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{{use dmy dates|date=December 2019}} | |||
#REDIRECT ] | |||
{{main|Timeline of the Syrian Civil War}} | |||
{{Campaignbox Syrian Civil War|state=expanded}} | |||
The following is a timeline of the ] from January to June 2020. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at ]. | |||
==January 2020== | |||
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{{R from move}} | |||
===Idlib=== | |||
}} | |||
The Syrian government continued to launch ] on rebel groups in Northwestern Syria ("Greater Idlib"), with Russian air support. Continued operations have caused over 200,000 refugees to flee the area, with many fleeing to Turkey.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/12/28/idlib-could-become-worst-humanitarian-crisis-syrias-civil-war/ |title=Idlib could become the worst humanitarian crisis in Syria’s civil war |first=Miriam |last=Berger |date=December 28, 2019 |newspaper=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130034243/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/12/28/idlib-could-become-worst-humanitarian-crisis-syrias-civil-war/ |archive-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/trump-warns-iran-syria-russia-not-kill-civilians-syrias-idlib |title='Don't do it': Trump warns Syria, Russia and Iran over Idlib offensive |publisher=] |date=December 26, 2019}}</ref> | |||
====Ceasefire and new offensive==== | |||
On 11 January, ] announced that a ceasefire had been agreed to in the area of ] and Northwest Syria, between Russia, ], ] and ]. This was due to requests by Turkey for a ceasefire, in order to stop the flow of ] into Turkey.<ref>, By: AFP | Published: January 10, 2020.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/turkey-russia-idlib-1.5422193 |title=Turkey, Russia agree to ceasefire in war-torn Idlib, Syria |publisher=] |date=January 10, 2020 |author=]}}</ref> However, some regional news outlets reported that Syria launched further attacks near ], in ] and the villages of Maar Shoreen, Talmenes, and Maar Shamshah, even after the ceasefire had officially begun.<ref>, DAILY SABAH, January 9, 2020.</ref> | |||
On 21 January, Russian warplanes targeted a farm on the outskirts of the Kafar Taal village, in western Aleppo province, killing nine civilians, among them six children, and also targeted areas in the southern and south-eastern countryside of Idlib, inflicting damage to property.<ref>. 21 January 2020. ''Haaretz''. Retrieved 2 May 2020.</ref> | |||
On 28 January, the ] captured the strategic city of ]. A war monitor and government media added that the Syrian army went into the city under the protection of heavy air strikes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security/syrian-government-forces-enter-town-south-of-idlib-city-idUSKBN1ZR1PV|work=Reuters|title=Syrian government forces enter town south of Idlib city|date=28 January 2020}}</ref><ref name="McKernan 2020 Maarat">{{cite web | last=McKernan | first=Bethan | title=Assad regime captures town in Syria's last rebel-held territory | website=the Guardian | date=2020-01-28 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/28/syrian-regime-captures-maarat-al-numan-in-idlib | access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> | |||
===Northeastern Syria=== | |||
On 18 January, 2020, U.S. troops blocked a Russian convoy from entering ], where the U.S. is protecting oil fields under SDF administration. Tension occurred between the two groups as U.S. soldiers asked the Russian soldiers to return to the ] in northwest of ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200119-syria-us-troops-block-russian-forces-way-to-oil-field/|title=Syria: US troops block Russian forces way to oil field|date=19 January 2020}}</ref> | |||
===Diplomatic developments=== | |||
====UN Dispute==== | |||
The UN Security Council is currently having a major dispute over the re-authorization for border-crossing points into Syria to deliver aid. The existing authorization expired on January 10, 2020.<ref name="UN report 1-2020">https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/2020-01/syria-15.php UN January 2020 Monthly Forecast Posted 23 December 2019.</ref> In December 2019, China and Russia vetoed the current proposal to renew all four existing crossing points, which are located in Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey; they wish to eliminate all crossing points except the ones in Turkey.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20191220-russia-and-china-veto-un-extending-cross-border-aid-to-syria |title=Russia and China veto UN extending cross-border aid to Syria |date=December 20, 2019 |publisher=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202235217/https://www.france24.com/en/20191220-russia-and-china-veto-un-extending-cross-border-aid-to-syria |archive-date=February 2, 2020}}</ref> By January 2020, the dispute was ongoing.<ref name="UN report 1-2020"/> | |||
==February 2020== | |||
On 1 February, four officers from the K and S units of Russia's ] were reported killed near Aleppo.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/02/03/4-russian-special-forces-officers-killed-in-syria-reports-a69139 |newspaper=] |title=4 Russian Special Forces Officers Killed in Syria – Reports |date=February 3, 2020 |quote=At least four members of Russia’s special forces have been killed in Syria on Saturday, the investigative website Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), which monitors Russian military activity, has reported.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2020/02/03/four-fsb-special-forces-officers-reportedly-killed-in-syria |publisher=] |title=Four FSB special forces officers reportedly killed in Syria |quote=The Telegram-based investigative news outlet Baza has reported that four officers from the Special Operations Center of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) have been killed near Aleppo, Syria Another Telegram channel, The Special Operations Channel, published three names in full: Captain Dmitry Minov, Major Bulat Akhmatyanov, and Lieutenant Vsevolod Trofimov. |date=February 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200203212422/https://meduza.io/en/news/2020/02/03/four-fsb-special-forces-officers-reportedly-killed-in-syria |archive-date=February 3, 2020}}</ref> | |||
===Al-Tanf=== | |||
Around February 16, 2020, an Iranian-backed proxy group reportedly approached ], and were then repelled by the U.S.-partnered Maghaweir al-Thowra.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=] |date=February 16, 2020 |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2020/02/16/iran-backed-group-launches-attack-near-small-garrison-in-syria-housing-american-special-operators/ |title=Iran-backed group launches attack near small garrison in Syria housing American special operators |first=Shawn |last=Snow |quote=Maghaweir al-Thowra, an anti-ISIS U.S.-backed group, operates out of small garrison near the Iraq border. It tweeted Sunday that an Iran proxy launched an attack against its forces and breached the 55 km deconfliction zone that surrounds a small garrison housing American commandos known as al-Tanf. The anti-ISIS fighters said that they repelled the attack and that the Syrian regime had lost control of its allies — which the MAT described as a “rogue Iranian proxy.”}}</ref> | |||
===Idlib and Aleppo=== | |||
] | |||
According to the ], by 6 February, the Syrian Army had captured 139 (including areas captured last year)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=154468|title=20 days of military operations in Aleppo and Idlib: 1,133 persons killed, nearly 400,000 civilians displaced, and 93 areas fall to regime forces • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=5 February 2020}}</ref> towns, villages and hilltops, including the strategic city of ], towns and villages of ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] and ] at ], ], ], Rashidin in Western ] and 4 posts inside the encircled Saraqib pocket.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20191223-syria-regime-forces-surround-turkish-army-post-in-idlib|title=Syria regime forces surround Turkish army post in Idlib|date=December 23, 2019|website=France 24}}</ref> Humanitarian organizations called for a ceasefire in Idlib after 520,000 people had been displaced from their homes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/aid-groups-warn-humanitarian-catastrophe-northwest-syria-200205192224492.html|title=Aid groups warn of 'humanitarian catastrophe' in northwest Syria|website=www.aljazeera.com}}</ref> | |||
On 10 February, pro-Syrian government militias including ] were filmed desecrating the graves and exhuming the bodies of opposition fighters and those affiliated with them, in a series of clips circulated on social media during the two days prior, in southern Idlib province, and holding skulls of opposition fighters and civilians and mocking them.<ref>. 10 February 2020. ''MEMO''. Retrieved 2 June 2020.</ref> | |||
By 18 February, pro-government sources said that the Syrian Arab Army and its allies had captured 2,052 square kilometers of territory and more than 200 towns, villages and hilltops.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.iswnews.com/11570/map-investigation-of-the-latest-military-situation-in-the-idlib-region-and-the-progress-of-the-syrian-army/|title=Map: Investigation of the latest military situation in the Idlib region and the progress of the Syrian Army|website=IWN}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=June 2020}} The same day the UN human rights chief expressed her pressing concerns over the increase in fighting in northwest Syria and has also blamed the Syrian government and Russia for intentionally causing harm to civilians.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/syria-cites-deliberate-attacks-civilians-200218111516852.html |title= 'Horror' in Syria: UN cites deliberate attacks on civilians. |publisher=Al-Jazeera}}</ref> | |||
On 20 February, Turkish-backed rebels launched another counteroffensive on ] with ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.iswnews.com/11658/video-aerial-footagr-of-turkish-artillery-attacks-on-syria/|title=Video: Aerial footage of Turkish artillery attacks on Syria|website=IWN}}</ref><ref>, SOHR</ref> Turkish commandos were also reported to have been operating alongside rebels in the assault on the town.<ref name="MEM20022020">{{cite web | title=Two Turkish soldiers killed as Syrian rebels stage assault on Idlib's Neirab | author=Harun al-Aswad, Ragip Soylu| website=Middle East Eye | url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/two-turkish-soldiers-killed-syrian-rebels-stage-assault-idlibs-neirab | date=20 February 2020|access-date=2020-02-21}}</ref> A Russian ] was reported to have been shot down during the initial shelling and rocket strikes.<ref name="The New Arab 2020 Turkey launches">{{cite web | author=The New Arab | title=Turkey launches 'limited' operation to retake Idlib towns | website=alaraby | date=2020-02-20 | url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2020/2/20/turkey-launches-limited-operation-to-retake-idlib-towns | access-date=2020-02-21}}</ref> Russian planes provided air support to the pro-government forces and struck positions of the advancing rebels.<ref>, RT, 20 February 2020</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=June 2020}} Additional shelling on nearby towns on both the government-controlled and opposition-controlled sides of the frontline were reported, with both Russian and Turkish forces involved in air and artillery support roles respectively.<ref name="auto">, SOHR</ref> During the battle, rebels reportedly attempted to shoot down a Russian ] using Turkish-provided ].<ref>, Al-Masdar</ref>{{better source|poor source for rebel activities|date=June 2020}} | |||
After heavy fighting,<ref name="auto"/> the rebels managed to take full control of the town. However, Russian air support allowed the pro-government forces to eventually repel the rebel assault and recapture Nayrab.<ref>, AP, 20 February 2020</ref><ref>, Daily Star Lebanon, 20 February 2020</ref> Russia contacted Turkish forces and told them to end artillery support to the rebels, which they did, according to Russia.<ref>, BBC Turkish</ref> The ] confirmed that two Turkish soldiers had been killed and five wounded due to an airstrike during the assault,<ref>, Milliyet</ref> while also claiming the Turkish-backed rebels killed 50 Syrian government forces during the battle.<ref>, Ha'aretz</ref> The ] said Russian forces destroyed one tank, six armored vehicles, and five other vehicles all belonging to the rebels.<ref>, Al-Masdar</ref> As well as the two confirmed Turkish deaths,<ref name="haaretz.com 2020 Turkish casualties">{{cite web | title=Turkey suffers casualties as Syrian government continues advance on Idlib | website=haaretz.com | date=2020-02-22 | url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/turkey-suffers-casualties-as-syrian-government-continues-advance-on-idlib-1.8564747 | access-date=2020-02-28}}</ref> the SOHR said that about 28 rebels and 14 pro-government soldiers were killed and that some Syrian soldiers were beheaded by jihadist fighters.<ref>, SOHR</ref> | |||
{{See also|2020 Balyun airstrikes}} | |||
On 27 February 2020, during the ] an airstrike against a ] convoy in ] resulted in the deaths of at least 34 Turkish soldiers according to the ], while other sources close to Turkey gave tolls of 50–70 dead Turkish soldiers, <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/idlib-tuerkische-soldaten-sterben-durch-luftangriffe-in-syrien-a-f42bf8b4-e061-4a7c-a697-7fc97fe37c3a|title=Türkische Soldaten sterben durch Luftangriffe in Idlib - DER SPIEGEL - Politik|website=www.spiegel.de}}</ref><ref>, The Guardian</ref> making it the single deadliest attack on ] since its ].<ref name = "allknown">{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200227-erdogan-calls-emergency-meeting-after-deadly-attack-on-turkish-troops-in-syria |website = France 24 |publisher = France 24|title = Turkey hits 'all known' Syrian govt positions after soldiers killed in Idlib|date=28 Feb 2020}}</ref><ref name = "NYT1">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/world/middleeast/russia-turkey-syria-war-strikes.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes |title=Airstrike Hits Turkish Forces in Syria, Raising Fears of Escalation |last=Gall |first=Carlotta |date= 27 Feb 2020|website= The New York Times|publisher= ]|access-date= 27 Feb 2020}}</ref> Between 36 and 60 soldiers were also wounded.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ahvalnews.com/syrian-rebels/33-turkish-soldiers-killed-36-wounded-syrias-idlib-live-blog|title=33 Turkish soldiers killed, 36 wounded in Syria's Idlib - live blog|website=Ahval}}</ref><ref name = "deciphering">{{Cite web|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/02/turkey-syria-russia-deciphering-attack-on-turkish-troops.html|title=Deciphering Turkey’s darkest night in Syria|first=Metin|last=Gurcan|date=28 February 2020|website=Al-Monitor}}</ref> | |||
At around 11 a.m. on 27 February 2020, two Russian Sukhoi Su-34 and two Syrian Su-22 fighter jets started intensive bombing raids of Turkish-backed rebel forces in the southern countryside of Syria's Idlib province. According to Russian sources, after 1 p.m., Turkish troops conducted more than 15 ] attacks against the Russian and Syrian jets, with some Russian aircraft allegedly suffering damage while evading the fire.<ref name = "deciphering"/> | |||
At around 5 p.m., a 400-man Turkish mechanized infantry battalion traveling in a convoy was targeted by an airstrike on the road between al-Bara and Balyun, around five kilometers north of ]. A light airstrike by a Su-22s halted the convoy, after which more intense bombing forced the Turkish soldiers to take shelter in the nearby buildings. The Russian jets then reportedly dropped ] laser-guided bombs on the Turkish positions, collapsing two buildings and leaving a number of soldiers under the rubble. Russia denied it carried out airstrikes in the area and stated it made attempts to ensure the Syrian military ceased firing to allow the evacuation of the Turkish troops, but noted the Turkish forces should not have been in the area, where "counter-terror operations" were taking place, and that Turkey failed to notify it about the soldiers' presence in advance.<ref name = "deciphering"/> | |||
On 28 February, the Defense Ministry of Turkey stated that a day after 33 of their soldiers were killed in the air strike, artillery fire was launched by Syrian forces in northwest Idlib province of Syria, which led to the killing of one Turkish soldier and two others injured. The Turkish military also continued to attack Syrian Government targets in the region as well, according to the defense ministry. <ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-shelling/one-turkish-soldier-killed-two-wounded-in-syrias-idlib-ministry-idUSKCN20M343 |title= One Turkish soldier killed, two wounded in Syria's Idlib: ministry. |publisher=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/56-syrian-regime-troops-military-hardware-destroyed-as-another-turkish-soldier-killed-in-idlib/news |title= 56 Syrian regime troops, military hardware destroyed as another Turkish soldier killed in Idlib. |publisher=Saily Sabah}}</ref> Turkey said it retaliated for Balyun strikes by striking 200 Syrian government targets and 309 soldiers.<ref name="BBC News 2020 alarm after">{{cite web | title=Alarm after Syrian attack kills Turkish soldiers | website=BBC News | date=2020-02-28 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51667717 | access-date=2020-02-28}}</ref> NATO and the US expressed support for Turkey and urged Russia to engage with UN ceasefire efforts, while the UN expressed concern at developments.<ref name="BBC News 2020 alarm after"/><ref name="DW.COM airstrikes">{{cite web | title=Syrian airstrikes kill dozens of Turkish troops in Idlib - live updates - 28.02.2020 | website=DW.COM | url=https://www.dw.com/en/syrian-airstrikes-kill-dozens-of-turkish-troops-in-idlib-live-updates/a-52565996 | access-date=2020-02-28}}</ref> | |||
===Northeastern Syria=== | |||
On 12 February, government supporters blocked and pelted a US military convoy passing through Qamishli town in northeastern Syria, which led to a clash with US troops, killing one civilian and injuring another. There is no certainty as to whether the civilian that got killed was armed or not, a monitoring group stated.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/syrian-killed-rare-clash-troops-government-forces-200212151039111.html |title= Syrian killed in rare clash between US troops, government forces. |}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51477229 |title= Syria war: 'One killed' as US troops clash with government loyalists near Qamishli. |}}</ref> Local sources and US officials said that pro-Syrian militia fighters were also part of the stand off.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/us-convoy-attacked-pro-government-militia-northeast-syria |title= US Convoy Attacked by Pro-Government Militia in Northeast Syria. |}}</ref> According to the coalition spokesman Col. Myles Caggins, the coalition troops were compelled to exchange fire in an act of self-defense and that the incident is under investigation. <ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/us-forces-kill-1-syrian-regime-militiaman-in-al-hasakah/1731888 |title= US forces kill 1 Syrian regime militiaman in Al-Hasakah. |}}</ref> | |||
On 16 February, at least 55 vehicles of the US military convoy had been spotted entering Al-Hasakah province in northeastern Syria from Iraq, according to pro-Damascus sources.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/over-50-us-military-vehicles-enter-northeastern-syria/ |title= Over 50 US military vehicles enter northeastern Syria. |}}</ref> | |||
==March 2020== | |||
After the attack in northwest Idlib three days ago, which caused the death of dozens of Turkish soldiers, Turkey declared on 1 March, that it was starting a major counteroffensive against Bashar al-Assad’s government.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/01/world/middleeast/turkey-syria-assault.html |title= Turkey Declares Major Offensive Against Syrian Government. |}}</ref> The announcement was made by Turkey’s defense minister ], after which he described the decision as an attempt to prevent the Syrian government from launching dangerous attacks against Syrians, as well as to ensure the establishment of an extensive ceasefire in the region.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.neweurope.eu/article/turkey-announces-major-offensive-against-syrian-government-forces/ |title= Turkey announces major offensive against Syrian government forces. |}}</ref> Two Syrian fighter jets were reported to have been shot down in Idlib province by a Turkish F-16, as the offensive against Syrian forces intensifies. The pilots managed to eject from the jets and land safely at the clash site between Syrian forces and Turkish troops in Idlib province, the BBC added.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/turkey-destroys-syrian-army-targets-says-defence-minister |title= Turkey downs two Syrian fighter jets as it intensifies Idlib attacks. |}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51697980 |title= Syria war: Turkey intensifies Idlib onslaught after air strike. |}}</ref> Also, the Syrian media confirmed that there were no casualties in the northwestern Idlib attack.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/syria-closes-airspace-idlib-plane-shot-200301094353040.html |title= Turkey shoots down two Syrian fighter jets over Idlib. |}}</ref> The defense minister of Turkey maintained that in addition to the shooting down of the two Syrian war planes in the offensive known as Operation Spring Shield, he disclosed that Turkey had killed over 2,000 Syrian regime troops.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.vox.com/2020/3/2/21161293/turkey-offensive-idlib-syria |title= Why Turkey launched a major offensive against the Syrian government. |}}</ref> | |||
On 1 March, the ] began. | |||
On 5 March, a meeting was held between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after which both parties agreed to a military ceasefire in Idlib province of northwestern Syria. The meeting between the Turkish and Russian president which was held in Moscow, reportedly lasted for about six hours, according to CNN.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/erdogan-putin-announce-idlib-ceasefire-moscow-meeting-200305172818996.html |title= Erdogan, Putin announce Idlib ceasefire after Moscow meeting. |}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/05/middleeast/russia-turkey-syria-ceasefire-intl/index.html |title= Turkey and Russia announce ceasefire in northwest Syria. |}}</ref> According to the announcement by both President Putin and Erdogan, the ceasefire was scheduled to commence on Thursday evening at midnight, with the expectation that it would halt the violence in the area.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/05/russia-and-turkey-agree-ceasefire-in-syrias-idlib-province |title= Russia and Turkey agree ceasefire in Syria's Idlib province. |}}</ref> In accordance with the ceasefire agreement, joint patrols and a security corridor were established along the vital ].<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51747592 |title= Syria war: Russia and Turkey agree Idlib ceasefire. |}}</ref> | |||
In order to fight the coronavirus outbreak, the UN special envoy for Syria on 24 March, urged for an instant ceasefire throughout the entire country which has been ravaged by war for the past decade. The International Committee of the Red Cross also called for a ceasefire, as they cannot simultaneously deal with the virus outbreak and cater for the displaced people of Syria, the ICRC regional director added.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/calls-total-ceasefire-syria-focus-coronavirus-200324141510047.html |title= UN calls for total ceasefire in Syria to focus on coronavirus. |}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/03/24/world/europe/24reuters-health-coronavirus-syria.html|title=Syrian Ceasefire Critical to Combating Coronavirus-U.N., Red Cross.}}</ref> | |||
On 31 March, the Shayrat Airbase in Syria came under an Israeli missile attack, during a meeting between high ranking officers of Syria and Iran. No casualties were reported in the attack, as the Syrian air defenses were able to successfully intercept the Israeli missiles.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200401-israel-targets-senior-syrian-and-iranian-military-officers-meeting-in-hama/ |title= Israel targets senior Syrian and Iranian military officers meeting in Hama. |}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/01/israel-strikes-syrian-regime-base-campaign-against-iran-continues/ |title= Israel 'strikes Syrian regime base' as campaign against Iran continues amid coronavirus. |}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/syria-air-defences-israeli-missiles-homs-state-media-200331200908300.html |title= Syria air defences down Israeli missiles over Homs: state media. |}}</ref> According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) based in the UK, eight missiles were believed to have been fired by the Israeli warplanes at the Al-Shayrat air base.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-media-says-israeli-war-planes-attack-near-homs/ |title= Syrian media says Israeli war planes attack near Homs. |}}</ref> | |||
==April 2020== | |||
On 1 April, as the Syrian war enters its tenth year, the death toll recorded in March is reportedly the lowest, as there is a fall in the number of civilian casualties, according to the Observatory human rights group in Syria. A total of 103 civilians were said to have been killed, with 51 of them dying as a result of air strikes and shellings.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.dw.com/en/syria-record-drop-in-monthly-death-toll/a-52983563 |title= Syria: Record drop in monthly death toll. |}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.dw.com/en/syria-record-drop-in-monthly-death-toll/a-52983563 |title= Syria war records lowest monthly death toll in 9 years. |}}</ref> The rights group added that the civilian death toll is less than half of the deaths recorded in February which was placed at 275, when a major regime offensive in Syria’s last opposition stronghold was still active.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2211286/lowest-monthly-death-toll-9-years-syria-war |title= Lowest Monthly Death Toll in 9 Years of Syria War. |}}</ref> | |||
On 13 April, Turkish riot police dispersed dozens of Syrians participating in a sit-in on the M4 highway in the northwest linking the key cities of ] and ]; the incident showed a growing dissatisfaction toward the joint Russian-Turkish military presence in the area.<ref>. 14 April 2020. ''Middle East Monitor''. Retrieved 2 May 2020.</ref> In another story, the local sources including one from ] confirmed to ''Arabi21'' that Russia was exploiting the poverty under which people were living in Syria to recruit young people - with wages and the promise to settle the security situation - to ] alongside the forces of General ] against the internationally recognized-].<ref>. 14 April 2020. ''Middle East Monitor''. Retrieved 2 May 2020.</ref> | |||
On 27 April, the ] reported that the Syrian government continued to commit multiple human rights violations in March and April, the same months seeing the ], with 44 civilians including six children killed, and its forces arrested 156 people, and committed at least four attacks on vital civilian facilities, including two schools.<ref>. ''AA''. Retrieved 27 April 2020.</ref> The Syrian military blamed Israel for launching a missile attack on a military airfield close to Damascus.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.timesofisrael.com/syria-fires-anti-aircraft-missiles-after-reported-israeli-strikes-near-damascus/ |title= Syria reports Israeli strikes near Damascus. |}}</ref> As a result of the attack, at least three civilian casualties were reported, leaving four more wounded, according to Al Jazeera.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/syria-civilians-killed-israeli-missile-attack-state-media-200427070753270.html |title= Syria civilians killed in Israeli missile attack: State media. |}}</ref> However, SANA added that the Syrian military was able to intercept the missiles, which they believe were fired from Lebanese airspace.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/04/israel-bombs-iranian-targets-syria.html |title= Israel bombs Iran-backed forces near Syrian capital. |}}</ref> | |||
On 28 April, a ] killed 40 people, including 11 children. No group claimed responsibility. Turkey blamed the ] for the attack. According to the head of the British-based Observatory for human rights in Syria, at least six pro-Turkish Syrian fighters were among those killed in the blast with a possibility of increase in the death toll.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-blast-afrin/bomb-blast-kills-40-people-in-syrias-afrin-turkey-idUSKCN22A2IC|title=Bomb blast kills 40 people in Syria's Afrin: Turkey|website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/29/fuel-truck-bomb-kills-more-than-40-in-northern-syria |title= Fuel truck bomb kills more than 40 in northern Syria. |}}</ref> At least 47 people were reported injured, according to ].<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/fuel-truck-bomb-blast-kills-dozens-syria-afrin-turkey-200428170837725.html |title= Fuel truck bomb blast kills dozens in Syria's Afrin: Turkey. |}}</ref> The explosion was believed to have been caused by the rigging of a fuel tanker with hand grenades, the governor of ] of the neighboring ] stated.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-52454134 |title= Syria war: Dozens killed in truck bomb attack at Afrin market. |}}</ref> Many people, alongside those who got trapped in their cars were burnt to death as a result of the blast, Syrian activists disclosed.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/04/28/world/middleeast/ap-ml-syria.html |title= Attack in Syria Town Run by Turkish-Backed Fighters Kills 40. |}}</ref> | |||
In April 2020, it was reported that the Crown Prince of ], ] had been attempting to persuade the Syrian President ] to break a ] with Turkish-backed rebels in ]. Mohammed bin Zayed offered Assad $3 billion in cash to push the offensive.<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://news.antiwar.com/2020/04/08/abu-dhabi-crown-prince-pushed-assad-to-break-syrias-idlib-ceasefire/|title=Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Pushed Assad to Break Syria’s Idlib Ceasefire|accessdate=8 April 2020|website=Antiwar.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite_web|url=https://alnas.fr/actualite/politique/syrie-mohammed-bin-zayed-a-encourage-bachar-al-assad-a-rompre-le-cessez-le-feu-didlib/|title=Syrie : Mohammed bin Zayed a encouragé Bachar al-Assad à rompre le cessez-le-feu d’Idlib|accessdate=9 April 2020|website=AlNas}}</ref> | |||
==May 2020== | |||
On 11 May, reports from ] suggested that 18 attacks were flagrantly and blatantly carried out on civilian facilities, including medical facilities, in northwestern Syria between May 5, 2019, and February 25, 2020, by the Syrian government. The report which contained 40 pages revealed thoroughly how the Syrian forces intentionally attacked civilian facilities such as schools and hospitals<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/crimes-committed-russia-assad-gov-syria-amnesty-200511070628640.html |title= 'War crimes' committed by Russia, Assad gov't in Syria: Amnesty. |}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2020/05/11/Syria-attacks-war-crimes-Amnesty-International |title= In the news: Syria attacks constitute ‘war crimes’, says Amnesty. |}}</ref> Based on the evidence gathered by the organisation, the attacks were in violation of several international humanitarian laws, which summed up to war crimes. <ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/amnesty-accuses-damascus-moscow-of-war-crimes-in-syria-36215 |title= Amnesty accuses Damascus, Moscow of 'war crimes' in Syria. |}}</ref> | |||
On 18 May, the UN envoy for Syria urged Russia and the US to take advantage of the partial cooling down of the situation in the region, and sue for peace so as to bring the conflict to an end. <ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/envoy-calls-russia-talks-syrian-war-200518202013621.html |title= UN envoy calls for Russia-US talks to help end Syrian war. |}}</ref> The call was made by the UN official Geir Pedersen, who added that the lack of dialogue between the two countries has left the people of Syria to pay the consequences. He also mentioned that Russia, Turkey and Iran, are all integral to the establishment of a ceasefire in the region. Pedersen is believed to be the fourth mediator serving in the capacity of UN envoy to Syria who has attempted to resolve the differences in the war-torn country, according to Daily Sabah. <ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200520-un-envoy-calls-on-us-russia-to-hold-talks-to-help-end-syria-war/ |title= UN envoy calls on US, Russia to hold talks to help end Syria war. |}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2290746/un-envoy-calls-russia-us-talks-help-end-syria-war |title= UN Envoy Calls for Russia-US Talks to Help End Syria War. |}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.dailysabah.com/world/syrian-crisis/un-envoy-calls-on-us-russia-to-push-for-peace-in-syria-amid-recent-calm |title= UN envoy calls on US, Russia to push for peace in Syria amid recent calm. |}}</ref> | |||
On 27 May, pro-Syrian government militias destroyed and desecrated the grave of the eighth ] Caliph ], located in the village of Deir Al-Sharqi in the area of Maarat Al-Nu’man in the north-west province of Idlib, and with the contents exhumed and disappeared.<ref>. May 28 2010. ''MEMO''. Retrieved June 2 2020</ref> | |||
On 29 May, The Russian government proposed a dialogue with Assad’s government, in an attempt to increase its military facilities in the country. President Vladimir Putin has ordered the defense and foreign ministries to oversee the negotiation with the Syrian government in having access to more facilities on both land and sea. <ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.dw.com/en/russia-aims-to-boost-military-facilities-in-syria/a-53624765 |title= Russia aims to boost military facilities in Syria. |}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/russia-eyeing-expansion-of-military-bases-in-syria-36756 |title= Russia eyeing expansion of military bases in Syria. |}}</ref> | |||
==See also== | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
{{Syrian Civil War}} | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Timeline of the Syrian Civil War (2020-01)}} | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
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Revision as of 23:33, 11 June 2020
Main article: Timeline of the Syrian Civil War
The following is a timeline of the Syrian Civil War from January to June 2020. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian Civil War.
January 2020
Idlib
The Syrian government continued to launch major attacks on rebel groups in Northwestern Syria ("Greater Idlib"), with Russian air support. Continued operations have caused over 200,000 refugees to flee the area, with many fleeing to Turkey.
Ceasefire and new offensive
On 11 January, Russia announced that a ceasefire had been agreed to in the area of Idlib and Northwest Syria, between Russia, Syria, Syrian rebels and Turkey. This was due to requests by Turkey for a ceasefire, in order to stop the flow of Syrian refugees into Turkey. However, some regional news outlets reported that Syria launched further attacks near Idlib, in Ma'arrat al-Nu'man District and the villages of Maar Shoreen, Talmenes, and Maar Shamshah, even after the ceasefire had officially begun.
On 21 January, Russian warplanes targeted a farm on the outskirts of the Kafar Taal village, in western Aleppo province, killing nine civilians, among them six children, and also targeted areas in the southern and south-eastern countryside of Idlib, inflicting damage to property.
On 28 January, the Syrian Arab Army captured the strategic city of Ma'arrat al-Nu'man. A war monitor and government media added that the Syrian army went into the city under the protection of heavy air strikes.
Northeastern Syria
On 18 January, 2020, U.S. troops blocked a Russian convoy from entering Rmelan, where the U.S. is protecting oil fields under SDF administration. Tension occurred between the two groups as U.S. soldiers asked the Russian soldiers to return to the Amuda district in northwest of Al-Hasakah Governorate.
Diplomatic developments
UN Dispute
The UN Security Council is currently having a major dispute over the re-authorization for border-crossing points into Syria to deliver aid. The existing authorization expired on January 10, 2020. In December 2019, China and Russia vetoed the current proposal to renew all four existing crossing points, which are located in Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey; they wish to eliminate all crossing points except the ones in Turkey. By January 2020, the dispute was ongoing.
February 2020
On 1 February, four officers from the K and S units of Russia's Federal Security Service were reported killed near Aleppo.
Al-Tanf
Around February 16, 2020, an Iranian-backed proxy group reportedly approached Al-Tanf, and were then repelled by the U.S.-partnered Maghaweir al-Thowra.
Idlib and Aleppo
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, by 6 February, the Syrian Army had captured 139 (including areas captured last year) towns, villages and hilltops, including the strategic city of Ma'arrat al-Nu'man, towns and villages of Al-Tah, Jarjnaz, Tell Mannas, Kafr Rumah, Khan al-Sabil, Hish, Sarmin and Afs and Turkish observation posts at Sarman, Maar Hattat, Tell Touqan, Rashidin in Western Aleppo and 4 posts inside the encircled Saraqib pocket. Humanitarian organizations called for a ceasefire in Idlib after 520,000 people had been displaced from their homes.
On 10 February, pro-Syrian government militias including Shabiha were filmed desecrating the graves and exhuming the bodies of opposition fighters and those affiliated with them, in a series of clips circulated on social media during the two days prior, in southern Idlib province, and holding skulls of opposition fighters and civilians and mocking them.
By 18 February, pro-government sources said that the Syrian Arab Army and its allies had captured 2,052 square kilometers of territory and more than 200 towns, villages and hilltops. The same day the UN human rights chief expressed her pressing concerns over the increase in fighting in northwest Syria and has also blamed the Syrian government and Russia for intentionally causing harm to civilians.
On 20 February, Turkish-backed rebels launched another counteroffensive on Nayrab with Turkish artillery support. Turkish commandos were also reported to have been operating alongside rebels in the assault on the town. A Russian UAV was reported to have been shot down during the initial shelling and rocket strikes. Russian planes provided air support to the pro-government forces and struck positions of the advancing rebels. Additional shelling on nearby towns on both the government-controlled and opposition-controlled sides of the frontline were reported, with both Russian and Turkish forces involved in air and artillery support roles respectively. During the battle, rebels reportedly attempted to shoot down a Russian Su-24 using Turkish-provided MANPADS.
After heavy fighting, the rebels managed to take full control of the town. However, Russian air support allowed the pro-government forces to eventually repel the rebel assault and recapture Nayrab. Russia contacted Turkish forces and told them to end artillery support to the rebels, which they did, according to Russia. The Turkish Ministry of Defense confirmed that two Turkish soldiers had been killed and five wounded due to an airstrike during the assault, while also claiming the Turkish-backed rebels killed 50 Syrian government forces during the battle. The Russian Ministry of Defence said Russian forces destroyed one tank, six armored vehicles, and five other vehicles all belonging to the rebels. As well as the two confirmed Turkish deaths, the SOHR said that about 28 rebels and 14 pro-government soldiers were killed and that some Syrian soldiers were beheaded by jihadist fighters.
See also: 2020 Balyun airstrikesOn 27 February 2020, during the Syrian Army offensive on Idlib an airstrike against a Turkish Army convoy in Balyun, Idlib resulted in the deaths of at least 34 Turkish soldiers according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, while other sources close to Turkey gave tolls of 50–70 dead Turkish soldiers, making it the single deadliest attack on Turkish forces since its involvement in the war. Between 36 and 60 soldiers were also wounded. At around 11 a.m. on 27 February 2020, two Russian Sukhoi Su-34 and two Syrian Su-22 fighter jets started intensive bombing raids of Turkish-backed rebel forces in the southern countryside of Syria's Idlib province. According to Russian sources, after 1 p.m., Turkish troops conducted more than 15 MANPADS attacks against the Russian and Syrian jets, with some Russian aircraft allegedly suffering damage while evading the fire.
At around 5 p.m., a 400-man Turkish mechanized infantry battalion traveling in a convoy was targeted by an airstrike on the road between al-Bara and Balyun, around five kilometers north of Kafr Nabl. A light airstrike by a Su-22s halted the convoy, after which more intense bombing forced the Turkish soldiers to take shelter in the nearby buildings. The Russian jets then reportedly dropped KAB-1500L laser-guided bombs on the Turkish positions, collapsing two buildings and leaving a number of soldiers under the rubble. Russia denied it carried out airstrikes in the area and stated it made attempts to ensure the Syrian military ceased firing to allow the evacuation of the Turkish troops, but noted the Turkish forces should not have been in the area, where "counter-terror operations" were taking place, and that Turkey failed to notify it about the soldiers' presence in advance.
On 28 February, the Defense Ministry of Turkey stated that a day after 33 of their soldiers were killed in the air strike, artillery fire was launched by Syrian forces in northwest Idlib province of Syria, which led to the killing of one Turkish soldier and two others injured. The Turkish military also continued to attack Syrian Government targets in the region as well, according to the defense ministry. Turkey said it retaliated for Balyun strikes by striking 200 Syrian government targets and 309 soldiers. NATO and the US expressed support for Turkey and urged Russia to engage with UN ceasefire efforts, while the UN expressed concern at developments.
Northeastern Syria
On 12 February, government supporters blocked and pelted a US military convoy passing through Qamishli town in northeastern Syria, which led to a clash with US troops, killing one civilian and injuring another. There is no certainty as to whether the civilian that got killed was armed or not, a monitoring group stated. Local sources and US officials said that pro-Syrian militia fighters were also part of the stand off. According to the coalition spokesman Col. Myles Caggins, the coalition troops were compelled to exchange fire in an act of self-defense and that the incident is under investigation.
On 16 February, at least 55 vehicles of the US military convoy had been spotted entering Al-Hasakah province in northeastern Syria from Iraq, according to pro-Damascus sources.
March 2020
After the attack in northwest Idlib three days ago, which caused the death of dozens of Turkish soldiers, Turkey declared on 1 March, that it was starting a major counteroffensive against Bashar al-Assad’s government. The announcement was made by Turkey’s defense minister Hulusi Akar, after which he described the decision as an attempt to prevent the Syrian government from launching dangerous attacks against Syrians, as well as to ensure the establishment of an extensive ceasefire in the region. Two Syrian fighter jets were reported to have been shot down in Idlib province by a Turkish F-16, as the offensive against Syrian forces intensifies. The pilots managed to eject from the jets and land safely at the clash site between Syrian forces and Turkish troops in Idlib province, the BBC added. Also, the Syrian media confirmed that there were no casualties in the northwestern Idlib attack. The defense minister of Turkey maintained that in addition to the shooting down of the two Syrian war planes in the offensive known as Operation Spring Shield, he disclosed that Turkey had killed over 2,000 Syrian regime troops.
On 1 March, the 2020 Daraa clashes began.
On 5 March, a meeting was held between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after which both parties agreed to a military ceasefire in Idlib province of northwestern Syria. The meeting between the Turkish and Russian president which was held in Moscow, reportedly lasted for about six hours, according to CNN. According to the announcement by both President Putin and Erdogan, the ceasefire was scheduled to commence on Thursday evening at midnight, with the expectation that it would halt the violence in the area. In accordance with the ceasefire agreement, joint patrols and a security corridor were established along the vital M4 highway.
In order to fight the coronavirus outbreak, the UN special envoy for Syria on 24 March, urged for an instant ceasefire throughout the entire country which has been ravaged by war for the past decade. The International Committee of the Red Cross also called for a ceasefire, as they cannot simultaneously deal with the virus outbreak and cater for the displaced people of Syria, the ICRC regional director added.
On 31 March, the Shayrat Airbase in Syria came under an Israeli missile attack, during a meeting between high ranking officers of Syria and Iran. No casualties were reported in the attack, as the Syrian air defenses were able to successfully intercept the Israeli missiles. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) based in the UK, eight missiles were believed to have been fired by the Israeli warplanes at the Al-Shayrat air base.
April 2020
On 1 April, as the Syrian war enters its tenth year, the death toll recorded in March is reportedly the lowest, as there is a fall in the number of civilian casualties, according to the Observatory human rights group in Syria. A total of 103 civilians were said to have been killed, with 51 of them dying as a result of air strikes and shellings. The rights group added that the civilian death toll is less than half of the deaths recorded in February which was placed at 275, when a major regime offensive in Syria’s last opposition stronghold was still active.
On 13 April, Turkish riot police dispersed dozens of Syrians participating in a sit-in on the M4 highway in the northwest linking the key cities of Saraqeb and Latakia; the incident showed a growing dissatisfaction toward the joint Russian-Turkish military presence in the area. In another story, the local sources including one from Quneitra confirmed to Arabi21 that Russia was exploiting the poverty under which people were living in Syria to recruit young people - with wages and the promise to settle the security situation - to fight in Libya alongside the forces of General Khalifa Haftar against the internationally recognized-Government of National Accord.
On 27 April, the SNHR reported that the Syrian government continued to commit multiple human rights violations in March and April, the same months seeing the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 44 civilians including six children killed, and its forces arrested 156 people, and committed at least four attacks on vital civilian facilities, including two schools. The Syrian military blamed Israel for launching a missile attack on a military airfield close to Damascus. As a result of the attack, at least three civilian casualties were reported, leaving four more wounded, according to Al Jazeera. However, SANA added that the Syrian military was able to intercept the missiles, which they believe were fired from Lebanese airspace.
On 28 April, a bombing in Afrin killed 40 people, including 11 children. No group claimed responsibility. Turkey blamed the YPG for the attack. According to the head of the British-based Observatory for human rights in Syria, at least six pro-Turkish Syrian fighters were among those killed in the blast with a possibility of increase in the death toll. At least 47 people were reported injured, according to Al Jazeera. The explosion was believed to have been caused by the rigging of a fuel tanker with hand grenades, the governor of Hatay province of the neighboring Turkish border stated. Many people, alongside those who got trapped in their cars were burnt to death as a result of the blast, Syrian activists disclosed.
In April 2020, it was reported that the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed had been attempting to persuade the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to break a ceasefire with Turkish-backed rebels in Idlib province. Mohammed bin Zayed offered Assad $3 billion in cash to push the offensive.
May 2020
On 11 May, reports from Amnesty International suggested that 18 attacks were flagrantly and blatantly carried out on civilian facilities, including medical facilities, in northwestern Syria between May 5, 2019, and February 25, 2020, by the Syrian government. The report which contained 40 pages revealed thoroughly how the Syrian forces intentionally attacked civilian facilities such as schools and hospitals Based on the evidence gathered by the organisation, the attacks were in violation of several international humanitarian laws, which summed up to war crimes.
On 18 May, the UN envoy for Syria urged Russia and the US to take advantage of the partial cooling down of the situation in the region, and sue for peace so as to bring the conflict to an end. The call was made by the UN official Geir Pedersen, who added that the lack of dialogue between the two countries has left the people of Syria to pay the consequences. He also mentioned that Russia, Turkey and Iran, are all integral to the establishment of a ceasefire in the region. Pedersen is believed to be the fourth mediator serving in the capacity of UN envoy to Syria who has attempted to resolve the differences in the war-torn country, according to Daily Sabah.
On 27 May, pro-Syrian government militias destroyed and desecrated the grave of the eighth Umayyad Caliph Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz, located in the village of Deir Al-Sharqi in the area of Maarat Al-Nu’man in the north-west province of Idlib, and with the contents exhumed and disappeared.
On 29 May, The Russian government proposed a dialogue with Assad’s government, in an attempt to increase its military facilities in the country. President Vladimir Putin has ordered the defense and foreign ministries to oversee the negotiation with the Syrian government in having access to more facilities on both land and sea.
See also
References
- Berger, Miriam (28 December 2019). "Idlib could become the worst humanitarian crisis in Syria's civil war". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020.
- "'Don't do it': Trump warns Syria, Russia and Iran over Idlib offensive". Middle East Eye. 26 December 2019.
- Russian army announces ceasefire in Syria’s Idlib, By: AFP | Published: January 10, 2020.
- Reuters (10 January 2020). "Turkey, Russia agree to ceasefire in war-torn Idlib, Syria". CBC News.
{{cite news}}
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- Russian Airstrike Kills Nine in Syria, Including Family With Six Children. 21 January 2020. Haaretz. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
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At least four members of Russia's special forces have been killed in Syria on Saturday, the investigative website Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), which monitors Russian military activity, has reported.
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The Telegram-based investigative news outlet Baza has reported that four officers from the Special Operations Center of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) have been killed near Aleppo, Syria Another Telegram channel, The Special Operations Channel, published three names in full: Captain Dmitry Minov, Major Bulat Akhmatyanov, and Lieutenant Vsevolod Trofimov.
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Maghaweir al-Thowra, an anti-ISIS U.S.-backed group, operates out of small garrison near the Iraq border. It tweeted Sunday that an Iran proxy launched an attack against its forces and breached the 55 km deconfliction zone that surrounds a small garrison housing American commandos known as al-Tanf. The anti-ISIS fighters said that they repelled the attack and that the Syrian regime had lost control of its allies — which the MAT described as a "rogue Iranian proxy."
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- Son dakika haberleri... İdlib'den acı haber! 2 şehit, 5 yaralı, Milliyet
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(help) - "Syrian Ceasefire Critical to Combating Coronavirus-U.N., Red Cross".
- "Israel targets senior Syrian and Iranian military officers meeting in Hama".
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(help) - "Israel 'strikes Syrian regime base' as campaign against Iran continues amid coronavirus".
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(help) - "Syria air defences down Israeli missiles over Homs: state media".
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(help) - "Syrian media says Israeli war planes attack near Homs".
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(help) - "Syria: Record drop in monthly death toll".
{{cite web}}
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(help) - "Syria war records lowest monthly death toll in 9 years".
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(help) - "Lowest Monthly Death Toll in 9 Years of Syria War".
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(help) - Turkish riot police break up Syrian highway protest. 14 April 2020. Middle East Monitor. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
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(help) - "Syria civilians killed in Israeli missile attack: State media".
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(help) - "Israel bombs Iran-backed forces near Syrian capital".
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(help) - "Bomb blast kills 40 people in Syria's Afrin: Turkey". Reuters.
- "Fuel truck bomb kills more than 40 in northern Syria".
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(help) - "Fuel truck bomb blast kills dozens in Syria's Afrin: Turkey".
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(help) - "Syria war: Dozens killed in truck bomb attack at Afrin market".
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(help) - "Attack in Syria Town Run by Turkish-Backed Fighters Kills 40".
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(help) - "Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Pushed Assad to Break Syria's Idlib Ceasefire". Antiwar.com. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- "Syrie : Mohammed bin Zayed a encouragé Bachar al-Assad à rompre le cessez-le-feu d'Idlib". AlNas. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
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(help) - "In the news: Syria attacks constitute 'war crimes', says Amnesty".
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(help) - "Amnesty accuses Damascus, Moscow of 'war crimes' in Syria".
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(help) - "UN envoy calls for Russia-US talks to help end Syrian war".
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(help) - "UN envoy calls on US, Russia to hold talks to help end Syria war".
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(help) - "UN Envoy Calls for Russia-US Talks to Help End Syria War".
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(help) - "UN envoy calls on US, Russia to push for peace in Syria amid recent calm".
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(help) - Tomb of Umayyad Caliph exhumed by militias in Syria. May 28 2010. MEMO. Retrieved June 2 2020
- "Russia aims to boost military facilities in Syria".
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(help) - "Russia eyeing expansion of military bases in Syria".
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