republic "Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic") [Chemical weapons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Mission_to_Investigate_Alleged_Uses_of_Chemical_Weapons_in_the_Syrian_Arab_Republic "United Nations Mission to Investigate Alleged Uses of Chemical Weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic") [War crimes cases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosecution_of_Syrian_civil_war_criminals "Prosecution of Syrian civil war criminals") [Germany](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%B6lkerstrafgesetzbuch#Syrian_civil_war,_2017%E2%80%93present "Völkerstrafgesetzbuch") [*Canada + Netherlands vs Syria*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_and_the_Netherlands_v._Syrian_Arab_Republic "Canada and the Netherlands v. Syrian Arab Republic") |
| Related topics | [Exclusive mandate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclusive_mandate "Exclusive mandate") [Fourth Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Extraordinary_Session_of_the_Islamic_Summit_Conference "Fourth Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference") [Syria Files](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_Files "Syria Files") [Syrian detainee report](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Syrian_detainee_report "2014 Syrian detainee report") [Syrian media coverage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_coverage_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Media coverage of the Syrian civil war") [2015 European migrant crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_European_migrant_crisis "2015 European migrant crisis") [Syrian civil war in popular culture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war_in_popular_culture "Syrian civil war in popular culture") |
|  [Category](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Syrian_civil_war "Category:Syrian civil war") | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Arab_Spring "Template:Arab Spring") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Arab_Spring "Template talk:Arab Spring") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Arab_Spring "Special:EditPage/Template:Arab Spring")[Arab Spring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring "Arab Spring") | |
|---|---|
| "*[Ash-shab yurid isqat an-nizam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ash-shab_yurid_isqat_an-nizam "Ash-shab yurid isqat an-nizam")*" | |
| Events by country | [Algeria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%932012_Algerian_protests "2010–2012 Algerian protests") [Bahrain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Bahraini_uprising "2011 Bahraini uprising") [Djibouti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Djiboutian_protests "2011 Djiboutian protests") [Egypt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_Revolution_of_2011 "Egyptian Revolution of 2011") [Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Iraqi_protests "2011 Iraqi protests") [Jordan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordanian_protests_\(2011%E2%80%9312\) "Jordanian protests (2011–12)") [Kuwait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwaiti_protests_\(2011%E2%80%932013\) "Kuwaiti protests (2011–2013)") [Lebanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Lebanese_protests "2011 Lebanese protests") [Libya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Libyan_civil_war "First Libyan civil war") [Mauritania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%932012_Mauritanian_protests "2011–2012 Mauritanian protests") [Morocco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%932012_Moroccan_protests "2011–2012 Moroccan protests") [Oman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Omani_protests "2011 Omani protests") [Palestine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Palestinian_protests "2011 Palestinian protests") [Saudi Arabia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%932012_Saudi_Arabian_protests "2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests") [Sudan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%932013_Sudanese_protests "2011–2013 Sudanese protests") [Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war "Syrian civil war") [Tunisia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisian_revolution "Tunisian revolution") [Western Sahara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Western_Saharan_protests "2011 Western Saharan protests") [Yemen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_revolution "Yemeni revolution") |
| Groups | *Bahrain:* [Al Wefaq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Wefaq "Al Wefaq") [February 14 Youth Coalition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_14_Youth_Coalition "February 14 Youth Coalition") *Egypt:* [April 6 Youth Movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_6_Youth_Movement "April 6 Youth Movement") [Kefaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kefaya "Kefaya") [Muslim Brotherhood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_Brotherhood "Muslim Brotherhood") ([FJP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_and_Justice_Party_\(Egypt\) "Freedom and Justice Party (Egypt)")) [National Association for Change](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_for_Change "National Association for Change") [National Democratic Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Democratic_Party_\(Egypt\) "National Democratic Party (Egypt)") [National Salvation Front](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Salvation_Front_\(Egypt\) "National Salvation Front (Egypt)") [Revolutionary Socialists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolutionary_Socialists_\(Egypt\) "Revolutionary Socialists (Egypt)") [Shayfeencom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shayfeencom "Shayfeencom") [Ultras Ahlawy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultras_Ahlawy "Ultras Ahlawy") *Libya:* [National Liberation Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Liberation_Army_\(Libya\) "National Liberation Army (Libya)") [National Transitional Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Transitional_Council "National Transitional Council") *Mauritania:* [February 25th Movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_25th_Movement "February 25th Movement") *Saudi Arabia:* [Women to drive movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_to_drive_movement "Women to drive movement") [CDHRAP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_for_the_Defense_of_Human_Rights_in_the_Arabian_Peninsula "Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in the Arabian Peninsula") [Society for Development and Change](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_for_Development_and_Change "Society for Development and Change") *Syria:* Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party [Regional Command](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Socialist_Ba%27ath_Party_%E2%80%93_Syria_Region "Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region") [National Command](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba%27ath_Party_\(Syrian-dominated_faction\) "Ba'ath Party (Syrian-dominated faction)") [National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Coalition_for_Syrian_Revolutionary_and_Opposition_Forces "National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces") [Free Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Syrian_Army "Free Syrian Army") [Syrian Revolution General Commission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Revolution_General_Commission "Syrian Revolution General Commission") [Syrian National Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_National_Council "Syrian National Council") [National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Coordination_Committee_for_Democratic_Change "National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change") [Hizb ut-Tahrir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hizb_ut-Tahrir "Hizb ut-Tahrir") [Foreign fighters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_rebel_fighters_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Foreign rebel fighters in the Syrian civil war") *Tunisia:* [Constitutional Democratic Rally](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_Democratic_Rally "Constitutional Democratic Rally") [Ennahda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ennahda "Ennahda") [Popular Front](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_Front_\(Tunisia\) "Popular Front (Tunisia)") [Tunisian General Labour Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisian_General_Labour_Union "Tunisian General Labour Union") [Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisian_National_Dialogue_Quartet "Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet") *Yemen:* [Alliance of Yemeni Tribes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliance_of_Yemeni_Tribes "Alliance of Yemeni Tribes") [Al-Islah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Islah_\(Yemen\) "Al-Islah (Yemen)") [Hashid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashid "Hashid") [Houthis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houthis "Houthis") [General People's Congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_People%27s_Congress_\(Yemen\) "General People's Congress (Yemen)") [Hiraak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Yemen_Movement "South Yemen Movement") |
| Notable people | [Women in the Arab Spring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_the_Arab_Spring "Women in the Arab Spring") *Algeria:* [Abdelaziz Bouteflika](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdelaziz_Bouteflika "Abdelaziz Bouteflika") [Ahmed Ouyahia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Ouyahia "Ahmed Ouyahia") *Bahrain:* [Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamad_bin_Isa_Al_Khalifa "Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa") [Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalifa_bin_Salman_Al_Khalifa "Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa") [Hasan Mushaima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasan_Mushaima "Hasan Mushaima") [Ali Salman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Salman "Ali Salman") [Ali Jawad al-Sheikh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Ali_Jawad_al-Sheikh "Death of Ali Jawad al-Sheikh") *Egypt:* [Hosni Mubarak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosni_Mubarak "Hosni Mubarak") [Omar Suleiman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_Suleiman_\(politician\) "Omar Suleiman (politician)") [Mohamed Hussein Tantawy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Hussein_Tantawy "Mohamed Hussein Tantawy") [Ahmed Nazif](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Nazif "Ahmed Nazif") [Ahmed Shafik](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Shafik "Ahmed Shafik") [Wael Ghonim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wael_Ghonim "Wael Ghonim") [Kamal Ganzouri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamal_Ganzouri "Kamal Ganzouri") [Khaled Mohamed Saeed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Khaled_Mohamed_Saeed "Death of Khaled Mohamed Saeed") [Essam Sharaf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essam_Sharaf "Essam Sharaf") [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_ElBaradei "Mohamed ElBaradei") [Mohamed Morsi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Morsi "Mohamed Morsi") [Hesham Qandil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesham_Qandil "Hesham Qandil") [Bassem Youssef](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bassem_Youssef_\(television_host\) "Bassem Youssef (television host)") *Jordan:* [Abdullah II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdullah_II_of_Jordan "Abdullah II of Jordan") [Marouf al-Bakhit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marouf_al-Bakhit "Marouf al-Bakhit") [Samir Rifai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samir_Rifai "Samir Rifai") *Libya:* [Muammar Gaddafi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muammar_Gaddafi "Muammar Gaddafi") [Saif al-Islam Gaddafi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saif_al-Islam_Gaddafi "Saif al-Islam Gaddafi") [Mustafa Abdul-Jelil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustafa_Abdul-Jelil "Mustafa Abdul-Jelil") [Mahmud Gebril](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmud_Gebril "Mahmud Gebril") [Mohammed Nabbous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Nabbous "Mohammed Nabbous") *Mauritania:* [Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Ould_Abdel_Aziz "Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz") [Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moulaye_Ould_Mohamed_Laghdaf "Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf") *Morocco:* [Mohammed VI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_VI_of_Morocco "Mohammed VI of Morocco") [Abbas El Fassi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbas_El_Fassi "Abbas El Fassi") *Saudi Arabia:* [Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdullah_of_Saudi_Arabia "Abdullah of Saudi Arabia") [Khaled al-Johani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaled_al-Johani "Khaled al-Johani") [Manal al-Sharif](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manal_al-Sharif "Manal al-Sharif") [Nimr al-Nimr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimr_al-Nimr "Nimr al-Nimr") *Sudan:* [Omar al-Bashir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_al-Bashir "Omar al-Bashir") [Hassan al-Turabi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hassan_al-Turabi "Hassan al-Turabi") *Syria:* [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad") [Muhammad Naji al-Otari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Naji_al-Otari "Muhammad Naji al-Otari") [Adel Safar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adel_Safar "Adel Safar") [Riyad Farid Hijab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riyad_Farid_Hijab "Riyad Farid Hijab") [Wael Nader al-Halqi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wael_Nader_al-Halqi "Wael Nader al-Halqi") [Maher al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maher_al-Assad "Maher al-Assad") [Burhan Ghalioun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burhan_Ghalioun "Burhan Ghalioun") [Moaz al-Khatib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moaz_al-Khatib "Moaz al-Khatib") [Hamza Ali Al-Khateeb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Hamza_Ali_Al-Khateeb "Death of Hamza Ali Al-Khateeb") *Tunisia:* [Zine El Abidine Ben Ali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zine_El_Abidine_Ben_Ali "Zine El Abidine Ben Ali") [Mohamed Ghannouchi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Ghannouchi "Mohamed Ghannouchi") [Moncef Marzouki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moncef_Marzouki "Moncef Marzouki") [Rashid al-Ghannushi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashid_al-Ghannushi "Rashid al-Ghannushi") [Fouad Mebazaa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fouad_Mebazaa "Fouad Mebazaa") [Beji Caid Essebsi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beji_Caid_Essebsi "Beji Caid Essebsi") [Hamadi Jebali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamadi_Jebali "Hamadi Jebali") [Mohamed Bouazizi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Bouazizi "Mohamed Bouazizi") [Chokri Belaid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chokri_Belaid "Chokri Belaid") *United Arab Emirates:* [UAE Five](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAE_Five "UAE Five") *Yemen:* [Ali Abdullah Saleh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Abdullah_Saleh "Ali Abdullah Saleh") [Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdrabbuh_Mansur_Hadi "Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi") [Tawakkol Karman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawakkol_Karman "Tawakkol Karman") [Abdul Majeed al-Zindani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Majeed_al-Zindani "Abdul Majeed al-Zindani") [Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Mohsen_al-Ahmar "Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar") [Sadiq al-Ahmar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadiq_al-Ahmar "Sadiq al-Ahmar") [Abdul-Malik al-Houthi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul-Malik_al-Houthi "Abdul-Malik al-Houthi") [Mohammed Ali al-Houthi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Ali_al-Houthi "Mohammed Ali al-Houthi") |
| Role of the Internet | [Internet censorship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_censorship_in_the_Arab_Spring "Internet censorship in the Arab Spring") [Online social media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media%27s_role_in_the_Arab_Spring "Social media's role in the Arab Spring") |
| [Impact](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_of_the_Arab_Spring "Impact of the Arab Spring") | [Occupy movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_movement "Occupy movement") [Albania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Albanian_opposition_demonstrations "2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations") [Armenia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Armenian_protests "2011 Armenian protests") Azerbaijan [2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Azerbaijani_protests "2011 Azerbaijani protests") [2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Baku_protests "2013 Baku protests") [Belarus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Belarusian_protests "2011 Belarusian protests") [Burkina Faso](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Burkinab%C3%A8_protests "2011 Burkinabè protests") [China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Chinese_pro-democracy_protests "2011 Chinese pro-democracy protests") [Greece](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%9312_Greek_protests "2010–12 Greek protests") India [2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Indian_anti-corruption_movement "2011 Indian anti-corruption movement") [2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Indian_anti-corruption_movement "2012 Indian anti-corruption movement") [Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%932012_Iranian_protests "2011–2012 Iranian protests") [Iraqi Kurdistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Kurdish_protests_in_Iraq "2011 Kurdish protests in Iraq") [Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Israeli_social_justice_protests "2011 Israeli social justice protests") [Maldives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%932012_Maldives_political_crisis "2011–2012 Maldives political crisis") [Mali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Mali_conflict "Northern Mali conflict") Mexico [2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movement_for_Peace_with_Justice_and_Dignity "Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity") [2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo_Soy_132 "Yo Soy 132") [Portugal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-austerity_movement_in_Portugal "Anti-austerity movement in Portugal") [Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%932013_Russian_protests "2011–2013 Russian protests") [Spain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%932012_Spanish_protests "2011–2012 Spanish protests") Turkey [2011–2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%932012_Kurdish_protests_in_Turkey "2011–2012 Kurdish protests in Turkey") [2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gezi_Park_protests "Gezi Park protests") [United Kingdom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_United_Kingdom_anti-austerity_protests "2011 United Kingdom anti-austerity protests") [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_United_States_public_employee_protests "2011 United States public employee protests") [Libyan civil war (2011–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libyan_civil_war_\(2011%E2%80%93present\) "Libyan civil war (2011–present)") [Egyptian crisis (2011–2014)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_crisis_\(2011%E2%80%932014\) "Egyptian crisis (2011–2014)") |
| UN Resolutions | [65/265](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_General_Assembly_Resolution_65/265 "United Nations General Assembly Resolution 65/265") [1970](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1970 "United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970") [1973](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1973 "United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973") [2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_2009 "United Nations Security Council Resolution 2009") [2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_2014 "United Nations Security Council Resolution 2014") [2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_2016 "United Nations Security Council Resolution 2016") |
| [International reactions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reactions_to_the_Arab_Spring "International reactions to the Arab Spring") | [Bahrain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reactions_to_the_Bahraini_uprising_\(2011%E2%80%93present\) "International reactions to the Bahraini uprising (2011–present)") [Egypt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reactions_to_the_Egyptian_Revolution_of_2011 "International reactions to the Egyptian Revolution of 2011") Libya [civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reactions_to_the_Libyan_civil_war "International reactions to the Libyan civil war") [military intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reactions_to_the_2011_military_intervention_in_Libya "International reactions to the 2011 military intervention in Libya") [death of Muammar Gaddafi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reactions_to_the_death_of_Muammar_Gaddafi "International reactions to the death of Muammar Gaddafi") [Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reactions_to_the_Syrian_civil_war "International reactions to the Syrian civil war") [Tunisia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reactions_to_the_Tunisian_revolution "International reactions to the Tunisian revolution") [Yemen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reactions_to_the_Yemeni_revolution "International reactions to the Yemeni revolution") |
| Domestic reactions | [Egypt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_responses_to_the_Egyptian_revolution_of_2011 "Domestic responses to the Egyptian revolution of 2011") Libya [domestic responses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_responses_to_the_Libyan_Civil_War "Domestic responses to the Libyan Civil War") [Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_reactions_to_the_Syrian_civil_war "Syrian reactions to the Syrian civil war") |
| [Timelines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Arab_Spring "Timeline of the Arab Spring") by country | [Bahrain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Bahraini_uprising_\(2011%E2%80%93present\) "Timeline of the Bahraini uprising (2011–present)") [Egypt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Egyptian_revolution_of_2011 "Timeline of the Egyptian revolution of 2011") [Libya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Libyan_civil_war "Timeline of the Libyan civil war") [Saudi Arabia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_2011%E2%80%9313_Saudi_Arabian_protests "Timeline of the 2011–13 Saudi Arabian protests") [Syria]() [Yemen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Yemeni_revolution "Timeline of the Yemeni revolution") [Yemen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_crisis_\(2011%E2%80%93present\) "Yemeni crisis (2011–present)") [Libya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libyan_crisis "Libyan crisis") [Egypt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_crisis_\(2011%E2%80%932014\) "Egyptian crisis (2011–2014)") |
|  [Category](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Arab_Spring "Category:Arab Spring") | |
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Timeline of the Syrian civil war
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| Readable Markdown | This is a broad timeline of the course of major events of the [Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war "Syrian civil war"). It only includes major territorial changes and attacks and does not include every event.
The uprising against Syrian president [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad") gradually turned into a full-scale [civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_war "Civil war"),[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbc_timeline-1) with two significant milestones being the initial March 2011 [Arab Spring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring "Arab Spring") protests and the 15 July 2012 declaration by the [International Committee of the Red Cross](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Committee_of_the_Red_Cross "International Committee of the Red Cross") that the fighting had gradually become so widespread that the situation should be regarded as a civil war.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-2)[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-3)
Rebel forces, which received arms from [Gulf Cooperation Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Cooperation_Council "Gulf Cooperation Council") states, [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey "Turkey") and some Western countries, initially made significant advances against the government forces, which were receiving financial and military support from [Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran "Iran") and [Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia "Russia"). Rebels captured the regional capitals of [Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Raqqa_\(2013\) "Battle of Raqqa (2013)") in 2013 and [Idlib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Idlib_\(2015\) "Battle of Idlib (2015)") in 2015. Consequently, [Iran launched a military intervention in support of the Syrian government in 2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Iranian intervention in the Syrian civil war") and [Russia followed in 2015](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war"), shifting the balance of the conflict. By late 2018, all rebel strongholds except parts of [Idlib region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate "Idlib Governorate") had fallen to the government forces.
In 2014, the [Islamic State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State "Islamic State") won many battles against both the rebel factions and the Syrian government. Combined with simultaneous success in [Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Iraq_\(2013-2017\) "War in Iraq (2013-2017)"), the group was able to seize control of large parts of [Eastern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Eastern_Syria_offensive "2014 Eastern Syria offensive") and [Western Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Iraq_offensive_\(June_2014\) "Northern Iraq offensive (June 2014)"), prompting the [U.S.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States")\-led [CJTF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_Joint_Task_Force_%E2%80%93_Operation_Inherent_Resolve "Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve") coalition to launch an aerial [bombing campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_against_the_Islamic_State "War against the Islamic State") against it, while providing [ground support](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "US intervention in the Syrian civil war") and supplies to the [Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurds "Kurds")\-majority [Syrian Democratic Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces"). By way of battles that culminated in the [Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa_campaign_\(2016%E2%80%932017\) "Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)") and [Deir ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_campaign_\(2017%E2%80%932019\) "Deir ez-Zor campaign (2017–2019)") offensives, the Islamic State was territorially defeated by late 2017. In August 2016, Turkey launched [a multi-pronged invasion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war") of [northern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_occupation_of_northern_Syria "Turkish occupation of northern Syria"), in response to the creation of [Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria"), while also [fighting the Islamic State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Euphrates_Shield "Operation Euphrates Shield") and [government forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Spring_Shield "Operation Spring Shield") in the process.
In October 2019, Kurdish leaders of [Rojava](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria") announced they had reached a major deal with the government of Syria under Assad. This deal was enacted in the wake of the US withdrawal from Syria.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceE-4)[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-5)[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-6) Between the March 2020 [Idlib ceasefire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(December_2019%E2%80%93March_2020\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)") and late 2024, frontline fighting mostly subsided, but there were [regular skirmishes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_clashes_\(December_2022%E2%80%93November_2024\) "Northwestern Syria clashes (December 2022–November 2024)").
Heavy fighting renewed with a major [rebel offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(2024\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (2024)") in the northwest led by [Tahrir al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahrir_al-Sham "Tahrir al-Sham") in November 2024, [seizing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2024\) "Battle of Aleppo (2024)") the second-largest city [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo "Aleppo"). On 8 December 2024, Syrian opposition forces [captured](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Damascus_\(2024\) "Fall of Damascus (2024)") [Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus "Damascus") after Bashar al-Assad's forces withdrew and subsequently announced the [collapse of Assad's regime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_the_Assad_regime "Fall of the Assad regime").
There remain millions of Syrian refugees who are displaced into refugee camps across the region, under severe conditions.
The more detailed timeline of the Syrian Civil War is contained in the articles linked to in the infobox on the right and in the list below. A chronological narrative of some of the main events and developments follows the list of years, but it is not comprehensive.[\[a\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-7)
## Initial phase of the conflict (2011–2012)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=1 "Edit section: Initial phase of the conflict (2011–2012)")\]
### Protests, civil uprising, and defections (March–July 2011)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=2 "Edit section: Protests, civil uprising, and defections (March–July 2011)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:\(Banyas_demonstration\)_%D9%85%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3_%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%B6%D8%A8_-_29_%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86_2011.jpg)
Anti-Assad protests in [Baniyas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baniyas "Baniyas"), 29 April 2011
Major unrest began on 15 March 2011, when protesters marched in [Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus "Damascus") and [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo "Aleppo"), demanding democratic reforms and the release of political prisoners, triggered by the arrest of a teenage boy and his friends a few days earlier in the city of [Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa "Daraa"), for writing in [graffiti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graffiti "Graffiti"), "It's your turn, doctor".[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-DaraaVice-8) Security forces retaliated by opening fire on the protesters,[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-SCW-9) and according to witnesses who spoke to the [BBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC "BBC"), the Ba'ath government forces detained six of them.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-10)[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-DR-11) On 18 March, the Syrian Army fired on demonstrators, killing four people.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-12) Writer and analyst Louai al-Hussein, referencing the [Arab Spring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring "Arab Spring") ongoing at that time, wrote that, "Syria is now on the map of countries in the region with an uprising".[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-DR-11) On 20 March, the protesters burned down a [Ba'ath Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba%27ath_Party_\(Syrian-dominated_faction\) "Ba'ath Party (Syrian-dominated faction)") headquarters and other government buildings. The ensuing clashes claimed the lives of 15 protesters.[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-13) Ten days later in a speech, President [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad") blamed "foreign conspirators" pushing Israeli propaganda for the protests.[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-14)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_Demonstration_Douma_Damascus_08-04-2011.jpg)
Protests in [Douma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douma,_Syria "Douma, Syria") on 8 April 2011 against President [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad")
Until 7 April, the protesters predominantly demanded democratic reforms, release of political prisoners, an increase in freedoms, abolition of the emergency law and an end to corruption. After 8 April, the emphasis in demonstration slogans shifted slowly towards a call to overthrow the Assad government. Protests spread; on Friday 8 April, they occurred simultaneously in ten cities. By Friday 22 April, protests were taking place in twenty cities. On 25 April, the [Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Army "Syrian Army") initiated a series of large-scale deadly military attacks on towns with tanks, infantry carriers, and artillery, leading to hundreds of civilian deaths. By the end of May 2011, 1,000 civilians[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbc24M11-15) and 150 soldiers and policemen[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Kh.31-5-11-16) had been killed and thousands detained;[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbc5511,17.19GMT-17) among the arrested were many students, liberal activists and human rights advocates.[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-18)
Unverified reports claim that a portion of the security forces in [Jisr al-Shughur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jisr_al-Shughur "Jisr al-Shughur") defected after secret police and intelligence officers executed soldiers who had refused to fire on civilians.[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-understandingwar-19) Later, more protesters in Syria took up arms, and more soldiers defected to protect protesters.
On 1 July 2011, 100,000 people protested against the government across Syria.[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-United_States_Institute_of_Peace_2021-20)
### Initial armed insurgency (July 2011–April 2012)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=3 "Edit section: Initial armed insurgency (July 2011–April 2012)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SyrianWarAnimation2011-2019.gif)
Animation showing changes in Syrian territorial control, as well as foreign military bases, between October 2011 and March 2019.
The [Early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_insurgency_phase_of_the_Syrian_civil_war "Early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war") lasted from late July 2011 to April 2012, and was associated with the rise of armed oppositional militias across Syria and the beginning of armed rebellion against the authorities of the [Syrian Arab Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Arab_Republic "Syrian Arab Republic"). The beginning of organized insurgency is typically marked by the formation of the [Free Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Syrian_Army "Free Syrian Army") (FSA) on 29 July 2011, when a group of defected officers declared the establishment of the first organized oppositional military force. Composed of defected Syrian Armed Forces personnel, the rebel army aimed to protect protestors and ultimately remove Bashar al-Assad and his government from power.[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-United_States_Institute_of_Peace_2021-20)
This period of the war saw the initial civil uprising take on many of the characteristics of a civil war, according to several outside observers, including the [United Nations Commission on Human Rights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Commission_on_Human_Rights "United Nations Commission on Human Rights"), as [armed elements](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Syrian_Army "Free Syrian Army") became better organized and began carrying out successful attacks in retaliation for the crackdown by the Syrian Ba'athist government on demonstrators and defectors.[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-nowin-21)
The [Arab League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_League "Arab League") [monitoring mission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_League_monitors_in_Syria "Arab League monitors in Syria"), initiated in December 2011, ended in failure by February 2012, as [Syrian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria "Syria") Ba'athist troops and [oppositional militants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Syrian_Army "Free Syrian Army") continued to battle across the country and the [Syrian Ba'athist government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baathist_Syria "Baathist Syria") prevented foreign observers from touring active battlefields, including besieged [oppositional](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_opposition "Syrian opposition") strongholds.
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VOA_Arrott_-_A_View_of_Syria,_Under_Government_Crackdown_01.jpg)
Syrian army checkpoint in [Douma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douma,_Syria "Douma, Syria"), January 2012
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Timeline_-_Syria-_two_years_of_tragedy_\(8559744374\).jpg)
Timeline - Syria
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:20151030_Syrians_and_Iraq_refugees_arrive_at_Skala_Sykamias_Lesvos_Greece_2.jpg)
Syrian and Iraqi refugees arrive at Skala Sykamias, [Lesvos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesbos "Lesbos"), Greece
### Kofi Annan ceasefire attempt (April–May 2012)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=4 "Edit section: Kofi Annan ceasefire attempt (April–May 2012)")\]
In early 2012, [Kofi Annan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofi_Annan "Kofi Annan") acted as the UN–[Arab League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_League "Arab League") [Joint Special Representative for](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Envoy_of_the_Secretary-General "Special Envoy of the Secretary-General") Syria and started negotiations for a peace plan, which included provision for a ceasefire. However, even as the negotiations for it were being conducted, the Syrian army continued fighting.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-deadly_reprisals-22): 11 Incommunicado detention, including of children, also continued.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-23) In April, Assad began employing [attack helicopters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_helicopter "Attack helicopter") against rebel forces.[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Air_War-24)
On 12 April, both sides, the Syrian Ba'athist Government and rebels of the FSA, entered a UN-mediated ceasefire period. It was a failure, with infractions of the ceasefire by both sides resulting in several dozen casualties. For examples, the [30 April 2012 Idlib bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_April_2012_Idlib_bombing "30 April 2012 Idlib bombing") was a [car bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_bombing "Car bombing") that targeted the Syrian military in [Idlib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib "Idlib"), killing twenty people. Most of those killed were members of the security forces.[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-25) Acknowledging its failure, Annan called for Iran to be "part of the solution", though the country has been excluded from the Friends of Syria initiative.[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-26) The peace plan practically collapsed by early June and the UN mission was withdrawn from Syria. Annan officially resigned in frustration on 2 August 2012.[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-27)
## Next phase of the war starts: escalation (2012–2013)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=5 "Edit section: Next phase of the war starts: escalation (2012–2013)")\]
### Renewed fighting (June–October 2012)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=6 "Edit section: Renewed fighting (June–October 2012)")\]
Following the [Houla massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houla_massacre "Houla massacre") of 25 May 2012, in which 108 people were summarily executed and the consequent FSA ultimatum to the Syrian Ba'athist government, the ceasefire practically collapsed, as the FSA began nationwide offensives against government troops. On 1 June, President Assad vowed to crush the anti-government uprising.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-aa0406-28)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Formation_of_Conquest_Brigade_in_Tell_Rifaat.png)
A [colonel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel "Colonel") (left) and a [first lieutenant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_lieutenant "First lieutenant") (right) in the FSA announce the formation of the [Conquest Brigade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conquest_Brigade "Conquest Brigade"), part of the FSA in [Tell Rifaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tell_Rifaat "Tell Rifaat"), north of [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo "Aleppo"), 31 July 2012.
On 5 June, [fighting broke out in Haffa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Haffah "Battle of al-Haffah") and nearby villages in the coastal governorate of [Latakia Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latakia_Governorate "Latakia Governorate"). Syrian Army troops were backed by [helicopter gunships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter_gunship "Helicopter gunship") in the heaviest clashes in the governorate since the revolt began. Government forces seized the territory following days of fighting and shelling.[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-29) On 6 June, 78 civilians were killed in the [Al-Qubeir massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qubeir_massacre "Al-Qubeir massacre"). According to activist sources, the Syrian Army started by shelling the village before the [Shabiha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabiha "Shabiha") militia moved in.[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-30) The UN observers headed to Al-Qubeir in the hope of investigating the alleged massacre, but they were met with a roadblock and small arms fire and were forced to retreat.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-31)
On 12 June 2012, the UN for the first time officially proclaimed Syria to be in a state of civil war.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbc12-6-12-32) The conflict began moving into the two largest cities, Damascus and Aleppo. In both cities, peaceful protests – including a general strike by Damascus shopkeepers and a small strike in Aleppo were interpreted as indicating that the historical alliance between the Ba'ath government and the business establishment in the large cities had become weak.[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-33)
On 22 June, a Turkish [F-4 fighter jet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F-4_Phantom_II "McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II") was [shot down by Syrian government forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Turkish_F-4_Phantom_shootdown "2012 Turkish F-4 Phantom shootdown"), killing both pilots. Syria and Turkey disputed whether the jet had been flying in Syrian or international [airspace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airspace "Airspace") when it was shot down. Despite Turkish Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip Erdoğan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recep_Tayyip_Erdo%C4%9Fan "Recep Tayyip Erdoğan")'s vows to retaliate harshly against Assad's government, no such intervention materialised. Bashar al-Assad publicly apologised for the incident. By 10 July, rebel forces had captured most of the city of [Al-Qusayr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qusayr,_Syria "Al-Qusayr, Syria"), in [Homs Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homs_Governorate "Homs Governorate"), after weeks of fighting.[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-34) By mid-July, rebels had captured the town of [Saraqeb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraqib "Saraqib"), in Idlib Governorate.[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-35)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Situation_in_Syria_\(August_2012\).svg)
Military situation in Syria in August 2012
By 15 July 2012, with fighting spread across the country and 16,000 people killed, the [International Committee of the Red Cross](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Committee_of_the_Red_Cross "International Committee of the Red Cross") declared the conflict a civil war.[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-36) Fighting in Damascus intensified, with a [major rebel push](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Damascus_\(2012\) "Battle of Damascus (2012)") to take the city.[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-37) On 18 July, [Syrian Defense Minister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Defense_\(Syria\) "Ministry of Defense (Syria)") [Dawoud Rajiha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawoud_Rajiha "Dawoud Rajiha"), former defense minister [Hasan Turkmani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasan_Turkmani "Hasan Turkmani"), and the president's brother-in-law General [Assef Shawkat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assef_Shawkat "Assef Shawkat") were killed by a [suicide bomb attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18_July_2012_Damascus_bombing "18 July 2012 Damascus bombing") in Damascus.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-telegraph9408321-38) The Syrian intelligence chief [Hisham Ikhtiyar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hisham_Ikhtiyar "Hisham Ikhtiyar"), who was injured in the same explosion, later died from his injuries.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-39) Both the FSA and Liwa al-Islam claimed responsibility for the assassination.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-40)
In mid-July, rebel forces [attacked Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Damascus_\(2012\) "Battle of Damascus (2012)") and were repelled in two weeks, although [fighting continued in the outskirts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(August%E2%80%93October_2012\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (August–October 2012)"). After this, the focus shifted to the [battle for control of Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2012%E2%80%932016\) "Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)").[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-41) On 25 July, multiple sources reported that the government was using fighter jets to attack rebel positions in Aleppo and Damascus,[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-42) and on 1 August, UN observers in Syria witnessed government fighter jets firing on rebels in Aleppo.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-43) In early August, the Syrian Army recaptured Salaheddin district, an important rebel stronghold in Aleppo. In August, the Ba'athist government began using fixed-wing warplanes against the rebels.[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Air_War-24)[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ISW_Air-44)
On 19 July, Iraqi officials reported that the FSA had gained control of all four border checkpoints between Syria and Iraq, increasing concerns for the safety of Iraqis trying to escape the violence in Syria.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-45) On 19 September, rebel forces seized a border crossing between Syria and Turkey in [Raqqa Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa_Governorate "Raqqa Governorate"). It was speculated that this crossing could provide opposition forces with strategic and logistical advantages due to Turkish support of the rebels, whose headquarters subsequently relocated from southern Turkey into northern Syria.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-46)
On 6 September 2012 Kurdish activists reported that 21 civilians were killed in the Kurdish neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsud in [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo "Aleppo"), when the Syrian Army shelled the local mosque and its surroundings. Despite the district being neutral during the [Battle of Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2012%E2%80%932016\) "Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)") and free of Ba'athist government and FSA clashes, local residents believed that the district was shelled as retaliation for sheltering anti-government civilians from other parts of the city. In a statement released shortly after the deaths, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) vowed to retaliate.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-47)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blown_out_tank_Aleppo.jpg)
A destroyed tank on a road in Aleppo, 6 October 2012
A few days later, Kurdish forces killed 3 soldiers in [Afrin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrin,_Syria "Afrin, Syria") ([Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdish_language "Kurdish language"): *Efrîn*) and captured a number of other Ba'athist government soldiers in [Ayn al-Arab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_al-Arab "Ayn al-Arab") ([Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdish_language "Kurdish language"): *Kobanî*) and [Al-Malikiyah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Malikiyah "Al-Malikiyah") ([Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdish_language "Kurdish language"): *Dêrika Hemko*) from where they drove the remaining Ba'athist government security forces. It was also reported that the Ba'athist government had begun to arm Arab tribes around [Qamishli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamishli "Qamishli") in preparation for a possible confrontation with Kurdish forces, who still did not completely control the city.[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-pydkills-48)
At least 8 Ba'athist government soldiers were killed and 15 wounded by a car bomb in the al-Gharibi district of Qamishli on 30 September 2012. The explosion targeted the Political Security branch.[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-49)
In October, rebel forces [seized control of Maarat al-Numan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maarrat_al-Nu%27man_\(2012\) "Battle of Maarrat al-Nu'man (2012)"), a town in Idlib Governorate on the highway linking Damascus with Aleppo[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-50) and captured [Douma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douma,_Syria "Douma, Syria"), marking increased influence in [Rif Dimashq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_Governorate "Rif Dimashq Governorate").[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-51) Lakhdar Brahimi arranged for a ceasefire during [Eid al-Adha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_al-Adha "Eid al-Adha") in late October, but it quickly collapsed.[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-52)
### Rebel offensives (November 2012–April 2013)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=7 "Edit section: Rebel offensives (November 2012–April 2013)")\]
After Brahimi's ceasefire agreement ended on 30 October, the Syrian military expanded its aerial bombing campaign in Damascus. A bombing of the Damascus district of Jobar was the first instance of a [fighter jet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighter_jet "Fighter jet") being used to bomb Damascus. The following day, Gen. Abdullah Mahmud al-Khalidi, a Syrian Air Force commander, was assassinated by opposition gunmen in the Damascus district of Rukn al-Din.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-53) In early November 2012, rebels made significant gains in northern Syria. The rebel capture of [Saraqib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraqib "Saraqib") in Idlib Governorate, which lies on the [M5 highway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M5_Motorway_\(Syria\) "M5 Motorway (Syria)"), further isolated Aleppo.[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-54) Due to insufficient anti-aircraft weapons, rebel units attempted to nullify the Ba'athist government's air power by destroying landed helicopters and aircraft on air bases.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-55) On 3 November, rebels launched an attack on the [Taftanaz air base](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taftanaz_air_base "Taftanaz air base").[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-56)
On 18 November, rebels [took control of](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Base_46 "Siege of Base 46") Base 46 in the [Aleppo Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_Governorate "Aleppo Governorate"), one of the Syrian Army's largest bases in northern Syria, after weeks of intense fighting. Defected General Mohammed Ahmed al-Faj, who commanded the assault, stated that nearly 300 Syrian troops had been killed and 60 had been captured, with rebels seizing large amounts of heavy weapons, including tanks.[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-57) On 22 November, rebels captured the [Mayadin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayadin "Mayadin") military base in the country's eastern [Deir ez-Zor Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate "Deir ez-Zor Governorate"). Activists said this gave the rebels control of a large amount of territory east of the base, stretching to the Iraqi border.[\[57\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-58) On 29 November, at approximately 10:26 [UTC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinated_Universal_Time "Coordinated Universal Time"), the Syrian Internet and phone service was shut off for a two-day period.[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-59) Syrian officials blamed the blackout on terrorists having cut "a main fiber optic cable connecting Damascus to the rest of the world";[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-60) [Edward Snowden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Snowden "Edward Snowden") in August 2014 claimed that this Internet breakdown had been caused, though unintended, by hackers of the [NSA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Security_Agency "National Security Agency") during an operation to intercept Internet communication in Syria.[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-61)
In mid-December 2012, American officials said that the Syrian military had fired [Scud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scud "Scud") ballistic missiles at rebel fighters inside Syria. Reportedly, six Scud missiles were fired at the Sheikh Suleiman base north of Aleppo, which rebel forces had occupied. It is unclear whether the Scuds hit the intended target.[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Scud_Missiles2-62) The Ba'athist government denied this claim.[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-63) Later that month, a further Scud attack took place near Marea, a town north of Aleppo near the Turkish border. The missile appeared to have missed its target.[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Scud_Missiles2-62) That same month, the British *[Daily Telegraph](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Daily_Telegraph "The Daily Telegraph")* reported that the FSA had now penetrated into Latakia Governorate's coast through Turkey.[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-64) In late December, rebel forces pushed further into Damascus, taking control of the adjoining [Yarmouk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarmouk_Camp "Yarmouk Camp") and Palestine refugee camps, pushing out pro-Ba'athist government [Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_Front_for_the_Liberation_of_Palestine_%E2%80%93_General_Command "Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command") fighters with the help of other factions.[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-65) Rebel forces launched [an offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Hama_offensive "2012 Hama offensive") in Hama Governorate, later claiming to have forced army regulars to evacuate several towns and bases,[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-66) and stating that "three-quarters of western rural Hama is under our control."[\[66\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-67) Rebels also captured the town of Harem near the Turkish border in Idlib Governorate, after weeks of heavy fighting.[\[67\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-68)
On 11 January 2013, Islamist groups, including al-Nusra Front, took full control of the [Taftanaz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taftanaz "Taftanaz") air base in the Idlib Governorate, after weeks of fighting. The air base was often used by the Syrian military to carry out helicopter raids and deliver supplies. The rebels claimed to have seized helicopters, tanks and multiple rocket launchers, before being forced to withdraw by a Ba'athist government counter-attack. The leader of the al-Nusra Front said the amount of weapons they took was a "game changer".[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-69) On 11 February, Islamist rebels captured the town of [Al-Thawrah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Thawrah "Al-Thawrah") in [Raqqa Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa_Governorate "Raqqa Governorate") and the nearby [Tabqa Dam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabqa_Dam "Tabqa Dam"), Syria's largest dam and a key source of [hydroelectricity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroelectricity "Hydroelectricity").[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-70)[\[70\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-71) The next day, rebel forces took control of Jarrah air base, located 60 kilometres (37 mi) east of Aleppo.[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-72) On 14 February, fighters from al-Nusra Front took control of Shadadeh, a town in [Al-Hasakah Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah_Governorate "Al-Hasakah Governorate") near the Iraqi border.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-73)
On 20 February, a [car bomb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_bomb "Car bomb") exploded in Damascus near the Ba'ath Syrian Regional Branch headquarters, killing at least 53 people and injuring more than 235.[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-74) None of the groups claimed responsibility.[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-75) On 21 February, the FSA in Quasar began shelling Hezbollah positions in [Lebanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon "Lebanon"). Prior to this, Hezbollah had been shelling villages near Quasar from within Lebanon. A 48-hour ultimatum was issued by a FSA commander on 20 February, warning the militant group to stop the attacks.[\[75\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-76)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syria-_two_years_of_tragedy_\(8642756918\).jpg)
Aleppo, Karm al Jabal neighborhood, 4 March 2013
On 2 March, intense clashes between rebels and the Syrian Army erupted in the city of Raqqa, with many reportedly killed on both sides.[\[76\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-77) On the same day, Syrian troops regained several villages near Aleppo.[\[77\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-78) By 3 March, rebels had overrun Raqqa's central prison, allowing them to free hundreds of prisoners, according to the SOHR.[\[78\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-79) The SOHR also stated that rebel fighters were now in control of most of an [Aleppo police academy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_al-Asal_Police_Academy "Khan al-Asal Police Academy") in [Khan al-Asal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_al-Asal "Khan al-Asal"), and that over 200 rebels and Ba'athist government troops had been killed fighting for control of it.[\[79\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-80)
By 6 March, the rebels had captured the city of Raqqa, effectively making it the first provincial capital to be lost by the Assad government. Residents of Raqqa toppled a bronze statue of his late father Hafez al-Assad in the centre of the city. The rebels also seized two top Ba'athist government officials.[\[80\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-USAToday1-81) On 18 March, the Syrian Air Force attacked rebel positions in [Lebanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon "Lebanon") for the first time. The attack occurred at the Wadi al-Khayl Valley area, near the town of Arsal.[\[81\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-82) On 21 March, a suspected suicide bombing in the Iman Mosque in Mazraa district killed as many as 41 people, including the pro-Assad Sunni cleric, Sheikh [Mohammed al-Buti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_al-Buti "Mohammed al-Buti").[\[82\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-83) On 23 March, several rebel groups seized the 38th division air defense base in southern Daraa Governorate near a highway linking Damascus to Jordan.[\[83\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-84) On the next day, rebels captured a 25 km strip of land near the Jordanian border, which included the towns of [Muzrib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzayrib "Muzayrib"), Abdin, and the al-Rai military checkpoint.[\[84\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-85)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_Civil_War_map_\(March_15_2013\).svg)
Military situation in March 2013
On 25 March, rebels launched one of their heaviest bombardments of Central Damascus since the revolt began. Fighting between the army and YPG fighters in the Kurdish village of Gir Zîro (Tall Adas), near [al-Maabadah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Maabadah "Al-Maabadah") ([Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdish_language "Kurdish language"): *Girkê Legê*), where an army battalion of around 200 soldiers had been blockaded[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-firat_heavier-86) since 9 January.[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ypg_mabada1-87) YPG forces claimed to have expelled Ba'athist government after the clashes.[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-main_opposition-88) One soldier was reportedly killed and another eight injured, while seven were captured (later released[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ypg_mabada1-87)) and 27 defected.[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-firat_heavier-86) Fighting at the oil field near Gir Zîro ended on 21 January, when Ba'athist government forces withdrew after receiving no assistance from Damascus.[\[88\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-89) In Rumeilan, directly west of al-Maabadah, another 200 soldiers had been surrounded by YPG forces, and 10 soldiers were reported to have defected.[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-main_opposition-88)
From 8 to 11 February,[\[89\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-90) heavy clashes broke out between the YPG and Ba'athist government troops in the PYD/YPG-held district Ashrafiyah where, according to SOHR, at least 3 soldiers and 5 pro-Ba'athist government militiamen were killed. The fighting followed deadly shelling on 31 January on Ashrafiyah, in which 23[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-5killed27213-91) civilians were killed after FSA units moved into the Kurdish sector of Aleppo.[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-92) According to its own reports, the YPG lost 7 of its members in the fighting, while also claiming that 48 soldiers were killed and 22 captured,[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-5killed27213-91) and a further 70 injured.[\[92\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-93)
In early March, YPG forces established full control of oil fields and installations in north-east Syria after Ba'athist government forces posted there surrendered. Also, YPG assaulted Ba'athist government forces and took control of the towns of [Tall ʿAdas](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tall_%CA%BFAdas&action=edit&redlink=1 "Tall ʿAdas (page does not exist)"), which is adjacent to Rumeilan oil fields, and [Al-Qahtaniya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qahtaniyah,_Al-Hasakah_Governorate "Al-Qahtaniyah, Al-Hasakah Governorate") ([Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdish_language "Kurdish language"): *Tirbespî*).[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-94)
### Ba'athist government offensives (April–June 2013)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=8 "Edit section: Ba'athist government offensives (April–June 2013)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Situation_in_Syria_\(June_2013\).svg)
Military situation in Syria in June 2013
On 17 April, Ba'athist government forces breached a six-month rebel blockade in Wadi al-Deif, near Idlib. Heavy fighting was reported around the town of Babuleen after Ba'athist government troops attempt to secure control of a main highway leading to Aleppo. The break in the siege also allowed Ba'athist government forces to resupply two major military bases in the region which had been relying on sporadic airdrops.[\[94\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-95) On 18 April, the FSA took control of Al-Dab'a Air Base near the city of al-Qusayr.[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-96) The base was being used primarily to garrison ground troops. Meanwhile, the Syrian Army re-captured the town of Abel. The SOHR said the loss of the town would hamper rebel movements between al-Qusayr and Homs city. The capture of the airport would have relieved the pressure on the rebels in the area, but their loss of [Abel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abil "Abil") made the situation more complicated.[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-seize-97) The same day, rebels reportedly assassinated Ali Ballan, who was a Ba'athist government employee, in the Mazzeh district of Damascus.[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-98) On 21 April, Ba'athist government forces [captured the town of Jdaidet al-Fadl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Jdaidet_al-Fadl "Battle of Jdaidet al-Fadl"), near Damascus.[\[98\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-99)
In April, Ba'athist government and [Hezbollah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah "Hezbollah") forces launched [an offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qusayr_offensive "Al-Qusayr offensive") to capture areas near al-Qusayr. On 21 April, pro-Assad forces captured the towns of Burhaniya, Saqraja and al-Radwaniya near the Lebanese border.[\[99\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-100)[\[100\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-101) By this point, eight villages had fallen to the Ba'athist government offensive in the area.[\[101\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-102) On 24 April, after five weeks of fighting, Ba'athist government troops re-took control of the town of Otaiba, east of Damascus, which had been serving as the main arms supply route from Jordan.[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-103) Meanwhile, in the north of the country, rebels took control of a position on the edge of the strategic Mennagh Military airbase, on the outskirts of Aleppo. This allowed them to enter the airbase after months of besieging it.[\[103\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-104)
On 2 May, Ba'athist government forces captured the town of [Qaysa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qisa "Al-Qisa") in a push north from the city's airport. Troops also retook the Wadi al-Sayeh central district of Homs, driving a wedge between two rebel strongholds.[\[104\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-105) SOHR reported [a massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayda_and_Baniyas_massacres "Bayda and Baniyas massacres") of over 100 people by the Syrian Army in the coastal town of Al Bayda, Baniyas. However, this could not be independently verified due to movement restrictions on the ground.[\[105\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-106) Yet the multiple video images that residents had recorded – particularly of small children, were so shocking that even some Ba'athist government supporters rejected Syrian television's official version of events, that the army had simply "crushed a number of terrorists."[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-nytimes-107)
On 15 June, the Syrian Army captured the Damascus suburb of Ahmadiyeh near the city's airport,[\[107\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-108)[\[108\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-109) and on 22 June, captured the rebel stronghold town of [Talkalakh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talkalakh "Talkalakh").[\[109\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-110)[\[110\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-111)
### Continued fighting (July–October 2013)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=9 "Edit section: Continued fighting (July–October 2013)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Total_deaths_during_the_syrian_civil_war_\(October_2013\).png)
Total deaths during the syrian civil war (October 2013)
On 28 June, rebel forces captured a major military checkpoint in the city of Daraa.[\[111\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-112) On 12 July FSA reported that one of its commanders, Kamal Hamami, had been killed by Islamists a day before. The rebels declared that the assassination by the [Islamic State of Iraq and Levant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State_of_Iraq_and_Levant "Islamic State of Iraq and Levant"), was tantamount to a declaration of war.[\[112\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-113) On 17 July, FSA forces took control of most of the southern city of [Nawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawa,_Syria "Nawa, Syria") after seizing up to 40 army posts stationed in the city.[\[113\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-114) On 18 July, Kurdish YPG forces secured control of the northern town of [Ras al-Ain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ras_al-Ayn,_al-Hasakah "Ras al-Ayn, al-Hasakah"), after days of fighting with the al-Nusra Front.[\[114\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-115) In the following three months, continued fighting between Kurdish and mainly jihadist rebel forces led to the capture of two dozen towns and villages in [Hasakah Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah_Governorate "Al-Hasakah Governorate") by Kurdish fighters,[\[115\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-fr-kurdes-chassent-des-jihadistes-116) while the Jihadists made limited gains in Aleppo and Raqqa governorates after they turned on the Kurdish rebel group [Jabhat al-Akrad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabhat_al-Akrad "Jabhat al-Akrad") over its relationship with the YPG. In Aleppo Governorate, Islamists massacred the Kurds leading to a mass migration of civilians to the town of Afrin.[\[116\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-117)
On 22 July, FSA fighters seized control of the western Aleppo suburb of [Khan al-Asal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_al-Asal "Khan al-Asal"). The town was the last Ba'athist government stronghold in the western portion of Aleppo Governorate.[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-118) On 27 July, after weeks of fighting and bombardment in Homs, the Syrian Army captured the historic [Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalid_ibn_al-Walid_Mosque "Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque"),[\[118\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-119) and two days later, captured the district of Khaldiyeh.[\[119\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-120)
On 4 August, around 10 rebel brigades, launched [a large-scale offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Latakia_offensive "2013 Latakia offensive") on the Ba'athist government stronghold of [Latakia Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latakia_Governorate "Latakia Governorate"). Initial attacks by 2,000 opposition members seized as many as 12 villages in the mountainous area. Between 4 and 5 August 20 rebels and 32 Ba'athist government soldiers and militiamen had been killed in the clashes. Hundreds of Alawite villagers fled to Latakia. By 5 August, rebel fighters advanced to 20 kilometers from Qardaha, the home town of the Assad family.[\[120\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-RegimeRegainsGround-121)[\[121\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-122) However, in mid-August, the military counter-attacked and recaptured all of the territory previously lost to the rebels in the coastal region during the offensive.[\[122\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-serious-123)[\[123\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-pushback-124) A Syrian security force source "told AFP the army still had to recapture the Salma region, a strategic area along the border with Turkey."[\[124\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-125) According to a [Human Rights Watch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Rights_Watch "Human Rights Watch") report 190 civilians were killed by rebel forces during the offensive, at least 67 being executed while fleeing, including 48 women and 11 children. Another 200 civilians, primarily women and children, were taken hostage.[\[125\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-hrw-126)[\[126\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-nytimes2-127)
On 6 August, rebels captured [Menagh Military Airbase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menagh_Military_Airbase "Menagh Military Airbase") after a 10-month siege. The strategic airbase is located on the road between Aleppo city and the Turkish border.[\[127\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-128)[\[128\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-129) On 21 August, [a chemical attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Ghouta_attacks "2013 Ghouta attacks") took place in the Ghouta region of the Damascus countryside, leading to thousands of casualties and several hundred dead in the opposition-held stronghold. The attack was followed by a military offensive by Ba'athist government forces into the area, which had been hotbeds of the opposition.[\[129\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-SyriaOffensive-130) On 24 August, rebels captured the town of [Ariha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariha,_Syria "Ariha, Syria"). However, Ba'athist government forces recaptured Ariha on 3 September.[\[130\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-131)[\[131\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-132) On 26 August, rebel forces took over the town of [Khanasir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khanasir "Khanasir") in Aleppo Governorate which was the Ba'athist government's last supply route for the city of Aleppo.[\[132\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-133) On 8 September, rebels led by the al-Nusra Front [captured the Christian town of Maaloula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maaloula "Battle of Maaloula"), 43 km north of Damascus,[\[133\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-134) The Syrian Army launched a counterattack a few days later, recapturing the town.[\[134\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-135)
On 18 September, the [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State_of_Iraq_and_the_Levant "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant") (ISIS) overran the FSA-held town of Azaz in the north. The fighting was the most severe since tensions rose between militant factions in Syria earlier in the year.[\[135\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-136) Soon after ISIS captured Azaz, a ceasefire was announced between the rival rebel groups. However, in early October, more fighting erupted in the town.[\[136\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-137) On 20 September, Alawite militias including the NDF killed 15 civilians in the Sunni village of [Shaykh al-Hadid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaykh_al-Hadid "Shaykh al-Hadid") in Hama Governorate. The massacre occurred in retaliation for a rebel capture of the village of Jalma, in Hama, which killed five soldiers, along with the seizure of a military checkpoint which killed 16 soldiers and 10 NDF militiamen.[\[137\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-138)[\[138\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-139) In mid-September, the military captured the towns of Deir Salman and Shebaa on the outskirts of Damascus. The Army also captured six villages in eastern Homs.[\[139\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-140) Fighting broke out in those towns again in October.[\[140\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-141)
On 28 September, rebels seized the Ramtha border post in [Daraa Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_Governorate "Daraa Governorate") on the Syria Jordan crossing after fighting which left 26 soldiers dead along with 7 foreign rebel fighters.[\[141\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-142) On 3 October, AFP reported that Syria's army re-took the town of [Khanasir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khanasir "Khanasir"), which is located on a supply route linking central Syria to the city of Aleppo.[\[142\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-143) On 7 October, the Syrian Army managed to reopen the supply route between Aleppo and Khanasir.[\[143\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-144)
On 9 October, rebels seized the Hajanar guard post on the Jordanian border after a month of fierce fighting. Rebels were now in control of a swath of territory along the border from outside of Daraa to the edge of Golan Heights.[\[144\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-145) The same day, Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite fighters, backed up by artillery, air-strikes and tanks, captured the town of Sheikh Omar, on the southern outskirts of Damascus. Two days later, they also captured the towns of al-Thiabiya and Husseiniya on the southern approaches to Damascus. The capture of the three towns strengthened the Ba'athist government hold on major supply lines and put more pressure on rebels under siege in the Eastern Ghouta area.[\[145\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-146)[\[146\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-147) On 14 October, SOHR reported that rebels captured the Resefa and Sinaa districts of [Deir ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor "Deir ez-Zor") city, as well as Deir ez-Zor's military hospital.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\]
### Ba'athist Government offensives (October–December 2013)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=10 "Edit section: Ba'athist Government offensives (October–December 2013)")\]
The Syrian Army along with its allies, Hezbollah and the [al-Abas brigade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liwa_Abu_al-Fadhal_al-Abbas "Liwa Abu al-Fadhal al-Abbas"), launched an offensive on Damascus and Aleppo.[\[147\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-148)[\[148\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-149) On 16 October, [AFP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agence_France-Presse "Agence France-Presse") reported that Syrian troops recaptured the town of Bweida, south of Damascus. On 17 October, the Syrian Ba'athist government's head of Military Intelligence in [Deir ez-Zor Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate "Deir ez-Zor Governorate"), Jameh Jameh, was assassinated by rebels in Deir ez-Zor city. SOHR reported that he had been shot by a rebel sniper during a battle with rebel brigades.[\[149\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-150) On 24 October, the Syrian Army retook control of the town of Hatetat al-Turkman, located southeast of Damascus, along the Damascus International Airport road.[\[150\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-151)
On 26 October, Kurdish rebel fighters seized control of the strategic Yarubiya border crossing between Syria and Iraq from al-Nusra in Al Hasakah Governorate.[\[151\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-152) Elsewhere, in Daraa Governorate, rebel fighters captured the town of [Tafas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tafas "Tafas") from Ba'athist government forces after weeks of clashes which left scores dead.[\[152\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-153) On 1 November, the Syrian Army retook control of the key city of [Al-Safira](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Safira "Al-Safira")[\[153\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-154) and the next day, the Syrian Army and its allies recaptured the village of Aziziyeh on the northern outskirts of Al-Safira.[\[154\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-155) From early to mid-November, Syrian Army forces captured several towns south of Damascus, including Hejeira and Sbeineh. Ba'athist Government forces also recaptured the town of Tel Aran, southeast of Aleppo, and a military base near Aleppo's international airport.[\[155\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-156)
On 10 November, the Syrian Army had taken full control of "Base 80", near Aleppo's airport.[\[156\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-157) According to the SOHR, 63 rebels,[\[157\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-retakes-158) and 32 soldiers were killed during the battle.[\[157\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-retakes-158) One other report put the number of rebels killed between 60 and 80.[\[158\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-159) Army units were backed-up by Hezbollah fighters and pro-Ba'athist government militias during the assault.[\[157\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-retakes-158) The following day, Ba'athist government forces secured most of the area around the airport.[\[159\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-160)[\[160\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-reopen-161) On 13 November, Ba'athist government forces captured most of Hejeira.[\[161\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-162) Rebels retreated from Hejeira to [Al-Hajar al-Aswad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hajar_al-Aswad "Al-Hajar al-Aswad"). However, their defenses in besieged districts closer to the heart of Damascus were still reportedly solid.[\[162\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-163) On 15 November, the Syrian Army retook control of the city of Tell Hassel near Aleppo.[\[163\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-164) On 18 November, the Syrian troops stormed the town of Babbila.[\[164\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-165) On 19 November, Ba'athist government forces took full control of Qara.[\[165\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-mmedia-166) The same day, the Syrian Army captured al-Duwayrinah.[\[166\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-167) On 23 November, al-Nusra Front and other Islamist rebels captured the [al-Omar oil field](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Al-Omar_Field&action=edit&redlink=1 "Al-Omar Field (page does not exist)"), Syria's largest oil field, in Deir al-Zor Governorate causing the Ba'athist government to rely almost entirely on imported oil.[\[167\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-168)[\[168\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-169) On 24 November, rebels captured the towns of Bahariya, Qasimiya, Abbadah, and Deir Salman in Damascus's countryside.[\[169\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-170) On 28 November, the Syrian Army recaptured Deir Attiyeh.[\[170\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-171)
On 2 December, rebels led by the Free Syrian Army recaptured the historic Christian town of [Ma'loula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27loula "Ma'loula"). After the fighting, reports emerged that 12 nuns had been abducted by the rebels. However, the FSA disputes this and said that the nuns had been evacuated to the nearby rebel held town of [Yabrud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria "Syria") due to the Army shelling.[\[171\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-172)[\[172\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-173) In early December, the Islamic Front seized control of Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, which had been in hands of FSA.[\[173\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-174) The groups also captured warehouses containing equipment delivered by the U.S. In response, the U.S. and Britain said they halted all non-lethal aid to the FSA, fearing that further supplies could fall in hands of [al-Qaeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda "Al-Qaeda") militants.[\[174\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-175) On 9 December, the Army took full control of Nabek,[\[175\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-alabama-176) with fighting continuing in its outskirts.[\[80\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-USAToday1-81)
## Rise of the Islamic State (January–September 2014)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=11 "Edit section: Rise of the Islamic State (January–September 2014)")\]
### Fighting between ISIL and other rebel groups (January–March 2014)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=12 "Edit section: Fighting between ISIL and other rebel groups (January–March 2014)")\]
Tension between moderate rebel forces and ISIL had been high since ISIL captured the border town of [Azaz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azaz "Azaz") from FSA forces on 18 September 2013.[\[176\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-177) Conflict was renewed over [Azaz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azaz "Azaz") in early October[\[177\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-178) and in late November ISIL captured the border town of [Atme](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atme "Atme") from an FSA brigade.[\[178\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-179) On 3 January 2014, the Army of the Mujahideen, the Free Syrian Army and the Islamic Front launched an offensive against ISIL in Aleppo and Idlib governorates. A spokesman for the rebels said that rebels attacked ISIL in up to 80% of all ISIL-held villages in Idlib and 65% of those in Aleppo.[\[179\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-180)
By 6 January, opposition rebels managed to expel ISIL forces from the city of Raqqa, ISIL's largest stronghold and capital of the Raqqa Governorate.[\[180\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-181) On 8 January, opposition rebels expelled most ISIL forces from the city of Aleppo, however ISIL reinforcements from the [Deir ez-Zor Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate "Deir ez-Zor Governorate") managed to retake several neighborhoods of the city of Raqqa.[\[181\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-182)[\[182\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-183) By mid January ISIL had retaken the entire city of Raqqa, while rebels expelled ISIL fighters fully from Aleppo city and the villages west of it.
On 29 January, Turkish aircraft near the border fired on an ISIL convoy inside the Aleppo province of Syria, killing 11 ISIL fighters and an ISIL emir.[\[183\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-184)[\[184\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-185) In late January it was confirmed that rebels had assassinated ISIL's second in command, [Haji Bakr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haji_Bakr "Haji Bakr"), who was al-Qaeda's military council head and a former military officer in Saddam Hussein's army.[\[185\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-186) By mid-February, the al-Nusra Front joined the battle in support of rebel forces, and expelled ISIL from the Deir Ezzor Governorate.[\[186\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-187) By March, the ISIL forces fully retreated from the Idlib Governorate.[\[187\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-188)[\[188\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-189) On 4 March, ISIL retreated from the border town of Azaz and other nearby villages, choosing instead to consolidate around Raqqa in an anticipation of an escalation of fighting with al-Nusra.[\[189\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-190)
### Ba'athist Government offensives (March–May 2014)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=13 "Edit section: Ba'athist Government offensives (March–May 2014)")\]
On 4 March, the [Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Army "Syrian Army") took control of Sahel in the Qalamoun region.[\[190\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-191) On 8 March, Ba'athist government forces took over Zara, in Homs Governorate, further blocking rebel supply routes from Lebanon.[\[191\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-192) On 11 March, Ba'athist Government forces and [Hezbollah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah "Hezbollah") took control of the Rima Farms region, directly facing Yabrud.[\[192\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-193) On 16 March, Hezbollah and Ba'athist government forces captured [Yabrud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria "Syria"), after Free Syrian Army fighters made an unexpected withdrawal, leaving the al-Nusra Front to fight in the city on its own.[\[193\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-194) On 18 March, Israel used artillery against a Syrian Army base, after four of its soldiers had been wounded by a roadside bomb while patrolling Golan Heights.[\[194\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-195) On 19 March, the Syrian Army captured Ras al-Ain near [Yabrud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria "Syria"), after two days of fighting and al-Husn in Homs Governorate, while rebels in the Daraa Governorate captured Daraa prison, and freed hundreds of detainees.[\[195\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-196)[\[196\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-197)[\[197\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-lorientlejour.com-198) On 20 March, the [Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Army "Syrian Army") took control of the [Krak des Chevaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krak_des_Chevaliers "Krak des Chevaliers") in al-Husn.[\[197\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-lorientlejour.com-198) On 29 March, Syrian Army took control of the villages of [Flitah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flitah "Flitah") and Ras Maara near the border with Lebanon.[\[198\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-199) On 22 March, rebels took control of the Kesab border post in the Latakia Governorate.[\[199\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-200) By 23 March, rebels had taken most of Khan Sheikhoun in Hama.[\[200\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-201) During clashes near the rebel-controlled Kesab border post in Latakia, Hilal al-Assad, NDF leader in Latakia and one of [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad")'s cousins was killed by rebel fighters.[\[201\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-202)[\[202\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-203)
On 4 April, rebels captured the town of Babulin, Idlib.[\[203\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-204) On 9 April, the Syrian Army took control of [Rankous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rankous "Rankous") in the Qalamoun region.[\[204\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-205) On 12 April, rebels in Aleppo stormed the Ba'athist government-held Ramouseh industrial district in an attempt to cut the Army supply route between the airport and a large Army base. The rebels also took the Rashidin neighbourhood and parts of the Jamiat al-Zahra district.[\[205\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-206) On 26 April, the Syrian Army took control of [Al-Zabadani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Zabadani "Al-Zabadani").[\[206\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-207) According to SOHR, rebels took control of Tell Ahrmar, Quneitra.[\[207\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-208) Rebels in Daraa also took over Brigade 61 Base and the 74th battalion.[\[208\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-209) On 26 April, the FSA announced they had begun an offensive against ISIL in the Raqqa Governorate, and had seized five towns west of Raqqa city.[\[209\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-210) On 29 April, activists said that the Syrian Army captured Tal Buraq near the town of Mashara in Quneitra without any clashes.[\[210\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-211)
On 7 May, a truce went into effect in the city of Homs, SOHR reported. The terms of the agreement include safe evacuation of Islamist fighters from the city, which would then fall under Ba'athist government control, in exchange for release of prisoners and safe passage of humanitarian aid for Nubul and Zahraa, two Shiite enclaves besieged by the rebels.[\[211\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-212) On 18 May, the head of Syria's Air Defense, General [Hussein Ishaq](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hussein_Ishaq&action=edit&redlink=1 "Hussein Ishaq (page does not exist)"), died of wounds sustained during a rebel attack on an air defense base near Mleiha the previous day. In Hama Governorate, rebel forces took control of the town of Tel Malah, killing 34 pro-Assad fighters at an army post near the town. Its seizure marked the third time rebels have taken control of the town.[\[212\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-213)[\[213\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-214)
### Presidential election (3 June 2014)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=14 "Edit section: Presidential election (3 June 2014)")\]
Syria held a presidential election in Ba'athist government-held areas on 3 June 2014. For the first time in the history of Syria more than one person was allowed to stand as a presidential candidate.[\[214\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BBC030614-215) More than 9,000 polling stations were set up in Ba'athist government-held areas.[\[215\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-216)[\[216\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-217) According to the [Supreme Constitutional Court of Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Constitutional_Court_of_Syria "Supreme Constitutional Court of Syria"), 11.63 million Syrians voted (the turnout was 73.42%).[\[217\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-218) President [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad") won the election with 88.7% of the votes. As for Assad's challengers, [Hassan al-Nouri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hassan_al-Nouri "Hassan al-Nouri") received 4.3% of the votes and [Maher Hajjar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maher_Hajjar "Maher Hajjar") received 3.2%.[\[218\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BBC040614-219) Allies of Assad from more than 30 countries were invited by the Syrian Ba'athist government to follow the presidential election,[\[219\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-220) including Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, India, Iran, Iraq, Nicaragua, Russia, South Africa and Venezuela.[\[220\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-221)[\[221\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-222) The Iranian official [Alaeddin Boroujerdi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaeddin_Boroujerdi "Alaeddin Boroujerdi") read a statement by the group saying the election was "free, fair and transparent".[\[222\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-223) The [Gulf Cooperation Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooperation_Council_for_the_Arab_States_of_the_Gulf "Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf"), the [European Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union "European Union") and the United States all dismissed the election as illegitimate and a farce.[\[223\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-224)[\[224\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-225)[\[225\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-226)[\[226\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-227) State employees were told to vote or face interrogation.[\[227\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-228) On the ground there were no independent monitors stationed at the polling stations.[\[228\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-229)[\[229\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-230)[\[230\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-231)
It is claimed in an opinion piece that as few as 6 million eligible voters remained in Syria.[\[231\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Haaretz-232)[\[232\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-independentuksyriaelection-233) Due to rebel, Kurdish and ISIL control of Syrian territories there was no voting in roughly 60% of the country.[\[233\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-234)[\[234\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-235)
### ISIL–Ba'athist government conflict intensifies (June–September 2014)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=15 "Edit section: ISIL–Ba'athist government conflict intensifies (June–September 2014)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_war_map_18_6_14.png)
Military situation in Syria in June 2014
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Territorial_control_of_the_ISIS_-_12-31-2014.svg)
In red: the area controlled by the [Islamic State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State "Islamic State") (IS/ISIS/ISIL) *proto-state* in December 2014
Starting on 5 June, [ISIL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State "Islamic State") seized swathes of territory in [Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq "Iraq") in addition to heavy weapons and equipment from the [Iraqi Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi_Army "Iraqi Army"), some of which they brought into Syria. Ba'athist Government airstrikes targeted ISIL bases in [Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa "Raqqa") and [Al-Hasakah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah "Al-Hasakah") in coordination with an Iraqi Army counteroffensive.[\[235\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-236) On 14 June, Ba'athist government forces retook the town of [Kessab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessab "Kessab") in northern [Latakia Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latakia_Governorate "Latakia Governorate"), while rebels took over Tall al-Gomo near the town of [Nawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawa,_Syria "Nawa, Syria") in the [Daraa Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_Governorate "Daraa Governorate"), as well as reentering the [Qalamoun area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An-Nabek_District "An-Nabek District").[\[236\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-237)[\[237\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-238) On 29 June, ISIL announced the establishment of a new [caliphate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphate "Caliphate"). [Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi "Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi") was appointed its [caliph](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliph "Caliph"), and the group formally changed its name to the "Islamic State".[\[238\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-newname1-239)
According to the [Syrian Observatory for Human Rights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Observatory_for_Human_Rights "Syrian Observatory for Human Rights"), on 17 July ISIL took control of the Shaar oil field, killing 90 pro-Ba'athist government forces while losing 21 fighters. In addition, 270 guards and Ba'athist government-aligned fighters were missing. About 30 Ba'athist government persons managed to escape to the nearby Hajjar field.[\[239\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-240) On 20 July, the Syrian Army secured the field, although fighting continued in its outskirts.[\[240\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-241) On 25 July, the Islamic State took control of the Division 17 base near Raqqa.[\[241\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-242)
On 7 August, ISIL took the Brigade 93 base in Raqqa using weapons captured from their offensive in Iraq. Multiple [suicide bombs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_attack "Suicide attack") also went off before the base was stormed.[\[242\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-243) On 13 August, ISIL forces took the towns of [Akhtarin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhtarin "Akhtarin") and Turkmanbareh from rebels in [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_Governorate "Aleppo Governorate"). ISIL forces also took a handful of nearby villages. The other towns seized include Masoudiyeh, [Dabiq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dabiq,_Syria "Dabiq, Syria") and Ghouz.[\[243\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-244)
On 14 August, the [Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Army "Syrian Army") as well as [Hezbollah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah "Hezbollah") militias retook the town of Mleiha in [Rif Dimashq Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_Governorate "Rif Dimashq Governorate"). The Supreme Military Council of the FSA denied claims of Mleiha's seizure, rather the rebels have redeployed from recent advances to other defensive lines.[\[244\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-245) Mleiha has been held by the [Islamic Front](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Front_\(Syria\) "Islamic Front (Syria)"). Rebels had used the town to fire mortars on Ba'athist government held areas inside Damascus.[\[245\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-246)[\[246\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-alarabiya-247)
Meanwhile, ISIL forces in Raqqa were launching a siege on [Tabqa airbase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_for_Tabqa_Air_base "Battle for Tabqa Air base"), the Syrian Ba'athist government's last military base in Raqqa. Kuwaires airbase in Aleppo also came under fierce attack by ISIL.[\[247\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-248) On 16 August, there were reports that 22 people were killed in the village of Daraa by a [car bomb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_bomb "Car bomb") outside a mosque. The bomb was thought to be detonated by ISIL. Also on 16 August, the Islamic State seized the village of Beden in Aleppo Governorate from rebels.[\[248\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-249)[\[249\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-250)
On 17 August, SOHR said that in the past two weeks ISIL jihadists had killed over 700 tribal members in oil-rich [Deir ez-Zor Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate "Deir ez-Zor Governorate").[\[250\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-251)
On 19 August, a senior figure in ISIL who had helped prepare and plan car and suicide bombs across Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq was killed. Some reports said that he was killed by Hezbollah fighters. There were also several reports that he was killed by the Syrian Army in the Qalamoun region, near the border with [Lebanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon "Lebanon").[\[251\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-252)[\[252\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-253)[\[253\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-254)
On 19 August, American journalist [James Foley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Foley_\(journalist\) "James Foley (journalist)") was executed by ISIL, who claimed it was in retaliation for the United States operations in Iraq. Boston-based website [GlobalPost](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GlobalPost "GlobalPost"), for which Foley previously worked, reported they were certain that he was held by pro-government forces before.[\[254\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-255) ISIL also threatened to execute [Steven Sotloff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Sotloff "Steven Sotloff"), who was kidnapped at the Syria–Turkey border in August 2013.[\[255\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-256) There were reports ISIL captured a Japanese national, two Italian nationals, and a Danish national as well.[\[256\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-257) At least 70 journalists have been killed covering the Syrian war, and more than 80 kidnapped, according to the [Committee to Protect Journalists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_to_Protect_Journalists "Committee to Protect Journalists").[\[257\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-258)
On 22 August, the [al-Nusra Front](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Nusra_Front "Al-Nusra Front") released a video of captured Lebanese soldiers and demanded that Hezbollah withdraw from Syria under threat of their execution.[\[258\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-259)
On 23 August, in Raqqa, the Syrian Army took control of the town of Al-Ejeil.[\[259\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-aljazeera.com-260) ISIL reportedly sent reinforcements from Iraq to the governorate of Raqqa. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 400 ISIL fighters had also been wounded in the previous five days in clashes with the Syrian Army and [National Defence Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Defence_Force_\(Syria\) "National Defence Force (Syria)") in Raqqa alone.[\[259\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-aljazeera.com-260)[\[260\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-261) At the same time, several senior UK and US figures urged Turkey to stop allowing ISIL to cross the border to Syria and Iraq.[\[261\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-262) It was around this time that the Americans realized that the Turks had no intention of sealing their side of the border, and so Washington decided to work with the Syrian Kurds to close off the border on the Syrian side.[\[262\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-263) A year later, with the Kurds in control of most of the Turkey–Syria border, and the Syrian army advancing under Russian air support to seal the remainder, the situation was causing great ructions in Ankara.[\[263\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-264)
On the following day, the Islamic State seized Tabqa airbase from Ba'athist government forces.[\[264\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-265) The battle for the base left 346 ISIL fighters and 195 soldiers dead.[\[265\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-266) Prisoners taken by ISIL forces were executed and a video from the mass killing was posted on YouTube. The death toll varied from 120 to 250.[\[266\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-267)
On 26 August, the Syrian Air Force carried out airstrikes against ISIL targets in the Governorate of Deir ez-Zor (for its oil and natural gas resources as well as strategically splitting ISIL territories). This was the first time the Syrian Army had attacked them in Deir ez-Zor, as the Syrian Army pulled out of Raqqa and shifted to Deir ez-Zor in a bid to seize its oil and natural gas resources as well as strategically splitting ISIL territories.[\[267\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-268)
## U.S. intervention and rebel offensives (September 2014–September 2015)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=16 "Edit section: U.S. intervention and rebel offensives (September 2014–September 2015)")\]
American jets began bombing ISIL in Syria on 23 September 2014, raising U.S. involvement in the war-torn country. At least 20 targets in and around Raqqa were hit, the opposition group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Foreign partners participating in the strikes with the United States were Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan. The U.S. and "partner nation forces" began striking ISIL targets using fighters, bombers and Tomahawk missiles, Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said.[\[268\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-269)
U.S. aircraft include [B-1 bombers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-1_bomber "B-1 bomber"), [F-16s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-16 "F-16"), [F-18s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-18 "F-18") and [Predator drones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predator_drones "Predator drones"), with F-18s flying missions off the [USS *George H.W. Bush* (CVN-77)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_George_H._W._Bush "USS George H. W. Bush") in the Persian Gulf. [Tomahawk missiles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomahawk_\(missile_family\) "Tomahawk (missile family)") were fired from the destroyer [USS *Arleigh Burke* (DDG-51)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Arleigh_Burke "USS Arleigh Burke") in the [Red Sea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Sea "Red Sea"). Syria's Foreign Ministry told the Associated Press that the U.S. informed Syria's envoy to the U.N. that "strikes will be launched against the terrorist group in Raqqa".[\[269\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-270) The United States informed the Free Syrian Army beforehand of the impending airstrikes, and the rebels said that weapons transfers to the Free Syrian Army had begun.[\[270\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-271)
The United States also attacked a specific faction of al-Nusra called the [Khorasan Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khorasan_\(Islamist_group\) "Khorasan (Islamist group)"), who according to the United States had training camps and plans for attacking the United States in the future.[\[271\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-272)
For its part, Turkey launched an official request to the U.N. for a no-fly zone over Syria.[\[272\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-273) The same day, Israel shot down a Syrian warplane after it entered the Golan area from Quneitra.[\[273\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-274)
By 3 October, ISIL forces were [heavily shelling the city of Kobanî](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Koban%C3%AA "Siege of Kobanê") and were within a kilometre of the town.[\[274\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-275)
Within 36 hours from 21 October, the Syrian air force carried out over 200 airstrikes on rebel-held areas across Syria and US and Arab jets attacked IS positions around Kobanî. Syrian Information Minister [Omran al-Zoubi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omran_al-Zoubi "Omran al-Zoubi") said the YPG forces in Kobanî had been provided with military and logistical support.[\[275\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-276) Syria reported that its air force had destroyed two fighter jets being operated by IS.[\[276\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-reuters-20141022-277)
By 26 January, the Kurdish YPG forced ISIL forces in Kobanî to retreat,[\[277\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-278) thus fully recapturing the city.[\[278\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-279) The U.S. confirmed that the city had been cleared of ISIL forces on 27 January,[\[279\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-280) and ISIL admitted defeat in Kobanî city three days later, although they vowed to return.[\[280\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-281)
### Southern Front (October 2014–February 2015)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=18 "Edit section: Southern Front (October 2014–February 2015)")\]
In February 2014, the [Southern Front of the Free Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Front_\(Syrian_rebel_group\) "Southern Front (Syrian rebel group)") formed in southern Syria. Six months later, they started a string of victories in Daraa and Quneitra during the [2014 Quneitra offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Quneitra_offensive "2014 Quneitra offensive"), the [Daraa offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(October_2014\) "Daraa offensive (October 2014)"), the [Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Al-Shaykh_Maskin "Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin"), the [Battle of Bosra (2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bosra_\(2015\) "Battle of Bosra (2015)") and the [Battle of Nasib Border Crossing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Nasib_Border_Crossing "Battle of Nasib Border Crossing"). A Ba'athist government counter-offensive (the [2015 Southern Syria offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Southern_Syria_offensive "2015 Southern Syria offensive")) during this period, that included the [IRGC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Revolutionary_Guard_Corps "Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps") and [Hezbollah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah "Hezbollah"), recaptured 15 towns, villages and hills,[\[281\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-282)[\[282\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-283)[\[283\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-284) but the operation slowed soon after[\[284\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Reuters_2April2015-285) and stalled.[\[285\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-march-286) From early 2015, opposition military operations rooms based in Jordan and Turkey began increasing cooperation,[\[286\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-FT_13_Feb_2015-287) with Saudi Arabia and Qatar also reportedly agreeing upon the necessity to unite opposition factions against the Syrian Ba'athist government.[\[287\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-288)
### Northern Al-Nusra Front and Islamist takeover (October 2014–March 2015)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=19 "Edit section: Northern Al-Nusra Front and Islamist takeover (October 2014–March 2015)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Coalition_Airstrike_on_ISIL_position_in_Kobane.jpg)
U.S.-led coalition airstrike targeting Islamic State positions during the [Siege of Kobanî](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Koban%C3%AE "Siege of Kobanî").
In late October 2014, a conflict erupted between the al-Nusra Front on one side and the western-backed [SRF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_Revolutionaries_Front "Syria Revolutionaries Front") and [Hazzm Movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazzm_Movement "Hazzm Movement") on the other ([Al-Nusra Front–SRF/Hazzm Movement conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Nusra_Front%E2%80%93SRF/Hazzm_Movement_conflict "Al-Nusra Front–SRF/Hazzm Movement conflict")). ISIL reportedly reinforced al-Nusra. By the end of February 2015 al-Nusra had defeated both groups, captured the entire [Zawiya Mountain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zawiya_Mountain "Zawiya Mountain") region in Idlib province and several towns and military bases in other governorates, and seized weapons supplied by the [CIA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Intelligence_Agency "Central Intelligence Agency") to the two moderate groups.[\[288\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-289)[\[289\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-290) The significant amount of weapons seized included a small number of [BGM-71](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BGM-71 "BGM-71") anti-tank missiles similar to weapons systems al-Nusra Front had previously captured from Ba'athist government stockpiles such as French [MILANs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MILAN "MILAN"), Chinese [HJ-8s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HJ-8 "HJ-8") and Russian [9K111 Fagots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9K111_Fagot "9K111 Fagot").[\[290\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-291) Reuters reported that this represented al-Nusra crushing pro-Western rebels in the north of the country.[\[291\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-292) According to FSA commanders in northern Syria, however, the elimination of Harakat Hazm and the SRF was a welcome development due to the leaders of those factions allegedly involved in corruption.[\[292\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Lister-293) The Western-backed [30th Division](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Syrian_Forces "New Syrian Forces") of the FSA remained active elsewhere in Idlib.[\[293\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-294)
By 24 March 2015 the al-Nusra Front dominated most of Idlib province, except for the Ba'athist government-held provincial capital, [Idlib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib "Idlib"), which they had encircled on three sides along with its Islamist allies.[\[294\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-295) On 28 March a joint coalition of Islamist forces, the [Army of Conquest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_of_Conquest "Army of Conquest"), captured Idlib.[\[295\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-296)[\[296\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-297)[\[297\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-298) This left the north largely taken over by [Ahrar ash-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahrar_ash-Sham "Ahrar ash-Sham"), al-Nusra Front and other Islamist rebels, with the south of the country becoming the last significant foothold for the mainstream, non-jihadist opposition fighters.[\[298\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-299)
### Army of Conquest advances in Idlib (April–June 2015)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=20 "Edit section: Army of Conquest advances in Idlib (April–June 2015)")\]
On 22 April, [a new rebel offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93June_2015\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (April–June 2015)") was launched in the north-west of Syria and by 25 April, the rebel coalition [Army of Conquest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_of_Conquest "Army of Conquest") had captured the city of [Jisr al-Shughur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jisr_al-Shughur "Jisr al-Shughur").[\[299\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-300) At the end of the following month, the rebels also seized the [Al-Mastumah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mastumah "Al-Mastumah") military base,[\[300\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-301) and [Ariha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariha,_Syria "Ariha, Syria"), leaving Ba'athist government forces in control of tiny pockets of Idlib, including the Abu Dhuhur military airport.[\[301\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-302) In addition, according to the [Brookings Doha Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brookings_Doha_Center "Brookings Doha Center"), the Army of Conquest coalition was a broad opposition effort to ensure that the Al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front was contained, with the rearguard involvement of Western-backed factions being regarded as crucial.[\[292\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Lister-293) Still, according to some, the FSA in northern Syria had by this point all but dissipated. Many of the moderate fighters joined more extremist organizations, such as [Ahrar ash-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahrar_ash-Sham "Ahrar ash-Sham"), the largest faction in the Army of Conquest, which led to the subsequent rise of the Islamist Army of Conquest coalition.[\[302\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-303)
Rebel advances led to Ba'athist government and Hezbollah morale plunging dramatically.[\[303\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-304) In north-west Syria these losses were countered by a Hezbollah-led offensive in the Qalamoun mountains north of Damascus, on the border with Lebanon, that gave Hezbollah effective control of the entire area.[\[304\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-North_mountains_gains-305)
### Resurgent ISIL advance (May–September 2015)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=21 "Edit section: Resurgent ISIL advance (May–September 2015)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Situation_in_Syria_\(August_2015\).svg)
Military situation in Syria in August 2015
On 21 May, ISIL took control of [Palmyra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra "Palmyra"), a [UNESCO World Heritage Site](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO_World_Heritage_Site "UNESCO World Heritage Site"), after eight days of fighting.[\[305\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-306) The jihadists also captured the nearby towns of [Al-Sukhnah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Sukhnah,_Syria "Al-Sukhnah, Syria") and [Amiriya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiriya "Amiriya"), as well as several oil fields.[\[306\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-307) Following the capture of Palmyra, ISIL conducted mass executions in the area, killing an estimated 217–329 Ba'athist government civilian supporters and soldiers, according to opposition activists.[\[307\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-308)[\[308\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-309)[\[309\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-310) Ba'athist Government sources put the number of killed at 400–450.[\[310\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-311)
By early June, ISIL reached the town of Hassia, which lies on the main road from Damascus to Homs and Latakia, and reportedly took up positions to the west of it, creating a potential disaster for the Ba'athist government and raising the threat of Lebanon being sucked further into the war.[\[311\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-312)
On 25 June, ISIL launched two offensives. One was a surprise diversionary attack on Kobanî, while the second targeted Ba'athist government-held parts of Al-Hasakah city.[\[312\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-313) The ISIL offensive on Al-Hasakah displaced 60,000 people, with the UN estimating a total of 200,000 would be displaced.[\[313\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-314)
In July 2015, a raid by U.S. special forces on a compound housing the Islamic State's "chief financial officer", [Abu Sayyaf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Sayyaf_\(ISIL\) "Abu Sayyaf (ISIL)"), produced evidence that [Turkish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_involvement_in_the_Syrian_civil_war "Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war") officials directly dealt with ranking ISIS members.[\[314\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-yahoonews-315)
ISIL captured [Al-Qaryatayn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaryatayn "Al-Qaryatayn") from the Ba'athist government on 5 August 2015.[\[315\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-316)
Australia joined the bombing of ISIL in Syria in mid September, an extension of their efforts in Iraq for the past year.[\[316\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbc2-317)
## Russian intervention and Vienna peace talks (30 September 2015–July 2016)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=22 "Edit section: Russian intervention and Vienna peace talks (30 September 2015–July 2016)")\]
| Russian military facilities involved in the war in Syria |
|---|
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Outline_map_of_Middle_East.svg) [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Red_pog.svg "Caspian Flotilla") [Caspian Flotilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspian_Flotilla "Caspian Flotilla") [Russian Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Navy "Russian Navy") ([Astrakhan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrakhan "Astrakhan")) [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Red_pog.svg "Caspian Flotilla") [Caspian Flotilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspian_Flotilla "Caspian Flotilla") [Russian Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Navy "Russian Navy") ([Makhachkala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makhachkala "Makhachkala")) [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Red_pog.svg "Caspian Flotilla") [Caspian Flotilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspian_Flotilla "Caspian Flotilla") [Russian Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Navy "Russian Navy") ([Kaspiysk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaspiysk "Kaspiysk")) [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Red_pog.svg "Aircraft group") [Aircraft group](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aircraft_group&action=edit&redlink=1 "Aircraft group (page does not exist)") \[[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%90%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%B3%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BF%D0%BF%D0%B0_%D0%92%D0%92%D0%A1_%D0%A0%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B8_%D0%B2_%D0%A1%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B8 "ru:Авиационная группа ВВС России в Сирии")\] [ASF RF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Aerospace_Forces "Russian Aerospace Forces") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Red_pog.svg "Russian naval facility in Tartus") [720th PL of the Russian Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_naval_facility_in_Tartus "Russian naval facility in Tartus") [Russian Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Navy "Russian Navy")[\[317\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BBC_Russian_Navy-318) [Russian Aerospace Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Aerospace_Forces "Russian Aerospace Forces")[\[318\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-RIA_Novosti-319) [Group Special forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Group_Special_forces&action=edit&redlink=1 "Group Special forces (page does not exist)") \[[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%93%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BF%D0%BF%D0%B0_%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D1%85_%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D1%85_%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2_%D0%B2_%D0%A1%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B8 "ru:Группа российских военных специалистов в Сирии")\]\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\] |
### Russian intervention
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=23 "Edit section: Russian intervention")\]
On 30 September 2015,[\[319\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-320) at an official request by the Syrian Ba'athist government headed by President Bashar al-Assad,[\[320\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-321) the [Russian Aerospace Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Air_Force "Russian Air Force") began a sustained campaign of air strikes against both ISIL and the anti-Assad FSA.[\[321\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbc3-322)[\[322\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-stuff-323) Initially, the raids were conducted solely by Russian aircraft stationed in the [Khmeimim base](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmeimim_\(air_base\) "Khmeimim (air base)") in Syria. Shortly after the start of the Russian operation, U.S. president Barack Obama was reported to have authorized the resupply of Syrian Kurds and the Arab-Syrian opposition, Obama reportedly emphasizing to his team that the U.S. would continue to support the Syrian opposition now that Russia had joined the conflict.[\[323\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-cnn-324)
On 7 October 2015, Russian officials said the ships of the [Caspian Flotilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspian_Flotilla "Caspian Flotilla") had earlier that day fired 26 [sea-based cruise missiles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3M-54_Klub "3M-54 Klub") at 11 ISIL targets in Syria destroying those and causing no civilian casualties.[\[317\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BBC_Russian_Navy-318) On the same day, the Syrian Ba'athist government's ground forces launched the [Northwestern Syria ground offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(October%E2%80%93November_2015\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (October–November 2015)")[\[324\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-325)[\[325\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-326) that in the following few days succeeded in recapturing some territory in northern [Hama Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_Governorate "Hama Governorate"), close to the Ba'athist government's coastal heartland in the west of the country.[\[326\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-327)
On 8 October 2015, the U.S. officially announced the end of the Pentagon's \$500 million program to train and equip Syrian rebels in an acknowledgment that the program had failed.[\[327\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-fail-328) (However, other covert and significantly larger[\[328\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-larger-329) CIA programs to arm anti-Ba'athist government fighters in Syria continue.)[\[329\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-covert-330)[\[330\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-trim-331)
Two weeks after the start of the Russian campaign in Syria, *[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times")* opined that with anti-Ba'athist government commanders receiving for the first time bountiful supplies of U.S.-made anti-tank missiles and with Russia raising the number of airstrikes against the Ba'athist government's opponents that had raised morale in both camps, broadening war objectives and hardening political positions, the conflict was turning into an all-out [proxy war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxy_war "Proxy war") between the U.S. and Russia.[\[328\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-larger-329)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Secretary_Kerry_Meets_With_Turkish_Foreign_Minister_Sinirlioglu,_Saudi_Foreign_Minister_al-Jubeir,_and_Russian_Foreign_Minister_Lavrov_Before_Quadrilateral_Meeting_in_Austria_Focused_on_Syria_\(22580971515\).jpg)
The foreign ministers of [Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia "Russia"), the [U.S.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States"), [Saudi Arabia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia "Saudi Arabia"), and [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey "Turkey") in [Vienna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_peace_talks_in_Vienna "Syria peace talks in Vienna"), before a four-way discussion focused on Syria, 29 October 2015
Despite multiple top-ranking casualties incurred by the Iranian forces advising fighters in Syria,[\[331\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-332)[\[332\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-assessed-333)[\[333\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-2more-334) in mid-October the [Russian-Syrian-Iranian-Hezbollah offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(October_2015_%E2%80%93_present\) "Aleppo offensive (October 2015 – present)") targeting rebels in Aleppo went ahead.[\[334\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-newsru-335)[\[335\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-euronews-336)[\[336\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-planoff-337)[\[337\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-farsnews-338)[\[338\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbcoffensive-339)
### US air and ground strikes; Vienna peace talks; disagreements of Russia, Iran and Western powers (October–November 2015)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=24 "Edit section: US air and ground strikes; Vienna peace talks; disagreements of Russia, Iran and Western powers (October–November 2015)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_civil_war_07_10_2015.png)
Military situation in Syria in November 2015
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Participants_in_Syrian_Civil_War-en.svg)
Participants in Syrian Civil War
At the end of October 2015, the U.S. Secretary of Defense [Ashton Carter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashton_Carter "Ashton Carter") signalled a shift in the strategy of the U.S.-led campaign saying there will be more air strikes and ruling in the use of direct ground raids, the fight in Syria concentrating mostly on Raqqa.[\[339\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-cartershift-340)
On 30 October and two weeks later, [Syria peace talks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_peace_talks_in_Vienna "Syria peace talks in Vienna") were held in Vienna, initiated by the United States, Russia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, in which on 30 October Iran participated for the first time in negotiations on Syrian settlement.[\[340\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-viennabbc-341) The participants disagreed on the future of Bashar Assad.
On 10 November 2015, the Syrian Ba'athist government forces completed the [operation to break through](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuweires_offensive_\(September%E2%80%93November_2015\) "Kuweires offensive (September–November 2015)") the ISIL insurgents' blockade of the [Kweires air base](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuweires_Military_Aviation_Institute "Kuweires Military Aviation Institute") in Aleppo Province, where Ba'athist government forces had been under siege since April 2013.[\[341\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-deblock-342)
In mid-November 2015, in the wake of the [Russian plane bombing over Sinai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrojet_Flight_9268 "Metrojet Flight 9268") and the [Paris attacks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_2015_Paris_attacks "November 2015 Paris attacks"), both Russia[\[342\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-343) and France significantly intensified their strikes in Syria, France closely coordinating with the U.S. military.[\[343\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-344) On 17 November, Putin said he had issued orders for the [cruiser *Moskva*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_cruiser_Moskva "Russian cruiser Moskva") that had been in eastern Mediterranean since the start of the Russian operations to "work as with an ally",[\[344\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-345)[\[345\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-russtepup-346) with the French naval group led by flagship [*Charles De Gaulle*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_aircraft_carrier_Charles_de_Gaulle_\(R91\) "French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91)") then on her way to the [eastern Mediterranean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Mediterranean "Eastern Mediterranean").[\[346\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-347) Shortly afterwards, a Russian foreign ministry official criticised France's stridently anti-Assad stance as well as France's air strikes at oil and gas installations in Syria[\[347\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-syroilhits-348) as apparently designed to prevent those from returning under the Syrian Ba'athist government's control; the Russian official pointed out that such strikes by France could not be justified as they were carried out without the Syrian Ba'athist government's consent.[\[348\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-349)[\[349\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-350) In his remarks to a French delegation that included French parliamentarians, on 14 November, President Bashar Assad sharply criticised France's as well as other Western States' actions against the Syrian Ba'athist government suggesting that French support for Syrian opposition forces had led to the Islamic State-claimed attacks in Paris.[\[350\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-351)[\[351\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-352)
On 19 November 2015, U.S. President Barack Obama, speaking of the Vienna process, said he was unable to "foresee a situation in which we can end the civil war in Syria while Assad remains in power" and urged Russia and Iran to stop supporting the Syrian Ba'athist government.[\[352\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-353)[\[353\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-354) On 20 November 2015, the UN Security Council, while failing to invoke the UN's [Chapter VII](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapter_VII_of_the_United_Nations_Charter "Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter"), which gives specific legal authorisation for the use of force,[\[354\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-failing-355) unanimously passed [Resolution 2249](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_2249 "United Nations Security Council Resolution 2249") that urged UN members to "redouble and coordinate their efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed specifically by ISIL...as well as...all other...entities associated with Al-Qaida, and other terrorist groups, as designated by the United Nations Security Council, and as may further be agreed by the [International Syria Support Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_peace_talks_in_Vienna "Syria peace talks in Vienna") (ISSG) and endorsed by the UN Security Council".[\[355\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-356) The adopted resolution was drafted by France and co-sponsored by the UK[\[356\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-cosp-357) the following day after Russia introduced an updated version of its previously submitted draft resolution that was blocked by the Western powers as seeking to legitimise Assad's authority.[\[357\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-unsecurity-358)[\[358\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-guardunsecurity-359)
### Turkey shoots down Russian plane; Syrian army camp bombed; UN Resolution 2254 transitional plan (November–December 2015)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=25 "Edit section: Turkey shoots down Russian plane; Syrian army camp bombed; UN Resolution 2254 transitional plan (November–December 2015)")\]
On 24 November 2015, Turkey [shot down a Russian warplane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Russian_Sukhoi_Su-24_shootdown "2015 Russian Sukhoi Su-24 shootdown") that allegedly violated Turkish airspace and crashed in northwestern Syria, leading to the Russian pilot's death.[\[359\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-National_Post-360) Following the crash, it was reported that [Syrian Turkmen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Turkmen "Syrian Turkmen") rebels from [Syrian Turkmen Brigades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Turkmen_Brigades "Syrian Turkmen Brigades") attacked and shot down a [Russian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia "Russia") rescue helicopter, killing a Russian naval infantryman.[\[359\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-National_Post-360) A few days later, Russian aircraft were reported to have struck targets in the Syrian town of [Ariha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariha,_Syria "Ariha, Syria") in Idlib province that was controlled by the [Army of Conquest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_of_Conquest "Army of Conquest") causing multiple casualties on the ground.[\[360\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-arihaalj-361)[\[361\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-arihanewsru-362)
On 2 December 2015, the [Parliament of the United Kingdom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_the_United_Kingdom "Parliament of the United Kingdom") voted to expand [Operation Shader](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Shader "Operation Shader") into Syria with a majority of 397–223.[\[362\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-363) That day, two British [Tornado](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panavia_Tornado "Panavia Tornado") aircraft took off from [RAF Akrotiri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Akrotiri "RAF Akrotiri") immediately at 22:30, each carrying three [Paveway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paveway "Paveway") bombs. Two further aircraft were deployed at 00:30 on 3 December, and all aircraft returned by 06:30 without their bombs.[\[363\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-364) [Defence Secretary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary_of_State_for_Defence "Secretary of State for Defence") [Michael Fallon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Fallon "Michael Fallon") said that the strikes hit the Omar oil fields in eastern Syria, and that eight more jets (two Tornados and six [Typhoons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurofighter_Typhoon "Eurofighter Typhoon")) were being sent to RAF Akrotiri to join the eight already there.[\[364\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-365)
On 7 December 2015, the Ba'athist government of Syria announced that US-led coalition warplanes had fired nine missiles at its army camp near Ayyash, [Deir al-Zour province](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate "Deir ez-Zor Governorate"), on the evening prior, killing three soldiers and wounding 13 others; three armoured vehicles, four military vehicles, heavy machine-guns and an arms and ammunition depot were also destroyed.[\[365\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-agressbbc-366) The Ba'athist government condemned the strikes, the first time the Ba'athist government forces would be struck by the coalition,[\[366\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-1sttimesindep-367) as an act of "flagrant aggression"; the coalition spokesman denied it was responsible.[\[365\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-agressbbc-366) Anonymous Pentagon officials alleged later in the day that the Pentagon was "certain" that a Russian warplane (presumably a [TU-22 bomber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-22M "Tupolev Tu-22M")) had carried out the attack.[\[367\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-pentagclaim-368)[\[368\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-reutersdenied-369) The claim was denied by the Russian military spokesman who noted that four Western coalition warplanes (other than U.S.) had been spotted over the Deir az-Zor area in Syria on 6 December.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\]
On 14 December 2015, Russia's government news media reported that the Syrian Ba'athist government forces retook a [Marj al-Sultan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marj_al-Sultan "Marj al-Sultan") military airbase east of Damascus that had been held by [Jaysh al-Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaysh_al-Islam "Jaysh al-Islam").[\[369\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-marjalsultan-370)
The [UN resolution 2254](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_2254 "United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254") of 18 December 2015 endorsed the [ISSG](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_peace_talks_in_Vienna "Syria peace talks in Vienna")'s transitional plan but did not clarify who would represent the Syrian opposition, while condemning terrorist groups like ISIL and al-Qaeda; it made no mention of the future role of Syrian President Bashar Assad.[\[370\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-reutersendorse-371)[\[371\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-372)
### Syrian army pushes north and retakes Al-Shaykh Maskin in the south-west (January 2016)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=26 "Edit section: Syrian army pushes north and retakes Al-Shaykh Maskin in the south-west (January 2016)")\]
On 12 January 2016, the Syria Ba'athist government announced that its army and allied forces had established "full control" of the strategically situated town of [Salma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salma,_Syria "Salma, Syria"), a predominantly Sunni village[\[372\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-373) in the mostly Alawite northwestern province of Latakia, and continued to advance north.[\[373\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-374)[\[374\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-375)
On 16 January 2016, ISIL militants [launched raid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(January_2016\)#Initial_assault_and_massacre "Deir ez-Zor offensive (January 2016)") on Ba'athist government-held areas in the city of [Deir ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor "Deir ez-Zor") and killed up to 300 people.[\[375\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-376) Counter-strikes by [Russian Air Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Air_Force "Russian Air Force") fighter jets, in support of Syrian army forces, were reported to take back the areas.[\[376\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-377)
On 21 January 2016, Russia's activity presumably aimed at setting up a new base in the Ba'athist government-controlled [Kamishly Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamishly_Airport "Kamishly Airport") was first reported;[\[377\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-378)[\[378\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-379)[\[379\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-cnnbase-380) the northeastern town of [Qamishli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamishli "Qamishli") in the [Al-Hasakah Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah_Governorate "Al-Hasakah Governorate") had been largely under the Syrian Kurds' control since the start of the [Syrian Kurdish–Islamist conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Kurdish%E2%80%93Islamist_conflict_\(2013%E2%80%93present\) "Syrian Kurdish–Islamist conflict (2013–present)") in the governorate of Al-Hasakah in July 2013. Similar activity by the U.S. forces was suspected in the [Rmelan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rmelan "Rmelan") Airbase in the same province, 50 km away from the Kamishly Airport; the area is likewise controlled by the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).[\[379\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-cnnbase-380)[\[380\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-381)
On 24 January 2016, the Syrian Ba'athist government announced its forces, carrying on with their [Latakia offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015%E2%80%932016_Latakia_offensive "2015–2016 Latakia offensive"), had seized the predominantly Sunni-populated town of [Rabia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabia,_Syria "Rabia, Syria"), the last major town held by rebels in western Latakia province; Russian forces were said to have played an important role in the recapture,[\[381\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbcrabia-382) which threatened rebel supply lines from Turkey.[\[381\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbcrabia-382)[\[382\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-383)
By 26 January 2016, the Syrian Ba'athist government established "full control" over the town of [Al-Shaykh Maskin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Shaykh_Maskin "Al-Shaykh Maskin") in the [Daraa Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_Governorate "Daraa Governorate"),[\[383\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-384)[\[384\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-385) thus completing the [operation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Al-Shaykh_Maskin "Second Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin") that had begun in late December 2015. Several analysts considered this a turning of the tide for the Syrian Ba'athist government, citing the significance of military help from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, considering that rebels had once controlled about 70% of the province.[\[385\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-386)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Liberation_of_Palmyra_by_RSII_coalition_\(1\).jpg)
[Palmyra offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(March_2016\) "Palmyra offensive (March 2016)") in March 2016
### Partial ceasefire (26 February–July 2016)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=27 "Edit section: Partial ceasefire (26 February–July 2016)")\]
On 26 February 2016, the [United Nations Security Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council "United Nations Security Council") unanimously adopted [resolution 2268](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_2268 "United Nations Security Council Resolution 2268") that endorsed a previously brokered U.S.-Russian deal on a "[cessation of hostilities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_peace_talks_on_Syria_\(2016\)#Cessation_of_hostilities_\(27_February_2016\) "Geneva peace talks on Syria (2016)")".[\[386\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-387) The cease-fire started on 27 February 2016 at 00:00 (Damascus time).[\[387\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-stopFighting-388) The ceasefire does not include attacks on UN-designated terrorist organizations.[\[388\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-theAtlanticCeasefire-389)[\[389\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ScrollinCeasefire-390) At the close of February 2016, despite individual clashes, the truce was reported to hold.[\[390\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-truceholds-391) By the end of March, the Syrian Ba'athist government forces with support from Russia and Iran successfully [captured Palmyra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_offensive_\(March_2016\) "Palmyra offensive (March 2016)") from the ISIL.[\[391\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-advancepalmyra-392)
By early July 2016, the truce was said to have mostly unraveled, violence again escalated, and the fighting between all the major parties to the conflict continued.[\[392\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-393) At the end of July 2016, [the fighting between the Ba'athist government and Islamist rebels in and around Aleppo intensified](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(June%E2%80%93August_2016\) "Aleppo offensive (June–August 2016)").
## Turkish interventions, Raqqa campaign, Aleppo recaptured, Deir ez-Zor siege broken (August 2016–December 2017)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=28 "Edit section: Turkish interventions, Raqqa campaign, Aleppo recaptured, Deir ez-Zor siege broken (August 2016–December 2017)")\]
### SDF advances; Turkish military intervention begins in northern Syria: Operation Euphrates Shield (August 2016–January 2017)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=29 "Edit section: SDF advances; Turkish military intervention begins in northern Syria: Operation Euphrates Shield (August 2016–January 2017)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_civil_war_01_08_2016.png)
Military situation in August 2016
On 12 August 2016, the [Syrian Democratic Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces") fully [captured the northern city of Manbij](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij_offensive_\(2016\) "Manbij offensive (2016)") from ISIL and some days later announced a new offensive towards [Al-Bab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Bab "Al-Bab"), which could eventually connect the Kurdish regions in Northern Syria.[\[393\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-394)
On 16 August the [battle of al-Hasakah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Hasakah_\(2016\) "Battle of al-Hasakah (2016)") began with some minor clashes. On 19 August, the Pentagon warned the Syrian Ba'athist government against "interfering with coalition forces or our partners" in the northeastern region near the city of [al-Hasakah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah "Al-Hasakah"), adding that the U.S. had the right to defend its troops which were operational in the area.[\[394\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-395) On 22 August, the Kurdish YPG, having captured Ghwairan, the only major Arab neighbourhood in Hasaka that had been in Ba'athist government hands, launched a major assault to seize the last Ba'athist government-controlled areas of the northeastern Syrian city of Hasaka, after a Russian mediation team failed to mend the rift between the two sides;[\[395\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-396) the next day the capture of the city was completed.[\[396\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-397)
On 24 August 2016, Turkey's armed forces invaded Syria in the [Jarabulus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarabulus "Jarabulus") area controlled by ISIL starting what the Turkish president called the [Operation Euphrates Shield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Jarabulus_\(2016\) "Battle of Jarabulus (2016)"), aimed against, according to his statement, both the IS and Kurdish ″terror groups that threaten our country in northern Syria″.[\[397\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-398)[\[398\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-tanksroll-399)[\[399\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-400) The Syrian Ba'athist government denounced the intervention as a "blatant violation of its sovereignty" and said that "fighting terrorism isn't done by ousting ISIS and replacing it with other terrorist organizations backed directly by Turkey".[\[400\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-401) The PYD leader [Salih Muslim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salih_Muslim_Muhammad "Salih Muslim Muhammad") said that Turkey was now in the "Syrian quagmire" and would be defeated like IS.[\[398\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-tanksroll-399)[\[401\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-402) Speaking in [Ankara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankara "Ankara") the same day, U.S. vice president [Joe Biden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Biden "Joe Biden") indirectly endorsed Turkey's move and said that the U.S. had made it clear to the Syrian Kurdish forces that they should move back east across the Euphrates, or lose U.S. support.[\[402\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-403)[\[403\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-404)
As Turkish troops and the Turkish-aligned Syrian rebels took control of Jarabulus and moved further south towards the Syrian town of Manbij, they clashed with the Kurdish YPG, which led the U.S. officials to voice concern and issue a warning to both sides.[\[404\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-405)[\[405\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-406) On 29 August, U.S. Defense Secretary [Ashton Carter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashton_Carter "Ashton Carter") specified that the U.S. did not support Turkey's advance south of Jarabulus.[\[406\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-407) The warning as well as an announcement made by the U.S. of a tentative ceasefire between the Turkish forces and the Kurds in the area of Jarabulus were promptly and angrily dismissed by Turkey.[\[407\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-408)[\[408\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-409) However, combat between the Turkish forces and the SDF died down, and instead Turkish forces moved West to confront ISIL.[\[409\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-410) In the meantime the SDF, including Western volunteers, continued to reinforce Manbij.[\[410\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-411)[\[411\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-412)
At sunset on 12 September 2016, a [U.S.-Russian brokered cease-fire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war_ceasefires#Second_ceasefire_attempt_\(12_September_%E2%80%93_19_September\) "Syrian civil war ceasefires") came into effect.[\[412\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-413) Five days later, the U.S. and other coalition members′ jets [bombed Syrian Army positions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_2016_Deir_ez-Zor_air_raid "September 2016 Deir ez-Zor air raid") near Deir ez-Zor—purportedly by accident — but with Russia contending that it was intentional — killing at least 62 Syrian troops that were fighting ISIL militants.[\[413\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-414) On 19 September the Syrian Army declared that it would no longer observe the truce.[\[414\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-415) Also on 19 September, an [aid convoy in Aleppo was attacked](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_2016_Aleppo_Aid_Convoy_Attack "September 2016 Aleppo Aid Convoy Attack") with the U.S. coalition blaming the Russian and Syrian governments for the attack and these same governments denying these accusation and instead blaming terrorists for the attack.[\[415\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-416)
On 22 September, the Syrian army declared a [new offensive in Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(September_2016\) "Aleppo offensive (September 2016)")[\[416\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-417) and on 14 December the final rebel stronghold in Aleppo was recaptured by the Syrian Ba'athist government, followed by a ceasefire agreement.[\[417\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-418)
In March 2015, the Syrian Information Minister announced that his government considered recognizing Kurdish autonomy "within the law and constitution".[\[418\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-419) While the region's administration is not invited to the [Geneva III peace talks on Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_peace_talks_on_Syria_\(2016\) "Geneva peace talks on Syria (2016)"),[\[419\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-420) or any of the earlier talks, Russia in particular calls for the region's inclusion and does to some degree carry the region's positions into the talks, as documented in Russia's May 2016 draft for a new constitution for Syria.[\[420\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Now.MMedia/Al-Akhbar-421) In October 2016, there were reports of a Russian initiative for federalization with a focus on northern Syria, which at its core called to turn the existing institutions of the region into legitimate institutions of Syria; also reported was its rejection for the time being by the Syrian government.[\[421\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Al-Monitor-422) The Damascus ruling elite is split over the question whether the new model in the region can work in parallel and converge with the Syrian government, for the benefit of both, or if the agenda should be to centralize again all power at the end of the civil war, necessitating preparation for ultimate confrontation with the region's institutions.[\[422\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-chatham-423)
On 26 October 2016, US Defense Secretary [Ash Carter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ash_Carter "Ash Carter") said that an offensive to retake Raqqa from ISIL would begin within weeks.[\[423\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-424)
### Raqqa campaign (November 2016–January 2017)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=30 "Edit section: Raqqa campaign (November 2016–January 2017)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Destroyed_neighborhood_in_Raqqa.png)
[Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa "Raqqa") suffered extensive damage during the [Battle of Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Raqqa_\(2017\) "Battle of Raqqa (2017)")
On 26 October the US Defense Secretary said that an offensive to retake Raqqa from ISIL would begin within weeks.[\[424\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-NBC_23-425) The SDF, using up to 30,000 Arab, Christian and Kurdish troops, and with support from the Western Coalition, undertook an operation codenamed [Wrath of Euphrates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa_campaign_\(2016%E2%80%932017\) "Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)"). By December 2016 it had captured many villages and land west of Raqqa previously controlled by ISIL[\[425\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-426) and by January 2017, much of the land west of Raqqa had been seized and the second phase of the operation was complete.
### Aleppo recaptured; Russian/Iranian/Turkish-backed ceasefire (December 2016–April 2017)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=31 "Edit section: Aleppo recaptured; Russian/Iranian/Turkish-backed ceasefire (December 2016–April 2017)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:International_Mine_Action_Center_in_Syria_\(Aleppo\)_15.jpg)
Russian [sappers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Engineer_Troops "Russian Engineer Troops") in Aleppo, 23 December 2016
In December 2016, Syrian Ba'athist government forces [completely recaptured](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_offensive_\(November%E2%80%93December_2016\) "Aleppo offensive (November–December 2016)") all of rebel-held parts of Aleppo, ending the 4-year battle in the city.[\[426\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-427) On 29 December Russian President [Vladimir Putin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin "Vladimir Putin") announced a new ceasefire deal had been reached between the Syrian Ba'athist Government and opposition groups (excluding UN-designated terrorist groups such as ISIL and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham), with Russia and Turkey acting as guarantors and Iran as a signatory, which came into effect at 00:00 Syrian time (02:00 UTC) on 30 December. Talks were scheduled to be held between the groups in [Astana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astana "Astana"), capital of Kazakhstan, on 15 January.[\[427\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-428) On the same day the [United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Office_for_the_Coordination_of_Humanitarian_Affairs "United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs") reported that four million people in Damascus and surrounding areas were without reliable access to water after major supply infrastructure had been targeted, and called upon all parties to guarantee basic services.[\[428\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-auto-429)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lions_of_the_East_Army_rocket_artillery.png)
A [BM-21 Grad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BM-21_Grad "BM-21 Grad") [rocket artillery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_artillery "Rocket artillery") truck of the [Lions of the East Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lions_of_the_East_Army "Lions of the East Army") during the [2017 southern Syrian Desert campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_southern_Syrian_Desert_campaign "2017 southern Syrian Desert campaign")
On 2 January 2017, rebel groups said that they would disengage from planned talks after alleged ceasefire violations by Ba'athist Government forces in the Wadi [Barada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barada "Barada") valley near Damascus.[\[429\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-430) At the end of January, Ba'athist government forces managed to [capture Wadi Barada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Wadi_Barada "Siege of Wadi Barada") and the water supply of Damascus was restored.[\[430\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-431)[\[431\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-AZcaptureWadi-432) On 14 February, the ceasefire between Assad forces and rebels collapsed throughout the country, leading to fresh clashes in various locations and a [fresh rebel offensive in Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_offensive_\(February_2017\) "Daraa offensive (February 2017)").[\[432\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-433) A [new peace conference in Geneva](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_peace_talks_on_Syria_\(2017\) "Geneva peace talks on Syria (2017)") was held on 23 February,[\[433\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-434) the same day as [Turkish forces captured Al-Bab from ISIL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_al-Bab#Turkish_forces_capture_al-Bab,_Syrian_Army_pushes_east_of_Kuweires_Airbase "Battle of al-Bab") north-east of Aleppo.[\[434\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-435) Syrian Ba'athist government forces started an [offensive east of Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Aleppo_offensive_\(February_2017\) "East Aleppo offensive (February 2017)") to conquer [Dayr Hafir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayr_Hafir "Dayr Hafir") from ISIL and prevent further Turkish advances.
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_rebels_in_combat_in_Qaboun_\(Damascus\).png)
Syrian rebels in combat against Ba'athist government forces in [Qaboun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qaboun_offensive_\(2017\) "Qaboun offensive (2017)"), Damascus, April 2017
On 17 March, Syrian military fired [S-200 missiles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-200_\(missile\) "S-200 (missile)") at Israeli jets over [Golan Heights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golan_Heights "Golan Heights"). The Israeli military claimed that the [Arrow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrow_\(Israeli_missile\) "Arrow (Israeli missile)") anti-ballistic system intercepted one missile, while the Syrian military claimed that they had downed an Israeli jet. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador for talks.[\[435\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-436)
The [U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_International_Commission_of_Inquiry_on_the_Syrian_Arab_Republic "Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic") reported that on 20 March up to 150 civilians were killed near a school in Raqqa by U.S.-led coalition air strikes.[\[436\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-437) Ba'athist Government forces entered [Dayr Hafir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayr_Hafir "Dayr Hafir"), the last stronghold held by ISIL in East Aleppo, and secured it by 23 March. This opened up an opportunity to push south into the Raqqa governorate; however on the same day, an SDF contingent landed on a peninsula west of Raqqa via boats and helicopters in an effort to cut off the Syrian Arab Army from entering the ISIL's de facto capital, Raqqa. On 28 March, an agreement was reportedly brokered by Qatar and Iran for the evacuation for four besieged towns in Syria. The deal involved evacuating the residents of [al-Fu'ah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Fu%27ah "Al-Fu'ah") and [Kafriya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafriya "Kafriya"), two towns in the [Idlib Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate "Idlib Governorate") besieged by rebel forces, in exchange for the evacuation of residents and rebels in [Zabadani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zabadani "Zabadani") and [Madaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madaya,_Syria "Madaya, Syria"), two towns under siege by Ba'athist government forces in the [Rif Dimashq Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_Governorate "Rif Dimashq Governorate").[\[437\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-438)
### Syrian-American conflict; de-escalation zones (April–June 2017)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=32 "Edit section: Syrian-American conflict; de-escalation zones (April–June 2017)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:YPG_and_US_army_Hassaka_1-5-2017.jpg)
U.S. armored vehicle in [Al-Hasakah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hasakah "Al-Hasakah"), northeastern Syria, May 2017
After the [chemical attack on Khan Shaykhun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_Shaykhun_chemical_attack "Khan Shaykhun chemical attack"), warships of the U.S. Navy launched 59 [Tomahawk missiles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomahawk_\(missile_family\) "Tomahawk (missile family)") at the Syrian Ba'athist government's [Shayrat Air Base](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shayrat_Air_Base "Shayrat Air Base") which was said to be the source of the chemical attack. The American attack, taking place on 7 April 2017, was the first officially announced deliberate attack on Syrian Ba'athist government forces.[\[438\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-bbcwhyshayrat-439)[\[439\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-UPI-440) Due to being launched without authorisation from [Congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress "United States Congress") or the [UN Security Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council "United Nations Security Council"), the strike triggered an emergency UNSC meeting.[\[440\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-441) Russian President Putin viewed the U.S. attack as "an act of aggression against a sovereign country violating the norms of international law".[\[441\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-442) The U.S. representative responded that "the moral stain of the Assad regime could no longer go unanswered."[\[442\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-443) American forces struck the Syrian military again on 18 May, when a Syrian army convoy advancing in the vicinity of the border town of [al-Tanf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Waleed_border_crossing "Al Waleed border crossing"), which hosted a US-controlled airbase, came under attack by US fighter jets.[\[443\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-444) Nevertheless, the Syrian Ba'athist government's [desert offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Desert_campaign_\(May%E2%80%93July_2017\) "Syrian Desert campaign (May–July 2017)") continued and on 9 June Ba'athist government forces secured a part of [Syrian–Iraqi border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq%E2%80%93Syria_border "Iraq–Syria border") for the first time since 2015.[\[444\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-445)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_civil_war_01_05_2017.svg)
Military situation in Syria in May 2017
Meanwhile, intense fighting between Ba'athist government forces and rebel groups that [began north of Hama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_offensive_\(March%E2%80%93April_2017\) "Hama offensive (March–April 2017)") on 21 March continued.[\[445\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-446) By 29 March, Ba'athist government forces, which had halted the rebel offensive at the outskirts of Hama, began a counterstrike, and by 16 April had reversed all rebel gains; by the end of April they had captured the towns of [Halfaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfaya "Halfaya") and [Taybat al-Imam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taybat_al-Imam "Taybat al-Imam").[\[446\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-447)
On 12 April, the [agreement to exchange the inhabitants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Zabadani_cease-fire_agreement "2015 Zabadani cease-fire agreement") of the rebel-held towns of [Zabadani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zabadani "Zabadani") and [Madaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madaya,_Syria "Madaya, Syria") with the inhabitants of the pro-Ba'athist government towns of [Al-Fu'ah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Fu%27ah "Al-Fu'ah") and [Kafraya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafraya "Kafraya") began to be implemented.[\[447\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-448) On 15 April, a convoy of buses carrying evacuees from [Al-Fu'ah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Fu%27ah "Al-Fu'ah") and [Kafriya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafriya "Kafriya") was [attacked by a suicide bomber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Aleppo_suicide_car_bombing "2017 Aleppo suicide car bombing") in Aleppo, killing more than 126 people.[\[448\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-449)
On 24 April, the Turkish Air Force [conducted several airstrikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2017_Turkish_airstrikes_in_Syria_and_Iraq "April 2017 Turkish airstrikes in Syria and Iraq") on YPG and YPJ positions near [al-Malikiyah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Malikiyah "Al-Malikiyah"). The attacks were condemned by the US.[\[449\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-450)
On 4 May, Russia, Iran, and Turkey signed an agreement in Astana to create four "[de-escalation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De-escalation "De-escalation") zones" in Syria: the [Idlib Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate "Idlib Governorate"), the northern rebel-controlled parts of the [Homs Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homs_Governorate "Homs Governorate"), the rebel-controlled eastern [Ghouta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghouta "Ghouta"), and the [Jordan–Syria border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan%E2%80%93Syria_border "Jordan–Syria border"). The agreement was rejected by some rebel groups,[\[450\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-451) and the Kurdish [Democratic Union Party or PYD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Union_Party_\(Syria\) "Democratic Union Party (Syria)") also denounced the deal, saying that the ceasefire zones are "dividing Syria up on a sectarian basis". The ceasefire came into effect on 6 May.[\[451\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-452)
### ISIL siege of Deir ez-Zor broken; CIA program halted; Russian forces permanent (July–December 2017)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=33 "Edit section: ISIL siege of Deir ez-Zor broken; CIA program halted; Russian forces permanent (July–December 2017)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thousands_of_tons_of_Iranian_aid_to_the_people_of_Deir-Al-Zor_02_\(2\).jpg)
Iranian convoy delivering aid to [Deir ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate "Deir ez-Zor Governorate") in September 2017
On 7 July 2017, the U.S., Russia, and Jordan agreed to a [ceasefire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war_ceasefires#Fifth_ceasefire_attempt_\(July_2017%E2%80%93present\) "Syrian civil war ceasefires") in part of southwestern Syria, Russia giving assurances that Assad would abide by the agreement.[\[452\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-453) On 19 July it was reported that the U.S. had decided to halt the [CIA program to equip and train anti-Ba'athist government rebel groups](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timber_Sycamore "Timber Sycamore"), a move sought by Russia.[\[453\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-454)
On 5 September the Ba'athist government's [Central Syria offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Syria_campaign_\(2017\) "Central Syria campaign (2017)") culminated in the breaking of the three-year ISIL [siege of Deir ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Deir_ez-Zor_\(2014%E2%80%9317\) "Siege of Deir ez-Zor (2014–17)"), with active participation of Russian air force and navy.[\[454\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-455)[\[455\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-456)[\[456\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-457) This was followed shortly thereafter by the lifting of the siege of the [city's airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Airport "Deir ez-Zor Airport").[\[457\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-458)
An analysis released in June 2017 described the Kurdish region's "relationship with the regime fraught but functional" and a "semi-cooperative dynamic".[\[458\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-459) In late September 2017, Syria's Foreign Minister said that Damascus would consider granting Kurds more autonomy in the region once ISIL is defeated.[\[459\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-460)
On 17 October, after over [four months of fierce fighting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Raqqa_\(2017\) "Battle of Raqqa (2017)") and the U.S.-led coalition's bombardment, the Kurdish-dominated SDF announced they had established full control of the city of [Raqqa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa "Raqqa") in northern Syria.[\[460\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-461)[\[461\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-462)[\[462\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-463) At the end of October, the Ba'athist government of Syria said that it still considered Raqqa to be an occupied city that can ″only be considered liberated when the Syrian Arab Army enter\[ed\] it.″[\[463\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-464)
By mid-November the Ba'athist government forces and allied militia [established full control](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_offensive_\(September%E2%80%93November_2017\) "Deir ez-Zor offensive (September–November 2017)") over [Deir ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor "Deir ez-Zor") and [captured](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Abu_Kamal_offensive "2017 Abu Kamal offensive") the town of [Abu Kamal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Kamal "Abu Kamal") in eastern Syria, near the border with Iraq and Iraq's town of [al-Qaim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qa%27im_\(town\) "Al-Qa'im (town)"), which was concurrently [captured from ISIL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Western_Iraq_campaign "2017 Western Iraq campaign") by the Iraqi government.[\[464\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-465)[\[465\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-466)
On 6 December Russia declared Syria to have been "completely liberated" from ISIL; on 11 December President Putin visited the Russian base in Syria, where he announced that he had ordered the partial withdrawal of the forces deployed to Syria.[\[466\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-467)[\[467\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-468)[\[468\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-469)[\[469\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-470) On 26 December, Russian defence minister [Sergey Shoigu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Shoigu "Sergey Shoigu") said that Russia had set about "forming a permanent grouping" at its [naval facility](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_naval_facility_in_Tartus "Russian naval facility in Tartus") at [Tartus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartus "Tartus") and [Hmeymim airbase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmeimim_\(air_base\) "Khmeimim (air base)").[\[470\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-shoigutassperm-471)[\[471\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-reutersestablperm-472) Two days later, Russian foreign minister [Sergey Lavrov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Lavrov "Sergey Lavrov") said that Russia believed that the U.S. forces must leave Syrian territory completely once remnants of the terrorists were completely eliminated.[\[472\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-473)[\[473\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-474)
## Turkish forces enter conflict; continued civil conflicts; US withdrawal; diplomatic negotiations (January–December 2018)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=34 "Edit section: Turkish forces enter conflict; continued civil conflicts; US withdrawal; diplomatic negotiations (January–December 2018)")\]
### Army advance in Hama province and Ghouta; Operation Olive Branch (January–March 2018)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=35 "Edit section: Army advance in Hama province and Ghouta; Operation Olive Branch (January–March 2018)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_civil_war_01_02_2018.jpg)
Military situation in Syria in February 2018
On 20 January, the [Turkish military](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_military "Turkish military") began a [cross-border operation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Olive_Branch "Operation Olive Branch") in the [Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurds "Kurds")\-majority [Afrin Canton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrin_Canton "Afrin Canton") and the [Tel Rifaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Rifaat "Tel Rifaat") Area of [Shahba Canton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahba_Canton "Shahba Canton") in Northern Syria, against the Kurdish-led [Democratic Union Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Union_Party_\(Syria\) "Democratic Union Party (Syria)") in Syria (PYD),[\[474\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-475) its armed wing [People's Protection Units](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Protection_Units "People's Protection Units") (YPG),[\[475\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-476) and [Syrian Democratic Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces") (SDF) positions.[\[476\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-477) In January—February 2018, the Syrian Army and its allies [continued to advance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_campaign_\(October_2017%E2%80%93February_2018\) "Northwestern Syria campaign (October 2017–February 2018)") against the forces of [Tahrir al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahrir_al-Sham "Tahrir al-Sham") (HTS) and other rebels in the [Hama Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_Governorate "Hama Governorate").
On 10 February, the [Syrian Air Defense Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Air_Defense_Force "Syrian Air Defense Force") [shot down](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_2018_Israel%E2%80%93Syria_incident "February 2018 Israel–Syria incident") an Israeli F-16 fighter jet in response to an Israeli cross-border raid on Iranian targets near Damascus through Lebanese airspace.[\[477\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-478)
On 21 February, the Ba'athist government began an [operation to capture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(February_2018\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (February 2018)") rebel-held [Ghouta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghouta "Ghouta") east of Damascus; the operation started with an intensive air campaign.[\[478\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-479)
On 18 March, on the 58th day of the Turkish military operation in Afrin, [Operation Olive Branch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Olive_Branch "Operation Olive Branch"), the [Syrian National Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_National_Army "Syrian National Army") (SNA or FSA), [Turkish Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Armed_Forces "Turkish Armed Forces") and disparate rebel groups captured Afrin from the YPG and the [YPJ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YPJ "YPJ"), displacing up to 200,000 people. Shortly after the capture, SNA militants [looted](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_looting "War looting") parts of the city and destroyed numerous pro-Kurdish symbols as Turkish Army troops solidified control by raising Turkish flags and banners over the city.[\[479\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-480)[\[480\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-481) The battle was seen as an overall strategic victory, because it would open a ground corridor into nearby Idlib province (a stronghold for al-Qaida-linked militants) as well as linking them with other rebel factions that wanted to join the coalition there.[\[481\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-482) Turkey's relationship with the US was stretched to breaking point by the Afrin operation, which pitted the two NATO allies and their Syrian proxies against one another.[\[482\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-483)
### Douma chemical attack; U.S.-led missile strikes; Southern Syria offensive (April–August 2018)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=36 "Edit section: Douma chemical attack; U.S.-led missile strikes; Southern Syria offensive (April–August 2018)")\]
On 7 April 2018, a [chemical attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douma_chemical_attack "Douma chemical attack") was reported in the city of [Douma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douma,_Syria "Douma, Syria"), with 70 people killed[\[483\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-484) and 500 injured. On-site medics stated the cause of those deaths was exposure to [chlorine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorine_gas "Chlorine gas") and [sarin gas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarin_gas "Sarin gas").[\[484\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-485) The Syrian Ba'athist government denied any use of chemical weapons.[\[485\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-486) Following the incident in Douma, the UN Security Council failed to adopt three competing resolutions on an inquiry into the alleged chemical attack, with Russia and the U.S. clashing over the issue.[\[486\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-487)[\[487\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-488)[\[488\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-489)[\[489\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-490)[\[490\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-491) Following the incident, Syrian Ba'athist government forces [entered and established control](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_Dimashq_offensive_\(February%E2%80%93April_2018\) "Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018)") over the city of Douma, ending the five-year [Siege of Ghouta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Eastern_Ghouta "Siege of Eastern Ghouta").[\[491\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-492)
On 14 April the U.S., U.K. and France [launched missile strikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_missile_strikes_against_Syria "2018 missile strikes against Syria") on multiple Ba'athist government targets in Syria as a response to the suspected chemical attack in Douma.
### Negotiations between Kurdish regional government and Syrian government
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=37 "Edit section: Negotiations between Kurdish regional government and Syrian government")\]
On 3 July, NES/SDF authorities removed some [YPG](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YPG "YPG") flags from cities and towns under their control in Northern Syria. Pro-government media reported this to be as a result of a preliminary agreement being struck between the NES/SDF and Syrian Government, in which the latter allegedly promised to include the Kurdish language as a part of the Syrian national [curriculum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curriculum "Curriculum"), consider military service in the YPG as analogous to service in the [Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Army "Syrian Army") (for the purposes of veteran status and military pensions), as well as the creation of a permanent post for a Kurdish official in Syria's oil ministry. Several Kurdish officials denied before [Kurdistan 24](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdistan_24 "Kurdistan 24") that such negotiations had taken place, stating that the removal of flags and portraits was part of "an administrative decision to organize and regulate roadside advertising" and had nothing to do with politics.[\[492\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-493)
On 28 July, the Kurdish-led council in northern Syria reported that it had decided to create a roadmap for a "democratic and decentralized Syria" with the Syrian Government, after reportedly meeting with Syrian government officials in Damascus at the invitation of Syrian President [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad").[\[493\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-494)
On 29 July, former PYD co-chair [Salih Muslim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salih_Muslim "Salih Muslim") reported that the atmosphere during the meeting with the Syrian government had been "positive and promising", adding that the government had accepted to discuss the notion of a decentralized Syria. He stated that the SDF was willing to join government offensives in Northwestern Syria and considered militant groups in Idlib to be no different than those [in Afrin.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Olive_Branch "Operation Olive Branch") He finished by stating that the NES did not wait for permission from international powers to start negotiations with the government, instead simply informed them that they had already started.[\[494\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-495) Later that day, the NES returned over 44 bodies of Syrian Army servicemen killed by [ISIL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISIL "ISIL") in 2014 to the Syrian Government.[\[495\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-:0-496)
On 30 July, a [Syrian Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Kurd "Syrian Kurd") MP and leader of the Damascus-based 'Syrian Kurds National Initiative', Omar Ose, urged the NES/SDF to enter into full negotiations (as opposed to 'talks') with the Syrian Government. He added that the two sides had managed to agree on 6 of the 10 key issues brought up during the previous two rounds of dialogue.[\[495\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-:0-496)[\[496\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-497)
By the end of July, the two sides had agreed to set up negotiations in "stages". The first stage would cover mutually beneficial and mostly technical matters, such as the restoration of government-sponsored energy, education and health projects, as well as the re-integration of government civil registrations with those within the NES. The second would involve the restoration of government control over the border crossings with [Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq "Iraq"), [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey "Turkey") and [Iraqi Kurdistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi_Kurdistan "Iraqi Kurdistan"), as well as the stationing of government security forces along the state borders currently under the control of the NES. The last stage would involve solving the "major issues" (such as a potential future re-integration of the NES as a whole, within the context of a 'decentralized' system) between the two sides, using the mutual confidence that would be built from the successful completion of the previous stages. The [Syrian Democratic Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Council "Syrian Democratic Council") reportedly voted in favour of negotiations with the Syrian government to this effect. The [U.S.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S. "U.S.") envoy [Brett McGurk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brett_McGurk "Brett McGurk") was informed of the ongoing talks and reportedly did not object to the prospect of negotiations between the two sides, but suggested starting out negotiations with a focus on "restoring services".[\[497\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-498)[\[498\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-499)
### Continuing conflicts, 2018
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=38 "Edit section: Continuing conflicts, 2018")\]
On 19 April the Syrian army and allied Palestinian groups began [an offensive against the Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees in Southern Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Damascus_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93May_2018\) "Southern Damascus offensive (April–May 2018)"), which had been partially occupied by ISIL. On 21 May, pro-Ba'athist government troops fully recaptured Yarmouk camp, thus allowing the Syrian Arab Army to fully control the capital after 6 years.[\[499\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Palestinian_Tragedy-500)[\[500\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-cleric-501)
On 1 May, the U.S. government announced the U.S.-led coalition's "operations to liberate the final ISIS strongholds in Syria", which would ensure that "populations liberated from ISIS are not exploited by the Assad regime or its Iranian supporters".[\[501\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-502)[\[502\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-503)
In May, Israel launched an extensive strike against Iranian targets in Syria (known as [Operation House of Cards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_House_of_Cards "Operation House of Cards")) after a series of short military confrontations between Israeli and Iranian forces in Syria.[\[503\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-504)
On 6 July, as a result of the [Southern Syria offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Southern_Syria_offensive "2018 Southern Syria offensive"), which had begun in June, the Syrian Army backed by Russian forces reached the border with Jordan and captured the [Nasib Border Crossing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasib_Border_Crossing "Nasib Border Crossing").[\[504\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-505)[\[505\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-506) By the end of July, the Southern Syria offensive ended, resulting in the complete Syrian Ba'athist government's control of [Daraa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_Governorate "Daraa Governorate") and [Quneitra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quneitra_Governorate "Quneitra Governorate") provinces.
On 8 September 2018, clashes in Quamishli took place between the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and Syrian Arab Republic forces yet again. 10+ SAA troops and 7 Asayish fighters were killed. Many more on both sides were injured.[\[506\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-507)
On 17 September Israel [hit multiple targets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_missile_strikes_\(September_2018\) "Syria missile strikes (September 2018)") in western Syria. While trying to strike the Israeli planes, Syrian forces shot down a Russian plane, causing the deaths of 15 Russians.[\[507\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-508)[\[508\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-509) The strikes occurred a few hours after a Russo-Turkish agreement to create a [demilitarized zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demilitarized_zone "Demilitarized zone") around [Idlib Governorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate "Idlib Governorate") was achieved, which postponed an imminent offensive operation by Syrian Ba'athist government forces and its allies.[\[509\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-510) Russia blamed Israel for the incident; Russian defence ministry's spokesman [Igor Konashenkov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Konashenkov "Igor Konashenkov") named the Israeli military as the sole culprit of the accident.[\[510\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-511)[\[511\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-milru-20180923-512)
In the aftermath of the strikes, on 24 September 2018, Russian defence minister [Sergey Shoygu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Shoygu "Sergey Shoygu") confirmed that the Syrian army would receive [S-300](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-300_missile_system "S-300 missile system") air-defence missile systems to strengthen Syria's combat air defence capabilities. He added that the previous cancellation of the contract for S-300 delivery in 2013 had been due to Israel's request but following the downing of the Russian aircraft in Syria the situation had changed.[\[512\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-tassshoigus300-513)[\[513\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-514)[\[514\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-shoigukommer-515) The S-300 has modern [IFF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identification_friend_or_foe "Identification friend or foe") systems which would prevent the missiles from targeting Russian aircraft.[\[515\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-tass-20180924-516)
### Partial US withdrawal; Turkish buffer zone agreements; Iraq strikes ISIL targets (September–December 2018)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=39 "Edit section: Partial US withdrawal; Turkish buffer zone agreements; Iraq strikes ISIL targets (September–December 2018)")\]
On 17 September 2018, Russian president [Vladimir Putin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin "Vladimir Putin") and Turkish president [Recep Tayyip Erdoğan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recep_Tayyip_Erdo%C4%9Fan "Recep Tayyip Erdoğan") reached an agreement to create a [buffer zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffer_zone "Buffer zone") in Idlib.[\[516\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-517)
At a summit in October 2018, envoys from Russia, Turkey, France and Germany issued a joint statement affirming the need to respect territorial integrity of Syria as a whole. This forms one basis for their role as "guarantor nations."[\[517\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Astana_Sabah-518) The second round of talks occurred around 25 November, but was not successful due to opposition from the Assad regime.[\[517\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Astana_Sabah-518) At the Astana Process meeting in December 2019, a UN official stated that in order for the third round of talks to proceed, co-chairs from the Assad regime and the opposition need to agree on an agenda.[\[517\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Astana_Sabah-518) The committee has two co-chairs, Ahmad Kuzbari representing the Syrian government, and Hadi Albahra from the opposition. It is unclear if the third round of talks will proceed on a firm schedule, until the Syrian government provides its assent to participate.[\[517\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Astana_Sabah-518)
While the war is still ongoing, Syrian President [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad") said that Syria would be able to rebuild the war-torn country on its own. As of July 2018, the reconstruction was estimated to cost a minimum of US\$400 billion. Assad said he would be able to loan this money from friendly countries, Syrian diaspora and the state treasury.[\[518\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-519) Iran has expressed interest in helping rebuild Syria. One year later this seems to be materializing, Iran and the Syrian government signed a deal where Iran would help rebuild the Syrian energy grid, which has taken damage to 50% of the grid.[\[519\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-520) International donors have been suggested as one financier of the reconstruction.[\[520\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-521) As of November 2018, reports emerged that rebuilding efforts had already started. It was reported that the biggest issue facing the rebuilding process is the lack of building material and a need to make sure the resources that do exist are managed efficiently. The rebuilding effort have so far remained at a limited capacity and has often been focused on certain areas of a city, thus ignoring other areas inhabited by disadvantaged people.[\[521\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-522)
On 12 December, the Turkish government announced it would begin operations against Rojava (the [Democratic Federation of Northern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Federation_of_Northern_Syria "Democratic Federation of Northern Syria")) "in a few days" in an apparent rebuke of US efforts at ensuring Turkish border security in the area.[\[522\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-523) In response, [the Pentagon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pentagon "The Pentagon") said that any unilateral military action taken in northern Syria where US forces are operating would be "unacceptable."[\[523\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-524) However, President Trump abruptly announced on 19 December 2018 the withdrawal of all troops from Syria, after which Turkey postponed the planned attack.[\[524\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-525)
Late on 25 December, Israel launched an attack from or across Lebanese air space, "in response to an anti-aircraft missile launched from Syria" according to the IDF; Russia condemned the strikes as provocative and said that they "directly threatened two airliners". Reports from Syria said an arms depot in Qatifah, about 40 km north-east of Damascus, was hit, injuring three soldiers.[\[525\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-526)
On 28 December, Ba'athist government forces were said to be on the outskirts of the strategically important northern city of [Manbij](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij "Manbij"), but the city was still held by Kurdish forces and US troops were still there.[\[526\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-527)
On 30 December, the Syrian Ba'athist government officially allowed Iraq to strike ISIL on Syrian territory.[\[527\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-528) Iraq struck ISIL targets in [Deir ez-Zor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_ez-Zor_Governorate "Deir ez-Zor Governorate") the next day.[\[528\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-529)
The Syrian government put forward a law commonly known as "[law 10](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Law_10&action=edit&redlink=1 "Law 10 (page does not exist)")", which could strip refugees of property, such as damaged real estate. There are also fears among some refugees that if they return to claim this property they will face negative consequences, such as forced conscription or prison. The Syrian government has been criticized for using this law to reward those who have supported the government. However, the government said this statement was false and has expressed that it wants the return of refugees from Lebanon.[\[529\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-530)[\[530\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-531) In December 2018, it was also reported that the Syrian government has started to seize property under an anti-terrorism law, which is affecting government opponents negatively, with many losing their property. Some people's pensions have also been cancelled.[\[531\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-532)
## ISIL attacks continue; US states conditions of withdrawal; fifth inter-rebel conflict (January–September 2019)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=40 "Edit section: ISIL attacks continue; US states conditions of withdrawal; fifth inter-rebel conflict (January–September 2019)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ongoing_conflicts_around_the_world_in_2019.svg)
***
Wars, 1,000–9,999 deaths in current or past calendar year
Beginning on 1 January 2019 and lasting through 10 January 2019, [Hayat Tahrir al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayat_Tahrir_al-Sham "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham") (HTS) [attacked and seized](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Front_for_Liberation%E2%80%93Tahrir_al-Sham_conflict "National Front for Liberation–Tahrir al-Sham conflict") the positions of the [National Front for Liberation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Front_for_Liberation "National Front for Liberation") (NLF) across rebel-held Idlib and Aleppo. On 9 January 2019, a truce was reached between the two factions, with the NLF surrendering their last positions in Idlib to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and evacuating to areas under the control of the [Syrian National Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_National_Army "Syrian National Army") in Afrin. On 10 January, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took control of the remaining positions previously held by the NLF.[\[532\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-533)
On 5 January 2019, a Kurdish fighter was killed and two British special forces troops were seriously injured by an ISIL attack near the town of Deir al-Zour. The injured men were evacuated by US forces.[\[533\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-534)
On 6 January 2019, US National Security Adviser [John Bolton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._Bolton "John R. Bolton") said, on a trip to Israel and Turkey, that the withdrawal of US troops from Syria depends on certain conditions, including the assurance that the remnants of ISIL forces are defeated and Kurds in northern Syria were safe from Turkish forces.[\[534\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-535) However, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected the call to protect Kurdish troops, whom he regarded as terrorist groups.[\[535\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-536) Also on 6 January, the SDF said that they'd caught and arrested two American ISIL fighters, along with suspected fighters from Ireland and Pakistan, who had been planning a terrorist attack on fleeing Syrian civilians.[\[536\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-537) On 10 January 2019, US Secretary of State, [Mike Pompeo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Pompeo "Mike Pompeo"), said at a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart [Sameh Shoukry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sameh_Shoukry "Sameh Shoukry") in Cairo that the US would withdraw its troops from Syria while continuing the battle against ISIL, but warned that there would be no US reconstruction aid for areas controlled by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad until Iran and its proxies had left.[\[537\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-538)[\[538\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-539)
On 15 January, a suicide bombing by an ISIL militant next to a US patrol in Kurdish-held Manbij killed 18 people, including four US service personnel, and wounded 18, on the same day that US vice-president [Mike Pence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Pence "Mike Pence") claimed that ISIL had been defeated.[\[539\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-540)
On 23 March, after many weeks of sporadic fighting as civilians left [Baghuz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghuz "Baghuz"), the SDF said the five-year "caliphate" was over and ISIL was now defeated in Syria.[\[540\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-541)
In April 2019, United Nations authorities estimated that the war in Syria has caused destruction reaching to about \$400 billion.[\[541\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-542)
On 20 April, ISIL reported that they had killed 35 government troops in the Homs and Deir al-Zour provinces; SOHR reported 27 killed, saying that this was the largest attack since ISIL had been declared defeated. Thousands of ISIL fighters and their families captured from Baghuz remained in camps nearby.[\[542\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-543)
### New outbreaks of civil war, 2019 Northwestern offensive (May–September 2019)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=41 "Edit section: New outbreaks of civil war, 2019 Northwestern offensive (May–September 2019)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Situation_in_Syria_\(September_2019\).svg)
Military situation in Syria in September 2019
On 6 May, the Syrian Government, in coordination with the [Russian Aerospace Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Aerospace_Forces "Russian Aerospace Forces"), [launched a ground offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(April%E2%80%93August_2019\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (April–August 2019)") against [Hayat Tahrir al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayat_Tahrir_al-Sham "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham"), [Jaysh al-Izza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaysh_al-Izza "Jaysh al-Izza") and [National Front for Liberation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Front_for_Liberation "National Front for Liberation")\-held territories in Northwestern Syria, in response to what it stated were repeated attacks on government-held areas, carried out by those groups from within the [demilitarized zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_demilitarization_\(2018%E2%80%932019\) "Idlib demilitarization (2018–2019)").[\[543\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-544)
Following the third northwestern Syria offensive, Syrian Government forces managed to take control over the town of [Khan Shaykhun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_Shaykhun "Khan Shaykhun") on 19 August, thus creating a rebel pocket on the towns of [Kafr Zita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafr_Zita "Kafr Zita"), [Lataminah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lataminah "Lataminah") and [Morek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murak,_Syria "Murak, Syria") including the [Turkish observation post in Morek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_military_operation_in_Idlib_Governorate "Turkish military operation in Idlib Governorate"). Syrian Army captured the entire pocket on 23 August, therefore encircling the observation post in Morek.[\[544\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-545)
By September 2019, according to a Syrian war monitor, over 120 Churches had been damaged or demolished by all sides in Syrian war since 2011.[\[545\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-546)
### New agreements in mid-2019
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=42 "Edit section: New agreements in mid-2019")\]
On 7 August, the [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") and [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey "Turkey") reached a deal, which would set up a new [demilitarized buffer zone in northern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Syria_Buffer_Zone "Northern Syria Buffer Zone").[\[546\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-547)
On 30 August, the Syrian government and Russia announced the launch of a unilateral ceasefire starting from 31 August to stabilise the situation in Idlib.[\[547\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BBC_News_2019_cease_fire-548)
## Turkish offensive and Second Turkish Buffer Zone; Kurdish collaboration; Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (October–December 2019)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=43 "Edit section: Turkish offensive and Second Turkish Buffer Zone; Kurdish collaboration; Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (October–December 2019)")\]
### Turkish offensive into northeastern Syria; Russian mediation and US power vacuum; Kurdish–Syrian collaboration; Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (October 2019)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=44 "Edit section: Turkish offensive into northeastern Syria; Russian mediation and US power vacuum; Kurdish–Syrian collaboration; Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (October 2019)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Changing_frontlines_of_the_Turkish_offensive_in_Rojava,_2019.gif)
Turkey launches a new offensive into Kurdish-controlled northern Syria in October 2019 after U.S. forces pull back. The SDF strikes a deal with the Syrian government to help defend the territory
In October 2019, Kurdish leaders of [Rojava](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria"), a region within Syria, announced they had reached a major deal with the government of Syria under Assad. This deal was enacted in the wake of the US withdrawal from Syria. The Kurdish leaders made this deal in order to obtain Syria's help in stopping hostile Turkish forces who were invading Syria and attacking Kurds.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceE-4)[\[548\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-549)[\[549\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-550)
In response to the [2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Turkish_offensive_into_north-eastern_Syria "2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria"), and the US withdrawal of forces, Russia began some efforts at mediation, and arranged for negotiations and the first-ever accordance between the Syrian government in Damascus and the [Kurdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurds_in_Syria "Kurds in Syria")\-led [SDF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces").[\[550\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ft.com-551) Russia also negotiated an agreement to form the [Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Northern_Syria_Buffer_Zone "Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone"), which made new changes to the positions of Syrian, Turkish and SDF forces.[\[551\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Newsweek_middle_east-552)[\[552\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Fraser-553)[\[553\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BBCDeploy-554)[\[554\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-newsweek.com-555)
On 5 October, Turkish President Erdogan warned about a full-scale Turkish invasion of northern Syria.[\[555\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-556)[\[556\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-557)
On 7 October, the U.S. government declared that while U.S. forces would not support the Turkish operation, they would withdraw from the area and permit it to take place.[\[557\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-558) The withdrawal was ordered by President [Donald Trump](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump "Donald Trump"), a move that was strongly criticized domestically at the time for its apparent abandonment of the Kurds and for creating a power vacuum in the region Syria and Russia were expected to quickly fill.[\[558\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-559)
On 9 October, Turkish President Erdogan announced that [the offensive into north-eastern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Turkish_offensive_into_north-eastern_Syria "2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria") had begun.[\[559\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-560)[\[560\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-561) In response to the offensive, Russia arranged for negotiations between the Syrian government in Damascus and the Kurdish-led forces.[\[550\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ft.com-551)[\[561\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ko-il-rftv-562) [Mazloum Abdi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazloum_Abdi "Mazloum Abdi"), the Syrian Kurdish commander-in-chief, announced that they are ready to partner with [Vladimir Putin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin "Vladimir Putin") (Russia) and [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad "Bashar al-Assad") (Syria), stating that "We know that we would have to make painful compromises with Moscow and Bashar al-Assad if we go down the road of working with them. But if we have to choose between compromises and the genocide of our people, we will surely choose life for our people."[\[562\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-abma-if-we-563)[\[551\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Newsweek_middle_east-552)
On 13 October the Syrian government and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava) made an agreement focused on deterring the Turkish-led offensive in north-eastern Syria, brokered by the Russian government.[\[563\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-564)[\[564\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-565) The details of the agreement was unknown at the time, but there were reports that suggest that the SDF will be incorporated into the [Syrian Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Armed_Forces "Syrian Armed Forces") and that northeastern Syria will come under direct rule of the Syrian government in Damascus.[\[565\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-566) According to Syrian Kurdish officials, the deal allowed Syrian government forces to take over security in some border areas, but their own administration would maintain control of local institutions.[\[566\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-wapo-ssgse-567) Syrian troops began entering some key towns in northeastern Syria with Kurdish agreement.[\[567\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-568)[\[568\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-569) Syrian troops took up positions in some areas to oppose Turkish troops that were threatening various Kurdish forces, including entering cities such as Ayn Issa and Tell Tamer.[\[569\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-570)[\[570\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-571)[\[571\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-572)[\[572\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-573)[\[573\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-574) With these deals, the prospects for Kurdish autonomy in the region seemed severely diminished and the Kurds were concerned that the independence of their declared [Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (NES)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria_\(NES\) "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (NES)") in [Rojava](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria") might be severely curtailed.[\[574\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-dvcopt-575)[\[575\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-576)[\[562\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-abma-if-we-563)[\[576\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-577)[\[577\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-578)[\[578\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-579)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rojava_solidarity_demonstration_Berlin_2019-10-10_22.jpg)
Protest against the [2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Turkish_offensive_into_north-eastern_Syria "2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria")
Meanwhile, internationally, Turkey's role in [NATO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO "NATO") began to be scrutinized by analysts, commentators, and war observers in response to the offensive against the US-backed Kurds. Furthermore, there were apparent signs of a schism between Turkey and other NATO members, in which NATO was seen as effectively "powerless" to manage the situation and that the Turkish government was aware that NATO did not hold much leverage over on-the-ground developments in Syria.[\[579\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-580)[\[580\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-581) Due to Turkey's strategic position between Europe and the Middle East, NATO members were in a situation where they had limited themselves to relatively muted criticism.[\[581\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-582) According to [the New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times"), the U.S. began reviewing the potential withdrawal of its [nuclear weapons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapons_of_the_United_States "Nuclear weapons of the United States") from [Incirlik airbase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incirlik_airbase "Incirlik airbase") under NATO's [nuclear sharing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_sharing "Nuclear sharing").[\[582\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-583)[\[583\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-584) US congressmen, particularly Republican senator Lindsey Graham[\[584\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-585)[\[585\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-586) and Democratic representative [Eric Swalwell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Swalwell "Eric Swalwell")[\[586\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-587) began calling for possibly suspending Turkey's membership in NATO.
On 15 October, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Russian forces had begun patrolling the region along the line of contact between Turkish and Syrian forces,[\[561\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ko-il-rftv-562)[\[566\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-wapo-ssgse-567) indicating that Russia was now filling the security vacuum from the sudden US withdrawal.[\[566\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-wapo-ssgse-567)[\[587\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-588) Video footage showed Russian soldiers and journalists touring a base that the US had abandoned.[\[566\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-wapo-ssgse-567)[\[588\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ol-ram-589) Alexander Lavrentiev, Russia's special envoy on Syria, warned that the Turkish offensive into Syria was unacceptable and stated that Russia was seeking to prevent conflict between Turkish and Syrian troops.[\[589\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-590)
#### Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone (October 2019)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=45 "Edit section: Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone (October 2019)")\]
On 22 October, Russia and Turkey made an agreement via the Sochi Agreement of 2019 to set up a [Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Northern_Syria_Buffer_Zone "Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone").[\[590\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-591) Syrian President Assad expressed full support for the deal, as various terms of the agreement also applied to the Syrian government.[\[591\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-GuardianBuffer-592)
The demilitarization agreement reportedly included the following terms:[\[552\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Fraser-553)[\[591\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-GuardianBuffer-592)[\[554\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-newsweek.com-555)[\[592\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-593)[\[593\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-594)[\[594\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-595)
- A buffer zone would be established in Northern Syria. The zone would be around **30 kilometres (19 mi)** deep,[\[b\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-596) stretching from [Euphrates River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates_River "Euphrates River") to [Tall Abyad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tall_Abyad "Tall Abyad") and from [Ras al-Ayn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ras_al-Ayn "Ras al-Ayn") to the Iraq-Syria border, but excluding the town of [Qamishli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamishli "Qamishli"), the Kurds' *de facto* capital.[\[c\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-597)
- The buffer zone would be controlled jointly by the [Syrian Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Army "Syrian Army") and [Russian Military Police](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Military_Police "Russian Military Police").
- All [YPG](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YPG "YPG") forces, which constitute the majority of the SDF, must withdraw from the buffer zone entirely, along with their weapons, within 150 hours from the announcement of the deal. Their withdrawal would be overseen by Russian Military Police and the Syrian Border Guards, which would enter the zone at noon on 23 October.
- The YPG would also withdraw from the cities of [Manbij](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij "Manbij") and [Tell Rifaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tell_Rifaat "Tell Rifaat").[\[d\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-598)
- Following the YPG withdrawal, joint Russian-Turkish ground patrols would be held in the buffer zone area, but only within **10 kilometres (6.2 mi)** from the border and not including Qamishli.[\[e\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-599)[\[f\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-600)
- Turkey would retain sole control of the areas it had captured during its offensive between the towns of [Tell Abyad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tell_Abyad "Tell Abyad") and [Ras al-Ayn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ras_al-Ayn "Ras al-Ayn").
- The [Syrian Government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Government "Syrian Government") would construct and man 15 border posts on the [Turkish-Syrian border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish-Syrian_border "Turkish-Syrian border").
- The parties would launch a joint effort to resettle [Syrian refugees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_refugee "Syrian refugee") in a "safe and voluntary manner".
- The parties would agree to "preserve the political unity and territorial integrity of Syria" as well as protect the "national security of Turkey".
- The parties would agree to reaffirm the importance of the [Adana Agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adana_Agreement "Adana Agreement"). Russia will facilitate the implementation of the Adana Agreement.
Following the diplomatic breakthrough, the SDF stated that it was willing to merge with the Syrian Army if a political settlement between the Syrian government and the SDF was achieved.[\[595\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-601)
Meanwhile, on 26 October, U.S. [Joint Special Operations Command](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Special_Operations_Command "Joint Special Operations Command")'s (JSOC) [1st SFOD-D (Delta Force)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Force "Delta Force") conducted a raid into [Idlib province](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_province "Idlib province") on the border with Turkey that resulted in the death of ISIL leader [Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi "Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi"), striking a blow to the terror organization.[\[596\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-602)
### Russian troops enter Raqqa; Syrian Constitutional Committee; NATO summit; Turkish occupation; continued refugee crisis (October 2019–December 2019)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=46 "Edit section: Russian troops enter Raqqa; Syrian Constitutional Committee; NATO summit; Turkish occupation; continued refugee crisis (October 2019–December 2019)")\]
On 28 October, in response to a speech by Assad, the Syrian Democratic Council said it was ready to have positive discussions with the Assad government. They said their focus would shift to stopping the Turkish invasion.[\[597\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-603)[\[598\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-:4-604)[\[599\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-:5-605) Multiple Kurdish groups that were once rivals have begun to seek greater unity against Turkey. Additionally, Syrian Kurdish officials have had some positive discussions with the Assad government, and with local countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan.[\[600\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-al-monitor_overview-606)
On 30 October, the recently negotiated [Syrian Constitutional Committee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Constitutional_Committee "Syrian Constitutional Committee") held its inaugural meeting.[\[601\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-607) On 20 November, the committee began operating in order to discuss a new settlement and to draft a new constitution for Syria.[\[517\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Astana_Sabah-518) This committee comprises about 150 members. It includes representatives of the Syrian government, opposition groups, and countries serving as guarantors of the process such as e.g. Russia. However, this committee has faced strong opposition from the Syrian government. 50 of the committee members represent the government, and 50 members represent the opposition. The committee began its work in November 2019 in Geneva, under UN auspices. However, the Assad government delegation left on the second day of the process.[\[517\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Astana_Sabah-518)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:President_Trump_Meets_with_the_President_of_Turkey_\(49060819653\).jpg)
President [Donald Trump](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump "Donald Trump") meets with Turkish President [Recep Tayyip Erdoğan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recep_Tayyip_Erdo%C4%9Fan "Recep Tayyip Erdoğan") in the Oval Office of the White House, 13 November 2019
At the NATO summit in London in early December 2019, French president Emmanuel Macron of France highlighted major differences with Turkey over the definition of terrorism, and said there was little chance this aspect of the conflict could be resolved positively.[\[602\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-608) Macron criticized Turkey strongly for fighting against groups who had been allied with France and the West in fighting terrorism.[\[603\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-euobserver_nato-609) Numerous issues in resolving the conflict emerged at the NATO summit in London. Turkey proposed a safe zone where Syrian refugees could be relocated, but this idea did not receive support from all parties.[\[603\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-euobserver_nato-609) Prior to the NATO Summit, there was a meeting at 10 Downing Street of the leaders of France, the UK, Germany and Turkey. One key point that emerged that the Western countries insisted that refugees could only be relocated voluntarily.[\[604\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-610)[\[605\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-611) Meanwhile, there were concerns in NATO about Turkey's growing closeness with Russia.[\[606\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-612)
On 5 December, Erdogan claimed that a four-way summit on Syria was scheduled to occur in Turkey in February 2020 and will include Turkey, Germany, the UK, and France.[\[607\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-613) The same day, United States Defense Secretary [Mark Esper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Esper "Mark Esper") said that the United States had completed its military pullback in northeastern Syria and that 600 troops would remain in the rest of Syria.[\[608\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-614) On 12 December, Esper said that Turkey's northern buffer zone had now "stabilized" the situation in northern Syria.[\[609\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-615)[\[588\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ol-ram-589)[\[610\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-616)[\[611\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-617)
At a meeting in Damascus, Russian and Syrian officials clearly stated their support for Syria regaining control over all of its territory.[\[612\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-618)[\[613\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-619)[\[614\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-620) The United Arab Emirates also expressed official support for Assad.[\[615\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-621) Russia handled security through its own forces deployed in some key towns under the Sochi Agreement. On 9 December, Russian troops entered Raqqa and began distributing humanitarian aid.[\[616\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-622)[\[617\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-623)[\[618\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-624) As part of the buffer zone agreement, Russian military police were carrying out joint patrols and were bringing humanitarian aid to local communities.[\[619\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-625)[\[620\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-626) Meanwhile, the Assad government forged agreements with some opposition groups to return to various local border areas.[\[600\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-al-monitor_overview-606)[\[621\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-627)[\[598\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-:4-604)[\[599\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-:5-605)[\[622\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-628)[\[623\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-629)
Also on 9 December, it was reported that the Russian and Turkish armies had made a deal whereby electricity would be supplied to Tal Abyad by Russia's allies, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) who now support Assad; while water would be supplied by the Alouk water station that is controlled by Turkish forces.[\[624\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-630) This deal was mainly facilitated by Russian military officials.[\[625\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-631)[\[626\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-m4road-632)[\[627\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-633) It was also reported on 11 December that the [M4 road](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_Motorway_\(Syria\) "M4 Motorway (Syria)") to Aleppo would reopen soon, based on an agreement mediated by Russia with Turkey, Turkey's allies in Syria, and the SDF.[\[626\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-m4road-632)[\[628\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-634)[\[629\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-635) There were some reports that Turkey has become more involved with local infrastructure in areas that it controls. Some local schools have been provided with some teachers and curriculum components.[\[630\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-636)
Around 10 December, a new round of meetings for the Astana summit process took place in the Kazakh capital Nur Sultan. The meeting includes Russia, Syria, Turkey and Iran.[\[631\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-637) At this meeting Russia, stated that the "safe zone" established by Turkey should not be expanded, as this would not accomplish anything positive for the region.[\[632\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-638) The Astana process was created by Turkey, Iran and Russia in order to find a lasting solution to the conflict. They have examined a process to reform the constitution of Syria via the newly formed Syrian Constitutional Committee.[\[517\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Astana_Sabah-518) The parties reported that they reached some important understandings at this meeting, including affirming a commitment to work together to respect Syrian territorial integrity.[\[633\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-639) The United States has boycotted this process.[\[551\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Newsweek_middle_east-552)
Various efforts were proceeding to rebuild infrastructure in Syria in December 2019. On 12 December, Russia said it would spend \$500 million to modernize Syria's port of [Tartus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartus "Tartus"). Russia also said it would build a railway to link Syria with the Persian Gulf.[\[634\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-640)[\[635\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-641) Russia would also contribute to recovery efforts by the UN.[\[636\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-642) Syria awarded oil exploration contracts to two Russian firms.[\[637\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-643) On 16 December, Syria announced it was in serious dialogue with China to join China's [Belt and Road Initiative](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belt_and_Road_Initiative "Belt and Road Initiative") designed to foster investment in infrastructure in over one-hundred developing nations worldwide.[\[638\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-644)[\[639\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-645)
#### Continued refugee crisis, Kurdish fears of ethnic cleansing, and UN aid dispute (December 2019)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=47 "Edit section: Continued refugee crisis, Kurdish fears of ethnic cleansing, and UN aid dispute (December 2019)")\]
In December 2019, Erdogan stated that Turkey was ready to resettle 1 million Syrian refugees in the northern Syria areas that Turkey had invaded, and that Turkey would pay the costs to do it if necessary, while also calling for more support from the EU and from world organizations.[\[640\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceA-646)[\[641\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-middleeasteye.net-647)[\[642\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-middleeastmonitor.com-648)[\[643\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-wsau.com-649)[\[644\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-650) On 9 December, various local accounts indicated that Turkey was moving Syrian refugees into its zone of operations in Northern Syria for the first time.[\[645\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-651) Erdogan said that Turkey was working to settle one million people in the cities of Tal Abyad and Ras Al-Ain in northern Syria.[\[646\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-652) This led to fears of population change or [ethnic cleansing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_cleansing "Ethnic cleansing").[\[647\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-653) Turkey also began to appoint local mayors and governors in several northern Syrian towns.[\[648\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-654) They also appointed about 4,000 police officers and other local officials, and were providing some basic local services for citizens.[\[649\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-655)
The number of migrants crossing from Turkey into Europe doubled in 2019 to 70,000, raising questions about whether the 2016 EU-Turkey migrant deal is still effective, Deutsche Welle reported, citing a confidential EU report.[\[650\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-dw.com-656)[\[651\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-thehill.com-657) This caused the Kurds to raise some concerns about displacement of various existing populations and communities.[\[652\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-foreign_policy_Dec_2019-658) Erdogan claimed that Turkey had spent billions on approximately five million refugees now being housed in Turkey; and also asserted that wealthier nations had done little to address the situation.[\[653\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-dailysabah.com-659)[\[654\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-channelnewsasia.com-660)[\[655\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-al-monitor.com-661)
A major statement from NGO [ACT Alliance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACT_Alliance "ACT Alliance") found that millions of Syrian refugees remained displaced in countries around Syria. This included around 1.5 million refugees in Lebanon. Also the report found that refugees in camps in north-eastern Syria had tripled in the past year.[\[656\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-662) The UNHCR has also been tracking data on refugees, and maintains [an official website](https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria) to do so.[\[657\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-663) Numerous refugees remained in local refugee camps. Conditions there were reported to be severe, especially with winter approaching.[\[658\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-washokani-664)[\[659\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-665) Refugees in Northeast Syria report they had received no help from international aid organizations.[\[660\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-666)
Meanwhile, a diplomatic dispute was occurring at the UN over re-authorization of cross-border aid for refugees. China and Russia oppose the draft resolution that seeks to re-authorize crossing points in Turkey, Iraq, and Jordan; China and Russia, as allies of Assad, seek to close the two crossing points in Iraq and Jordan, and to leave only the two crossing points in Turkey active.[\[661\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-un_refugees-667) All of the ten individuals representing the non-permanent members of the Security Council stood in the corridor outside of the chamber speaking to the press to state that all four crossing points were crucial and must be renewed.[\[661\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-un_refugees-667)
UN official [Mark Lowcock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Lowcock "Mark Lowcock") had asked the UN to re-authorize cross-border aid to enable aid to continue to reach refugees in Syria. He said there was no other way to deliver the aid that was needed. He noted that four million refugees out of the over eleven million refugees who need assistance are being reached through four specific international crossing points. Lowcock serves as the United Nations [Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under-Secretary-General_for_Humanitarian_Affairs_and_Emergency_Relief_Coordinator "Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator") and the Head of the [United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Office_for_the_Coordination_of_Humanitarian_Affairs "United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs").[\[662\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-UN_VOA_12/2019-668)
Russia, aided by China's support, vetoed the resolution to retain all four border crossings. An alternate resolution also did not pass.[\[663\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-669)[\[664\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-670) The US strongly criticized the vetoes and opposition by Russia and China.[\[665\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-671)[\[666\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-672)
In regards to the Kurds, the EU held an international conference in mid-December 2019 which condemned any suppression of the Kurds, and called for the self-declared Autonomous Administration in Rojava to be preserved and to be reflected in any new Syrian Constitution. The Kurds are concerned that the independence of their declared Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in Rojava might be severely curtailed.[\[667\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-673)
Various Kurdish factions that were historical rivals began to meet in order to work together more. Their stated reason was to stand together against Russia and Turkey more strongly if needed.[\[668\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-674)[\[669\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-what_now-675) The Russian government has informed the Kurdish factions that they should reconcile and come up with a unified set of demands to clarify to Russia.[\[670\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-676) Various Kurdish factions blamed each other and their council for lack of progress.[\[671\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-677) The national Syrian government sent representatives to northeast Syria to meet with local groups there in order to address their concerns and to emphasize unity and combined effort to address problems.[\[672\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-678) A meeting occurred in Qamishli city, in northeast Syria, that included Syrian national officials, and delegates from Kurdish, Arab, and Syrian figures and forces.[\[673\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-679) Kurdish delegates emphasized their desire to help to protect Syria as a whole. They expressed willingness to have positive discussions with the Assad government.[\[674\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-680)[\[675\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-681)
SDF General Commander Mazlum Abdi met with local leaders of the Wise Committee, which is composed of leaders of local communities and local family groupings. This meeting emphasized the importance on national unity, and the need to stand against Turkish invaders.[\[676\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-682) Abdi called on the US and Russia to help stop Turkey from displacing entire communities and ethnic groups from the areas that it controls.[\[677\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-683) Some reports indicated that meetings between officials of the Assad government and leaders of local political factions went well, and all parties agreed on common goals to improve Syrian society as a whole.[\[678\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-684) The SDF showed some reluctance to integrate into the Syrian Arab Army as requested by the Assad government, though.[\[679\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-685)
Around 10 December, it appeared that Turkey was withdrawing all of its forces away from the al-Shirkark silos, which hold important supplies of wheat, this seemed to be a result of Russian mediation.[\[680\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-686) However, some reports said they later returned to re-occupy that area.[\[681\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-687) Russia said it would pledge to remove Turkish forces from a key highway in northern Syria, and replace them with Russian forces to maintain stability.[\[682\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-688) Russian and Turkish forces are continuing their joint patrols.[\[669\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-what_now-675) Questions remained about how much control Turkey had over its proxies, such as the Free Syrian Army.[\[683\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-689)
## Fourth northwestern Syria offensive and Operation Spring Shield (December 2019–April 2020)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=48 "Edit section: Fourth northwestern Syria offensive and Operation Spring Shield (December 2019–April 2020)")\]
### Fourth northwestern Syria offensive begins (December 2019–February 2020)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=49 "Edit section: Fourth northwestern Syria offensive begins (December 2019–February 2020)")\]
Russia and Syria escalated their attacks against rebel forces in and around the [Idlib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate "Idlib Governorate") province by the end of 2019 despite the unilateral ceasefire from August and announced sanctions by the United States.[\[684\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-690)[\[685\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-691) Air raids by the government forces targeted the [Ma'arrat al-Nu'man District](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27arrat_al-Nu%27man_District "Ma'arrat al-Nu'man District") which resulted in more than 20 killed.[\[686\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-692)[\[687\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-693) In the same week, a bill passed the US senate including new sanctions on Syria, Iran and Russia for their alleged war crimes during the Syrian civil war.[\[688\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-694)[\[689\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-695)
On 19 December 2019, Syrian Army forces and allies [launched a ground offensive in the northwestern Syria countryside](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_Syria_offensive_\(December_2019%E2%80%93March_2020\) "Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)"). The main objective was to capture the [M5 road](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M5_Motorway_\(Syria\) "M5 Motorway (Syria)") which connects [Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus "Damascus") to [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo "Aleppo").[\[690\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-2ndphase-696) In late December 2019, Erdogan stated that Syrian bombing of Idlib had caused new waves of refugees to enter Turkey. Erdogan stated that Turkey could not handle this new influx, and that this influx would be "felt by all European countries".[\[691\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-697)[\[692\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-698)[\[693\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-699)
The [Syrian Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Armed_Forces "Syrian Armed Forces")' official statement on the capture of [Ma'arrat al-Nu'man](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27arrat_al-Nu%27man "Ma'arrat al-Nu'man") in February 2020
After a brief ceasefire, the Syrian Army started to advance towards the city of [Ma'arrat al-Nu'man](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27arrat_al-Nu%27man "Ma'arrat al-Nu'man") in January 2020. Following rapid advances, government forces reached the city from the eastern, northern and southern outskirts, nearly encircling it. The Syrian Army captured Ma'arrat al-Nu'man on 28 January 2020. It was the first time the Syrian government had control over the city since [the battle of 2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maarrat_al-Nu%27man_\(2012\) "Battle of Maarrat al-Nu'man (2012)").[\[694\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-700)[\[695\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-701)
Turkish President Erdogan on 19 February 2020, declared his intentions of changing the border between Syria and Turkey into a secure place for people from both countries, as Turkey prepared to commence an operation to prevent the Syrian army's attack on opposition-held Idlib province.[\[696\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-702)
In February 2020, the Syrian Army started pushing north towards the city of [Saraqib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraqib "Saraqib"). Meanwhile the offensive displaced over half a million people in northwestern Syria.[\[697\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-703) On 5 February 2020, government forces fully encircled Saraqib, including [four Turkish observation posts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_military_operation_in_Idlib_Governorate "Turkish military operation in Idlib Governorate"). After a two day siege, the Syrian Army entered the city and seized it on the same day.[\[698\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-704)
The Army advanced further to the north along the M5 towards [Aleppo city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo "Aleppo"). The road was fully under government control on 14 February 2020. In the meantime, [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey "Turkey") started to send military convoys into Idlib to reinforce their observation points.[\[699\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-705) The Syrian Army's next objective was to secure the western outskirts of Aleppo. Following a major breakthrough on the southern axis, government forces managed to cut off several rebel supply lines. In fear of getting encircled by the Syrian Army, the rebels decided to retreat westwards, leaving the government in control over western Aleppo, including the cities of [Haritan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haritan "Haritan") and [Anadan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anadan "Anadan") on 16 February 2020.[\[700\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-706)
On 20 February 2020, the rebels launched a counteroffensive towards Saraqib with [Turkish artillery support](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-155_F%C4%B1rt%C4%B1na "T-155 Fırtına").[\[701\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-707) At the same time, the Syrian Army shifted their ground advances to the [Jabal al-Zawiya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabal_Zawiya "Jabal Zawiya") and [al-Ghab plain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Ghab_plain "Al-Ghab plain") regions. According to SOHR, government forces managed to capture 33 towns and villages in 60 hours by 26 February 2020 .[\[702\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-708) The following day, the rebels backed by Turkey had fully recaptured Saraqib from government forces, thus cutting the Damascus-Aleppo M5 highway and lifting the siege of the four encircled Turkish observation points.[\[703\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-709)
### Balyun airstrikes and Operation Spring Shield (February–April 2020)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=50 "Edit section: Balyun airstrikes and Operation Spring Shield (February–April 2020)")\]
The offensive in northwestern Syria witnessed a major escalation on 27 February 2020 as a result of [pro-government airstrikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Balyun_airstrikes "2020 Balyun airstrikes") which targeted a Turkish mechanized infantry battalion near a post in the town of [Balyun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balyun "Balyun"). The strikes resulted in the death of at least 34 Turkish soldiers.[\[704\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Gurcan_deciphering-710)[\[705\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-711)[\[706\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-712) In response to the Balyun airstrikes, Turkish National Defense Minister [Hulusi Akar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulusi_Akar "Hulusi Akar") announced the launch of [Operation Spring Shield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Spring_Shield "Operation Spring Shield"). The purpose of the operation was in retaliation for the government attack on Turkish soldiers and to halt the Syrian Army advances towards Idlib.[\[707\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-713) The United States and [NATO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO "NATO") expressed support for Turkey's operation. [Turkish Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Armed_Forces "Turkish Armed Forces") and their allies managed to recapture the strategic [Zawiya Mountain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabal_Zawiya "Jabal Zawiya") together with 18 villages, while the Syrian Army captured Saraqib for the second time in a month.[\[709\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-715)[\[710\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-716)
On 5 March 2020, the presidents of Turkey and Russia, [Erdoğan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recep_Tayyip_Erdo%C4%9Fan "Recep Tayyip Erdoğan") and [Putin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin "Vladimir Putin"), met in [Moscow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow "Moscow") to talk about the situation in northwestern Syria. They agreed on a ceasefire in the region that was to come into force from 00:00 hrs on 6 March.[\[711\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceC-717) Meanwhile, Erdogan said that Turkey expected to resettle about 1 million refugees in the "buffer zone" that it controls.[\[640\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceA-646) Erdogan claimed that Turkey had spent billions on approximately five million refugees now being housed in Turkey; and called for more funding from wealthier nations and from the EU.[\[653\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-dailysabah.com-659)[\[641\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-middleeasteye.net-647)[\[642\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-middleeastmonitor.com-648)
## Civil conflict ends, clashes with Turkish forces, economic crisis (May 2020–2022)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=51 "Edit section: Civil conflict ends, clashes with Turkish forces, economic crisis (May 2020–2022)")\]
### U.S. Caesar Act sanctions, economic crisis, crime wave (May–July 2020)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=52 "Edit section: U.S. Caesar Act sanctions, economic crisis, crime wave (May–July 2020)")\]
Analysts noted that the upcoming implementation of new heavy sanctions under the [U.S. Caesar Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesar_Syria_Civilian_Protection_Act "Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act") could devastate the Syrian economy, ruin any chances of recovery, and destroy regional stability.[\[712\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Guardian_6-12-2020-718)
A leading analyst, [Julien Barnes-Dacey](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Julien_Barnes-Dacey&action=edit&redlink=1 "Julien Barnes-Dacey (page does not exist)"), director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at the [European Council on Foreign Relations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Council_on_Foreign_Relations "European Council on Foreign Relations"), said:
> "Assad is absolutely the prime driver of Syria's ongoing collapse. \[But\] the US position now appears to be fundamentally driven by great power politics and the goal of ensuring that Russia and Iran can't claim a win. My fear is that Caesar will achieve the exact opposite of its stated goals, fuelling the worst impulses of the Syrian regime and wider conflict. The US self-declared maximum pressure campaign aims to bring the regime to its knees and force its backers to concede defeat but the regime knows how to brutally hold onto power and it's clear that its key backers aren't for moving.
>
> "The Syrian people have been brutalised for a decade now and the country is devastated by conflict but we appear to be staring into the precipice of a dangerous new stage of the conflict ... which risks a devastating new unravelling".[\[712\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Guardian_6-12-2020-718)
The sanctions severely affected the Syrian economy, especially its construction, finance and energy sectors, and complicated the reconstruction efforts.[\[713\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Financial_Times-719)
On 10 June, hundreds of protesters returned to the streets of [Sweida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweida "Sweida") for the fourth consecutive day, rallying against the collapse of the [country's economy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Syria "Economy of Syria"), as the [Syrian pound](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_pound "Syrian pound") had plummeted to 3,000:1 Syrian pounds to US dollars within the previous week.[\[714\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-720) On 11 June, Prime Minister [Imad Khamis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imad_Khamis "Imad Khamis") was dismissed by President Bashar al-Assad, amid anti-government protests over deteriorating economic conditions.[\[715\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-721) The new lows for the Syrian currency, and the dramatic increase in sanctions began to raise new threats to the survival of the Assad government.[\[716\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-722)[\[717\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-723)[\[718\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-724)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Situation_in_Syria_\(July_2020\).svg)
Military situation in Syria in July 2020
Analysts noted that a resolution to the current [banking crisis in Lebanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanese_liquidity_crisis "Lebanese liquidity crisis") might be crucial to restoring stability in Syria.[\[719\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-725) Some analysts began to raise concerns that Assad might be on the verge of losing power; but that any such collapse in the regime might cause conditions to worsen, as the result might be mass chaos rather than an improvement in political or economic conditions.[\[720\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-726)[\[721\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-727)[\[722\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-728)
During summer 2020, several Syrian officers were either detained or killed in mysterious circumstances upon and after the implementation of the Caesar Act.\[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify "Wikipedia:Please clarify")*\] For instance, Syrian authorities detained Major general Maan Hussein and seized his assets on 14 June.[\[723\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-729) Moreover, some other officers were assassinated in front of their houses, including: Colonel Ali Jumblat in [Yaafour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaafour "Yaafour"), Brigadier general Jihad Zaal in [Deir Ezzor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_Ezzor "Deir Ezzor"), Brigadier general Thaer Khair Bek in Al Zahera, [Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus "Damascus"),[\[724\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-730) Nizar Zidane in [Wadi Barada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadi_Barada "Wadi Barada"), Brigadier general Maan Idris in [Dummar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dummar "Dummar"), Brigadier general Somar Deeb in Al Tijara neighborhood in Damascus, and Brigadier general Haitham Othman, who was claimed to have died of [COVID-19](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19 "COVID-19").[\[725\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-731) In July 2020, the Syrian authorities led by Prime Minister [Hussein Arnous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hussein_Arnous "Hussein Arnous") imposed a \$100 entry fee for Syrians; due to this, a 17-year-old Syrian girl, Zainab Mohammed Al-Ibrahim, died at the border with Lebanon unable to pay the fee.[\[726\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-732)
Meanwhile, throughout 2020, several recreational drug deliveries (a total of about 27 tons or 162 million [Captagon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captagon "Captagon") pills, four tons of [hashish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashish "Hashish") and other loads of [amphetamine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphetamine "Amphetamine")), exported via the seaport of [Latakia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latakia "Latakia"), were intercepted; the production of which was organized by relatives of the [al-Assad family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Assad_family "Al-Assad family"). The subsequent sale can be used to obtain foreign currency that was difficult to obtain due to the international sanctions for the Syrian state or its government.[\[727\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-733)[\[728\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-734)
### Entrenched Russian influence and continued Kurdish–Turkish tensions (July 2020–June 2022)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=53 "Edit section: Entrenched Russian influence and continued Kurdish–Turkish tensions (July 2020–June 2022)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_Civil_War_map_\(November_24,_2023\).svg)
Military situation from March 2020 to November 2024
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:M2_Bradley_Infantry_Fighting_Vehicles_in_Northeast_Syria_November_2020.jpg)
U.S. soldiers deployed in northeast Syria, 12 November 2020
After June 2020, Russia continued to expand its influence and military role in the areas of Syria where the main military conflict was occurring.[\[729\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-735)
As of 2022, the main military threat and conflict faced by Rojava's official defense force, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), are firstly, an ongoing conflict with ISIS; and secondly, ongoing concerns of possible invasion of the northeast regions of Syria by Turkish forces, in order to strike Kurdish groups in general, and Rojava in particular.[\[730\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-736)[\[731\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-737)[\[732\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-738) An official report by the Rojava government noted Turkey-backed militias as the main threat to the region of Rojava and its government.[\[733\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-739)
In May 2022, [Middle East Eye](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East_Eye "Middle East Eye") and [Middle East Monitor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East_Monitor "Middle East Monitor") reported that Turkish and Syrian opposition officials said that Turkey's Armed Forces and the [Syrian National Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_National_Army "Syrian National Army") were planning a new operation against the SDF, composed mostly of the YPG/YPJ.[\[734\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceB-740)[\[735\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceD-741)\[*[unreliable source?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Reliable_sources "Wikipedia:Reliable sources")*\] The new operation is set to resume efforts to create 30-kilometer (18.6-mile) wide "safe zones" along Turkey's border with Syria, President Erdoğan said in a statement.[\[736\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Agencies-742) The operation aims at the [Tal Rifaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Rifaat "Tal Rifaat") and [Manbij](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij "Manbij") regions west of the [Euphrates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates "Euphrates") and other areas further east. Meanwhile, Ankara is in talks with Moscow over the operation. Erdoğan reiterated his determination for the operation on 8 August 2022.[\[737\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-743)
## Accords between Syrian government and rebels, conflicts with Turkish forces and proxies (2022–November 2024)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=54 "Edit section: Accords between Syrian government and rebels, conflicts with Turkish forces and proxies (2022–November 2024)")\]
### Discussion by Kurdish groups and Syrian government on joint efforts against Turkey, and ISIS, June 2022–November 2024
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=55 "Edit section: Discussion by Kurdish groups and Syrian government on joint efforts against Turkey, and ISIS, June 2022–November 2024")\]
On 5 June 2022, the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, said that forces of the Kurdish government in the [Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria") (AANES) were willing to work with Syrian government forces to defend against Turkey, saying "Damascus should use its air defense systems against Turkish planes." Abdi said that Kurdish groups would be able to cooperate with the Syrian government, and still retain their autonomy.[\[738\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-voanews.com-744)[\[739\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-thenationalnews.com-745)[\[740\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-forbes.com-746)[\[741\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Kurdish,_Syrian_2022-747)[\[742\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-abcnews.go.com-748) The joint discussions were a result of the negotiation processes that had begun in October 2019.[\[743\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-749)
In July 2022, the SDF and the official Syrian military forged active plans to coordinate actively together to create defense plans to guard against invasion by Turkey.[\[744\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-english.aawsat.com-750) The SDF said that they felt that the main threat to Kurdish groups was an invasion by Turkey.[\[745\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-coffeeordie.com-751)
In August 2022, Kurdish forces focused mainly on fighting ISIS forces in the areas around Kurdish portions of Syria.[\[746\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-752)
In September 2022, a new UN report stated that the [Syrian Civil War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Civil_War "Syrian Civil War") was in danger of flaring up again. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, chair of the UN's Syria commission, said that "Syria cannot afford a return to larger-scale fighting, but that is where it may be heading." The UN report described increased arrests and crackdowns on opposition leaders. The UN also said it had been totally unable to deliver any supplies during the first half of 2022.[\[747\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-UN_report_9-2022-753)
In summer 2022, there were reports that Syrian diplomats had met with Turkish diplomats, at an international conference.[\[748\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-754) In late 2022, Turkish President Erdogan expressed openness to meeting with Assad.[\[749\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-755)[\[750\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-756)[\[751\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-757) Some analysts attributed this new attitude to Erdogan's desire to improve his popularity with voters, ahead of upcoming elections; and also, to improve Turkey's relations with Russia, which has forces deployed in Syria.[\[752\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-758)
Various rights advocates expressed concerns that improved relations between Syrian President Assad and Turkish President Erdogan might eventually be detrimental to Syrian refugees in Turkey. Also, there were reports of an increase of attacks on Syrian immigrants living in Turkey. In October 2022, some NGOs stated that thousands of Syrian refugees in Turkey were being forcibly returned to Syria by Turkish forces, and specifically being forced to relocate to the northern zone of Syria controlled by Turkey.[\[753\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-759) The Commander of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi, expressed concerns that normalization of relations between Assad and Erdogan might be detrimental to Kurdish communities.[\[754\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-760)
In October 2022, the United Nations called for a "nationwide ceasefire" in Syria. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, met with Syria's foreign minister in Damascus; afterwards, Pedersen said that Syria's economic situation is "extremely difficult as close to 15 million people are in need for humanitarian assistance."[\[755\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-761) One of the main local military conflicts was an internal conflict, amongst factions of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA).[\[756\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-762)[\[757\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-763)
Various [Kurdish leaders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria") indicated that any military cooperation with the [Syrian government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_government "Syrian government") was separate from political negotiations, and that military cooperation would not necessarily solve all political questions on a permanent basis.[\[758\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-764) In December 2022, [Mazloum Abdi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazloum_Abdi "Mazloum Abdi") said:
> "In the absence of a political solution, the objective of our military coordination with the Syrian army is to prevent a [Turkish occupation of Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_occupation_of_northern_Syria "Turkish occupation of northern Syria"). We believe that Syrians must unite in the face of external interference and fight to preserve Syria's territorial integrity."[\[759\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-765)
As of 2023, active fighting in the conflict between the Syrian government and rebel groups had mostly subsided, but there were occasional flareups in Northwestern Syria.[\[760\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Jazeera_Staff_2023-766)[\[761\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-news.un.org-767) In early 2023, reports indicated that the forces of ISIS in Syria had mostly been defeated, with only a few cells remaining in various remote locations.[\[762\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-iraq.un.org-768)[\[763\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-centcom.mil-769)[\[764\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-euronews.com-770)
As of 2023, Turkey was continuing its attacks on various militias within Syria, consisting mostly of the YPG.[\[765\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-newlinesinstitute.org-771)[\[734\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceB-740)[\[735\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceD-741) One stated goal was to create "safe zones" along Turkey's border with Syria, according to a statement by Turkish President Erdoğan.[\[736\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Agencies-742) The operations were generally aimed at the [Tal Rifaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Rifaat "Tal Rifaat") and [Manbij](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij "Manbij") regions west of the [Euphrates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates "Euphrates") and other areas further east. President Erdoğan openly stated his support for the operations, in talks with Moscow in mid-2022.[\[766\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-hurriyetdailynews.com-772)
In early 2023, Turkish-backed militias carried out military attacks against Kurdish militias, using tanks and artillery.[\[767\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-773)
In March 2023, the Syrian government declared that it would not seek any reconciliation with Turkey, unless Turkey withdrew all of its proxy forces from Syria. This statement occurred in response to diplomatic efforts by Russia, which sought to encourage Syria and Turkey to seek reconciliation, and restoration of diplomatic ties.[\[768\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-774)
In August, the [10th of August movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_of_August_movement "10th of August movement") was launched, a new pan-Syrian protest movement. In late August, a [general strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_strike "General strike") in [Suweida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suweida "Suweida") sparked [protests across southern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Syrian_protests "2023 Syrian protests").[\[769\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Lebanon_2023_v151-775)
### Stalemate in civil conflict, renewed relations with Assad government
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=56 "Edit section: Stalemate in civil conflict, renewed relations with Assad government")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_Civil_War_map_\(November_24,_2023\).svg)
Military situation before the opposition offensives in late 2024.
Territories held by [Tahrir al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahrir_al-Sham "Tahrir al-Sham") (white) and the Syrian government (red).
As of 2023, active fighting in the conflict between the Syrian government and rebel groups had mostly subsided, but there were occasional flareups in Northwestern Syria.[\[760\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Jazeera_Staff_2023-766)[\[761\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-news.un.org-767) In early 2023, reports indicated that the forces of ISIS in Syria had mostly been defeated, with only a few cells remaining in various remote locations.[\[762\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-iraq.un.org-768)[\[763\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-centcom.mil-769)[\[764\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-euronews.com-770)
As of 2023, Turkey was continuing its support for various militias within Syria, consisting mostly of the [SNA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_National_Army "Syrian National Army"), which periodically attempted some operations against Kurdish groups such as the YPG/YPJ.[\[765\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-newlinesinstitute.org-771)[\[770\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-rebelgroups-776)[\[734\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceB-740)[\[735\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-ReferenceD-741) One stated goal was to create "safe zones" along Turkey's border with Syria, according to a statement by Turkish President Erdoğan.[\[736\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-Agencies-742) The operations were generally aimed at the [Tal Rifaat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Rifaat "Tal Rifaat") and [Manbij](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manbij "Manbij") regions west of the [Euphrates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates "Euphrates") and other areas further east. President Erdoğan openly stated his support for the operations, in talks with Moscow in mid-2022.[\[766\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-hurriyetdailynews.com-772)
In 2023, various sources reported that the war had settled into the status of a low-level conflict, which had mainly achieved a stalemate. The [Council on Foreign Relations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_on_Foreign_Relations "Council on Foreign Relations") stated:
> The war whose brutality once dominated headlines has settled into an uncomfortable stalemate. Hopes for regime change have largely died out, peace talks have been fruitless, and some regional governments are reconsidering their opposition to engaging with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. The government has regained control of most of the country, and Assad's hold on power seems secure. Meanwhile, the Syrian people are suffering an economic crisis, and a massive earthquake at the start of 2023 cast much of the population in the north into further despair.[\[771\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-cfr_2023-777)
The [United States Institute for Peace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Institute_for_Peace "United States Institute for Peace") stated:
> Twelve years into Syria’s devastating civil war, the conflict appears to have settled into a frozen state. Although roughly 30% of the country is controlled by opposition forces, heavy fighting has largely ceased and there is a growing regional trending toward normalizing relations with the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Over the last decade, the conflict erupted into one of the most complicated in the world, with a dizzying array of international and regional powers, opposition groups, proxies, local militias and extremist groups all playing a role. The Syrian population has been brutalized, with nearly a half a million killed, 12 million fleeing their homes to find safety elsewhere, and widespread poverty and hunger. Meanwhile, efforts to broker a political settlement have gone nowhere, leaving the Assad regime firmly in power.[\[772\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-usip.org-778)
### Conflict with Turkish forces
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=57 "Edit section: Conflict with Turkish forces")\]
In 2023, the main military conflict was not between the Syrian government and rebels, but rather between Turkish forces and factions within Syria. In late 2023, Turkish forces continued to attack Kurdish forces, in the region of Rojava,[\[773\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-779) Starting on 5 October 2023, the [Turkish Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Armed_Forces "Turkish Armed Forces") launched a series of air and ground strikes targeting the [Syrian Democratic Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces") in [Northeastern Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria"). The airstrikes were launched in response to the [2023 Ankara bombing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Ankara_bombing "2023 Ankara bombing"), which the Turkish government alleges was carried out by attackers originating from Northeastern Syria.[\[774\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-reuters1-780)
- On 12 October 2023, Israel struck the Damascus and Aleppo airports.
- On 14 October 2023, an Israeli airstrike temporarily took the Damascus airport out of service.
- On 22 October 2023, Israeli airstrikes simultaneously hit the Damascus and Aleppo airports, damaging the runways.
- On 25 October 2023, after rockets were fired from Syria into the Golan Heights, Israeli fighters targeted the Aleppo airport and several military sites.[\[775\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-781)
## Renewed rebel offensive and collapse of Assad's regime (November 2024–present)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=59 "Edit section: Renewed rebel offensive and collapse of Assad's regime (November 2024–present)")\]
### Opposition Rapid Offensive; SAA in retreat (November–December 2024)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=60 "Edit section: Opposition Rapid Offensive; SAA in retreat (November–December 2024)")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syrian_Civil_War_\(November_-_December_2024\).svg)
[Syrian opposition offensives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Syrian_opposition_offensives "2024 Syrian opposition offensives") that overthrew Assad's regime in 11 days
On 27 November 2024, a coalition of [Syrian opposition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_opposition "Syrian opposition") groups called the [Military Operations Command](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Operations_Command_\(Syria\) "Military Operations Command (Syria)")[\[776\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-782) led by [Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hay%27at_Tahrir_al-Sham "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham") (HTS) launched a lightning [offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deterrence_of_Aggression "Deterrence of Aggression")[\[777\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-783) against the pro-government [Syrian Arab Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Arab_Army "Syrian Arab Army") (SAA) forces in [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo_Governorate "Aleppo Governorate"), [Idlib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlib_Governorate "Idlib Governorate"), [Hama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_Governorate "Hama Governorate") and [Homs Governorates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homs_Governorate "Homs Governorate") in [Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria "Syria") which was followed by [other rebel offensives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Syrian_opposition_offensives "2024 Syrian opposition offensives") from the [Southern Front](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Front_\(Syrian_rebel_group\) "Southern Front (Syrian rebel group)"), the [SDF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces") and the [Syrian Free Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Free_Army "Syrian Free Army").[\[778\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-784)[\[779\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-785)[\[780\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-786) On 28 November, it was reported that Russian and Syrian warplanes were bombing rebel positions in response to the offensive. Additionally, Iranian state media said that [Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Revolutionary_Guards_Corps "Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps") (IRGC) Brigadier General [Kioumars Pourhashemi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kioumars_Pourhashemi "Kioumars Pourhashemi"), a senior Iranian military adviser in Syria, was killed in [Aleppo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo "Aleppo").[\[781\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-787)[\[782\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-788) On 29 November, rebel forces entered Aleppo, [restarting conflict over the city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppo_\(2024\) "Battle of Aleppo (2024)").[\[783\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-789) On 30 November, several more settlements were seized, with the rebels entering [Hama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama "Hama") and [Homs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homs "Homs").[\[784\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-790)[\[785\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-791)[\[786\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-792)[\[787\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-793)[\[788\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-794) On 7 December 2024, the outskirts of [Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus "Damascus") were reached by rebel forces.[\[789\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-795)[\[790\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-796)
### Fall of Damascus; End of the Assad's regime (December 2024)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=61 "Edit section: Fall of Damascus; End of the Assad's regime (December 2024)")\]
On 8 December, Syrian opposition forces [captured](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Damascus_\(2024\) "Fall of Damascus (2024)") Damascus after Bashar al-Assad's forces withdrew[\[791\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-797)[\[792\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-798) and subsequently announced the [collapse of Assad's regime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_the_Assad_regime "Fall of the Assad regime").[\[793\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-799)
Despite the collapse of the Assad regime Turkish-backed forces in northern Syria have continued to attack the [Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria").[\[794\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-800)[\[795\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-801) On 10 December, according to [reason.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reason.com "Reason.com"), "....Kobane came under attack again. With the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in Damascus and the uncertainty over what comes next, Turkey has been seeking an opportunity to wipe out its Kurdish opponents and carve out a puppet state in Syria's north. With air cover from the Turkish Air Force, militias known as the Syrian National Army (SNA) overran the nearby city of Manbij and marched toward Kobane."[\[796\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-802)\[*[better source needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Questionable_sources "Wikipedia:Verifiability")*\] In December 2024, the factions supported by Turkey announced they would discontinue the ceasefire with groups supported by the US, such as Syrian Democratic Forces. [Al-Monitor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Monitor "Al-Monitor") reported that Kurdish soures had told them that the SNA "informed the SDF... that it would be returning to 'a state of combat against us,'... The sources said negotiations between the SDF and the SNA had 'failed' and that 'significant military buildups' in areas east and west of... Kobani on the Turkish border were being observed."[\[797\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-803)
On 26 December 2024, former Syrian [major general](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_General "Major General") [Mohammad Kanjo Hassan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Kanjo_Hassan "Mohammad Kanjo Hassan") was found hiding in a hole in the town of [Khirbet al-Ma'zah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khirbet_al-Ma%27zah "Khirbet al-Ma'zah"), he was [arrested](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Syria_clashes_\(December_2024%E2%80%93present\) "Western Syria clashes (December 2024–present)") along with 20 of his loyalists.[\[798\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-France_24-804)
### Events and conflicts after fall of Assad (December 2024–present)
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war&action=edit§ion=62 "Edit section: Events and conflicts after fall of Assad (December 2024–present)")\]
On 5 January 2025, major fighting occurred between pro-Turkish militias, and Kurdish forces.[\[799\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-805)
On 30 January 2025, the interim government officially announces that Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of HTS, had been appointed as Syrias transitional president.[\[800\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BritannicaUprising-806)[\[801\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-807)
Between 6 March and 10 March, violent confrontations erupt between remnants of Assad-aligned forces and units loyal to the interim government. In response, the interim authorities initiate a crackdown in predominantly Alawite towns, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people were killed during the operation.[\[802\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-808) Similarly, attacks on minorities, in particular [Druze](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze "Druze") peoples, have shaken confidence in the post Assad Government [\[803\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-809)
On 11 March 2025, the interim government and the Syrian Democratic Forces reached an agreement to incorporate the Kurdish-led group into the new governing structure.[\[804\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-TimesDeal-810)
In July 2025, heavy fighting broke out between [Druze](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze "Druze") and [Bedouin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedouin "Bedouin") in [Suweida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suwayda "Suwayda"), killing dozens.[\[805\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-BBCDruze-811) The Syrian government deployed regular soldiers and Interior Ministry units there. According to Israeli officials, this was done to crack down on the Druze minority.[\[806\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-TagesschauDruze-812) The [IDF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Defense_Forces "Israel Defense Forces") attacked [Syrian Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Armed_Forces "Syrian Armed Forces") vehicles from the air and with URVs in order to prevent their arrival to the area. In a response, Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Netanyahu "Benjamin Netanyahu") and Defense Minister [Israel Katz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Katz "Israel Katz") cited the need to protect the Druze religious minority due to their close ties to [Israeli Druze](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_Druze "Israeli Druze") as well as assuring the security of Israel's borders by preventing the deployment of weaponry and Syrian military forces in the area.[\[807\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_note-:3-813)
1. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-7)** As at 3 January 2019, the information in the narrative section here have not been fully synced with the linked-to sub-articles.
2. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-596)** Starting from the [Syria–Turkey border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria%E2%80%93Turkey_border "Syria–Turkey border") and going south into Syria
3. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-597)** See the "External links" section in the article [Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Northern_Syria_Buffer_Zone "Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone"), for a link to an article containing an explanatory map of the buffer zone.
4. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-598)** Both of these cities are further to the south and not covered by the depth of the buffer zone, but are nonetheless explicitly mentioned in the agreement.
5. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-599)** No joint patrols will be held in the remaining part of the buffer zone.
6. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-600)** Later, the Turkish President announced that the patrols would only be held to a depth of 7 km, as opposed to 10. No reason was given for this change.
1. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-bbc_timeline_1-0)**
["Syria profile – Timeline"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703995). *BBC News*. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
2. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-2)**
["Syria's civil war: key facts, important players – CBCNews.ca"](http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/syria-dashboard/). *www.cbc.ca*. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
3. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-3)**
["Syria in civil war, Red Cross says"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-18849362). *BBC News*. 15 July 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
4. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceE_4-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceE_4-1) [Syria’s Kurds forge ‘costly deal’ with al-Assad as US pulls out: Damascus has much to gain from deal with Kurds, but its ability to halt Turkey’s push depends on Russia, say analysts.](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/15/syrias-kurds-forge-costly-deal-with-al-assad-as-us-pulls-out) By Arwa Ibrahim, Published On 15 Oct 2019 on website of Al-Jazeera.
5. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-5)** : [Kurdish forces backed by US strike deal with Syria’s Assad, in major shift in 8-year war](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/14/middleeast/syria-turkey-kurds-civilians-isis-intl-hnk/index.html), By Helen Regan and Eliza Mackintosh, CNN, Mon 14 October 2019.
6. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-6)** [Turkey-Syria offensive: Kurds reach deal with Damascus to stave off assault](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/13/kurds-reach-deal-with-damascus-in-face-of-turkish-offensive). Agreement to hand over border towns comes after more than 700 Isis affiliates escape camp. Bethan McKernan in Akçakale Mon 14 Oct 2019 website of The Guardian.
7. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-DaraaVice_8-0)**
Asher-Schapiro, Avi (15 March 2016). ["The Young Men Who Started Syria's Revolution Speak About Daraa, Where It All Began"](https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-young-men-who-started-syrias-revolution-speak-about-daraa-where-it-all-began/). Vice Media Group. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
8. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-SCW_9-0)**
Fahim, Kareem; [Saad, Hwaida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwaida_Saad "Hwaida Saad") (8 February 2013). ["A Faceless Teenage Refugee Who Helped Ignite Syria's War"](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/09/world/middleeast/a-faceless-teenage-refugee-who-helped-ignite-syrias-war.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
9. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-10)**
["Mid-East unrest: Syrian protests in Damascus and Aleppo"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-12749674). *BBC News*. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
10. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-DR_11-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-DR_11-1)
Sinjab, Lina (19 March 2011). ["Middle East unrest: Silence broken in Syria"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-12794882). *BBC News*. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
11. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-12)**
Dicker, Katie (2017). *The Syrian Civil War* (First ed.). New York, NY: Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC. p. 8. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-5026-3254-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-5026-3254-8 "Special:BookSources/978-1-5026-3254-8")
. [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [1026389327](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1026389327).
12. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-13)**
["The struggle for Syria in 2011"](http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Struggle_For_Syria.pdf) (PDF). Understanding War. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
13. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-14)**
["Assad blames conspirators for Syrian protests"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/30/syrian-protests-assad-blames-conspirators). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
14. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-bbc24M11_15-0)**
["US policy on Syria 'depends on success in Libya'"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13529923). *BBC News*. 24 May 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
15. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Kh.31-5-11_16-0)**
["Armed residents put up resistance to Syrian army"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140223074232/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/May/middleeast_May870.xml§ion=middleeast). *Khaleej Times (Dubai)*. 31 May 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/May/middleeast_May870.xml§ion=middleeast) on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
16. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-bbc5511,17.19GMT_17-0)**
["Syria protests: Rights group warns of 'Deraa massacre'"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13299793). *BBC News*. 5 May 2011. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110506035755/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13299793) from the original on 6 May 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
17. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-18)**
Salloum, Raniah (10 October 2013). ["From Jail to Jihad: Former Prisoners Fight in Syrian Insurgency"](http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/former-prisoners-fight-in-syrian-insurgency-a-927158.html). *Spiegel*. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
18. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-understandingwar_19-0)**
Holliday, Joseph (December 2011). ["The Struggle for Syria in 2011"](http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Struggle_For_Syria.pdf) (PDF). *Institute for the Study of War*. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
(page 21)
19. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-United_States_Institute_of_Peace_2021_20-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-United_States_Institute_of_Peace_2021_20-1)
["Syria Timeline: Since the Uprising Against Assad"](https://www.usip.org/syria-timeline-uprising-against-assad). *United States Institute of Peace*. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
20. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-nowin_21-0)**
["UN: Syria now in a civil war"](https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna45514855). MSNBC. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
21. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-deadly_reprisals_22-0)**
["Deadly Reprisals: deliberate killings and other abuses by Syria's armed forces"](https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde24/041/2012/en/). Amnesty International. June 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
22. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-23)**
["Syria: Repression continues despite Annan plan hopes"](https://www.amnesty.org/en/news/syria-repression-continues-despite-annan-plan-hopes-2012-04-03). Amnesty International. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
23. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Air_War_24-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Air_War_24-1)
["Observations on the Air War in Syria"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234154/http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/opeds/Boxx20130301-AirSpace.pdf) (PDF). *Air & Space Power Journal*. March–April 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/opeds/Boxx20130301-AirSpace.pdf) (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
24. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-25)** [AlArabiya Network. 30 April 2012](http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/04/30/211156.html)
25. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-26)**
["Iran reaffirms full support for Annan's Syria peace plan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120711013905/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/07/10/225485.html). Al Arabiya. 10 July 2012. Archived from [the original](http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/07/10/225485.html) on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
26. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-27)**
["Kofi Annan resigns as UN Syria envoy"](http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Kofi-Annan-resigns-as-UN-Syria-envoy/articleshow/15329904.cms). *The Times of India*. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
27. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-aa0406_28-0)**
["Deadly violence flares in Syria as EU-Russia seek solutions"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120705033042/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/06/04/218430.html). Al Arabiya. 4 June 2012. Archived from [the original](http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/06/04/218430.html) on 5 July 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
28. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-29)**
["Assad names new Syrian PM, army battles rebels"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130224031049/http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/assad-names-new-syrian-pm-army-battles-rebels/). Trust. Reuters. 6 June 2012. Archived from [the original](http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/assad-names-new-syrian-pm-army-battles-rebels/) on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
29. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-30)**
["New 'massacre' reported in Syria's Hama province"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18348201). *BBC News*. 7 June 2012.
30. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-31)**
["Syria UN team 'shot at' near Qubair 'massacre site'"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18352281). *BBC News*. 7 June 2012.
31. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-bbc12-6-12_32-0)**
["Syria in civil war, says UN official Herve Ladsous"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18417952). *BBC News*. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
32. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-33)** Ivan Watson (12 June 2012). ["Syria: Battle for the cities"](https://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/11/world/meast/syria-battle-for-cities/index.html). CNN. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
33. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-34)**
["Syria's Qusayr prepares for Ramadan under siege"](http://beta.dawn.com/news/733230/syrias-qusayr-prepares-for-ramadan-under-siege). 10 July 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
34. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-35)**
Abouzeid, Rania (20 July 2012). ["In Rebel Syria: Celebrating Assad's Departure–Even Though He's Still Staying"](https://world.time.com/2012/07/20/in-rebel-syria-celebrating-assads-departure-even-though-hes-still-staying/). *Time*. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
35. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-36)**
["Syria in civil war, Red Cross says"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18849362). BBC. 15 July 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
36. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-37)**
Ruth Sherlock; Adrian Blomfield (17 July 2012). ["Syrian rebels launch campaign to 'liberate' Damascus"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9407153/Syrian-rebels-launch-campaign-to-liberate-Damascus.html). *The Daily Telegraph*. London. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9407153/Syrian-rebels-launch-campaign-to-liberate-Damascus.html) from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
37. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-telegraph9408321_38-0)**
Damien McElroy (18 July 2012). ["Assad's brother-in-law and top Syrian officials killed in Damascus suicide bomb"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9408321/Assads-brother-in-law-and-top-Syrian-officials-killed-in-Damascus-suicide-bomb.html). *The Daily Telegraph*. London. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9408321/Assads-brother-in-law-and-top-Syrian-officials-killed-in-Damascus-suicide-bomb.html) from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
38. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-39)**
["Syria blast: Security chief Ikhtiar dies from wounds"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18920733). *BBC News*. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
39. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-40)**
Solomon, Erika (18 July 2012). ["Two Syrian rebel groups claim Damascus attack"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160201135118/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-crisis-bombing-claim-idUKBRE86H0FO20120718). *Reuters*. Archived from [the original](http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-crisis-bombing-claim-idUKBRE86H0FO20120718) on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
40. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-41)**
Aneja, Atul (28 July 2012). ["A decisive battle being waged over Aleppo"](http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article3693349.ece). *The Hindu*. Chennai, India.
41. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-42)**
Weaver, Matthew; Whitaker, Brian (25 July 2012). ["Syria crisis: Assad strikes back with jets in Aleppo and Damascus – live updates"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2012/jul/25/syria-assad-strikes-back-aleppo-live). *The Guardian*. London. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
42. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-43)**
["Syria using fighter jets against rebels: UN"](http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article3711815.ece). *The Hindu*. Chennai, India. Associated Press. 1 August 2012.
43. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ISW_Air_44-0)**
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44. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-45)**
Arango, Tim (19 July 2012). ["Iraq Says Rebels in Syria Control Border Posts"](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/20/world/middleeast/syria-border-with-iraq.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
45. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-46)**
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Barnard, Anne; Mourtada, Hania (23 September 2012). ["Rebel Group Says It Is Now Based in Syria, a Major Step"](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/world/middleeast/rebels-move-command-from-turkey-to-syria.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
46. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-47)**
Abdulmajid, Adib (8 September 2012). ["Deadly Attack Claims Many Lives in Aleppo's Kurdish Sector"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130406225022/http://www.rudaw.net/english/news/syria/5175.html). Rudaw. Archived from [the original](http://www.rudaw.net/english/news/syria/5175.html) on 6 April 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
47. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-pydkills_48-0)**
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48. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-49)**
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Naeem, Asad (11 October 2012). ["Syria rebels cut highway to northern battlefields"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141025174021/http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/1-front-top-news/85378-syria-rebels-cut-highway-to-northern-battlefields-.html). *Business Recorder*. Archived from [the original](http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/1-front-top-news/85378-syria-rebels-cut-highway-to-northern-battlefields-.html) on 25 October 2014.
50. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-51)**
Di Giovanni, Janine (18 October 2012). ["Denial Is Slipping Away as War Arrives in Damascus"](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/18/world/middleeast/syrian-war-reaches-damascus.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
51. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-52)**
Weaver, Matthew (30 October 2012). ["Syria conflict: what next after failed ceasefire?"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2012/oct/30/syria-conflict-after-failed-ceasefire-live). *The Guardian*. London.
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Gladstone, Rick (31 October 2012). ["Syrian Air Force Commander Is Reported Killed"](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/31/world/middleeast/syrian-air-force-commander-is-reported-killed.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
53. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-54)**
["Syria army quits base on strategic Aleppo road"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE88J0X720121102). *Reuters*. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
54. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-55)**
["Syrian rebels struggle to keep regime Air Force on the ground (+video)"](https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2012/1126/Syrian-rebels-struggle-to-keep-regime-Air-Force-on-the-ground-video). *The Christian Science Monitor*. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
55. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-56)**
["Rebels target air base in battle against aerial bombardment in Syria"](https://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/03/world/meast/syria-civil-war/). CNN. 4 November 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
56. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-57)**
Hubbard, Ben (20 November 2012). ["Base Seizure Sharp Blow to Syria's Efforts to Roll Back Rebel Gains"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150713012653/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ap-exclusive-syrian-rebels-seize-base-arms-trove). [Associated Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press "Associated Press"). Archived from [the original](http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ap-exclusive-syrian-rebels-seize-base-arms-trove) on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
57. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-58)**
Yeranian, Edward (22 November 2012). ["Analysts Weigh in on Longevity of Syria's Assad"](https://www.voanews.com/a/analysts_weight_in_on_longevity_of_syrias_assad/1551388.html). Voice of America. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
58. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-59)**
["Virtually all Internet service in Syria shut down, group says"](http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/28/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html). CNN. 29 November 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
59. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-60)**
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`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
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298. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-299)**
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299. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-300)**
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Erin Banco (19 June 2015). ["In Syria's North, Opposition Is Making A Major Comeback Thanks To One Rebel Group, And To Turkey"](http://www.ibtimes.com/syrias-north-opposition-making-major-comeback-thanks-one-rebel-group-turkey-1975411). *International Business Times*.
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`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
310. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-311)**
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311. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-312)**
Spencer, Richard (9 June 2015). ["Assad's forces defeated on roads north and south"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11663774/Assads-forces-defeated-on-roads-north-and-south.html). *The Telegraph*. London. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11663774/Assads-forces-defeated-on-roads-north-and-south.html) from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2015. "Meanwhile, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, attacked west from Palmyra, reached the town of Hassia on the main road north from Damascus to Homs and the coast."
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313. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-314)**
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317. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-BBC_Russian_Navy_318-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-BBC_Russian_Navy_318-1)
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318. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-RIA_Novosti_319-0)**
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327. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-fail_328-0)**
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329. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-covert_330-0)**
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353. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-354)**
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355. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-356)**
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356. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-cosp_357-0)**
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357. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-unsecurity_358-0)**
["U.N. Security Council Unanimously Votes to Adopt France's Counterterrorism Resolution"](https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-n-security-council-unanimously-votes-to-adopt-frances-counterterrorism-resolution-1448062499). *The Wall Street Journal*. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
358. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-guardunsecurity_359-0)**
["Security council unanimously calls on UN members to fight Isis"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/21/un-calls-for-all-able-member-states-to-join-fight-against-isis). *The Guardian*. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
359. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-National_Post_360-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-National_Post_360-1)
["Syrian rebels fired on parachuting Russian pilots, killing at least one after Turkey shot down warplane: official"](https://nationalpost.com/news/world/turkey-blasts-russian-warplane-out-of-the-sky-says-jet-violated-its-airspace-pilots-fate-unclear). *[National Post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Post "National Post")*. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
360. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-arihaalj_361-0)**
["Deadly 'Russian airstrike' hits market in Syria's Idlib"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/11/20-killed-russian-air-strike-syrian-market-151129082103978.html). *Al Jazeera*. 29 November 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
361. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-arihanewsru_362-0)**
["Российская авиация в Сирии разбомбила овощной рынок: минимум 40 погибших"](http://newsru.com/world/29nov2015/ariha.html). *[NEWSru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEWSru "NEWSru")*. 29 November 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
362. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-363)**
["MPs approve motion on ISIL in Syria"](http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2015/december/mps-debate-motion-on-isil-in-syria/). UK Parliament. 2 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
363. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-364)**
["Syria air strikes: What you need to know"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34931421). *BBC*. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
364. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-365)**
["Syria air strikes: RAF Tornado jets carry out bombing"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34992032). *BBC*. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
365. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-agressbbc_366-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-agressbbc_366-1)
["Syria conflict: Coalition denies air strike on army camp"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35024408). *BBC*. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
366. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-1sttimesindep_367-0)**
["Syria calls US-led coalition air strike on Assad regime forces an 'act of aggression'"](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/us-led-coalition-air-strike-targets-syrian-soldiers-in-first-fatal-bombing-on-assad-regime-a6762956.html). *The Independent*. 7 December 2015. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/us-led-coalition-air-strike-targets-syrian-soldiers-in-first-fatal-bombing-on-assad-regime-a6762956.html) from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
367. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-pentagclaim_368-0)**
["Pentagon says Russian — not American — warplanes hit a Syrian army base"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/us-denies-syrian-accusations-that-its-warplanes-hit-a-syrian-base/2015/12/07/db72a0fb-cc62-49c8-a5ed-997c2e6e1f98_story.html). *The Washington Post*. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
368. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-reutersdenied_369-0)**
["Washington denies U.S.-led coalition hit Syria army camp"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-idUSKBN0TQ2VG20151208#ZjS49yH0CDYiahGV.97). *Reuters*. 8 December 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
369. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-marjalsultan_370-0)**
Михаил Алаеддин (14 December 2015). ["Источник: сирийская армия вернула контроль над авиабазой близ Дамаска"](http://ria.ru/syria_chronicle/20151214/1341776728.html). *RIA Novosti*. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
370. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-reutersendorse_371-0)**
["U.N. endorses Syria peace plan in rare show of unity among big powers"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151219170317/http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-un-idUKKBN0U10J020151219). *Reuters*. 19 December 2015. Archived from [the original](http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-un-idUKKBN0U10J020151219) on 19 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
371. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-372)**
["Differences remain as key sides meet for Syria talks"](http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/12/18/syria-talks-falter-before-they-begin-as-key-players-struggle-to-agree-key.html). Aljazeera. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
372. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-373)** Balanche, 2006, p. 88.
373. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-374)**
["Syria army fully captures rebel redoubt in Latakia"](http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2016/01/12/Syrian-army-enters-rebel-bastion-in-Latakia-province.html). Al arabia. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
374. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-375)**
h.said (13 January 2016). ["Syrian Army establishes control over four villages near Salma in Lattakia and another in Aleppo"](http://sana.sy/en/?p=66448).
375. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-376)**
["Isis massacre: At least 300 killed, several held hostages in east Syria"](http://www.ibtimes.co.in/isis-massacre-least-300-killed-several-held-hostages-east-syria-663542). *International Business Times*. 17 January 2016.
376. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-377)**
["Dozens killed by Islamic State in 'massacre' in Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/17/dozens-killed-by-islamic-state-in-massacre-in-syrian-city-of-deir-ezzor). *The Guardian*. 17 January 2016.
377. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-378)**
["Russians survey new airbase on Syria-Turkey border, US officials concerned"](https://www.foxnews.com/us/russians-survey-new-airbase-on-syria-turkey-border-us-officials-concerned). [Fox News Channel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_News_Channel "Fox News Channel"). 21 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
378. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-379)**
["Россия и США синхронно создают новые авиабазы на севере Сирии"](http://newsru.com/world/23jan2016/newbases.html). NEWSru. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
379. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-cnnbase_380-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-cnnbase_380-1)
["U.S. officials: Russia looking at Syria airfield near Turkey"](https://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/21/politics/russia-syria-air-base/). CNN. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
380. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-381)**
["US 'takes control' of Rmeilan airfield in Syria"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/takes-control-rmeilan-airfield-syria-160119141331681.html).
381. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-bbcrabia_382-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-bbcrabia_382-1)
["Syria conflict: Major rebel town 'seized' in boost for Assad"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35395328). BBC. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
382. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-383)** [Syria regime advances in northwest ahead of peace talks](https://news.yahoo.com/syria-army-seizes-key-rebel-held-town-latakia-085537098.html) AFP, 24 December 2016.
383. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-384)**
Barry Temmo (26 January 2016). ["Update 4-Army establishes full control over al-Sheikh Miskeen in Daraa and a village in Aleppo"](http://sana.sy/en/?p=67552).
384. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-385)** [Syrian army seizes strategic town in Deraa province: monitor](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-town-idUSKCN0V32P1) Reuters, 25 January 2016.
385. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-386)** [Tide turns in Syrian war with capture of key town](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/syrian-army-captures-key-southern-town-rebels-160126040829177.html) Al Jazeera, 26 December 2016.
386. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-387)**
["Temporary truce comes into effect"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35674908). *BBC News*. 26 February 2016.
["Joint Statement of the United States and the Russian Federation, as Co-Chairs of the ISSG, on Cessation of Hostilities in Syria"](https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/02/253115.htm). U.S. Department of State. 22 February 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
387. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-stopFighting_388-0)**
["U.N. demands Syria parties halt fighting, peace talks set for March 7"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-un-idUSKCN0VZ2WM). *Reuters*. 26 February 2016.
388. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-theAtlanticCeasefire_389-0)** [A Potential Cease-Fire in Syria](https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/02/syria-russia-ceasefire/470421/). *[The Atlantic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Atlantic "The Atlantic")*. Published 22 February 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
389. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ScrollinCeasefire_390-0)** [Landmark Syria ceasefire begins, with terrorist groups excluded](http://scroll.in/latest/804266/landmark-syria-ceasefire-begins-with-terrorist-groups-excluded). Scroll.in. Published 27 February 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
390. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-truceholds_391-0)**
["Syria conflict: UN steps up aid deliveries as truce holds"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35683931). *BBC News*. 29 February 2016.
391. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-advancepalmyra_392-0)**
["Syrian army, with Russian air support, advances inside Palmyra"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-idUSKCN0WR0RA). *Reuters*. 26 March 2016.
392. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-393)**
["Syrian army, rebels agree to 72-hour Eid truce, but fighting continues"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-truce-idUSKCN0ZM0PZ). *Reuters*. 7 July 2016.
393. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-394)**
["Syrian Civil War Map / Live Map of the Syrian Civil War"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160816143749/http://syriancivilwarmap.com/). *Syrian Civil War Map*. Archived from [the original](http://syriancivilwarmap.com/) on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
394. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-395)**
Ali, Idrees. ["Coalition jets scrambled to defend U.S. forces from Syrian bombing"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160823001734/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-usa-aircraft-idUKKCN10U1OS?il=0). Reuters UK. Archived from [the original](http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-usa-aircraft-idUKKCN10U1OS?il=0) on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
395. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-396)**
["Syria: YPG launches assault to take all of Hasaka"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/syria-ypg-launches-assault-hasaka-160822041843880.html).
396. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-397)** [Syria Kurds win battle with government, Turkey mobilises against them](http://in.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-syria-kurds-idINKCN10Y12O) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170215033955/http://in.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-syria-kurds-idINKCN10Y12O) 15 February 2017 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") reuters, 24 August 2016.
397. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-398)**
["Erdogan says Syria operation aimed at IS jihadists, Kurdish PYD"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160825183523/http://www.france24.com/en/20160824-erdogan-says-syria-operation-aimed-jihadists-kurdish-pyd). *France 24*. 24 August 2016. Archived from [the original](http://www.france24.com/en/20160824-erdogan-says-syria-operation-aimed-jihadists-kurdish-pyd) on 25 August 2016.
398. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-tanksroll_399-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-tanksroll_399-1) [Syria Jarablus: Turkish tanks roll into northern Syria](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37171995) BBC. 24 August 2016.
399. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-400)** [Turkey sends tanks into Syria in operation aimed at Isis and Kurds](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/24/turkey-launches-major-operation-against-isis-in-key-border-town) The Guardian, 24 August 2016.
400. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-401)** [Syria condemns Turkey's breach of Syria's sovereignty in Jarablos](http://sana.sy/en/?p=86277) Sana, 24 August 2016.
401. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-402)**
["MIDEAST – Erdoğan to PYD: Those issuing threats should think about what will happen"](http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-to-pyd-those-issuing-threats-should-think-what-will-happen.aspx?PageID=238&NID=103176&NewsCatID=352). 25 August 2016.
402. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-403)**
["Biden orders Syrian Kurds to pull back; Assad govt slams Turkish incursion"](http://www.arabnews.com/node/974651/middle-east). 24 August 2016.
403. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-404)** [Байден назвал условия, при которых США будут поддерживать курдов](https://ria.ru/syria/20160824/1475162680.html) [RIA Novosti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIA_Novosti "RIA Novosti").
404. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-405)** [Turkish forces deepen push into Syria, draw U.S. rebuke over their target](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-idUSKCN11305C) Reuters, 29 August 2016.
405. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-406)**
["Turkish-backed Syrian rebels advance towards Manbij"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/turkish-backed-syrian-rebels-advance-manbij-160829154225197.html). *www.aljazeera.com*. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
406. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-407)**
Babb, Carla (29 August 2016). ["Carter Calls on Turkey to 'Stay Focused' on Islamic State"](https://www.voanews.com/a/us-condemns-clashes-between-turkish-and-allied-kurdish-forces/3484741.html). Retrieved 15 July 2017.
407. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-408)**
["US' comments about Turkey's targets in Syria unacceptable, says Turkish MFA"](http://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2016/08/30/us-comments-about-turkeys-targets-in-syria-unacceptable-says-turkish-mfa). Daily Sabah. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
408. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-409)**
["Syria war: Turkey hits out at US over Kurds comments"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37231760). BBC. 31 August 2016.
409. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-410)** "Turkey Pushes West in Syrian Offensive" <http://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/turkey-pushes-west-in-syrian-offensive/news-story/562f05093dd0dad72e6a2d4c7b09c597> [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161220165855/http://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/turkey-pushes-west-in-syrian-offensive/news-story/562f05093dd0dad72e6a2d4c7b09c597) 20 December 2016 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
410. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-411)**
["British YPG fighters 'head to Manbij to face Turkish forces'"](http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/british-ypg-fighters-head-manbij-face-turkish-forces). *Middle East Eye*. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
411. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-412)**
["Syrian Kurdish spokesman says Manbij reinforced, but not by YPG"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-city-idUSKCN1140EU). *Reuters*. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
412. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-413)**
["Syrian Army uses ceasefire"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37335829). *BBC World News*. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
413. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-414)**
["UN security council to hold emergency meeting on US air strikes in Syria"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/17/russia-says-us-led-airstrikes-hit-syrian-troops-killing-62-and-wounding-dozens). *The Guardian*. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
414. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-415)**
Julian Borger (20 September 2016). ["US blames Russia after UN aid convoy in Syria targeted by air attack"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/19/syria-ceasefire-is-over-says-countrys-military). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
415. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-416)**
["Aleppo aerial campaign deliberately targeted hospitals and humanitarian convoy amounting to war crimes, while armed groups' indiscriminate shelling terrorised civilians – UN Commission"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181203153930/https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21256&LangID=E). Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights. 1 March 2017. Archived from [the original](http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21256&LangID=E) on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
416. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-417)**
["Syria conflict: Army declares offensive in eastern Aleppo"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37446580). *BBC World News*. 23 September 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
417. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-418)**
["Recapture of Aleppo: What next for Syria?"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38297511). BBC World News. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
["Russia: Syria establishes control over eastern Aleppo"](http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/12/middleeast/aleppo-syria-government-gains/index.html). CNN. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
418. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-419)**
["KRG: Elections in Jazira are Not Acceptable"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150316122001/http://basnews.com/en/news/2015/03/14/krg-elections-in-jazira-are-not-acceptable/). Basnews. 14 March 2015. Archived from [the original](http://basnews.com/en/news/2015/03/14/krg-elections-in-jazira-are-not-acceptable/) on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
419. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-420)**
["Syrian Kurds point finger at Western-backed opposition"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-kurds-idUSKCN0YE2NI). Reuters. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
420. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Now.MMedia/Al-Akhbar_421-0)**
["Russia finishes draft for new Syria constitution"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160807092054/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567021-russia-finishes-draft-for-new-syria-constitution-report). Now.MMedia/Al-Akhbar. 24 May 2016. Archived from [the original](https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567021-russia-finishes-draft-for-new-syria-constitution-report) on 7 August 2016.
421. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Al-Monitor_422-0)**
["Syria rejects Russian proposal for Kurdish federation"](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/10/turkey-russia-mediates-between-kurds-and-assad.html). Al-Monitor. 24 October 2016.
422. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-chatham_423-0)**
Ghadi Sary (September 2016). ["Kurdish Self-governance in Syria: Survival and Ambition"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171009204816/https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/files/chathamhouse/publications/research/2016-09-15-kurdish-self-governance-syria-sary_0.pdf) (PDF). Chatham House. Archived from [the original](https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/files/chathamhouse/publications/research/2016-09-15-kurdish-self-governance-syria-sary_0.pdf) (PDF) on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
423. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-424)**
Nichols, Hans; Burton, F. BRINLEY (26 October 2016). ["Raqqa Offensive Against ISIS to Begin Within Weeks: Ash Carter"](https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-uncovered/raqqa-offensive-against-isis-begin-within-weeks-ash-carter-n672996). *NBC News*. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
424. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-NBC_23_425-0)**
Nichols, Hans; Burton, F. BRrinley (26 October 2016). ["Raqqa Offensive Against ISIS to Begin Within Weeks: Ash Carter"](https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-uncovered/raqqa-offensive-against-isis-begin-within-weeks-ash-carter-n672996). *NBC News*. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
425. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-426)**
Williams, Sara Elizabeth (6 November 2016). ["'Wrath on the Euphrates' as US-backed forces launch operation to seize Raqqa from Isil's grip"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/06/us-backed-forces-announce-operation-to-seize-raqqa-from-isils-gr/). *The Telegraph*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/06/us-backed-forces-announce-operation-to-seize-raqqa-from-isils-gr/) from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
426. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-427)**
DuVall, Eric (3 December 2016). ["Assad's forces retake half of rebel-held Aleppo"](http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/12/03/Assads-forces-retake-half-of-rebel-held-Aleppo/3411480810004/). *[United Press International](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Press_International "United Press International")*.
Staff writer(s) (3 December 2016). ["Aleppo siege: Syria rebels lose 50% of territory"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38194136). BBC.
427. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-428)**
["Syria conflict: Ceasefire agreed, backed by Russia and Turkey"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38460127). BBC World News. 29 December 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
428. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-auto_429-0)**
["Russia, Turkey broker 'nationwide' ceasefire deal"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/russia-turkey-broker-nationwide-ceasefire-deal-161229154943609.html). Al Jazeera. 30 December 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
429. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-430)**
Zeina, Karam (3 January 2017). ["Syria rebels suspend talks over alleged truce violations"](https://apnews.com/0f807697edfb426198bc347ff63b86d2/Syria-rebels-suspend-talks-over-alleged-truce-violations). *Associated Press*. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
430. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-431)**
["The Syrian flag is raised in Al-Feja Spring"](http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=59940). *SOHR*. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
431. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-AZcaptureWadi_432-0)**
["Syrian army captures Wadi Barada"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/syrian-army-captures-wadi-barada-170129131830656.html). Al Jazeera. 29 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
432. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-433)**
["Cease-fire frays in Syria's south as rebels launch new offensive"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/cease-fire-frays-in-syrias-south-as-rebels-launch-new-offensive/2017/02/15/5bc2ea3c-f375-11e6-8d72-263470bf0401_story.html). *The Washington Post*.
433. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-434)**
["Syria's warring sides brought together for Geneva talks"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39037609). *BBC News*. 23 February 2017.
434. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-435)**
Loveluck, Louisa; Sly, Liz (23 February 2017). ["Turkey-backed rebels seize Islamic State's al-Bab stronghold in Syria"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/turkey-backed-rebels-enter-center-of-islamic-states-al-bab-strongholdin-syria/2017/02/23/e389a506-f9c3-11e6-9b3e-ed886f4f4825_story.html). *The Washington Post*. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
Srivastava, Mehul; Solomon, Erika (23 February 2017). ["Turkey recaptures strategic Syrian town of al-Bab from Isis"](https://www.ft.com/content/9de31f34-f9e4-11e6-bd4e-68d53499ed71). *Financial Times*. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
435. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-436)**
Ian Deitch (17 March 2017). ["Syria fires missiles at Israeli jets after airstrikes"](https://www.yahoo.com/news/syrian-missiles-fired-israeli-jets-struck-syria-050954013.html). Yahoo! News. Associated Press.
436. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-437)**
["Russia and U.S. air strikes caused mass civilian deaths in Syria: U.N."](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-warcrimes/russia-and-u-s-air-strikes-caused-mass-civilian-deaths-in-syria-u-n-idUSKCN1GI1DY) *Reuters*. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
437. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-438)**
["Syria conflict: 'Deal reached' for four besieged areas"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39426162). *BBC News*. 29 March 2017.
438. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-bbcwhyshayrat_439-0)**
["Syria war: Why was Shayrat airbase bombed?"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39531045). *BBC News*. 7 April 2017.
439. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-UPI_440-0)**
["U.S. strikes Syria; Trump fires 59 missiles in 'vital national security interest'"](http://upi.com/6511422). United Press Int'l. 7 April 2017.
["Syria war: US launches missile strikes following chemical 'attack'"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39523654). *BBC News*. 7 April 2017.
[US strikes on Syrian base: what we know](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-strikes-syrian-know-053536406.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180414091636/https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-strikes-syrian-know-053536406.html) 14 April 2018 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") – AFP. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
440. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-441)**
["Was Trump's Syria Strike Illegal? Explaining Presidential War Powers"](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/07/us/politics/military-force-presidential-power.html). *The New York Times*. 8 April 2017.
441. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-442)** [Putin calls US strikes against Syria 'aggression against sovereign country'](http://tass.com/politics/939920) [TASS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_News_Agency_TASS "Russian News Agency TASS"), 7 April 2017.
442. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-443)**
["SC/12783 7 APRIL 2017"](https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/sc12783.doc.htm). *United Nations News*. 7 April 2017.
443. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-444)**
["Syria, Russia condemn US-led strike on pro-Assad forces"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/05/syria-russia-condemn-led-strike-pro-assad-forces-170519080857161.html). Al Jazeera.
444. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-445)**
["Syria army reaches Iraq border after US tensions: monitor"](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/afp/2017/06/syria-conflict-iraq-us-is-border.html). Al-Monitor. 9 June 2017.
445. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-446)**
["Government forces advance against rebels north of Hama"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/government-forces-advance-rebels-north-hama-170423133444082.html). Al Jazeera. 23 April 2017.
446. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-447)**
["Jihadist counter-assault to retake Taybat Al-Imam ends in failure"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171021144705/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-counter-assault-retake-taybat-al-imam-ends-failure/). *Al-Masdar News*. Archived from [the original](https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-counter-assault-retake-taybat-al-imam-ends-failure/) on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
447. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-448)**
["Four towns, one agreement and the 'same tragedy for all': Buses arrive ahead of mass evacuations"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190520055141/https://syriadirect.org/news/four-towns-one-agreement-and-the-%E2%80%98same-tragedy-for-all%E2%80%99-buses-arrive-ahead-of-mass-evacuations/). *Syria Direct*. 13 April 2017. Archived from [the original](http://syriadirect.org/news/four-towns-one-agreement-and-the-%E2%80%98same-tragedy-for-all%E2%80%99-buses-arrive-ahead-of-mass-evacuations/) on 20 May 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
448. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-449)**
["Syria war: Huge bomb kills dozens of evacuees in Syria"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-39609288). *BBC News*. 15 April 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
449. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-450)**
Isabel Coles; John Davison (25 April 2017). ["Turkish jets strike Kurdish fighters in Syria, Iraq's Sinjar"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-iraq-idUSKBN17R0D2). *Reuters*.
450. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-451)**
Anne Barnard and Rick Gladstone (4 May 2017). ["Russia Reaches Deal for Syria Safe Zones, but Some Rebels Scoff"](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/04/world/middleeast/russia-iran-turkey-syria-de-escalation-zones.html?smpr&_r=0). *The New York Times*.
451. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-452)**
["Syrian Kurdish PYD denounces Syria deal for 'de-escalation zones'"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-pyd-idUSKBN1811PZ). *Reuters*. 5 May 2017.
452. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-453)**
Gardiner, Harris (7 July 2017). ["U.S., Russia and Jordan Reach Deal for Cease-Fire in Part of Syria"](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/07/us/politics/syria-ceasefire-agreement.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
453. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-454)**
[Trump ends CIA arms support for anti-Assad Syria rebels: U.S. officials](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-usa-syria-idUSKBN1A42KC) Reuters, 19 July 2017.
Jaffe, Greg; Entous, Adam (20 July 2017). ["Trump halts covert arming of Syria rebels, a move likely to please Russia"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-ends-covert-cia-program-to-arm-anti-assad-rebels-in-syria-a-move-sought-by-moscow/2017/07/19/b6821a62-6beb-11e7-96ab-5f38140b38cc_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-low_ciasyria-310pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory). *The Washington Post*. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
454. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-455)** [Сирийская армия деблокировала Дейр-эз-Зор, сообщили в Минобороны РФ](http://www.newsru.com/world/05sep2017/deirezzor.html) [NEWSru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEWSru "NEWSru"), 5 September 2017.
455. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-456)**
["Syrian army breaks three-year siege of Deir ez-Zor"](http://www.teletrader.com/syrian-army-breaks-three-year-siege-of-deir-ez-zor/news/details/40217428?ts=1504609552247). Teletrader.
456. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-457)** [Syrian army breaks Isis' three-year-long siege of Deir Ezzor: Liberating the city will mean relief for its 70,000 residents as Isis, feeling the pressure, begins to conscript female fighters](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syrian-army-isis-deir-ezzor-siege-three-years-assad-regime-town-loyal-a7930276.html). *The Independent*, 5 September 2017.
457. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-458)** [Syrian troops broke the Islamic State group's siege of Deir Ezzor military airport Saturday, dealing a fresh blow to the jihadists who also face a new offensive from US-backed fighters elsewhere in the province](http://www.france24.com/en/20170910-syrian-army-retakes-strategic-military-airport-islamic-state-group), France 24, 10 September 2017
458. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-459)**
Sam Heller (30 June 2017). ["The Signal in Syria's Noise"](https://warontherocks.com/2017/06/the-signal-in-syrias-noise/). warontherocks.com.
459. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-460)**
["Syria to consider granting Kurds greater autonomy"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/syria-granting-kurds-greater-autonomy-170926121821968.html). *Al Jazeera*. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
460. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-461)** [Raqqa, ISIS ‘Capital,’ Is Captured, U.S.-Backed Forces Say](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/17/world/middleeast/isis-syria-raqqa.html), *The New York Times*
461. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-462)** [U.S.-backed forces say Raqqa liberated from ISIS](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/raqqa-isis-liberated-us-backed-syria-democratic-forces-holly-williams/), CBS
462. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-463)** [Syria: Raqqa 'liberated from Islamic State' in sign of jihadists' collapsing fortunes](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-17/raqqa-liberated-from-islamic-state/9060010), ABC
463. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-464)** [Foreign Ministry: Raqqa still occupied, can only be considered liberated when Syrian Army enters it](http://sana.sy/en/?p=116827) [SANA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Arab_News_Agency "Syrian Arab News Agency"), 29 October 2017.
464. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-465)**
["Isis dealt twin blows with loss of Deir ez-Zor and key Iraq border post"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/02/deir-ez-zor-cleared-of-last-islamic-state-fighters-isis). *The Guardian*. 3 November 2017.
465. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-466)** [Syrian army, allies, take last IS stronghold in Syria: commander](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-islamic-state/syrian-army-allies-take-last-is-stronghold-in-syria-commander-idUSKBN1D81NM), Reuters, 8 November 2017.
466. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-467)** [Putin declares "complete victory" on both banks of Euphrates in Syria](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-putin/putin-declares-complete-victory-on-both-banks-of-euphrates-in-syria-idUSKBN1E027H) Reuters, 6 December 2017.
467. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-468)** [Putin announces Russian troop withdrawal from Syria during visit](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42307365) BBC.
468. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-469)** [Владимир Путин посетил авиабазу Хмеймим в Сирии](http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/56351) kremlin.ru, 11 December 2017.
469. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-470)** [Vladimir Putin announces Russian withdrawal from Syria during visit to airbase](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/11/vladimir-putin-announces-russian-withdrawal-syria-visit-airbase/) The Telegraph, 11 December 2017.
470. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-shoigutassperm_471-0)** [Россия начала формировать постоянную группировку в Тартусе и Хмеймиме](http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/4843441) TASS, 26 December 2017.
471. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-reutersestablperm_472-0)**
["Russia establishing permanent presence at its Syria bases: RIA"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-bases/russia-establishing-permanent-presence-at-its-syria-bases-ria-cites-minister-idUSKBN1EK0HD). *Reuters*. 26 December 2017.
472. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-473)** [Лавров потребовал от американцев покинуть Сирию](https://www.rg.ru/2017/12/28/lavrov-potreboval-ot-amerikancev-pokinut-siriiu.html) [Rossiyskaya Gazeta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rossiyskaya_Gazeta "Rossiyskaya Gazeta"), 28 December 2017.
473. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-474)** [Lavrov: US forces must leave Syrian territory completely](https://sana.sy/en/?p=122708) [Syrian Arab News Agency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Arab_News_Agency "Syrian Arab News Agency"), 28 December 2017.
474. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-475)**
["Erdogan: Operation in Syria's Afrin has begun"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/01/erdogan-operation-syria-afrin-begun-180120120424928.html). Al Jazeera.
475. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-476)** [The Turkish military operation in Afrin, northern Syria](https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2018-01-24/turkish-military-operation-afrin-northern-syria) Retrieved 7 July 2024
476. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-477)** [Mustafa Aydın](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustafa_Ayd%C4%B1n "Mustafa Aydın"). [Public support for cross-border operations](http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/opinion/mustafa-aydin/public-support-for-cross-border-operations-126603) [Hürriyet Daily News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCrriyet_Daily_News "Hürriyet Daily News"), 1 February 2018.
477. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-478)** [Israeli Air Force targets Syrian air defense system, Iranian bases in Syria during morning hours of February 10 – Israel & Syria Alert](https://www.max-security.com/reports/israel-targets-syrian-air-defense-system-iranian-bases-israel-syria-alert/) Retrieved 7 July 2024 \[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot "Wikipedia:Link rot")*\]
478. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-479)**
["Syria's Ghouta residents 'wait to die' as more bombs fall"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-ghouta/pro-government-forces-hit-syrias-ghouta-with-rockets-air-raids-idUSKCN1G50S2). *Reuters*. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
479. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-480)**
["Pro-Turkish forces pillage Afrin after taking Syrian city"](https://sg.news.yahoo.com/pro-turkish-forces-pillage-afrin-taking-syrian-city-195451166.html). Yahoo! News. Agence France-Presse. 18 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
480. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-481)**
["Afrin: Turkey's President Erdogan threatens to expand military offensive beyond Kurdish town"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-20/syrian-government-demands-turkey-to-withdrawal-from-afrin/9565882). *Australian Broadcasting Corporation*. 20 March 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180501202042/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-20/syrian-government-demands-turkey-to-withdrawal-from-afrin/9565882) from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
481. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-482)**
["Syrian rebel victory in Afrin reveals strength of Turkish-backed force"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181216005707/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/22/syrian-rebel-victory-in-afrin-reveals-strength-of-turkish-backed-force). *The Guardian*. 22 March 2018. Archived from [the original](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/22/syrian-rebel-victory-in-afrin-reveals-strength-of-turkish-backed-force) on 16 December 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
482. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-483)**
Collard, Rebecca (19 March 2018). ["Turkish forces take Syrian town of Afrin from Kurds"](https://www.ft.com/content/1181ebd0-2aab-11e8-a34a-7e7563b0b0f4). Beirut. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
483. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-484)**
["Syria attack: nerve agent experts race to smuggle bodies out of Douma"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/12/syria-attack-experts-check-signs-nerve-agent). *The Guardian*. 12 April 2018.
484. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-485)**
Graham, Chris; Krol, Charlotte; Crilly, Rob; Ensor, Josie; Swinford, Steven; Riley-Smith, Ben; Emanuel, Louis (8 April 2018). ["Russia blames Israel for attack on Syrian air base as pressure mounts over gas atrocity"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/08/dozens-reported-dead-chemical-attack-insyria-us-blames-russia/). *The Daily Telegraph*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/08/dozens-reported-dead-chemical-attack-insyria-us-blames-russia/) from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
485. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-486)**
["Douma chemical attack draws international outrage"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/douma-chemical-attack-draws-international-outrage-180408123134301.html). Al Jazeera. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
486. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-487)** [Security Council fails to adopt three resolutions on chemical weapons use in Syria](https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/04/1006991) UN, 10 April 2018.
487. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-488)** [U.S., Russia clash at U.N. over chemical weapons attacks in Syria](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/u-s-russia-clash-at-u-n-over-chemical-weapons-attacks-in-syria-idUSKBN1HG0D8) Reuters, 9 April 2018.
488. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-489)** [Russian officials warn of possible military clash with US over Syria](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/10/russian-officials-warn-of-possible-military-clash-with-us-over-syria) *The Guardian*, 10 April 2018.
489. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-490)** [Россия нацелила "Калибры" на базы США в Сирии: Вооруженные силы РФ скрытно приведены в полную боеготовность](http://www.ng.ru/world/2018-04-11/1_7209_calibrs.html) [Nezavisimaya Gazeta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nezavisimaya_Gazeta "Nezavisimaya Gazeta"), 11 April 2018.
490. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-491)**
["America vows to respond to a suspected chemical attack in Syria"](https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21740282-donald-trump-says-there-will-be-big-price-pay). *[The Economist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Economist "The Economist")*. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
491. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-492)**
Ensor, Josie (12 April 2018). ["Syrian flag flying over onetime rebel stronghold Douma as Russians announce victory in Eastern Ghouta"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/12/syrian-flag-flying-onetime-rebel-stronghold-douma-russians-announce/). *The Telegraph*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/12/syrian-flag-flying-onetime-rebel-stronghold-douma-russians-announce/) from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
492. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-493)**
["News of alleged agreement between Assad, Kurds followed by removal of YPG flags in Syrian north"](https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/959575d0-1203-4153-95bd-7126691870ae). *Kurdistan24*. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
493. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-494)**
["Kurdish authorities reveal results of meetings with Syrian government"](https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/a7be0e42-6230-4a25-a4a2-9887c6b36851). *Kurdistan24*. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
494. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-495)**
["Kurdish leader reveals details of first meeting with Syrian government"](https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/54d92d6a-2f82-457f-a8da-5b5b579ef70c). *Kurdistan24*. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
495. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-:0_496-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-:0_496-1)
["Syrian MP says US to leave Syria soon, Kurds should return to government"](https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/3f14cd6f-9309-48c6-b566-a5d22143e977). *Kurdistan24*. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
496. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-497)**
["Official Warns Kurds of US Greenlight to Ankara to Attack Eastern Euphrates"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190731174951/https://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13980508000293). *en.farsnews.com*. 30 July 2019. Archived from [the original](https://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13980508000293) on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
497. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-498)**
["وفد كردي "يجسّ نبض" دمشق: الخدمات قبل معابر الحدود"](https://aawsat.com/home/article/1345681/%D9%88%D9%81%D8%AF-%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%8A-%C2%AB%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%B3%D9%91-%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%B6%C2%BB-%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%B4%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%AF). *الشرق الأوسط* (in Arabic). Retrieved 3 August 2019.
498. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-499)**
["Will the Syrian government strike a deal with the Kurds?"](http://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/will-syrian-government-strike-deal-kurds). *Middle East Eye*. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
499. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Palestinian_Tragedy_500-0)** Osama Moussa and Tom Rollins [Yarmouk, A Palestinian Tragedy Plays Out In Syria](https://www.worldcrunch.com/syria-crisis-1/yarmouk-a-palestinian-tragedy-plays-out-in-syria), Mada Masr, 24 May 2018
500. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-cleric_501-0)** [Syrian cleric condemns 'flagrant looting' after regime captured Yarmouk](https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2018/5/23/syrian-cleric-condemns-flagrant-looting-after-regime-captured-yarmouk), *Al-Araby* 24 May 2018
501. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-502)** [Launching of Operations To Liberate Final ISIS Strongholds in Syria](https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2018/05/281355.htm) U.S. Department of State, 1 May 2018.
502. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-503)** [Syria: US-backed forces launch 'final' operation against 'Islamic State' strongholds](http://www.dw.com/en/syria-us-backed-forces-launch-final-operation-against-islamic-state-strongholds/a-43609417) Deutsche Welle, 1 May 2018.
503. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-504)**
Kershner (10 May 2018). ["Israeli Jets Hit Dozens of Iranian Targets in Syria"](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/10/world/middleeast/israel-iran-syria-military.html). *New York Times*.
504. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-505)**
["Rebels in southern Syria reach deal to end violence"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/rebels-southern-syria-reach-ceasefire-deal-russia-180706130719825.html). *www.aljazeera.com*. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
505. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-506)**
["Сирийская армия взяла под контроль главный пограничный переход с Иорданией"](https://ria.ru/syria/20180706/1524110423.html?referrer_block=index_main_3). *РИА Новости*. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
506. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-507)**
["At least 17 members of the regime's security and Asayish Forces were killed during clashes in Qameshly city • the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights"](http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=102044). *The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights*. 8 September 2018.
507. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-508)**
["In rare move, IDF admits Syria strike, expresses sorrow over Russian plane"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-rare-move-idf-admits-syria-strike-expresses-sorrow-over-russian-plane/). *The Times of israel*. 18 September 2018.
508. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-509)**
Ensor, Josie; Luhn, Alec (18 September 2018). ["Russia blames Israel for friendly fire attack on its aircraft by Syria which killed 15 servicemen"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/18/russianmilitaryjetvanishes-radar-syria/). *The Telegraph*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/18/russianmilitaryjetvanishes-radar-syria/) from the original on 12 January 2022 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
509. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-510)**
Jim Heintz; Sarah El Deeb (17 September 2018). ["Russia, Turkey to create demilitarized zone for Syria's Idlib"](https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2018/09/17/russia-turkey-to-create-demilitarized-zone-for-syrias-idlib/). Associated Press.
510. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-511)** [Israeli Air Force solely to blame for Il-20 crash – Russian Defense Ministry](http://tass.com/politics/1022770) TASS, 23 September 2018.
511. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-milru-20180923_512-0)**
["Russian Defence Ministry held a special briefing on curcumstances of the Russian Il-20 aircraft crash near the Syrian coast"](http://eng.mil.ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12196560@egNews). Russian Defence Ministry. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
512. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-tassshoigus300_513-0)** [Syria to get Russia's S-300 air-defense missile system within two weeks](http://tass.com/defense/1022844) TASS, 24 September 2018.
513. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-514)** [Гутенев: реакция Израиля на инцидент с Ил-20 вынудила РФ на поставки С-300 в Сирию: Председатель комиссии Госдумы по правовому обеспечению развития ОПК отметил, что теперь израильские летчики не смогут прятаться за российскими самолетами](https://tass.ru/politika/5597868) TASS, 24 September 2018.
514. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-shoigukommer_515-0)** [Россия передаст Сирии С-300 в течение двух недель](https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3751224) [Kommersant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kommersant "Kommersant"), 24 September 2018.
515. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-tass-20180924_516-0)**
["Syria to get Russia's S-300 air-defence missile system within two weeks"](http://tass.com/defense/1022844). *TASS*. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
516. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-517)**
Karadeniz, Tulay; Al-Khaleidi, Suleiman (18 September 2018). ["Syria's Idlib spared attack, Turkey to send in more troops"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181203052807/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-rebels/syrias-idlib-spared-attack-turkey-to-send-in-more-troops-idUSKCN1LY0T9). *Reuters*. Archived from [the original](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-rebels/syrias-idlib-spared-attack-turkey-to-send-in-more-troops-idUSKCN1LY0T9) on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
517. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Astana_Sabah_518-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Astana_Sabah_518-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Astana_Sabah_518-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Astana_Sabah_518-3) [***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Astana_Sabah_518-4) [***f***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Astana_Sabah_518-5) [***g***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Astana_Sabah_518-6) [Regime continues to violate Sochi deal amid diplomatic efforts for political solution in Syria](https://www.dailysabah.com/syrian-crisis/2019/12/10/regime-continues-to-violate-sochi-deal-amid-diplomatic-efforts-for-political-solution-in-syria) DAILY SABAH, ISTANBUL Published 10 December 2019.
518. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-519)**
["Syrians will reconstruct country after war themselves, Assad says"](http://tass.com/world/1010788). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180627192505/http://tass.com/world/1010788) from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
519. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-520)**
["Iran strikes initial deal to rebuild Syrian power grid"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191102122614/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-iran-syria-electricity/iran-strikes-initial-deal-to-rebuild-syrian-power-grid-idUKKBN1XC07L). *Reuters*. 2 November 2019. Archived from [the original](https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-iran-syria-electricity/iran-strikes-initial-deal-to-rebuild-syrian-power-grid-idUKKBN1XC07L) on 2 November 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
520. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-521)**
Sayigh, Yezid. ["Reconstructing Syria: The need to break the mould"](https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2016/06/reconstructing-syria-break-mold-160614080700416.html). Al Jazeera. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180625021554/https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2016/06/reconstructing-syria-break-mold-160614080700416.html) from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
521. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-522)**
[""Upon land soaked with the blood": on the architects planning the reconstruction of Syria – CityMetric"](https://www.citymetric.com/fabric/upon-land-soaked-blood-architects-planning-reconstruction-syria-4298). *www.citymetric.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223511/https://www.citymetric.com/fabric/upon-land-soaked-blood-architects-planning-reconstruction-syria-4298) from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
522. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-523)**
["Turkey will start operation east of Euphrates in Syria in a 'few days' – Breaking News – Jerusalem Post"](https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Turkey-will-start-operation-east-of-Euphrates-in-Syria-in-a-few-days-574135). *www.jpost.com*. REUTERS. 12 December 2018.
523. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-524)**
["Unilateral military action into northeast Syria 'unacceptable': Pentagon"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-pentagon/unilateral-military-action-into-northeast-syria-unacceptable-pentagon-idUSKBN1OB2WC). *Reuters*. 12 December 2018.
524. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-525)**
["Turkey to clear Syria of both YPG, ISIL: Erdoğan"](http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-to-delay-operation-east-of-euphrates-in-syria-erdogan-139924). *Hürriyet Daily News*. 21 December 2018.
525. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-526)**
["Russia condemns 'Israeli' air strikes on Syria"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181227013736/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46682666). *BBC News*. 26 December 2018. Archived from [the original](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46682666) on 27 December 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
526. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-527)**
["Syria war: Government forces 'enter Manbij' amid Turkey threats"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181229061900/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46701095). *BBC News*. Archived from [the original](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46701095) on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
527. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-528)** [Assad Authorizes Iraq to Attack ISIS in Syria](https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/assad-authorizes-iraq-to-attack-isis-in-syria-1.6790471) , Haaretz, 30 December 2018.
528. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-529)** [Iraqi jets strike ISIS target in Syria a day after Damascus carte blanche](https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/mena/iraqi-jets-strike-isis-target-in-syria-a-day-after-damascus-carte-blanche-1.808058), The National, 31 December 2018.
529. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-530)**
Chulov, Martin (26 April 2018). ["10m Syrians at risk of forfeiting homes under new property law"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/26/10m-syrians-at-risk-of-forfeiting-homes-under-new-property-law). *The Guardian*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180625021708/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/26/10m-syrians-at-risk-of-forfeiting-homes-under-new-property-law) from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
530. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-531)**
["Syria wants its citizens in Lebanon to return, help rebuild"](https://www.foxnews.com/world/syria-wants-its-citizens-in-lebanon-to-return-help-rebuild). *[Fox News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_News "Fox News")*. 4 June 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180624232804/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/06/04/syria-wants-its-citizens-in-lebanon-to-return-help-rebuild.html) from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
531. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-532)**
["Syrian state seizes opponents' property, rights activists say"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-property-idUSKBN1OB0H3). *Reuters*. 12 December 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181220230542/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-property-idUSKBN1OB0H3) from the original on 20 December 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018 – via www.reuters.com.
532. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-533)**
["Ceasefire deal sees Hayat Tahrir al-Sham take over Syria's Idlib"](https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/1/10/ceasefire-deal-sees-hts-take-over-syrias-idlib). *alaraby*. 10 January 2019.
533. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-534)**
["Two British soldiers injured in Islamic State attack in Syria"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190106073623/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46772412). *BBC News*. 6 January 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46772412) on 6 January 2019.
534. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-535)**
["Syria conflict: Bolton says US withdrawal is conditional"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190106205318/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46775308). *BBC News*. 6 January 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46775308) on 6 January 2019.
535. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-536)**
["Syria conflict: Turkey says US plea on Kurds 'unacceptable'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190109034843/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46792329). *BBC News*. 9 January 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46792329) on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
536. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-537)**
["Two 'American IS fighters' captured by Syrian militia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190108095834/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46785140). *BBC News*. 7 January 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46785140) on 8 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
537. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-538)**
["US to pull forces from Syria, continue fight against ISIL: Pompeo"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190110120450/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/pull-forces-syria-continue-fight-isil-pompeo-190110115122004.html). Al Jazeera News. 11 January 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/pull-forces-syria-continue-fight-isil-pompeo-190110115122004.html) on 10 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
538. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-539)**
["US to expel every last Iranian boot from Syria – Pompeo"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190111005032/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46828810). *BBC News*. 10 January 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46828810) on 11 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
539. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-540)**
["Syria war: 'IS suicide bomber' kills US troops in Manbij"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190117113112/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46892118). *BBC News*. 16 January 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46892118) on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
540. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-541)**
["Islamic State group defeated as final territory lost, US-backed forces say"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47678157). *BBC News*. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
541. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-542)**
["Sanctions on Damascus And Tehran Have Led To Serious Fuel Shortages in Syria"](https://en.radiofarda.com/a/sanctions-on-damascus-and-tehran-have-led-to-serious-fuel-shortages-in-syria/29880330.html). 14 April 2019. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190414223031/https://en.radiofarda.com/a/sanctions-on-damascus-and-tehran-have-led-to-serious-fuel-shortages-in-syria/29880330.html) from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
542. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-543)**
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543. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-544)**
["Syrian ground troops capture rebel enclave"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190508131454/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article230156544.html). *miamiherald*. Archived from [the original](https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article230156544.html) on 8 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
544. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-545)**
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545. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-546)**
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546. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-547)**
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547. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-BBC_News_2019_cease_fire_548-0)**
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548. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-549)** : [Kurdish forces backed by US strike deal with Syria’s Assad, in major shift in 8-year war](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/14/middleeast/syria-turkey-kurds-civilians-isis-intl-hnk/index.html), By Helen Regan and Eliza Mackintosh, CNN, Mon 14 October 2019.
549. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-550)** [Turkey-Syria offensive: Kurds reach deal with Damascus to stave off assault](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/13/kurds-reach-deal-with-damascus-in-face-of-turkish-offensive). Agreement to hand over border towns comes after more than 700 Isis affiliates escape camp. Bethan McKernan in Akçakale, Mon 14 Oct 2019 website of The Guardian.
550. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ft.com_551-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ft.com_551-1)
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551. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Newsweek_middle_east_552-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Newsweek_middle_east_552-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Newsweek_middle_east_552-2)
["THE NEW MIDDLE EAST: U.S. MILITARY, RUSSIA'S DIPLOMACY AND CHINA'S MONEY, BY TOM O'CONNOR ON 10/22/19"](https://www.newsweek.com/new-mideast-us-russia-china-1465846). *[Newsweek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newsweek "Newsweek")*. 22 October 2019.
552. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Fraser_553-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Fraser_553-1)
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553. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-BBCDeploy_554-0)**
["Russia deploys troops to Turkey-Syria border"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50152235). 23 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
554. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-newsweek.com_555-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-newsweek.com_555-1)
Tom O'Connor (23 October 2019). ["Russia shows off new Syria map, sends troops to border after its deal with Turkey"](https://www.newsweek.com/russia-syria-map-troops-deal-turkey-1467252). *Newsweek*. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
555. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-556)**
["Erdogan says Turkey to launch military operation in northeast Syria"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-usa-idUSKCN1WK053). *Reuters*. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
556. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-557)**
["Turkey ready for operation east of Euphrates in Syria, Erdoğan says"](https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2019/10/05/turkey-ready-for-operation-east-of-euphrates-in-syria-erdogan-says). *DailySabah*. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
557. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-558)**
Borger, Julian; McKernan, Bethan (7 October 2019). ["US to let Turkish forces move into Syria, dumping Kurdish allies"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/07/us-to-let-turkish-forces-move-into-syria-abandoning-kurdish-allies). *The Guardian*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved 7 October 2019.
558. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-559)**
Olorunnipa, Toluse; Kim, Seung Min (8 October 2019). ["Republicans deliver rare rebuke of Trump, slamming his Syria withdrawal decision"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mcconnell-joins-other-republicans-in-rebuking-trumps-syria-withdrawal/2019/10/07/aef0d11e-e914-11e9-9306-47cb0324fd44_story.html). *Washington Post*.
559. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-560)**
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560. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-561)**
["Turkey launches assault on Syrian Kurdish forces"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191009162023/https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/turkey-launches-assault-syrian-kurdish-forces-doc-1l92e211). *AFP.com*. 16 January 2012. Archived from [the original](https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/turkey-launches-assault-syrian-kurdish-forces-doc-1l92e211) on 9 October 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
561. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ko-il-rftv_562-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ko-il-rftv_562-1)
Kottasová, Ivana; Ilyushina, Mary (15 October 2019). ["Russians fill the void left by US troops in Syria"](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/15/middleeast/turkey-syria-russian-troops-intl/index.html). *CNN*.
562. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-abma-if-we_563-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-abma-if-we_563-1)
Abdi, Mazloum (13 October 2019). ["If We Have to Choose Between Compromise and Genocide, We Will Choose Our People"](https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/10/13/kurds-assad-syria-russia-putin-turkey-genocide/). *Foreign Policy*.
563. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-564)**
["Abandoned by U.S. in Syria, Kurds Find New Ally in American Foe"](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/13/world/middleeast/syria-turkey-invasion-isis.html). *nyt.com*. 13 October 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
564. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-565)**
["Kurdish forces backed by US strike deal with Syria's Assad, in major shift in 8-year war"](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/14/middleeast/syria-turkey-kurds-civilians-isis-intl-hnk/index.html). *cnn.com*. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
565. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-566)**
Sanchez, Raf (14 October 2019). ["Assad troops enter north-east Syria after Russia-backed deal with Kurds"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/14/assad-troops-enter-northeast-syria-russia-backed-deal-kurds/). *The Telegraph*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/14/assad-troops-enter-northeast-syria-russia-backed-deal-kurds/) from the original on 12 January 2022.
566. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-wapo-ssgse_567-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-wapo-ssgse_567-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-wapo-ssgse_567-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-wapo-ssgse_567-3)
Fahim, Kareem; Dadouch, Sarah; Englund, Will (15 October 2019). ["Russia patrolling between Turkish and Syrian forces after U.S. troops withdraw"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syria-says-government-soldiers-enter-manbij-after-us-troops-withdraw/2019/10/15/d494405a-eeb8-11e9-bb7e-d2026ee0c199_story.html). *Washington Post*.
567. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-568)** [Syrian troops enter northeastern town after deal with Kurdish forces - state media](https://www.reuters.com/article/syria-security-turkey-usa/syrian-troops-enter-northeastern-town-after-deal-with-kurdish-forces-state-media-idUSL5N26Z12W), Ellen Francis, Tuvan Gumrukcu, 14 October 2019.
568. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-569)** [Syrian troops enter northern towns and villages, setting up a potential clash with Turkish-led forces](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/15/syrian-troops-enter-northern-towns-and-villages-near-turkish-border.html), 15 OCT 2019, cnbc.com
569. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-570)**
["Syrian army to deploy along Turkish border in deal with Kurdish-led forces"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-government-sdf-idUSKBN1WS0PF). *Reuters*. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
570. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-571)**
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571. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-572)** [Syrian troops enter Kurdish fight against Turkish forces](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/14/syrian-troops-enter-kurdish-fight-against-turkish-forces). Deal to support Kurds in exchange for key cities set to open new front in civil war. Michael Safi in Amman and Bethan McKernan in Akçakale Mon 14 October 2019.
572. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-573)** [What is the situation in north-eastern Syria?](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/09/what-is-situation-north-eastern-syria-turkey-kurds) Turkey has begun an offensive in an area controlled by the Kurdish-led SDF. Michael Safi, Mon 14 October 2019.
573. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-574)**
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574. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-dvcopt_575-0)**
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575. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-576)**
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576. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-577)**
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577. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-578)**
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578. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-579)**
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579. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-580)**
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581. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-582)**
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582. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-583)**
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584. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-585)**
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585. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-586)**
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586. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-587)**
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591. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-GuardianBuffer_592-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-GuardianBuffer_592-1) [Turkey and Russia agree on deal over buffer zone in northern Syria](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/22/turkey-and-russia-agree-deal-over-buffer-zone-in-northern-syria). Erdoğan hails agreement with Putin in which Kurdish fighters will be moved from border area. guardian.com.
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594. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-595)** [The Sochi Agreement And Its Implications](https://lobelog.com/the-sochi-agreement-and-its-implications/) 25 OCTOBER 2019.
595. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-601)**
["Syrian Kurds accuse Turkey of violations, Russia says peace plan on track"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191024140036/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-security-idUKKBN1X319A). *Reuters*. 24 October 2019. Archived from [the original](https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-security-idUKKBN1X319A) on 24 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
596. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-602)**
["Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: US releases first images of raid on compound"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50243895). *BBC News*. 31 October 2019.
597. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-603)** [Syrian Democratic Council : We are ready to start negotiating with Damascus](https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/021120192), 02-11-2019, Lawk Ghafuri, rudaw.net.
598. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-:4_604-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-:4_604-1)
["SDF Agrees to Sochi Deal for Northern Syria"](https://syrianobserver.com/EN/news/53885/sdf-agrees-to-sochi-deal-for-northern-syria.html). *The Syrian Observer*. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
599. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-:5_605-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-:5_605-1)
["Syrian Kurds say pulling out from entire length of Turkey border"](https://ekurd.net/syrian-kurds-say-pulling-2019-10-28). *Kurd Net - Ekurd.net Daily News*. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
600. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-al-monitor_overview_606-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-al-monitor_overview_606-1) [Turkey's Kurdish sweep backfires](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/turkey-syria-gulf-ankara-kurdish-sweep-backfiring.html), Fehim Tastekin 11 December 2019, al-monitor.com
601. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-607)**
["Syria government raps 'occupation', opposition urges justice as peace panel opens"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-un-idUSKBN1X919S). *Reuters*. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
602. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-608)** [Macron says 'no consensus' with Turkey over definition of terrorism](https://www.france24.com/en/20191204-macron-says-no-consensus-turkey-definition-terrorism-syria-kurds-nato), 4 December 2019, France24.
603. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-euobserver_nato_609-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-euobserver_nato_609-1) [Macron spars with US and Turkey over Nato](https://euobserver.com/foreign/146810), By NIKOLAJ NIELSEN BRUSSELS, 4. DEC, euobserver.com.
604. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-610)** [Erdogan: Quartet meeting was ‘good’](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191203-erdogan-quartet-meeting-was-good/), 3 December 2019, middleeastmonitor.com/.
605. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-611)** [Exclusive details of Erdoğan's meeting with Johnson, Merkel and Macron](https://www.dailysabah.com/columns/yahya_bostan/2019/12/09/exclusive-details-of-erdogans-meeting-with-johnson-merkel-and-macron), by Yahya Bostan, dailysabah.com
606. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-612)** [Erdogan in NATO: Russia's ‘Trojan horse’?](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/turkey-united-states-russia-is-erdogan-trojan-horse-in-nato.html), by Cengiz Candar 9 December 2019.
607. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-613)** [A four-way summit on Syria will be in Turkey](http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/a-four-way-summit-on-syria-will-be-in-turkey-149498), NewsTurkey 5 December 2019.
608. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-614)**
["Exclusive: U.S. military completes pullback from northeast Syria, Esper says"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-usa-syria-exclusive-idUSKBN1Y90CU). *Reuters*. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
609. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-615)** [Turkey's safe zone stabilized northern Syria, says Esper](https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2019/12/12/turkeys-safe-zone-stabilized-northern-syria-says-esper) DAILY SABAH, ANKARA, Published 12.12.2019.
610. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-616)**
Rosenberg, Steve (17 October 2019). ["Putin: From pariah to Middle East power broker"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50068498). *BBC*.
611. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-617)**
Pitarakis, Lefteris; Mroue, Bassem (16 October 2019). ["Russia Seeks to Cement its Role as a Power Broker in Syria"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191016020939/https://time.com/5701729/russia-troops-syria-turkey-conflict/). *Time*. Archived from [the original](https://time.com/5701729/russia-troops-syria-turkey-conflict/) on 16 October 2019.
612. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-618)** [Putin's Envoy Tells Assad Russia Supports ‘Recapturing All Syrian Territories’](https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2018801/putin%E2%80%99s-envoy-tells-assad-russia-supports-%E2%80%98recapturing-all-syrian-territories%E2%80%99) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200210152102/https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2018801/putin%E2%80%99s-envoy-tells-assad-russia-supports-%E2%80%98recapturing-all-syrian-territories%E2%80%99) 10 February 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), Tuesday, 3 December 2019.
613. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-619)** [Intel: How Russia is changing course in Syria](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/intel-russia-change-course-syria.html), Maxim A. Suchkov 3 December 2019.
614. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-620)** [Press release on Russian officials’ meeting with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad](https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/3928776), 02-12-2019.
615. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-621)** [UAE OFFICIALLY BACKS SYRIA'S ASSAD TO WIN WAR](https://www.newsweek.com/uae-officially-backs-syria-assad-win-1475341), BY TOM O'CONNOR ON 12/3/19.
616. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-622)** [Russian forces enter former Islamic State stronghold in Syria](https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Russian-forces-enter-former-Islamic-State-stronghold-in-Syria-610347):Russian troops in Raqqa were handing out humanitarian aid and its military doctors were offering residents medical attention. By REUTERS 9 DECEMBER 2019.
617. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-623)** [Russian troops enter Syria's Raqqa, filling void of withdrawing US forces](https://thedefensepost.com/2019/12/10/syria-russia-raqqa-us-withdraw/), by Jared Szuba 10 DECEMBER 2019.
618. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-624)** [Russians near Raqqa two years after US helped take city from ISIS](https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Russians-in-Raqqa-two-years-after-US-helped-take-city-from-ISIS-610377) By SETH J. FRANTZMAN 9 DECEMBER 2019.
619. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-625)** [Russian military police conduct patrol missions in three Syrian governorates. The Russian military policy carried out patrol missions in Syria's Aleppo, Raqqa and al-Hasakah governorates](https://tass.com/world/1097485). 9 December 2019. tass.com.
620. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-626)** [Russian forces in Syria, SDF discuss phase two in border security deal](https://ahvalnews.com/northern-syria/russian-forces-syria-sdf-discuss-phase-two-border-security-deal) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200724183004/https://ahvalnews.com/northern-syria/russian-forces-syria-sdf-discuss-phase-two-border-security-deal) 24 July 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 7 December 2019.
621. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-627)** [Russian forces in Syria, SDF discuss phase two in border security deal](https://ahvalnews.com/northern-syria/russian-forces-syria-sdf-discuss-phase-two-border-security-deal) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200724183004/https://ahvalnews.com/northern-syria/russian-forces-syria-sdf-discuss-phase-two-border-security-deal) 24 July 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 7 Dec 2019, ahvalnews.com.
622. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-628)** [Live: Day 6 of Turkey's Syria operation](https://ahvalnews.com/operation-peace-spring/live-day-6-turkeys-syria-operation), Ahval, 14 October 2019.
623. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-629)** [The Takeaway: 11 December 2019](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/the-takeaway-december-11-2019.html), Andrew Parasiliti 11 December 2019.
624. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-630)** [Russia and Turkey armies strike deal to swap water for electricity](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191209-russia-and-turkey-armies-strike-deal-to-swap-water-for-electricity/), 9 December 2019, middleeastmonitor.com
625. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-631)** [Russians appear to broker deal with Turkey in electricity for water swap in Syria](https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/860c5e68-1e9e-4bb5-a014-6a3505d90ad4), Wladimir van Wilgenburg Wladimir van Wilgenburg \|9 December-2019.
626. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-m4road_632-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-m4road_632-1) [Major road connecting Aleppo to eastern Syria to reopen after Russian-Turkish agreement](https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/12/11/major-road-connecting-aleppo-to-eastern-syria-to-reopen), 11 December 2019.
627. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-633)** [Turkish-Russian agreement to deliver electricity to Tel Abyad and Ras al-Ain through Tishreen Dam](https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2019/12/turkish-russian-agreement-to-deliver-electricity-to-tel-abyad-and-ras-al-ain-through-tishreen-dam/?so=popular), Enab Baladi, 20 December 2019.
628. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-634)** [Russia and Turkey oversee withdrawal of military forces from "M4 road"](https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2019/12/russia-and-turkey-oversee-withdrawal-of-military-forces-from-m4-road/), Enab Baladi, 8 December 2019.
629. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-635)** [Turkish-Russian agreements redraws the map of eastern Euphrates](https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2019/12/turkish-russian-agreements-redraws-the-map-of-eastern-euphrates/), Enab Baladi, 4 December 2019.
630. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-636)** [Turkey's changing story on Syria: From self-defense to long-term control. Turkey's narrative is slowly changing on its expanding role in northern Syria](https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Turkeys-changing-story-on-Syria-From-self-defense-to-long-term-control-610250). By SETH J. FRANTZMAN 8 DECEMBER 2019, jpost.com.
631. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-637)** [Astana round begins with a meeting between the meeting sponsors](https://www.hawarnews.com/en/haber/astana-round-begins-with-a-meeting-between-the-meeting-sponsors-h13118.html) The 14th round of the Astana meetings began in the Kazakh capital Nur Sultan on Tuesday morning with a series of meetings of the meeting sponsors (Russia, Turkey and Iran). 10 Dec 2019, Tue - 14:07 2019-12-10T14:07:00 NEWS DESK
632. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-638)** [Astana talks: Expanding Syria ‘safe zone’ will ‘do nothing good’, says Russian envoy](https://www.rudaw.net/english/world/10122019), 18 hours ago, Karwan Faidhi Dri, rudaw.net.
633. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-639)** [14th round led to significant results, MFA about the Astana process on Syria](https://www.inform.kz/en/14th-round-led-to-significant-results-mfa-about-the-astana-process-on-syria_a3593712), 11 December 2019, inform.kz, kazinform news agency.
634. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-640)**
Agencies and ToI Staff (17 December 2019). ["Russia to modernize Syria port, build railway across Syria to Persian Gulf"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/russia-to-modernize-syria-port-build-railway-across-syria-to-persian-gulf/). *[The Times of Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Times_of_Israel "The Times of Israel")*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0040-7909](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0040-7909). Retrieved 1 February 2025.
635. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-641)** [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/article/syria-security-russia-grains/update-1-russia-to-invest-500-mln-in-syrian-port-build-grain-hub-interfax-idUSL8N28R32J) UPDATE 1-Russia to invest \$500 mln in Syrian port, build grain hub, Reuters.
636. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-642)**
["5 Russian-Syrian Projects Announced This Week"](https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/12/18/5-russian-syrian-projects-announced-this-week-a68655). *The Moscow Times*. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
637. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-643)**
["Syria hands oil exploration contracts to two Russian firms"](https://www.oilandgas360.com/syria-hands-oil-exploration-contracts-to-two-russian-firms/). *Oil & Gas 360*. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
638. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-644)** [The Daily Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/12/16/syria-serious-dialogue-china-joining-belt-road-initiative-says/) Syria in 'serious dialogue' with China about joining Belt and Road initiative, says Assad, Josie Ensor, beirut, 16 DECEMBER 2019.
639. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-645)**
["Syria Reaches Out To Join China's Belt & Road Initiative"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191218142838/https://www.silkroadbriefing.com/news/2019/12/17/syria-reaches-join-chinas-belt-road-initiative/). *Silk Road Briefing*. 17 December 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.silkroadbriefing.com/news/2019/12/17/syria-reaches-join-chinas-belt-road-initiative/) on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
640. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceA_646-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceA_646-1) [Erdogan urges resettling of 1 million refugees in northern Syria](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/erdogan-urges-resettling-1-million-refugees-northern-syria-191217100317971.html). Turkish president says formula needed to allow refugees to return on a voluntary basis but in 'short period of time'.
641. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-middleeasteye.net_647-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-middleeasteye.net_647-1) [Turkey says EU should increase funding of Syrian refugees beyond \$6.6bn pledged](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-says-eu-should-increase-funding-syrian-refugees-beyond-66bn-pledged).EU funds support 3.5 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, as Syria's civil war has killed hundreds of thousands and pushed millions from their homes.
642. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-middleeastmonitor.com_648-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-middleeastmonitor.com_648-1) [Turkish official says EU should boost funding of Syrian refugees](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191215-turkish-official-says-eu-should-boost-funding-of-syrian-refugees/) 15 December 2019.
643. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-wsau.com_649-0)** [Erdogan says world cares more about Syria's oil than its children](https://wsau.com/news/articles/2019/dec/17/erdogan-urges-resettling-of-one-million-refugees-in-northern-syria-peace-zone/967200/?refer-section=world) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200211192144/https://wsau.com/news/articles/2019/dec/17/erdogan-urges-resettling-of-one-million-refugees-in-northern-syria-peace-zone/967200/?refer-section=world) 11 February 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") Tuesday, 17 December 2019.
644. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-650)**
["Erdogan says Turkey aims to settle 1 million refugees in Syria offensive area"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-idUSKBN1YD27R). *Reuters*. 9 December 2019 – via www.reuters.com.
645. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-651)** [Turkey Begins Resettling Refugees in Northeastern Syria: Continued reports of atrocities by Turkish-backed forces raise concerns about ethnic cleansing](https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/12/09/turkey-resettling-refugees-northeastern-syria/). BY LARA SELIGMAN \| 9 DECEMBER 2019.
646. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-652)** [Erdogan announces start working to house one million people in northern Syria](https://www.shafaaq.com/en/world/erdogan-announces-start-working-to-house-one-million-people-in-northern-syria/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200724181315/https://www.shafaaq.com/en/world/erdogan-announces-start-working-to-house-one-million-people-in-northern-syria/) 24 July 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 9 December 2019.
647. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-653)**
["America's Ally in Syria Warns of Ethnic Cleansing by Turkey"](https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/americas-ally-in-syria-warns-of-ethnic-cleansing-by-turkey). *The New Yorker*. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
648. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-654)** [Turkey appoints mayors in recently invaded northern Syrian towns](https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/06122019), 06-12-2019, Karwan Faidhi Dri.
649. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-655)** [Turkey to appoint 4,000 police officers to Syria](https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-syria/turkey-appoint-4000-police-officers-syria) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191207062508/https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-syria/turkey-appoint-4000-police-officers-syria) 7 December 2019 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 7 Dec 2019.
650. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-dw.com_656-0)** [Migrant arrivals in Europe from Turkey nearly double in 2019](https://www.dw.com/en/migrant-arrivals-in-europe-from-turkey-nearly-double-in-2019/a-51702064). According to a confidential EU report, 70,000 migrants have crossed from Turkey to the EU this year. The numbers raised questions about whether an EU-Turkey refugee deal was unravelling.
651. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-thehill.com_657-0)** [Turkish President Erdoğan calls for resettlement of 1M refugees in northern Syria](https://thehill.com/policy/international/europe/474863-turkeys-erdogan-calls-for-resettlement-of-1m-refugees-in-northern) BY MARTY JOHNSON - 12/17/19.
652. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-foreign_policy_Dec_2019_658-0)** [Turkey Pitches Plan to Settle 1 Million Refugees in Northern Syria](https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/12/18/turkey-pitches-plan-settle-1-million-refugees-northern-syria-erdogan-kurds/). Questions arise as to whether Erdogan's \$26 billion megaproject is intended to clear his border of Kurds. BY COLUM LYNCH, LARA SELIGMAN \| 18 DECEMBER 2019, Foreign Policy Magazine.
653. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-dailysabah.com_659-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-dailysabah.com_659-1) [Erdoğan: Return of Syrian refugees as crucial as fight against terrorism](https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2019/12/17/erdogan-return-of-syrian-refugees-as-crucial-as-fight-against-terrorism), DAILY SABAH 17.12.2019.
654. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-channelnewsasia.com_660-0)** [Lack of refugee aid forced Turkey into Syria operation: Erdogan](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/lack-refugee-aid-forced-turkey-syria-operation-erdogan-12191402) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191218020301/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/lack-refugee-aid-forced-turkey-syria-operation-erdogan-12191402) 18 December 2019 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 17 December 2019.
655. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-al-monitor.com_661-0)** [Erdogan renews call for ‘safe zone’ support as Syrians return](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/erdogan-renew-call-safe-zone-syria.html), Ayla Jean Yackley 17 December 2019.
656. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-662)**
["ACT Alliance Call for Action: Jordan, Syria and Lebanon (18 December 2019) - Syrian Arab Republic"](https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/act-alliance-call-action-jordan-syria-and-lebanon-18-december-2019). *ReliefWeb*. 18 December 2019.
657. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-663)**
["Situation Syria Regional Refugee Response"](https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria). *data2.unhcr.org*. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
658. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-washokani_664-0)** [Winter threatens the IDPs in the Washokani Camp](https://anfenglishmobile.com/rojava-syria/winter-threatens-the-idps-in-the-washokani-camp-39991).For the displaced people in northern and eastern Syria, winter is a torture: many set up for those seeking shelter have already collapsed due to rain and wind. Almost all international aid organisations are watching the misery. ANF HESEKÊ Tuesday, 10 December 2019.
659. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-665)** [Residents in northeast Syria brace for winter as oil smugglers thrive](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/syria-oil-smuggling-hyena-sdf-deir-ezzor-tankers.html), by Dan Wilkofsky 18 December 2019.
660. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-666)** [Ignorance of aid organisations exacerbates the situation of IDPs](https://anfenglishmobile.com/rojava-syria/ignorance-of-aid-organisations-exacerbates-the-situation-of-idps-39283) Hundreds of thousands have fled home due to the attacks of the AKP regime and its gangs on Northern Syria. The living conditions of the refugees are being exacerbated by the ignorance of international aid organisations. ANF HESEKE Wednesday, 13 November 2019.
661. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-un_refugees_667-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-un_refugees_667-1)
["Clash at UN Security Council over cross-border aid for Syria"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/19/clash-at-un-security-council-over-cross-border-aid-for-syria). *www.aljazeera.com*. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
662. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-UN_VOA_12/2019_668-0)** [UN: Ability to Get Lifesaving Aid to 4 Million Syrians at Risk](https://www.voanews.com/a/middle-east_un-ability-get-lifesaving-aid-4-million-syrians-risk/6181303.html) By Margaret Besheer, 18 December 2019.
663. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-669)** [Russia, backed by China, casts 14th U.N. veto on Syria to block cross-border aid](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-un/russia-backed-by-china-casts-14th-u-n-veto-on-syria-to-block-cross-border-aid-idUSKBN1YO23V). 20 December 2019. Reuters.
664. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-670)** [UN defeats rival resolutions to keep Syria cross-border aid](https://apnews.com/e3d23c9f8ecdb2a146b55f3464d15660) By EDITH M. LEDERER, 20 December 2019, ap.com.
665. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-671)** [US slams China, Russia veto on humanitarian aid to Syria](https://www.dailysabah.com/syrian-crisis/2019/12/22/us-slams-china-russia-veto-on-humanitarian-aid-to-syria), DAILY SABAH WITH AFP, ISTANBUL 22 December 2019.
666. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-672)** [Russia, China block extension of cross-borderhumanitarian aid for millions of Syrians](https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/12/21/russia-china-block-extension-of-syria-cross-border-aid), alaraby.co.uk
667. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-673)** [EU condemns Turkey again while sticking to its position on the Kurdish administration in north-east Syria](https://www.brusselstimes.com/all-news/eu-affairs/84361/eu-condemns-turkey-again-while-sticking-to-its-position-on-the-kurdish-administration-in-north-east-syria/), Tuesday, 17 December 2019.
668. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-674)** [SDF woos Syrian Kurdish rivals in wake of Turkish assault](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/sdf-woo-syria-kurd-rivals-turkey-assault.html), Amberin Zaman 4 December 2019.
669. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-what_now_675-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-what_now_675-1) [2 months of Operation Peace Spring: what now?](https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/09122019) Karwan Faidhi Dri, 10 December 2019.
670. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-676)** [Russia wants Syrian Kurds to unify, clarify their demands of Moscow: Kurdish opposition](https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/10122019) Karwan Faidhi Dri, 10 December 2019.
671. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-677)** [Syria's Kurdish parties do not see eye to eye](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/kurds-syria-pyd-national-council-russia-syrian-regime.html), Shivan Ibrahim 9 December 2019.
672. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-678)** [Faisal Azouz: Our goal is to know region's project, we do not wish to see any disagreement](https://www.hawarnews.com/en/haber/faisal-azouz-our-goal-is-to-know-regions-project-we-do-not-wish-to-see-any-disagreement-h13091.html). The coordinator of the National Dialogue Follow-up Committee of the Arab Socialist Baath Party, Faisal, indicated that they were looking for ways to find a formula for compatibility between the Autonomous Administration project and Article 107 of the Syrian constitution related to local administrations. 8 Dec 2019, Sun - 13:54 2019-12-08T13:54:00 QAMISHLO\_ SHINDA AKRAM – AKRAM BARAKAT.
673. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-679)** [Northeast Syria Between Autonomous, Local Administrations](https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2027786/northeast-syria-between-autonomous-local-administrations) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200210165246/https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2027786/northeast-syria-between-autonomous-local-administrations) 10 February 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), Monday, 9 December 2019.
674. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-680)** [Syrian delegation explores dialogue between Kurds and Damascus, following US withdrawal](https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/e0a4a994-9c19-4560-af63-eeddc1c0aac2) by Wladimir van Wilgenburg, 10 December 2019.
675. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-681)** [Ehmê: We are ready for dialogue with Damascus](https://anfenglish.com/rojava-syria/ehme-we-are-ready-for-dialogue-with-damascus-39977) – ANF RAQQA Tuesday, 10 Dec 2019, 09:33. "We are ready for dialogue with the Damascus government for a lasting solution to the Syrian crisis," said Luqman Ehmê, spokesman for the North East Syria Autonomous Administration in a press release.
676. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-682)** [SDF General Commander Abdi met Wise leaders](https://anfenglishmobile.com/rojava-syria/sdf-general-commander-abdi-met-wise-leaders-40002). SDF General Commander Mazlum Abdi met with the Committee of Wise people in North and East Syria. At the meeting, developments in the region were discussed. NF NEWS DESK Wednesday, 11 December 2019.
677. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-683)** [Syrian Kurdish leader calls on US, Russia to prevent ethnic cleansing by Turkey](https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/b622efd0-c175-4602-aa3c-a118cd8ee09e), Wladimir van Wilgenburg Wladimir van Wilgenburg \| 11 December 2019.
678. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-684)** [Al-Mulhim: The Syrian delegation's meeting with the self-management parties was positive](http://www.adarpress.net/english/index.php/news/3013-al-mulhim-the-syrian-delegation-s-meeting-with-the-self-management-parties-was-positive) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191213043538/http://www.adarpress.net/english/index.php/news/3013-al-mulhim-the-syrian-delegation-s-meeting-with-the-self-management-parties-was-positive) 13 December 2019 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), Published on Monday, 9 December 2019, adarpress.com
679. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-685)** [SDF meets Arab tribes to discourage them from joining Syria regime army](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191211-sdf-meets-arab-tribes-to-discourage-them-from-joining-syria-regime-army/), 11 December 2019.
680. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-686)** [What is happening in al-Shirkark silos in Ain Issa district?](https://www.hawarnews.com/en/haber/what-is-happening-in-al-shirkark-silos-in-ain-issa-district-h13119.html) The Turkish occupation army withdrew from al-Shirkrak silo, according it seems agreement with Russia, while yesterday, the Russian forces headed with the Syrian regime to remove mines in the silos' vicinity, we have no precise information about the forces which will be stationed in the silos. 10 Dec 2019, Tue - 14:38 2019-12-10T14:38:00 AIN ISSA – SHARVIN MUSTAFA. hawarnews.com
681. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-687)** [Turkish forces re-occupy the wheat silo they retreated from.](https://anfenglishmobile.com/rojava-syria/turkish-forces-re-occupy-the-wheat-silo-it-retreated-from-39989) AIN ISSA Tuesday, 10 December 2019.
682. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-688)** [Russia has pledged to remove Turkish forces from strategic highway](https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/051220193), 05-12-2019 by Karwan Faidhi Dri.
683. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-689)** [Life on the Front Lines in Northern Syria](https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/11/23/life-on-the-front-lines-in-northern-syria/); With echoes of shelling from Turkish-allied forces nearby, families sheltering in abandoned villages wonder when they can go home. BY JADE SACKER, 23 NOVEMBER 2019.
684. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-690)**
Sirwan Kajjo (8 December 2019). ["Russian, Syrian Regime Forces Step Up Attacks on Rebel Stronghold Idlib"](https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_russian-syrian-regime-forces-step-attacks-rebel-stronghold-idlib/6180760.html). *Voice of America*. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
685. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-691)**
Tom O'Connor (17 December 2019). ["Syria Prepares for Massive Offensive as U.S. Votes for New Sanctions on Assad, Russia and Iran"](https://www.newsweek.com/syria-prepares-massive-offensive-us-votes-new-sanctions-assad-russia-iran-1477752). *Newsweek*. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
686. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-692)**
["More than 20 killed in air raids on towns in Syria's Idlib"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/17/more-than-20-killed-in-air-raids-on-towns-in-syrias-idlib/). *Al-Jazeera*. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
687. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-693)**
["Syria war: Air strikes and shelling kill 24 civilians in Idlib"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50821277). *BBC News*. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
688. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-694)**
["Pentagon budget would hit Syria, Iran, Russia with tough sanctions"](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pentagon-budget-syria-iran-russia-sanctions). *Fox News*. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
689. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-695)**
Deborah Amos (17 December 2019). ["Congress Authorizes Sanctions On Syria, Iran And Russia"](https://www.npr.org/2019/12/17/788924967/congress-authorizes-sanctions-on-syria-iran-and-russia). *NPR*. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
690. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-2ndphase_696-0)**
["Breaking: Syrian Army kicks off 2nd phase of Idlib offensive"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200209142837/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-kicks-off-2nd-phase-of-idlib-offensive/). *Al-Masdar News*. 19 December 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-kicks-off-2nd-phase-of-idlib-offensive/) on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
691. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-697)**
["Syria war: Turkey can't handle new 'refugee wave', says Erdogan"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50886120). *BBC News*. 22 December 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
692. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-698)**
["Europe 'will feel' new refugee wave: Turkey – DW – 12/23/2019"](https://www.dw.com/en/europe-will-feel-new-refugee-wave-warns-turkeys-erdogan/a-51776809). *dw.com*. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
693. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-699)**
Helena DeMoura; Jonny Hallam; Ben Westcott (23 December 2019). ["Turkey can't handle a fresh wave of Syrian migrants, Erdogan warns"](https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/23/middleeast/turkey-erdogan-idlib-syria-intl-hnk/index.html). *CNN*. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
694. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-700)**
Bethan McKernan (28 January 2020). ["Assad regime captures town in Syria's last rebel-held territory"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/28/syrian-regime-captures-maarat-al-numan-in-idlib). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
695. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-701)**
["Syria war: Army 'recaptures' key town from opposition in Idlib"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51293327). *BBC News*. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
696. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-702)**
["Turkish operation in Idlib 'only a matter of time'"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51558770). *BBC News*. 19 February 2020.
697. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-703)**
Bethan McKernan (5 February 2020). ["500,000 flee Syrian regime's deadly offensive in Idlib"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/04/syria-half-a-million-displaced-in-idlib-says-un-body). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
698. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-704)**
["Syria war: Government troops seize part of key Idlib town Saraqeb"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51413260). *BBC News*. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
699. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-705)**
["Syrian Government Captures Last Stretch of Highway Between Damascus and Aleppo"](https://www.voanews.com/a/middle-east_syrian-government-captures-last-stretch-highway-between-damascus-and-aleppo/6184308.html). *Voice of America*. 15 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
700. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-706)**
["Syrian forces seize most of Aleppo province, on eve of Turkey-Russia talks"](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/syrian-forces-seize-most-aleppo-province-eve-turkey-russia-talks-n1137631). *NBC News*. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
701. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-707)**
["Turkey launches 'limited' operation to retake Idlib towns"](https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/turkey-launches-limited-operation-retake-idlib-towns). *The New Arab*. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
702. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-708)**
["Regime forces target Turkish military column in Jabal Al-Zawiyah destroying at least one vehicle"](https://www.syriahr.com/en/155825/). *SOHR*. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
703. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-709)**
Khaled al-Khateb (27 February 2020). ["Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces claim gains in Idlib"](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2020/02/syria-south-idlib-regime-advances-rebels-lose-russia-turkey.html). *Al-Monitor*. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
704. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Gurcan_deciphering_710-0)**
Gurcan, Metin (28 February 2020). ["Deciphering Turkey's darkest night in Syria"](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/02/turkey-syria-russia-deciphering-attack-on-turkish-troops.html). *Al-Monitor*. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
705. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-711)**
["At least 34 soldiers of the Turkish Forces were killed in airstrikes today"](https://www.syriahr.com/en/155973/). The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 27 February 2020.
706. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-712)**
["1 year ago Assad attack killed 34 Turkish troops in Syria's Idlib"](https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/1-year-ago-assad-attack-killed-34-turkish-troops-in-syrias-idlib/news). *Daily Sabah*. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
707. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-713)**
["Turkey launches Operation Spring Shield"](http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/opinion/serkan-demirtas/turkey-launches-operation-spring-shield-152580). *Hürriyet Daily News*. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
708. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-715)**
["Opposition factions capture more areas in south Idlib as regime forces advance into Saraqeb"](https://www.syriahr.com/en/156173/). SOHR. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
709. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-716)**
["Syria army retakes Saraqib city in Idlib from opposition"](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200302-syria-army-retakes-saraqib-city-in-idlib-from-opposition/). *Middle East Monitor*. 2 March 2020.
710. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceC_717-0)**
Soldatkin, Vladimir (6 March 2020). ["Russia, Turkey agree ceasefire deal for Syria's Idlib"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-idUSKBN20S161). *Reuters*. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
711. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Guardian_6-12-2020_718-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Guardian_6-12-2020_718-1)
Chulov, Martin (12 June 2020). ["US 'Caesar Act' sanctions could devastate Syria's flatlining economy"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/12/us-caesar-act-sanctions-and-could-devastate-syrias-flatlining-economy). *The Guardian*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved 5 July 2023.
712. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Financial_Times_719-0)**
["Syria's perfect economic storm should not be ignored (FT Alphaville)"](https://www.ft.com/content/b06ad848-1066-447c-9d33-a83daad3a080). Financial Times. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
713. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-720)**
["Protests hit Druze city in Syria for fourth day"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-sweida-protests/protests-hit-druze-city-in-syria-for-fourth-day-idUSKBN23H3LR). *Reuters*. 10 June 2020.
714. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-721)**
["Syria war: Assad sacks PM as economic crisis sparks protests"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53006408). *BBC News*. 11 June 2020.
715. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-722)** [Syrian pound hits record low ahead of new U.S. sanctions: dealers](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-economy-currency/syrian-pound-hits-record-low-ahead-of-new-u-s-sanctions-dealers-idUSKBN23F2YL). The Syrian pound sank to a new record low on Monday as investors scrambled for dollars ahead of new U.S. sanctions later this month, which many fear will tighten the noose around President Bashar al-Assad's government, dealers and bankers said. 8 June 2020, Reuters.
716. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-723)** [Syrian currency collapse throws country into uncertainty](https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/syrian-currency-collapse-throws-country-into-uncertainty-630719) The Syrian regime thought it was finally out of the woods in its almost decade-long civil war. By SETH J. FRANTZMAN 8 JUNE 2020, jpost. com.
717. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-724)** [Syrian currency loses more value as sanctions hit](https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/11062020) 11 June 2020, Associated Press.
718. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-725)** [Charting the dramatic collapse of Syria's national currency](https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2020/6/4/charting-the-dramatic-collapse-of-syrias-national-currency), by Hugo Goodridge, 4 June 2020. Despite fears of a spill over from Syria affecting neighbouring Lebanon, it was conversely the collapse of the Lebanese pound that plunged Syria deeper into its economic quagmire. Rising Lebanese debts and a lack of financial ability to pay off these debts, with a seeming absence of political will to find a solution, led to capital controls being imposed. Throughout the war in Syria, Lebanon had been used by Syrians as a reliable place to withdraw dollars. "Syrians, who bought a lot of their dollars in Lebanon, suddenly couldn't access dollars, the value of the Syrian pound started to collapse.
719. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-726)** [Is Assad About to Fall?](https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/06/11/assad-syria-collapse-313276) While the world wasn't watching, Syria has edged toward collapse, and the dictator is in his weakest position ever. The U.S. now has a narrow chance to prevent a catastrophe. y CHARLES LISTER, 6/11/2020, politico.com.
720. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-727)**
Browne, Gareth (8 June 2020). ["Assad faces backlash in Syria as economy crashes"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/06/08/assad-faces-backlash-syria-economy-crashes/). *The Telegraph*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/06/08/assad-faces-backlash-syria-economy-crashes/) from the original on 12 January 2022 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
721. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-728)** [Syria Insight: Syria's collapsing economy threatens Assad's rule](https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2020/6/7/syria-insight-syrias-collapsing-economy-threatens-assads-rule), Syria has been hit by further economic instability Date of publication: 7 June 2020, english.alaraby.co.uk
722. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-729)**
وعالم, المدن عرب (29 June 2020). ["دمشق:إعتقال ضباط إستخبارات..والإشتباه بإختراق أميركي إسرائيلي"](https://www.almodon.com/arabworld/2020/6/29/%D9%87%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A3%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%B3%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%87-%D9%88%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%87). *almodon.com* (in Arabic).
723. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-730)**
وعالم, المدن عرب (6 July 2020). ["من قتل مرافق ماهر الأسد وضباط المخابرات الجوية؟"](https://www.almodon.com/arabworld/2020/7/6/%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%82-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%AF-%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9). *almodon.com* (in Arabic).
724. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-731)**
["سوريا.. اغتيالات غامضة تستهدف ضباطا مقربين من ماهر الأسد"](https://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/syria/2020/07/08/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D8%BA%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF%D9%81-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%AF-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7.html). *Al Arabiya* (in Arabic). 8 July 2020.
725. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-732)**
["Syrian girl dies on border while stranded due to \$100 entry fee"](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200907-syrian-girl-dies-on-border-while-stranded-due-to-100-entry-fee/). *Middle East Monitor*. 7 September 2020.
726. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-733)**
Reuter, Christoph (3 July 2020). ["Italien: Hat der Islamische Staat 14 Tonnen Capatgon-Tabletten geschmuggelt?"](https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/italien-hat-der-islamische-staat-14-tonnen-captagon-tabletten-geschmuggelt-a-5501a79f-096b-4998-9d29-0b95594fe359). *Der Spiegel*.
727. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-734)**
Reuter, Christoph (15 May 2020). ["Der Familienkrieg von Damaskus"](https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/syrien-assads-gegen-makhloufs-der-familienkrieg-von-damaskus-a-00000000-0002-0001-0000-000170923519). *Der Spiegel*.
728. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-735)** [Warm waters at last: Russia's expanding military footprint in the Middle East](https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2020/6/9/Russias-expanding-military-footprint-in-the-Middle-East). Russia is increasing its presence in the wider Middle East and North Africa region through the deployment of its armed forces, the sale of arms and the establishment of new military bases. In recent weeks, it began negotiating the establishment of new concessions from the Syrian regime on its indefinite military presence in that country and has also become more directly involved in the civil war tearing Libya apart. 9 June 2020. alaraby.co.uk.
729. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-736)** [Is This the End of Rojava?The Kurdish region of northeast Syria was autonomous for seven years, but had to ask the Syrian government for protection after an invasion by Turkey.](https://www.thenation.com/article/world/rojava-kurds-syria/) By Mireille Court and Chris Den Hond, FEBRUARY 18, 2020, The Nation website.
730. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-737)** [We stand in solidarity with Rojava, an example to the world](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/01/we-stand-in-solidarity-with-rojava-an-example-to-the-world).Leaders from social movements, communities and First Nations from around the world, including LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, Eve Ensler and Stuart Basden on the Turkish invasion in north-east Syria. Fri 1 Nov 2019 guardian.com.
731. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-738)** [Statement regarding Syrian Democratic Forces security operation in al-Hol camp](https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/STATEMENTS/Statements-View/Article/3161976/statement-regarding-syrian-democratic-forces-security-operation-in-al-hol-camp/), 18 Sept. 2022 U.S. Army Central Command Communication Integration official statement.
732. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-739)** [The Syrian National Army: The Turkish Proxy Militias of Northern Syria](https://rojavainformationcenter.com/2022/07/the-syrian-national-army-the-turkish-proxy-militias-of-northern-syria/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220721092444/https://rojavainformationcenter.com/2022/07/the-syrian-national-army-the-turkish-proxy-militias-of-northern-syria/) 21 July 2022 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 21 July 2022, Rojava official website.
733. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceB_740-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceB_740-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceB_740-2)
["Turkey planned Syria military operation after Russia withdrawal, sources reveal"](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220605-turkey-planned-syria-military-operation-after-russia-withdrawal-sources-reveal/). *Middle East Monitor*. 5 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
734. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceD_741-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceD_741-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-ReferenceD_741-2)
["Syria: US-backed SDF 'open' to working with Syrian troops to fight off Turkey invasion"](http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-sdf-open-working-syrian-troops-fight-turkey-invasion). *Middle East Eye*. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
735. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Agencies_742-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Agencies_742-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Agencies_742-2)
Agencies (7 June 2022). ["Russian, regime forces boosted after Turkey signals Syria operation"](https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/russian-regime-forces-boosted-after-turkey-signals-syria-operation). *Daily Sabah*. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
736. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-743)**
["President Erdoğan reiterates determination for Syria operation - Türkiye News"](https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/president-erdogan-reiterates-determination-for-syria-operation-175967). *Hürriyet Daily News*. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
737. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-voanews.com_744-0)** [US-Backed Kurdish-Led Forces Say Ready to Coordinate With Syrian Army Against Turkey](https://www.voanews.com/a/us-backed-kurdish-led-forces-say-ready-to-coordinate-with-syrian-army-against-turkey/6606769.html), Reuters, via VOA website, By Maya Gebeily, 5 June 2022.
738. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-thenationalnews.com_745-0)** [Syria 'should use air defences' against Turkish invasion](https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/syria/2022/06/06/syria-should-use-air-defences-against-turkish-invasion/), The National, 6 June 2022.
739. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-forbes.com_746-0)** [These Kurdish-Led Forces Cannot Count On Syrian Air Defenses To Protect Them Against The Turkish Air Force](https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2022/06/20/these-kurdish-led-forces-cannot-count-on-syrian-air-defenses-to-protect-them-against-the-turkish-air-force/), Paul Iddon, 20 Jun 2022.
740. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Kurdish,_Syrian_2022_747-0)** [Kurdish, Syrian, Iranian forces coordinate ahead of Turkish operation:Kurdish units and Iranian-affiliated factions in Syria have formed a joint operations room under Russian supervision to counter a possible Turkish military operation in northern Syria.](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/06/kurdish-syrian-iranian-forces-coordinate-ahead-turkish-operation), by Mohammed Hardan, 17 June 2022. al-monitor.com
741. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-abcnews.go.com_748-0)** [US-backed Syrian Kurds to turn to Damascus if Turkey attacks. The U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria say they will turn to the government in Damascus for support should Turkey go ahead with its threat to launch a new incursion into the war-torn country.](https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/us-backed-syrian-kurds-turn-damascus-turkey-attacks-85231755) By BASSEM MROUE Associated Press, 7 June 2022.
742. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-749)** [Syria's Kurds strike deal with Assad after being abandoned by US](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/turkey-syria-news-kurds-deal-bashar-al-assad-sdf-latest-updates-a9154561.html), Kurdish fighters agree to hand over border towns to Damascus in deal brokered by Russia\], Richard Hall, Sunday 13 October 2019, the UK Independent.
743. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-english.aawsat.com_750-0)** [SDF, Syrian Regime Agree on Defense Plan to Repel Turkish Attack](https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3743096/sdf-syrian-regime-agree-defense-plan-repel-turkish-attack), Wednesday, by Qamishli – Kamal Sheikho, 6 July 2022.
744. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-coffeeordie.com_751-0)** [DISPATCH FROM SYRIA: DEMOCRATIC FORCES PREPARE FOR TURKISH INVASION:The regional government in north and east Syria declares a state of emergency as Turkey threatens invasion. Troops on the front say they're ready for war.](https://www.coffeeordie.com/syria-turkey-invasion) By Michael R. Shea, 8 July 2022.
745. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-752)** [U.S.-Backed Syrian Kurdish Forces Move to Halt 'Brutal Torture' at IS Camp](https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-08-28/u-s-backed-syrian-kurdish-forces-move-to-halt-brutal-torture-at-is-camp), by Reuters, 28 Aug. 2022,
746. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-UN_report_9-2022_753-0)** [Syria may ‘return to larger-scale fighting,’ UN warns in new report](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2162421/middle-east), Sept 14, 2022, Arab News.
747. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-754)** [Is Turkey on the cusp of restoring ties with Syria's Assad?](https://english.alaraby.co.uk/analysis/turkey-cusp-restoring-ties-syrias-assad), Adnan Nasser, Christopher Solomon, 22 August 2022.
748. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-755)** [Turkey's President Erdogan hints at meeting Syria's Bashar al-Assad](https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2022/10/07/turkeys-president-erdogan-hints-at-meeting-syrias-bashar-al-assad/), 7 October 2022, The National.
749. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-756)** [Turkey Signals Possible Rapprochement With Syria](https://www.voanews.com/a/turkey-signals-possible-rapprochement-with-syria-/6763615.html), by Ezel Sahinkaya, 26 September 2022, VOA News.
750. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-757)** [Normalization With Assad Could Lead to a New Exodus of Syrian Refugees](https://dawnmena.org/normalization-with-assad-could-lead-to-a-new-exodus-of-syrian-refugees/), 23 September 2022, Democracy In Exile, by Rena Netjes.
751. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-758)** [Turkish election the keyword for Erdogan's normalization with Assad](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2185101), by Ghassahn Ibrahim, 21 October 2022, Arab News.
752. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-759)** [Rights group: Turkey forces hundreds to return to Syria](https://www.startribune.com/rights-group-turkey-forces-hundreds-to-return-to-syria/600218465/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221024153823/https://www.startribune.com/rights-group-turkey-forces-hundreds-to-return-to-syria/600218465/) 24 October 2022 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), Associated Press, OCTOBER 24, 2022.
753. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-760)** [SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi to Asharq Al-Awsat: Our Forces Cannot Be Dismantled](https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3950031/sdf-commander-mazloum-abdi-asharq-al-awsat-our-forces-cannot-be-dismantled), Tuesday, 25 October 2022, aawsat.com.
754. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-761)** [Envoy says UN to push for nationwide cease-fire in Syria.](https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/envoy-push-nationwide-cease-fire-syria-91619149) The U.N. envoy for Syria says the United Nations will push for a nationwide cease-fire in the war-wrecked country — even after bursts of fighting in the last rebel-held region have punctured a two-year truce there ByALBERT AJI Associated Press, 17 October 2022.
755. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-762)** [The Power Shift In North West Syria: Three Consequences Of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham's (HTS) Seizure Of Afrin](https://www.forbes.com/sites/guneyyildiz/2022/10/22/the-power-shift-in-north-west-syria-three-consequences-of-hayat-tahrir-al-shams-hts-seizure-of-afrin), by Guney Yildiz, 22 Oct 2022 forbes.com.
756. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-763)** [Syrian jihadist group HTS, armed groups agree to uneasy truce.](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/10/syrian-jihadist-group-hts-armed-groups-agree-uneasy-truce) Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has seized several cities and towns in areas under the control of the Turkish-backed factions after days of clashes between rival factions, by Ahmed Read Jamus, 23 October 2022, al-monitor.com.
757. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-764)** [Talks with the Assad Regime](https://newlinesinstitute.org/nonstate-actors/the-limits-of-northeast-syrias-talks-with-the-assad-regime/), byCalvin Wilder, 22 August 2022.
758. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-765)** [Mazloum Abdi: Turkish Attacks Impact Fight Against ISIS](https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/2022/12/mazloum-abdi-turkish-attacks-impact-fight-against-isis?lang=en), 12 December 2022, website of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
759. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Jazeera_Staff_2023_766-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Jazeera_Staff_2023_766-1) [Twelve years on from the beginning of Syria's war](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/15/twelve-years-on-from-the-beginning-of-syrias-war) By Al Jazeera Staff ,15 Mar 2023.
760. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-news.un.org_767-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-news.un.org_767-1) [Security Council: 12 years of war, leaves 70 per cent of Syrians needing aid](https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/01/1132837), 25 January 2023, UN official website.
761. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-iraq.un.org_768-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-iraq.un.org_768-1) [Sixteenth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat](https://iraq.un.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/S202376%20EN.pdf), UN official website, February 2023.
762. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-centcom.mil_769-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-centcom.mil_769-1) [CENTCOM – YEAR IN REVIEW 2022: THE FIGHT AGAINST ISIS](https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/3255908/centcom-year-in-review-2022-the-fight-against-isis/), USCENTCOM, official website of US Army Central Command,29 Dec. 2022.
763. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-euronews.com_770-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-euronews.com_770-1) [Ex-Islamic State fighters still pose a risk in Turkey, finds report](https://www.euronews.com/2023/03/01/ex-islamic-state-fighters-still-pose-a-risk-in-turkey-finds-report), By Joshua Askew, 1 March 2023.
764. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-newlinesinstitute.org_771-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-newlinesinstitute.org_771-1) [Operation Claw-Sword Exposes Blind Spots in the US’ NE Syria Strategy](https://newlinesinstitute.org/syria/operation-claw-sword-exposes-blind-spots-in-the-us-ne-syria-strategy/) by Caroline Rose, Aram Shabanian, Calvin Wilder, 7 March 2023, website of new Lines Institute.
765. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-hurriyetdailynews.com_772-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-hurriyetdailynews.com_772-1)
["President Erdoğan reiterates determination for Syria operation – Türkiye News"](https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/president-erdogan-reiterates-determination-for-syria-operation-175967). *Hürriyet Daily News*. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
766. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-773)** [Turkish occupation launches more than 43 attacks on Mediay areas, 21 March 2023, hawarnews website.](https://hawarnews.com/en/haber/turkish-occupation-launches-more-than-43-attacks-on-mediay-areas-h35649.html)
767. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-774)** [Turkey-Syria summit postponed at last minute as Russia nudges rivals to reconcile](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/03/turkey-syria-summit-postponed-last-minute-russia-nudges-rivals-reconcile), The two countries' deputy foreign ministers plus those of Russia and Iran had been due to meet to discuss further rapprochement efforts, by Andrew Wilks, 16 March 2023, Al-Monitor website.
768. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-Lebanon_2023_v151_775-0)**
William Christou (18 August 2023). ["Protests against living conditions spread across Syria"](https://www.newarab.com/news/protests-against-living-conditions-spread-across-syria). *The New Arab*. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
769. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-rebelgroups_776-0)**
["Which Syrian Groups Are Involved in Turkey's Syria Offensive?"](https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_which-syrian-groups-are-involved-turkeys-syria-offensive/6177353.html). *VOA News*. 9 October 2019.
770. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-cfr_2023_777-0)** [The civil uprising against the longtime rule of the Assads deteriorated into protracted civil war. Here’s a look at the elements that have deepened Syria’s tragedy.](https://www.cfr.org/article/syrias-civil-war) By Zachary Laub, February 14, 2023.
771. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-usip.org_778-0)** [Syria’s Stalemate Has Only Benefitted Assad and His Backers](https://web.archive.org/web/20230315000406/https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/03/syrias-stalemate-has-only-benefitted-assad-and-his-backers). On the conflict’s 12th anniversary, everyday Syrians face a dire humanitarian situation, while Assad’s grip on power holds steady. Tuesday, March 14, 2023 / BY: Mona Yacoubian
772. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-779)** [Turkey is trying to bomb Rojava out of existence](https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2023/10/09/turkey-is-trying-to-bomb-rojava-out-of-existence/), By Sarah Glynn, 9 October 2023.
773. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-reuters1_780-0)**
["Turkey says bombers came from Syria, eyes cross-border targets"](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-says-ankara-bomb-attackers-came-syria-2023-10-04/). Reuters. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
774. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-781)** [of Attacks: Israel versus Hezbollah & Iran](https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2024/apr/02/timeline-israel-against-iran-hezbollahTimeline)\[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot "Wikipedia:Link rot")*\] Retrieved 5 July 2024
775. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-782)**
Eyad Kourdi; Mostafa Salem; Allegra Goodwin; Christian Edwards; Annoa Abekah-Mensah; Lauren Kent; Avery Schmitz (29 November 2024). ["Syrian rebels enter Aleppo for first time in eight years during shock offensive"](https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/29/world/syria-rebels-aleppo-war-intl/index.html). *CNN*. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
776. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-783)**
["Syrian Rebels' Lightning Offensive Zeroes In on Major City"](https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/syrian-rebels-advance-on-third-major-city-in-growing-threat-to-assad-bd21f39f). *[The Wall Street Journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall_Street_Journal "The Wall Street Journal")*.
777. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-784)**
["Syrian insurgents have reached the suburbs of Damascus in swiftly moving offensive - CBS News"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/syrian-insurgents-suburbs-of-damascus/). *www.cbsnews.com*. 7 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
778. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-785)**
["Syria's US-backed Kurdish forces seize Deir ez-Zor as Assad hangs by thread - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012"](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/12/syrias-us-backed-kurdish-forces-seize-deir-ez-zor-assad-hangs-thread). *www.al-monitor.com*. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
779. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-786)**
["'Syrian Free Army' take control of Palmyra as regime forces fall back"](https://www.newarab.com/news/syrian-free-army-take-control-palmyra-regime-withdraws). *[The New Arab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Arab "The New Arab")*.
780. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-787)**
Al-Khalidi, Suleiman; Toksabay, Ece (28 November 2024). ["Syrian and Russian jets bomb rebel-held northwest Syria"](https://www.reuters.com/world/syrian-russian-jets-bomb-rebel-held-northwest-syria-2024-11-28/). *[Reuters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuters "Reuters")*.
781. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-788)**
Salem, Mostafa (28 November 2024). ["Syria's rebels exploit weaknesses in Iran's proxies to launch surprise offensive"](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/28/europe/syria-rebels-government-iran-analysis-intl/index.html). *[CNN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNN "CNN")*.
782. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-789)**
Abdulrahim, Raja (29 November 2024). ["Syrian Rebels Reach City of Aleppo, in Biggest Advance in Years"](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/29/world/middleeast/syria-war-aleppo-rebels-government.html). *[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times")*. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
783. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-790)**
Shaiovich, Niv (30 November 2024). ["Syrian army retreats from Hama amid rebel gains"](https://www.ynetnews.com/article/skqyo0dq1x). *Ynetnews*. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
784. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-791)**
["Syrian rebels closing in on city of Hama - report"](https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-831386). *[The Jerusalem Post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jerusalem_Post "The Jerusalem Post")*. 30 November 2024. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0792-822X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0792-822X). Retrieved 30 November 2024.
785. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-792)**
Armstrong, Kathryn (8 December 2024). ["Syrian rebels say they have taken control of Homs"](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy7kk30rdjpo). *BBC News*. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
786. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-793)**
["Syria's US-backed Kurdish forces seize Deir ez-Zor as Assad hangs by thread"](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/12/syrias-us-backed-kurdish-forces-seize-deir-ez-zor-assad-hangs-thread). *[Al Monitor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Monitor "Al Monitor")*. 6 December 2024.
787. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-794)**
["US-backed Syrian Free Army advances in Homs, with reports of clashes with regime forces in Palmyra"](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20241206-us-backed-syrian-free-army-advances-in-homs-with-reports-of-clashes-with-regime-forces-in-palmyra/). *[Middle East Monitor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East_Monitor "Middle East Monitor")*. 6 December 2024.
788. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-795)**
["Rebel forces 'reach Damascus suburbs' as protesters topple statue on outskirts"](https://news.sky.com/story/rebel-forces-expand-control-in-syria-as-assad-faces-fight-for-key-city-13268577). *Sky News*. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
789. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-796)**
Marcos, Coral Murphy; Ambrose, Tom; Mackay, Hamish; Ambrose, Coral Murphy Marcos (now); Tom; Mackay (earlier), Hamish (7 December 2024). ["Syrian rebels say they have reached Damascus in 'final stage' of offensive – Middle East crisis live"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/dec/07/syria-rebels-reach-damascus-bashar-al-assad). *the Guardian*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved 7 December 2024.
`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list "Category:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list"))
790. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-797)**
Al-Khalidi, Suleiman; Azhari, Timour (8 December 2024). ["Syrian rebels topple President Assad, prime minister calls for free elections"](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syria-rebels-celebrate-captured-homs-set-sights-damascus-2024-12-07/). [Reuters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuters "Reuters"). Retrieved 8 December 2024.
791. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-798)**
["Syrian rebels capture Damascus, saying President Assad has fled"](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cwy8xzxe0w7t). [BBC News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_News "BBC News"). 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
792. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-799)**
Al Jazeera Staff (8 December 2024). ["What happened in Syria? How did al-Assad fall?"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/8/what-happened-in-syria-has-al-assad-really-fallen). [Al Jazeera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Jazeera "Al Jazeera"). Retrieved 8 December 2024.
793. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-800)** [Kurds' dream of self-rule under threat as Turkish-backed forces sweep across Syria](https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241205-kurds-dream-of-self-rule-under-threat-as-turkish-backed-forces-sweep-across-syria), 5 Dec 2024, france24.
794. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-801)** [As Assad falls, fighting intensifying over northern Syria town](https://www.voanews.com/a/as-assad-falls-fighting-intensifying-over-northern-syria-town-/7891689.html), by Sirwan Kajjo, 8 December 2024, Voice of America.
795. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-802)** Matthew Petti, [Syria's Rojava Revolution Is in Grave Danger](https://www.yahoo.com/news/syrias-rojava-revolution-grave-danger-154509954.html), reason.com, 11 December 2024.
796. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-803)** [Turkey-backed Syrian factions end US-mediated ceasefire with Kurdish-led SDF](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/12/turkey-backed-syrian-factions-end-us-mediated-ceasefire-kurdish-led-sdf), Sources told Al-Monitor that negotiations between the sides had "failed" amid "significant military buildups" on the Turkish border. by Amberin Zaman, 16 Dec 2024.
797. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-France_24_804-0)**
["Syria's new rulers arrest official behind Saydnaya death penalties"](https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241226-syria-new-rulers-arrest-key-military-official-behind-saydnaya-death-penalties-assad). *France 24*. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
798. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-805)** [Dozens of pro-Turkey and Kurdish forces killed in fighting in northern Syria](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/dozens-pro-turkey-and-kurdish-forces-killed-fighting-northern-syria). Monitoring group says Turkish-backed groups aiming to seize Kobane and al-Tabqa before moving on to Raqqa. By MEE staff, Published date: 5 January 2025.
799. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-BritannicaUprising_806-0)**
["Syrian Civil War - Uprising in Syria, 2011– \| Britannica"](https://www.britannica.com/event/Syrian-Civil-War/Uprising-in-Syria-2011). *www.britannica.com*. 16 April 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
800. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-807)**
["Ahmed al-Sharaa named Syria's transitional president"](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8d9r0vg6v7o). *www.bbc.com*. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
801. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-808)**
["2 days of clashes and revenge killings in Syria leave more than 1,000 people dead"](https://apnews.com/article/syria-alawites-sectarian-killings-coast-assad-hts-610cdee1d5762d3ecb75c700fb7cf5f2). *AP News*. 8 March 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
802. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-809)**
Salhani, Justin. ["Syria's Druze divided as sectarian tensions linger after violence"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/9/syrias-druze-divided-as-sectarian-tensions-linger-after-violence). *Al Jazeera*. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
803. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-TimesDeal_810-0)**
Goldbaum, Christina; Ward, Euan (10 March 2025). ["Syrian Government Signs Breakthrough Deal With Kurdish-Led Forces"](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/world/middleeast/syria-kurds-agreement.html). *[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times")*.
804. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-BBCDruze_811-0)**
["Israel bombs Syrian forces entering Druze city after sectarian clashes"](https://www.https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c89e3j4e911o). *bbc.com*. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
805. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-TagesschauDruze_812-0)**
["Israel greift syrische Armeeeinheiten in Suweida an"](https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/asien/syrien-kaempfe-sunniten-drusen-106.html). *tagesschau.de* (in German). Retrieved 15 July 2025.
806. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Syrian_civil_war#cite_ref-:3_813-0)**
["Israel strikes Syrian city, vows to protect Druze from government forces"](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrian-druze-leader-urges-local-fighters-confront-incoming-government-troops-2025-07-15/). *reuters.com*. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ["Syria profile - Timeline"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703995). *BBC News*. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- House of Commons Library [The Syrian civil war: Timeline and statistics](https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9381/), 6 September 2022
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`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
- [UNHCR Syria situation data](https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria)
- [Map of Syria showing land held by various belligerents as of January 2019](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46785140) | |||||||||||||||
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