Syria news/Current

27 May. Assad wins 4th term in office (VoA, TASS).

26 May. Presidential elections in Syria (photo 1, 2). 5 western countries object.

25 May. Three Russian long-range Tu 22M3 bombers landed in Khmeimim airbase, after landing strip was extended. Such planes can carry X22 or X32 anti-ship cruise missiles.

20 May. Gaza ceasefire appears to be in sight, mediated by Egypt.

12 May. Erdogan and Putin discussed recent Israeli-Palestinian flare-up events (readouts differ).

23 Apr. Unidentified drone sets fire to a tanker while it is offloading the Iranian tanker Adrian Darya-1 outside the oil terminal in Baniyas in Syria.

22 Apr. It is said that a surface to air missile entered Negev desert area in Israel, apparently not far from Dimona reactor; Patriot missile defense was activated but said to fail to intercept. Counter strikes on Syrian positions (claimed to have Iranian presence) near Damascus, including unit that fired missile, is reported. 8 Mar. Report: Assad and his wife tested positive after PCR test for COVID-19. Will quarantine for up to 2-3 weeks.

5 Mar. Syrian forces fire ballistic Tochka U missiles and destroy a fuel smuggling and transporting "market" in the south of Jarabulus, a Syrian town controlled by Turkey and pro-Turkey groups. Videos, reports The White Helmets get a photo op.

25 Feb. President Biden authorizes an airstrike on border post facilities in Al Bukamal, killing an unclear number of members of PMU factions. According to Lavrov, Russian military was warned some "4 or 5 minutes" prior to the strike, seen as insufficient. Lavrov stated that "The United States is in Syria illegally, in violation of all norms of international law, including the Security Council resolutions on a settlement" in Syria.

31 Jan. US journalists Martin Smith interviews Jabhat Al-Nusra leader Abu Muhammad al Jolani in Idlib.

22 Jan. Recent Israeli airstrikes on Syria’s Hama have claimed the lives of an entire family, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on January 22. (Southfront)

21 Jan 2021. US Convoy of some 40 vehicles entered the Hasaka area from Iraq, on the 1st full day of Biden presidency, according to SANA.

25 Nov. Israeli airforce dropped leaflets in southern Syria warning not to collaborate with Hezbollah.

18 Nov. Israel strikes Iranian, Syrian targets in Syria.

16 Nov. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem dies at the age of 79.

9 Nov. "Text of the statement by Putin, Pashinyan and Aliyev to end the war in Karabakh has been published"

It is reported that a new ceasefire agreement is reached on Nagornyi Karabach, which apparently includes withdrawal of Armenian forces, Azerbaijan keeping recently captured territory including Shusha city, and a Russian peacekeeping force.

Azerbaijan forces shot down with MANPADS Russian MI-24 helicopter over Armenia near the border with Azerbaijan "by mistake".



4 Nov. The US DoJ shuts down and seizes the domain name of the pro-Trump, pro-Syria news and opinion web site American Herald Tribune.

23 Oct. With Russia not explicitly backing either side in Nagornyi Karabakh, Trump is "aiming to help Armenia" (and Bellingcat, too).

It is reported that Russian air force performed strikes on illegal oil installations in Turkish zone of responsibility near Jarablus, Syria

17 Oct. Another major flare-up in Azerbaijan-Armenia violence, with rocket strikes on population centers, Azerbaijan claim of a strike on Armenian S-300 site, etc. Followed by announcement of a ceasefire (of uncertain duration).

10 Oct. It is said (sources) that fighters from Syrian pro-Turkish Hamza division (Wikipedia; logo) or Sultan Murad division are fighting in Nagornyi Karabakh on Azerbaijani side.

4 Oct. Russian sources report on a Syrian program which pays $100 to $300 for providing information "about HTS objects in Idlib", and for some reason publish details on several identified targets. (Confusingly, report itself talks about training camps for mercenaries prepared for Karabach).

3 Oct. "Today's Armenian is not a wanderer on the Deir ez-Zor [Syria] road" - Pashinyan's appeal to the Armenian people.

2 Oct. Joint appeal by Russia, USA, France to Azerbaijan and Armenia to stop warfare and start diplomacy is backed by Armenia but de-facto rejected by Erdogan who supports Azerbaijan actions. On the ground, Azerbaijan fired on Karabakh capital city Stepanaert and a bridge connecting Armenia and Karabakh. Russia stays neutral, so far. Some talk of possible involvement of Iran (who may be on Armenian side, in continuation of an old rivalry in the Caucuses)

29 Sep. Guardian: Syrian rebel fighters prepare to deploy to Azerbaijan in sign of Turkey's ambition. On 28 Sep., Armenia reported another major attack by Azerbaijan and claimed Azerbaijan losses of 22 tanks, 10 other armored vehicles and 370 soldiers "liquidated". Other reports include larger totals of vehicles destroyed, and 26 killed in additional Armenian losses.

27 Sep. A serious escalation of Nagornyi Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is said that Turkey-backed militants are recruited to participate on Azerbaijan side in Afrin, Syria, and possibly diverted from Libya (1, 2). Pro-Armenian sources and media sources in Greece claim that Turkish F-16 planes are taking part from Azerbaijan airbases, 1, 2 (unconfirmed), while some Greek sources say that Turkey-made Bayraktar drones armed with MAM-L missiles participate in bombing (1, 2).

22 Sep. Andre Vltchek is found dead in Istanbul. Cause unknown, he was there on holiday with his wife and had recently been ill. His most recent article - The time has come for the West to sit down, shut up and listen to the rest of the world

20 Sep. Russian MoD warned that HTS militants in Idlib assisted by White Helmets are preparing provocations with toxic substances.

It is said that on 9, 15, and 20 Sep. Russian air force performed strikes on militants' camps in Idlib, "correcting mistakes and ineffectiveness" by Turkey (published 29 Sep.)