Syria news/Current

22 Mar. Assad issues the annual decree on amnesty for prisoners, going further than the previous years.

The health ministry reports the first case of COVID-19 in Syria, a "man in his twenties coming from abroad".

Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan appeals to Trump that the US should lift the sanctions on Iran until the COVID-19 crisis is over.

19 Mar. According to Iraqi military sources, the US-led "coalition" has left several smaller bases in Iraq and the infamous Al-Qa'im base on the Syrian side of the border.

11 Mar. It is reported that 2 Americans and 1 British citizen are killed in rocket attack on base in Iraq, apparently using a DIY launcher mounted on a light truck, later abandoned (1, 2). Counter-strikes reported 1, 2.

A Russian soldier died in a road accident in Syria. 9 Mar. Oil prices crash overnight nearly 30% after OPEC+ agreement (apparently) collapsed; ruble is down vs Western currencies; media reports Saudi-led oil price war.

8 Mar. While combing through recently conquered territory west of Aleppo, the SAA finds a fortified underground compound with a large tunnel network near the village of Anjara, which on further exploration turns out to have been the HQ of Al-Qaeda in Syria/Nusra Front/HTS-Leader Al-Jolani (video).

6 Mar. According to SANA, "calmness prevails" in Idlib half a day into the new ceasefire. Later, some violations were reported including a drone attack on a team of ANNA News in which nobody was injured.

Putin and Assad have a phone call (SANA,Kremlin).

5 Mar. After a six-hour meeting in Moscow, Putin and Erdogan present a plan for Idlib that includes a ceasefire starting at midnight and the formation of a security corridor along the M4 highway that will be jointly patrolled starting March 15. (Additional protocol).

Assad gives an interview to Russian TV (English transcript).

Syrian Mig-29 with ADS Talisman under the wings is videoed

4 Mar. Erdogan and Putin are to meet tomorrow in Moscow, with Idlib crisis on the agenda.

A major strike by LNA forces on targets at Mitiga airport in Tripoli, Libya is reported.

Syrian SU-22 reportedly escaped an air-to-air missile strike from a Turkish F-16.

Russian military at the reconciliation center reports "a work accident" with rebels exposing themselves to (unspecified) chemical weapons material while trying to set out a provocation; further details are promised later.

3 Mar. Assad issues a decree setting the date of parliamentary elections to April 13th.

A Turkish convoy with heavy equipment including ATILGAN air defense systems is spotted on the way to the Idlib front.

It is reported that Turkey (or aligned forces) shot down Syrian L-39 plane. The pilots (2?) bailed out. One pilot landed on a territory controlled by the rebels; videos posted on social media indicate that a pilot was killed. Another video linked to the report suggests that another pilot was rescued.

2 Mar. The SAA's Tiger Forces reportedly re-gain control over Saraqib while some of the villages lost yesterday in the south-west are also recovered with help of intensive Russian airstrikes. Erdogan claims that the Turkish goal is nothing more than a lasting ceasefire and assures Russia and Iran that "we have no problems with you in Syria". Russia deploys military police units to Saraqib.

ANNA news posts a report from Saraqib and a brief video from a location on the M5 highway in Saraqib

1 Mar. The Turkish Defense Minister reveals the name of his army's illegal activities in Idlib as "Operation Spring Shield". Several villages in the south-west of the pocket that were conquered by the SAA in recent days are taken over by the Turkish-backed Islamists again.

29 Feb. In the morning, Erdogan tells his audience in Istanbul that he told Putin to "get out of our way" and leave them "one on one" with the Syrian "regime". He also boasts about "thousands" of Syrian soldiers dead in revenge strikes for the 33 allegedly killed Turkish soldiers and about a number of 18,000 "migrants" already waiting at the borders to the EU that will raise to 30,000 today. Meanwhile, Greece reportedly vetos a NATO declaration in support of Turkey, insisting on a condemnation of their "opening the gates" threats, and closes the land border completely, sending the navy to protect the sea borders. Erdogan's often threatened "deadline" for the SAA to retreat from the territory it has taken from Al Qaeda ends after today - while the SAA is further advancing in the south-west of the pocket.

28 Feb. Turkey is to start NATO consultations after 33 of its soldiers are said to be killed in a strike in Idlib attributed to SAA. This occurred while Turkish-backed rebels were making advances on Saraqib. Media reports suggest that Turkey will allow "irregular migrants" to cross into Europe again, likely in an attempt to pressure NATO.

Turkey claims that in its revenge strikes 200 SAA targets including "five helicopters, 23 tanks, 23 artillery pieces, one SA-17 ("Buk M2") and one SA-22 ("Pantsir'") were destroyed and "309 regime soldiers neutralized"; releases a video claiming to show some successful strikes. (However, a similar-looking video was sign-posted as from Libya)

Putin - Erdogan phone call; some preparations for a possible summit in Moscow in early March reported.

27 Feb. Turkish-supported Al-Qaeda re-enters the strategic town of Saraqib, forcing the SAA to retreat. Heavy clashes are going on around the highway crossing of M4/M5.

Iranian Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar is diagnosed with coronavirus after at least 26 people have died from an outbreak in the holy city of Qom. No link with the outbreak and China has been found leading to speculation that the virus was intentionally planted.

23 Feb. Video (1,2): "Militants' APC ACV-15 / M113 drives past the tank of the Syrian army. When they noticed each other, the APC began to ride around it and ram the tank, apparently so that it could not aim. In the end, both parted" (video ends at this point).

22 Feb. It is said that US military blocked Russian convoy on M4 highway near Amuda. Video appears to show US armored vehicles stationed on access roads. More videos

20 Feb. It is said (SANA; Rus. sources 1, 2, 3, 4) that rebels supported by Turkey launched an offensive on An Nayrab, supported by artillery and armored vehicles; that SAA requested Russian help; that Russian SU -24 planes, as well as Syrian forces, performed strikes on rebel positions, which helped SAA to repel the attack. (SANA: Syrian Arab Army's air force directed several precise strikes against the mechanisms and armored vehicles of the terrorists on the axes of the attack, especially from the direction and destruction of the town of Sarmin, and failed their progress). Several Syrian soldiers are wounded, and Turkish casualties are reported 1, 2, 3. Turkey did not show up for regular joint patrol with the Russians.

A video emerged claiming to show a Russian SU-24 escaping a MANPADS missile. More visuals and commentary here (1, 2, 3): '' "2. In figure No. 2 and No. 3 we see how people in uniforms similar to the Turkish military launch the ROKETSAN FIM-92 MANPADS (analogue of the Stinger FIM-92, assembled in Turkey under a US license)." '' (as per the source).

Lenta: ''The culprit for the death of two Turkish troops during an airstrike in Idlib is the Syrian Air Force. This was stated by the head of the communications department of the Turkish Presidential Administration Recep Tayyip Erdogan Fahrettin Altun, CNN Turk reports''.

16 Feb. SAA made significant gains west of Aleppo, on the eve of the Russian-Turkish negotiations in Moscow.

14 Feb. The SAA continues to advance at the eastern front of the Idlib pocket, west of Aleppo city, virtually without resistance as the "rebels" retreat.

Turkey continues to threaten with direct involvement not bound by the agreements.

12 Feb. A clash occurred between US military patrol and residents of Harbat-Hamo settlement in Hasakah province in which a 14 year old boy Faisal Khalid Muhammad was killed and another resident wounded. Shots were then fired by residents (apparently Kurdish) in the direction of the patrol. It is said that the US patrol was rescued by (an unnamed) Russian general who arrived with the Russian patrol and provided personal guarantees. (more videos) 11 Feb. Danny Makki summarizes the "hectic" day as follows:
 * Syrian Helicopter shot down-all crew killed (video)
 * SAA effectively secure Aleppo-Damascus Highway after lightning-quick advances around Aleppo
 * SAA attack on Turkish position in Qaminas
 * Russian jets hitting Idlib city
 * Militant offensive around Nayrab

10 Feb. Early in the day, al Qaeda starts a large counter-offensive west of Saraqib which "rebel" sources claim is directly supported by Turkish soldiers and artillery. Later, with no apparent gains, it is reported that several Turkish soldiers were killed when the SAA targeted the sources of Turkish artillery fire near Taftanaz airbase. Turkish government sources claim that the strikes were an unprovoked, "heinous attack" and were retaliated against. In the evening the Turkish ministry of defense releases a statement claiming that they hit 115 SAA targets and "neutralized" 101 soldiers, 3 tanks, 2 atrillery positions and a helicopter. Al Masdar cites an SAA source saying the Turkish claim is "untrue". Meanwhile the SAA continues to liberate villages along the M5 highway in direction of Aleppo.

9 Feb. Large Turkish military convoy enters Idlib (TASS Rus., Eng.; Sky News Arabia).

8 Feb. The SAA captures Al-Eis.

6 Feb. The SAA captures Saraqib.

In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry declares that the actions by the SAA on their own soil are fully justified in the fight against terrorism, which has increased in recent months not least because of the changed balance in Idlib due to Turkish proxies being sent to Libya, leaving HTS in charge of the place and unchecked. Both Turkish and Russian "military experts" have died in these terrorist attacks, the statement reads, and reminds Turkey of its obligations in the Astana agreements.

5 Feb. Erdogan, after a phone call with Putin, says that Turkey may start a military operation if Assad does not withdraw troops from the border following deescalation zone agreement

3 Feb. The SAA breaks through from the M5 to the M4 highway and stands west of Saraqib. According to Russian reports, the Turks have not shown up to a joint Russian-Turkish patrol scheduled for today in Rojava.

2 Feb. Turkish military reinforcements try to stop the SAA from advancing on the M5 towards Saraqib. Several Turkish forces die in the ensuing artillery fire (background).

1 Feb. While the SAA continues to advance at the southern Idlib front and has cleared the M5 between Khan Sheikhoun and Maarat al-Numan, Al-Qaeda with several thousand fighters under personal leadership of Al-Jolani starts a surprise attack on Aleppo city.

Four Russian FSB officers (forming two sniper pairs) were killed by artillery and mortar cross fire during rebels advance near Aleppo

30 Jan. Erdogan: ''As of now, unfortunately, Russia is not loyal to Astana or Sochi. Our friends are talking with their interlocutors. In these meetings, they said to them, “In Idlib, you have stopped these bombings and so on, if you do not stop, we are running out of patience. We will do whatever it takes from now on. ” '' (CNN Turk, Reuters, Vershinin).

28 Jan. After further advances in recent days at the Idlib front, the SAA announces that it has liberated Ma'arat al Nu'man. The strategic city at the M5 highway has been in "rebel" hands since 2012.

23 Jan. US Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey is quoted to say: “There were problems with preventing land incidents in Manbij that began about 14 months ago ... At some point, we intercepted a Russian major general who was driving towards the city of Manbij. But it was decided through military channels ". (question from the full briefing).

21 Jan. In north-eastern Hasakah province, US military forces block two Russian military convoys from crossing their checkpoints on the M4 highway. This follows similar incidents last week.

19 Jan. A peace conference in Berlin agrees on an arms embargo for Libya.

13 Jan. Haftar leaves Moscow without signing the Libyan ceasefire agreement

12 Jan. A new strike, apparently unguided MLRS/Katiusha on a US base near Baghdad is reported 1, 2, 3, apparently by proxy militia

It is reported that Aleppo city was hit by rebels' mortar fire, killing several civilians and wounding 12 civilians

11 Jan. Protests started in Iran after the admission of Ukrainian Boeing shootdown.

Trump interview: Souleimani, Syrian oil, Iran, Iraq, Korea.

9 Jan. After exchange of strikes with Iran, Trump offered to negotiate, which (in the public space) was rejected. 8 Jan. Two missile explosions reported by media in Baghdad's "green zone"

Trump statement.

Iran fires ballistic missiles on US Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq, a large airbase of about 5 km in diameter. (Rusvena, RT). In the initial assessment, US casualties have not been reported, and there was no evening update in the USA. This happened after Zarif stated that Iran will retaliate, and not via proxies.

Trump on Twitter here.

7 Jan. Putin, Shoigu and Gerasimov meet Assad on a surprise visit to Damascus.

6 Jan. Libyan National Army (LNA) liberates Muammar Gaddafi's hometown Sirte. Syrian mercenaries flown in by Turkey are seen fleeing toward Misrata.

5 Jan. Report: High ranking jihadist commanders (Abu Yousef Al-Jazrawi, a Saudi, and a "Chechen commander from HTS") are assassinated in Idlib.

4 Jan. "Airstrike" and explosions are reported in Deir-iz-Zor province, Syria, near Iraq border, on the Imam Ali base of pro-Iranian Harakat al-Nujab group which is part of PMU (report and video, location, map).

ANNA News: on 2/3 Jan. SAA 25th division repelled HTS attack in southern Idlib

Reuters: Two Katyusha rockets fell inside Iraq's Balad air base, 80 km north of Baghdad, which houses US forces but caused no casualties. Other reports say that rockets landed inside the Green Zone in Baghdad 1, 2.

3/4 Jan. OIR spokesman: Coalition did NOT conduct airstrikes near Camp Taji (north of Baghdad) in recent days

3 Jan. Iraqi State television said Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iranian "Quds (=Jerusalem) Force", and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (= father of Mahdi, engineer), leader of Kata'ib Hezbollah and Iraqi PMU deputy head, were among a number of people killed in a strike near Baghdad's airport ( AP, Mil. Times; BBC; Cassad).
 * PressTV carries Iraqi media report, then updates to confirm.


 * BBC: The Revolutionary Guards confirmed Soleimani's death, Iran state television reported. Pentagon confirmed.

2 Jan. Turkey’s parliament has approved sending troops to Libya

1 Jan. On New Year's Eve, the Russian military base Hmeimim in Syrian Latakia was bombarded by rocket launchers from pro-Turkish militants. All 6 rockets were intercepted by "Pantsir-C1", and launch positions (said to be near Turkish observation posts) were bombed by Russian airforce; the latter may start before all the launches, according to "a military source" of Rusvesna

Protests at the US embassy in Baghdad continued for the second day, followed by a report that protesters retreat: ''The retreat was instigated by the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella body for dozens of militia groups including factions aligned with Iran. The PMF said protesters demanding the expulsion of American troops from Iraq had delivered their message to the U.S.'' (WSJ). Many photos, including aerial, here

Cassad: "Turkey built a runway right in Tripoli...It is assumed that it will be used for take-off attack and reconnaissance drones, and light attack aircraft. Regular Turkish troops expected to arrive in Libya in the coming month"