Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone

Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone
Syrian-Turkish border, Syria
Type	Buffer zone
Length	Sajur River delta to Tall Abyad and Ras al-Ayn to Iraq–Syria border 30km deep excluding Qamishli town
Site information
Controlled by	Syrian Army and Russian Military Police (All buffer zone areas, excluding those between Tell Abyad and Ras al-Ayn) Turkish Armed Forces (In the buffer zone areas between Tell Abyad and Ras al-Ayn)
Open to the public	No
Condition	Active
Site history
Built by	Syria  Russia  Turkey (10km-deep patrols)
In use	1 November 2019 – present
Events	Syrian Civil War

Part of a series on the Syrian civil war
Syrian peace process
History Arab League initiative I 2011 Arab League initiative II 2011-12 Churkin peace plan 2012 Kofi Annan peace plan (Geneva I) 2012 Lakhdar Brahimi peace plan 2012 U.S.–Russia peace proposal (2013) 2013 Geneva II Mideast peace conference 2014 Staffan de Mistura peace plan 2015 Zabadani agreement 2015 Vienna talks 2015 Geneva III 2016 US-Russia ceasefire proposal (2016) 2016 Geneva IV 2017 Idlib demilitarization 2018 Northern Syria Buffer Zone 2019 Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone 2019 Syrian Constitutional Committee 2019
Primary concerns Bashar Assad presidentship Ba'athist government Opposition government Secularism in Syria Human rights Refugees Humanitarian aid Sectarianism
Secondary concerns Electricity supply Water supply Control of oil Situation in Aleppo Siege of Madaya
International brokers Peace envoy for Syria (United Nations) UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian affairs Arab League
Proposals Federalization of Syria Destruction of Chemical Weapons Constitution amendment: Constitution of Syria Constitution of Syrian Opposition Constitution of Rojava Safe Zones
Projects Friends of Syria Group Free Syrian University Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently
v t e

The Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone, part of the Sochi Agreement (Turkish: Soçi Mutabakatı, Russian: Сочинское соглашение), is a buffer zone in northern Syria between the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). It was set up following a memorandum of understanding in the Russian city Sochi on 22 October 2019 by the Russian and Turkish presidents during the 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria. Most of the zone is controlled by the Syrian Army and Russian Military Police, and some by the TAF.

Background

Following months of tension and threats, the first agreement to establish the Northern Syria Buffer Zone was reached in mid August 2019, between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the United States on the one hand, and Turkey on the other. The deal aimed to limit the Turkish offensive on Syria's north through a process of gradual withdrawal of SDF, removal of fortifications and joint US-Turkish monitoring and patrols, while still allowing the area to remain under the civil control of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the military control of the Syrian Democratic Forces military councils as per the first buffer zone agreement. Despite initial progress in its implementation, Turkey grew more and more dissatisfied with it, issuing more demands which were rejected by the SDF.

In early October that same year, following a phone call between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump, Trump announced the withdrawal of US forces from the region, which allowed Erdoğan to dismiss the first buffer zone deal and launch his 2019 offensive into north-eastern Syria against the SDF, which Turkey considers to be an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, an organization designated by Turkey as a terrorist group. Having previously dismantled their fortifications and having their positions observed as part of the first deal, and now stripped of military backing, SDF units reportedly faced a "desperate" challenge in having to defend their territory against both the Turkish Army and the rebel Syrian National Army. Despite initially offering armed resistance, SDF units were nonetheless forced to withdraw, triggering a wave of over 300,000 displaced people, amid Kurdish fears that Turkey would resort to ethnic cleansing against the Kurdish population. Although Turkey's invasion was widely condemned internationally, the SDF stood little chance against the Turkish Army and the SNA. Amid what one SDF commander described as a choice between "compromise and genocide", the SDF turned to the Syrian Government, with which they have had a lukewarm relationship, for help.

The United States negotiated a 5-day ceasefire in Northern Syria on October 17, which required the SDF to withdraw from the border areas, but at the same time allowed the SDF time to negotiate further with Russia and the Syrian government.

Seeking to avoid further expansion of Turkish control within Syria's territory, Bashar al-Assad's government agreed to a deal with the SDF to move the Syrian Army into the border areas. Subsequently, the Syrian Army entered several SDF-held towns and positioned troops on the seam lines between the two sides in a bid to stop the Turkish offensive.

The deal was struck shortly after the entry of Syrian army troops into SDF-held territories.

Sochi Agreement

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (left) shakes Russian President Vladimir Putin's (right) hand after the two concluded the agreement

The agreement was negotiated between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on 22 October 2019, at a diplomatic summit in the Russian resort town of Sochi. The negotiation of the agreement took six and a half hours to conclude.

The Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone was thereby formed as a buffer zone in northern Syria following a memorandum of understanding following talks in the Russian city Sochi on 22 October 2019 by the Russian and Turkish presidents in an attempt to end the ongoing conflict in the region.

Terms of the Sochi Agreement

The agreement reportedly included the following terms:

• A buffer zone would be established in Northern Syria. The zone would be around 30 kilometres (19 mi) deep, 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Implementation and incident timeline

• On 22 October 2019, senior YPG officials stated that the group had completed its withdrawal from the buffer zone region.
• On 23 October 2019, Russian forces conducted their first patrol in Northern Syria.

Russian Military Police enter Kobanî on 24 October 2019, as part of the Buffer Zone deal

• On 24 October 2019, the SDF said Turkey was violating the deal by launching a ground offensive against three villages in the country's north
  • Russia stated that the implementation of the zone was "on track" and announced that it was sending additional military policemen and heavy equipment to aid in its implementation.
  • The SDF announced that the Kurdish fighters had already withdrawn from the buffer zone.
• On 27 October 2019, Turkey said an attack by Kurdish forces left one Turkish soldier dead and five others injured. Turkish forces responded within the framework of self-defence".
  • The Syrian Democratic Forces officially announced their support for the deal, stating that their fighters would deploy to new positions deeper into Syria, as they stated that Syrian Government border guards were taking up their previous positions along the border.
• On 28 October 2019, following a large-scale deployment of Syrian Army troops to various border villages in the few days prior, the Syrian Army deployed to the town of Al-Darbasiyah along the Syrian-Turkish border for the first time in seven years.
  • 45 SDF vehicles carrying troops and heavy artillery departed Amuda and headed towards the country's south. The Syrian Government stated that the withdrawal had been carried out in coordination with the Syrian Army.
• On 30 October 2019, the Turkish President announced that the joint Russian-Turkish ground patrols within the zone would begin on 1 November, but would be limited only to a 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) deep area within the buffer zone. He however said, that the zone could be expanded to the full 10 kilometers, should SDF attacks on Turkey continue. The Turkish President further stated that he believed that the YPG withdrawal from the buffer zone had not fully taken place.

Syrian-Turkish clashes

• On 31 October 2019, heavy clashes took place between the Syrian Army and Turkish forces near Ras al-Ayn, after the Syrian National Army attacked several villages to the south of the town. Syrian state broadcaster SANA said the Turkish-backed forces were seizing a water plant and thus cutting off water to the Al-Hasakah Governorate.
  • Turkey's defence ministry announced that it had detained 18 people it suspected were Syrian Army servicemen, which had reportedly attacked Turkish forces near the town. It further stated that it had immediately entered into negotiations with Russia to release the captured soldiers.
  • The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that at least 5 Syrian Army servicemen had been killed by Turkish artillery shelling on the edge of the village of Assadiya. It also reported that Turkish-backed rebel groups had executed a captured Syrian Army soldier. The observatory added that clashes had continued past that point.
  • The Syrian Army and Syrian Democratic Forces launched a joint counter-attack and reportedly recaptured some of the areas they had lost during the SNA's assault that same day, after shelling Turkish-backed forces with heavy artillery.
  • The Syrian Army sent considerable reinforcements to the front line in an attempt to stop Turkish-backed forces from advancing.
  • The SDF Commander, Mazloum Abdi, said Turkey was failing to adhere to the ceasefire agreement, stating that he believed Turkey had partnered with jihadists to occupy Christian villages and threaten Assyrians with "annihilation". Another SDF spokesman stated that Turkish-backed forces had continued with their advance, including by attacking areas held by the Syrian Army. He stated that Turkey had used Syrian Airspace to aid its army and "its jihdaists" to attack the region.

Start of joint patrols

• On 1 November 2019, the first joint Russian-Turkish ground and air patrol was held within the buffer zone. The joint patrol covered 110 kilometres (68 mi) of territory along the border, going up to 7 km deep into Syrian territory - less than the 10 originally set out in the deal.
  • Turkey released the 18 men which were taken prisoner the previous day. This unilateral prisoner release caused considerable tensions within the ranks of the Syrian National Army, drawing criticism from some fighters that the release constituted "a betrayal of the religion". The Homs al-Adiyyeh Brigade of the Sultan Murad Division of the SNA subsequently defected to join Jaysh al-Izza in protest. Ahrar al-Sharqiya also condemned the release, but blamed Salim Idris, who serves as Minister of Defence of the internationally unrecognized Syrian Interim Government, instead of the Turkish government.
• On 3 November 2019, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the SDF had launched a large attack against Turkish-backed forces near Ras al-Ayn, subsequently managing to recapture 13 villages from them despite intensive artillery bombardment by the Turkish Army.
• On 5 November 2019, the second round of joint Russian-Turkish ground patrols were held. Russian and Turkish military vehicles, observed by Turkish UAVs, patrolled for 160 kilometres (99 mi) in the area between Kobanî and Tell Abyad. Following the end of the patrol, the Turkish Armed Forces withdrew to the Turkish side of the border. While patrolling near Kobani, the vehicles were pelted repeatedly with stones thrown by local residents.
  • Turkish President Erdogan accused the United States of continuing to carry out joint patrols with the YPG in Syria. He further alleged that the YPG hadn't left their positions at Manbij and Tell Rifaat, as the second buffer deal required. He attempted to justify the Turkish-backed forces' incursions outside of their zone of control in the previous few days by stating that he believed that SDF units had gathered on the edge of the Turkish control zone around Ras al-Ayn and were preparing attacks on Turkish and Turkish-backed forces within the town itself. He added that Turkey would continue to fight until the last "terrorist" was "neutralized".
  • Syrian state media announced that the Syrian Army had deployed units near the town of Qamishli, in what it reported was a bid to "counter Turkey's aggression".
• On 8 November 2019 a Syrian citizen was killed after being run over by a Turkish military vehicle, which was conducting a joint patrol with Russian forces. The man was reportedly a part of a group of residents which were throwing stones at the Turkish vehicles in protest of the joint patrols.
  • The spokesman for the Kurdish-led SDF reported that Turkish troops had fired tear gas against anti-patrol protesters in Al-Malikiyah - which was under the joint control of SDF and American forces, but nonetheless part of the 10 km patrol zone. He further alleged that 10 civilians were injured by the gas. He accused Russia of complicity in both incidents, as the patrols were carried out under "Russia's auspices".
  • Local residents released footage on social media, showing themselves once again throwing stones at Turkish armored vehicles during joint patrols, while ignoring their Russian counterparts.
• On 9 November 2019, heavy clashes erupted between Syrian and Turkish forces along the buffer zone. Several people were injured, including a SANA reporter.
  • The Syrian Democratic Forces released a statement in which they claimed to have killed 13 fighters belonging to the Syrian National Army in combat around Ayn Issa, while sustaining 12 casualties themselves.
  • The Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that they had recorded a total of 8 alleged ceasefire violations by the SDF within a 24-hour period.
• On 12 November 2019, the fifth round of the joint Russian-Turkish military patrols was diverted from its intended route near Kobani by local anti-patrol protesters, which attacked the Turkish vehicles with stones and fire extinguishers. Nevertheless, the Turkish Defence Ministry stated that the patrols were continuing, despite what it termed to be "provocations by terrorists".
• On 14 November 2019, sixth round of the joint Russian-Turkish military patrol completed a 45 km long area. Turkish Ministry of National Defense stated: "Turkish and Russian units accompanied by UAVs completed the sixth joint land patrol in the east of the Euphrates as planned".
• On 16 November 2019, seventh round of the joint Russian-Turkish military patrol completed. Turkish Ministry of National Defense states: "Turkish and Russian units completed their seventh joint land patrol in the Qamishli-Derik sector with four vehicles each and UAV support in the east of the Euphrates."
• Joint patrols continued through 2019 and by 27 January 2020, the Russian and Turkish Armed Forces had conducted a total of 23 joint patrols inside the buffer zone. The final joint patrol reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights was the 24th patrol held on 30 January.

Russian-American tensions

• By late January 2020, Russian forces repeatedly clashed with residual American troops left inside the zone. US forces based from an American base at al-Wazir intercepted a Russian patrol and prevented it from setting up a military base at Al-Kharitah. A verbal altrecation took place between the two sides and escalated into the raising of weapons, but a clash was prevented by SDF mediation. A similar incident shortly thereafter was reported to have significantly increased tensions between the two sides. Russia responded by deploying advanced air defence systems in its Qamishli airbase.
• On 3 February 2020, American forces attempted to block Russian patrol on the M4 highway. The Russian patrol drove around the roadblock via dirt roads and sent several helicopters to fly over American forces. US military helicopters then began pursuing the Russian helicopters until they reached Ras al-Ayn airspace. A similar incident occurred on 4 February, this time with a Russian vehicle reportedly ramming a US armored vehicle which was blocking its path. Despite this, no military hostilities were reported to have taken place between the two sides.

Russian-Turkish tensions and Turkish rejection of joint patrols

• On 1 February 2020, Russian Forces closed the border crossing between Amuda and Al-Darbasiyah, blocking it with large cement blocks. It had previously been opened by Turkey as the patrols began.
• On 4 February 2020, the Turkish Armed Forces prevented a Russian military delegation from inspecting a water project near Olukah in Al-Hasakah, reportedly firing into the air in order to force the Russian forces to withdraw. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights opined that the incident demonstrated "increasing differences" between the two sides.
• In early February 2020 the Turkish Armed Forces refused to participate in joint patrols with their Russian counterparts twice. Turkish troops informed a Russian officer on 6 February that they will not take part in the patrols and they were subsequently held by Russian forces alone. That same day the Syrian Arab News Agency reported that the Tell Tamer power station was put out of service as a result of what it stated were Turkish attacks against the overhead power lines that fed the station. It also alleged that Turkish attacks had caused great damage to other local infrastructure, as well as killed a number of civilians in the area.
• Intermittent clashes and shelling occurred in early February, mostly as Turkish and pro-Turkish forces attacked SDF and government positions and made minor unsuccessful attempts to advance. Several casualties were reported.

Resumption of joint patrols

• Following multiple Turkish refusals to take part in joint patrols with their Russian counterparts, a joint patrol was finally held on 17 February 2020, when 4 Russian and 4 Turkish vehicles patrolled parts of the buffer area together.
• By 18 February 2020, joint Russian-Turkish patrols had resumed per their usual schedule.

Reactions

• United Nations - On 1 November 2019 the UN Secretary-General met with President Erdogan of Turkey to discuss Turkey's proposal to relocate a large number of Syrian Refugees in Turkey to the Safe Zone. Mr. Guterres informed the Turkish President that the UNHCR will immediately form a team to study the proposal and engage in discussions with Turkish authorities, in line with its mandate. The Secretary-General greenlighted the proposal but told the Turkish President that the relocations should be "voluntary, safe and dignified".
• Syrian Democratic Forces - The SDF stated that they consider themselves as "Syrian and a part of Syria", adding that they will agree to work with the Syrian Government. The SDF officially announced their support for the deal on 27 October 2019, five days after the memorandum was made.
•  Syria - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad thanked the Russian President for his role in the negotiation of the deal and expressed his full support for it. At the same time, he raised concerns about Turkish interference in Syrian affairs and dubbed Turkish President Erdogan a "thief".
•  Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan threatened to forcefully "clear terrorists" from the Syrian-Turkish border should the deal fail. He further reiterated his threat to let the Syrian refugees residing in Turkey at that point to freely emigrate into Europe, if Turkey does not receive "support" in its plan for the relocation of 1 to 2 million refugees within the buffer zone in what the Turkish President dubbed the "first stage" of their return.
•  Iran - Iran's foreign ministry called the agreement "a positive step" and stated that it "backed any move to restore stability in the region", the opposite of its stance on the prior Northern Syria Buffer Zone.
•  United States - US President Donald Trump praised the deal that he viewed as allowing "someone else fight over this long bloodstained land", following which he ordered the lifting of the sanctions that he had placed on Turkey nine days prior as a reaction to the start of Turkey's offensive.
•  Germany - German Chancellor Angela Merkel proposed that the buffer zone be enforced through an international force. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu rejected the plan, dubbing it "unrealistic".

See also

• Eastern Syria insurgency
• Insurgency in Idlib
• SDF insurgency in Northern Aleppo
• Daraa insurgency

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Notes

1. ^ As defined by the US and SDF, based on the beginning of the YPG withdrawal, the destruction of border fortrifications and the start of US-Turkish joint patrols in late August. See the implementation timeline for the original Northern Syria Buffer Zone.
2. ^ Starting from the Syrian-Turkish border and going south into Syria.
3. ^ See the "External links" section, for a link to an article containing an explanatory map of the buffer zone.
4. ^ 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. ^ No joint patrols will be held in the remaining part of the buffer zone.
6. ^ Later, the Turkish President announced that the patrols would only be held to a depth of 7km, as opposed to 10. No reason was given for this change.

External links

• BBC article containing a map of the Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone

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Timeline Background 1963 coup 1966 coup Corrective Movement Islamist uprising Latakia protests Damascus Spring Qamishli riots Syrian occupation of Lebanon Damascus Declaration Human rights in Syria 2010s in Syria political history 2011 Jan–Apr May–Aug Sep–Dec Syrian Revolution Death of Hamza Ali Al-Khateeb Siege of Daraa Siege of Baniyas May Talkalakh siege Siege of Rastan and Talbiseh June Jisr ash-Shughur operation Siege of Hama Siege of Homs Jabal al-Zawiya operation Siege of Latakia Deir ez-Zor clashes (2011–2014) Rif Dimashq clashes (Nov 2011-Mar 2012) Battle of Zabadani Battle of Douma Daraa Governorate clashes Battle of Rastan Shayrat and Tiyas airbase ambush Idlib Governorate clashes December Jabal al-Zawiya massacres 2012 Jan–Apr May–Aug Sep–Dec January al-Midan bombing Battle of Rastan First Battle of Idlib Battle of al-Qusayr Idlib Governorate operation (Apr) Battle of Taftanaz May Battle of Rastan Houla massacre Battle of al-Haffah Al-Qubeir massacre Battle of Tremseh Battle of Damascus 18 July 2012 Damascus bombing Battle of Aleppo Battle of Anadan Siege of Base 46 Al-Hasakah Governorate campaign (2012–2013) Rif Dimashq offensive (Aug-Oct) Darayya massacre Battle of Khirbet Al-Joz Battle of Maarrat al-Numan First siege of Wadi Deif Battle of Harem Rif Dimashq offensive (Nov 2012–Feb 2013) Battle of Darayya Aqrab massacre Hama offensive Halfaya massacre Battle of Darayya Quneitra Governorate clashes Talbiseh bakery massacre 2013 Jan–Apr May–Dec Battle of Safira Battle of Shadadeh Damascus offensive Raqqa campaign (2012–2013) Battle of Raqqa (Mar) Daraa offensive Rif Dimashq offensive (Mar–Aug) Battle of Jdaidet al-Fadl Ghouta chemical attack Al-Qusayr offensive Battle of al-Qusayr Bayda and Baniyas massacres Hama offensive Hatla massacre Khan al-Assal chemical attack Khan al-Assal massacre Adra massacre Battle of Ras al-Ayn Battle of Tell Abyad Rif Dimashq offensive (Sep–Nov) Aleppo offensive (Oct–Dec) Battle of al-Yaarubiyah Battle of Tell Hamis and Tell Brak (Dec–Jan) 2014 Jan–Jul Aug–Dec First Inter-rebel conflict Battle of Markada Deir ez-Zor offensive Battle of Morek Daraa offensive (Feb–May) Maan massacre Al-Otaiba ambush Idlib offensive Battle of Hosn Latakia Offensive Battle of Al-Malihah Kafr Zita chemical attack Second siege of Wadi Deif Qalamoun offensive (Jun–Aug) Battle of Arsal First Battle of the Shaer gas field Eastern Syria offensive Battle of Tabqa Airbase Northern Aleppo offensive (Feb–Jul) Hama Offensive Quneitra offensive Rif Dimashq offensive (Aug–Nov) Siege of Kobanî Homs school bombing Daraa offensive (Oct) Al-Safira offensive Idlib Raid Second Inter-Rebel Conflict Second Battle of the Shaer gas field Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin Deir ez-Zor offensive (Dec) 2015 Jan–Jul Aug–Dec Air Force An-26 crash Daraa Offensive (Jan) Southern Syria Offensive Eastern al-Hasakah offensive Battle of Sarrin (Mar–Apr) Battle of Sarrin (Jun–Jul) Battle of Bosra Idlib Offensive Second Battle of Idlib Battle of Nasib Border Crossing Battle of Yarmouk Camp Western al-Hasakah offensive Palmyra offensive (May) Qamishli bombings Tell Abyad offensive Kobanî massacre Quneitra offensive (Jun) Palmyra offensive (Jul–Aug) Rif Dimashq offensive (Sep) Northwestern Syria offensive (Oct–Nov) Aleppo offensive (Oct–Dec) Al-Hawl offensive Homs offensive (Nov-Dec) East Aleppo offensive (2015–2016) 2015–2016 Latakia offensive Tishrin Dam offensive Russian Sukhoi Su-24 shootdown 2016 Jan–Apr May–Aug Sep–Dec Second Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin Deir ez-Zor offensive (Jan) January Sayyidah Zaynab bombings Northern Aleppo offensive (Feb) Ithriyah-Raqqa offensive (Feb–Mar) Al-Shaddadi offensive February Homs bombings February Sayyidah Zaynab bombings Khanasir offensive Battle of Tel Abyad Battle of Maarrat al-Numan Battle of Qamishli (Apr) Northern Aleppo offensive (Mar–Jun) Palmyra offensive (Mar) East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (Apr–May) Rif Dimashq offensive (Apr–May) Northern Raqqa offensive (May) May Jableh & Tartous bombings Ithriyah-Raqqa offensive (Jun) Rif Dimashq offensive (Jun–Oct) Manbij offensive Tokhar massacre Southern Aleppo campaign Battle of al-Rai (Aug) Operation Euphrates Shield Aleppo summer campaign Western al-Bab offensive (Sep) 5 September bombings September Deir ez-Zor air raid September Urum al-Kubra aid convoy attack Aleppo offensive (Sep–Oct) Dabiq offensive Western al-Bab offensive (Oct–Nov) Khan al-Shih offensive (Oct–Nov) Raqqa campaign Battle of al-Bab Aleppo offensive (Nov-Dec) Palmyra offensive (Dec) 2017 Jan–Apr May–Aug Sep–Dec Wadi Barada offensive (2016–2017) January Azaz bombing Desert campaign (Dec 16–Apr 17) Idlib clashes (Jan–Mar) Deir ez-Zor offensive (Jan–Feb) Daraa offensive (Feb–Jun) Southwestern Daraa offensive (Feb) Qaboun offensive Palmyra offensive East Aleppo offensive (Jan–Apr) March Damascus bombings Al-Jinah airstrike Hama offensive (Mar–Apr) Battle of Tabqa Khan Shaykhun chemical attack Shayrat missile strike Aleppo bombing April Turkish airstrikes East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (Apr–May) Desert campaign (May–Jul) Maskanah Plains offensive East Hama offensive Battle of Raqqa Daraa offensive (Jun) Southern Raqqa offensive (Jun) Jobar offensive (Jun–Aug) Quneitra offensive (Jun) Idlib clashes (Jul) Central campaign Qalamoun (Jul–Aug) Deir ez-Zor offensive (Sep 17–Mar 18) Hama offensive (Sep) Northwestern campaign (Oct 17–Feb 18) Turkish military operation in Idlib Governorate Battle of Harasta Eastern campaign (Sep–Dec) Euphrates Crossing offensive Mayadin offensive Battle of Deir ez-Zor (Sep–Nov) Abu Kamal offensive Beit Jinn offensive 2018 Jan–Apr May–Aug Sep–Dec Operation Olive Branch Battle of Khasham Rif Dimashq offensive (Feb–Apr) Southern Damascus offensive (Jan–Feb) Syrian Liberation Front–Tahrir al-Sham conflict Southern Damascus offensive (Mar) Douma chemical attack Missile strikes (Apr) Northern Homs offensive (Apr–May) Eastern Qalamoun offensive (Apr) Southern Damascus offensive (Apr–May) Deir ez-Zor clashes (Apr) Deir ez-Zor offensive (May–Jun) As-Suwayda offensive (Jun) Southern offensive As-Suwayda attacks As-Suwayda (Aug-Nov) Qamishli clashes (Sep) Missile strikes (Sep) Northern border clashes 2019 Jan–Apr May–Aug Sep–Dec Idlib inter-rebel conflict Manbij bombing Battle of Baghuz Fawqani ISIL insurgency in Deir-ez-Zor Dêrik prison escape attempt Tell Rifaat clashes Northwestern offensive (Apr–Aug) June bombings Hass refugee camp bombing Missile strikes (Aug) Turkish offensive into northeast Barisha raid November bombings Israeli missile strikes (Nov) Qah missile strike Northwestern offensive (Dec 19–Mar 20) US airstrikes 2020 Jan–Dec COVID-19 pandemic Afrin bombing Idlib Governorate clashes Kafr-Takharim airstrike Ayn Issa clashes Deir ez-Zor ambush 2021 Jan–Dec Siege of Qamishli and Al-Hasakah Missile strikes (Jan) US airstrike (Feb) Battle of Qamishli (Apr) US airstrike (Jun) Daraa clashes Tahrir al-Sham–Junud al-Sham conflict 2022 Jan–Dec Battle of al-Hasakah Ahrar al-Sham–Levant Front clashes Jabal al-Bishrī clashes Jarqli airstrikes Northern Aleppo clashes (Oct) Operation Claw-Sword Northwest clashes (Dec) 2023 Jan-Dec Al-Sukhnah attack Damascus airstrike Hama attack Northern border clashes Spillover Israel and Golan Heights: March 2017 incident February 2018 incident May 2018 Israel–Iran incidents Iraq: Akashat ambush Operation al-Shabah April 2014 Iraqi border airstrike Jordanian border incidents April 2014 Jordanian border airstrike Lebanon: Lebanese border clashes Battle of Sidon Iranian embassy bombing in Beirut North Lebanon clashes Qalamoun (Jul–Aug 2017) Turkey: December 2011 Turkish border clash 2012 Turkish F-4 Phantom shootdown 2012 Turkish border clashes 2013 Reyhanlı car bombings January 2014 Turkish attack in Syria Assassination of Andrei Karlov Russian Air Force Al-Bab incident 2020 Balyun airstrikes Operation Spring Shield Elsewhere: Deir ez-Zor missile strike (Iran)
Belligerents Syria Politics of Syria Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region Syrian Social Nationalist Party Arab Socialist Movement Syrian Communist Party Military and militias Syrian Armed Forces Syrian Resistance PFLP-GC al-Quds Brigade Palestine Liberation Army Foreign support Hezbollah involvement Iranian involvement Liwa Fatemiyoun Russian involvement medical facility targeting military intervention Wagner Group Russia–Syria–Iran–Iraq coalition Popular Mobilization Forces Opposition Interim government National Coalition Local Coordination Committees Syrian National Council Supreme Council of the Syrian Revolution National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change Syrian Revolution General Commission Syrian Support Group Adopt a Revolution Syrian Patriotic Group Opposition militias Syrian National Army Free Syrian Army National Front for Liberation Army of Glory Authenticity and Development Front Army of Free Tribes Revolutionary Commando Army Muslim Brotherhood in Syria Grey Wolves Foreign support American-led intervention Jordanian intervention Qatar Saudi Arabia Turkey Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria DFNS Government Democratic Union Party Kurdish National Council Smaller political parties SDF militias People's Protection Units Women's Protection Units Anti-Terror Units Al-Sanadid Forces Army of Revolutionaries SDF military councils Syriac Military Council Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa Northern Democratic Brigade Support Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Kurdistan Workers' Party International Freedom Battalion Sinjar Resistance Units Êzîdxan Women's Units Islamists Islamic State Military activity of ISIL Dokumacılar Khalid ibn al-Walid Army Liwa al-Aqsa Group of the One and Only Liwa Dawud al-Qaeda and allies Tahrir al-Sham Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria Caucasus Emirate Ajnad al-Kavkaz Junud al-Makhdi Malhama Tactical Ansar al-Islam in Kurdistan
People Ammar Abdulhamid Ali al-Abdallah Adnan al-Aroor al-Assad family Bashar Maher Rifaat Rami Makhlouf Hafez Makhlouf Riad al-Asaad Anwar al-Bunni Fahd Jassem al-Freij Suheil al-Hassan Haitham al-Maleh Moaz al-Khatib Kamal al-Labwani Hamza al-Khateeb Tal al-Mallohi Fida al-Sayed Riad al-Turk Khaled Khoja Ammar al-Qurabi Suheir Atassi Ali Sadreddine Al-Bayanouni Aref Dalila Farid Ghadry Burhan Ghalioun Razan Ghazzawi Ghassan Hitto Salim Idris Randa Kassis Abdul Halim Khaddam Michel Kilo Bassma Kodmani Ali Habib Mahmud Ali Mahmoud Othman Ibrahim Qashoush Dawoud Rajiha Yassin al-Haj Saleh Bouthaina Shaaban Abdulbaset Sieda Riad Seif Fadwa Souleimane Mohamad Anas Haitham Soueid Yaser Tabbara Razan Zaitouneh Rami Jarrah Abdurrahman Mustafa Fadlallah al-Haji
Related Elections 2011 local elections 2012 parliamentary election 2014 presidential election 2015 Northern local elections 2016 parliamentary election 2017 Northern local elections 2017 Northern regional elections 2018 local elections 2020 parliamentary election 2021 presidential election Issues Casualties Cities and towns Chemical weapons Damaged heritage sites Foreign involvement Human rights violations Humanitarian aid International demonstrations and protests International reactions Massacres Refugees Sectarianism and minorities Status of the Golan Heights Spillover in Lebanon Syrian government reactions Peace process Arab League monitors Friends of Syria Group Kofi Annan peace plan UN supervision mission Lakhdar Brahimi peace plan U.S.–Russia peace proposals 39th G8 summit UN Security Council Resolution 2118 Geneva II conference 2015 Zabadani cease-fire agreement Vienna talks 2016 Geneva talks Idlib demilitarization (2018–present) First Northern Syria Demilitarization Deal Second Northern Syria Demilitarization Deal Syrian Constitutional Committee War crimes trials Universal jurisdiction trials in Germany Related topics Exclusive mandate Fourth Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference International recognition of the Syrian National Council Syria Files Syrian detainee report Syrian media coverage 2015 European migrant crisis Syrian civil war in popular culture
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