Northwestern Syria clashes (December 2022–present)

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Northwestern Syria clashes (December 2022–present)
Part of Syrian civil war
Date2 December 2022 – present
(5 months, 4 weeks and 1 day)
Location
Northwestern Syria
Status Ongoing
Belligerents

Al-Fateh al-Mubin Operations Room

Ansar al Tawhid
So Be SteadFast Operations Room

Syria Syrian Arab Republic

 Hezbollah
Liwa Fatemiyoun
 Russia
Commanders and leaders
Abu Mohammad al-Julani
(Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader)		 Syria Bashar Assad
(President of Syria)
Russia Col. Oleg Viktorovich Pitchvesti  †
(Commander-in-chief of the Russian special forces in Syria)[2][3]
Casualties and losses
45 killed[a]
2 killed[6]
1 killed[5]
1 killed[5]
1 killed[5]		 Syria 202 killed[b]
Hezbollah 4 killed[7][5]
1 killed[5]
Russia 1 killed[5]
10 civilians killed[c]

Starting on 2 December 2022, a series of intensified clashes broke out of the frontlines of the 'Idlib de-escalation zone' situated in the governorates of Idlib, Aleppo, Hama and Latakia. The clashes began in the form of inghimasi, infiltration and sniper attacks by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied militant groups on Syrian Army positions.[9][10] These attacks were called We Will Not Reconcile by HTS.[11]

According to the SOHR the attacks by HTS are an effort to hamper potential peace talks between Turkey and Syria, and HTS was launching a campaign of attacks as a way of rejecting any deal made on the 'de-escalation zone' in Idlib.[12]

Timeline of clashes[edit]

December[edit]

On 2 December, a Syrian soldier was shot dead during a HTS sniping attack in the western Aleppo countryside.[9] On 3 December, a Syrian army lieutenant was shot dead in by a HTS sniper in the southern Idlib countryside.[9] Between 6–7 December, 2 Syrian soldiers and a fighter of HTS were killed in clashes on the Idlib frontline, following a Syrian Army infiltration attack on a HTS position in the Al-Ghab Plain.[13][14]

On 11 December, clashes broke out after Syrian Army forces advanced on the village of Urum al-Sughra in the western Aleppo countryside.[9] While at least 2 Syrian soldiers were killed in an Inghimasi attack by Tahrir al-Sham militants on a Syrian Army position on the outskirts of the village of Dadikh on the Idlib frontline. The position was destroyed by HTS fighters after the attack.[15] Furthermore, HTS attacked Syrian military positions at Al-Bayda village in the Turkmen mountains on the Latakia/Idlib frontline, killing 3 Syrian soldiers.[16][17]

On 14 December, a Syrian soldier was shot dead by HTS snipers on the Saraqib frontline.[9] On 17 December, heavy clashes took place on the western Aleppo and Latakia frontlines, including heavy artillery bombardments and heavy machine gun fire. The clashes left one Syrian soldier dead.

On 18 December, at least 3 Syrian soldiers were killed in a HTS infiltration on Syrian positions near the village of Arbikh near Taftanaz, north of Saraqib on the Idlib frontline. HTS released footage of the attack the same day.[18][19][20] HTS also launched an infiltration operation on a Syrian military position in the town of Qubtan Al-Jabal in the western Aleppo countryside, killing at least 3 Syrian soldiers and then blowing up the building Syrian forces had been occupying. Footage of the attack was released by HTS.[18][21]

On 20 December, a Syrian army lieutenant was killed after Syrian forces attempted to infiltrate HTS positions on the Bastaron frontline in the western countryside of Aleppo. A Syrian soldier was furthermore killed on the Al-Ghab frontline in the northwestern Hama governorate.[9]

On 22 December, heavy clashes were reported on the Al-Fatirah, Maarat Moukhs, Al-Fatera frontlines in the southern Idlib countryside. 7 Syrian soldiers and 3 HTS fighters were killed in the clashes.[22][9]

On 23 December, 2 Syrian soldiers were shot dead by HTS thermal snipers on the Saraqib frontline.[23]

On 24 December, forces of HTS and Ahrar al-Sham launched a sniping operation on the Maarat Muzhas frontline, south of Idlib. 2 Syrian soldiers were killed in the operation.[24]

Between 25–29 December 3 Syrian soldiers and a civilian were killed in clashes on the frontline.[25]

On 30 December, HTS targeted a Hezbollah vehicle with an ATGM, killing 2 soldiers and a Hezbollah commander.[7]

January[edit]

Between 10–11 January, 12 Syrian soldiers and 3 HTS militants were killed in three separate HTS inghimasi attack on Syrian Army positions on the Bastrun frontline in the western Aleppo countryside, and Jabal Zawiya in southern Idlib countryside.[26]

On 14 January, HTS launched an inghimasi attack on Syrian Army positions on the Nahshaba frontline in the Latakia countryside. 4 Syrian soldiers were killed and 2 others were injured in the attack. On the same day, a HTS militant was killed after Syrian Army forces launched an infiltration attempt on HTS positions on the Al-Nayrab frontline, west of Aleppo.[27]

On 16 January, a Syrian Army lieutenant was shot dead by a sniper of the opposition Coastal Division on the northern Latakia frontline.[28] On the same day, a jihadist and French citizen by the name of 'Abu Hamza' was killed in an infiltration attack by Syrian forces on HTS position on the Jabal Zawiya frontline.[29]

On 16 January, militants of the al-Qaeda affiliated Ansar al-Tawhid launched a suicide attack on Syrian Army positions on the Maarat Muzhas frontline, south of Idlib. 2 Ansar al-Tawhid militants were killed in the attack. On the same day, a civilian was killed by Syrian rocket fire on the Al-Bara frontline.[6]

On 17 January, a Syrian soldier was shot dead by a HTS sniper on the Saraqib frontline east of Idlib.[30]

On 18 January, HTS launched an attack on Syrian Military positions on the Urum al-Kubra frontline in the western countryside of Aleppo, leading to violent clashes between both sides. At least 5 Syrian soldiers and 3 HTS militants were killed in the clashes.[31] Meanwhile in the northwestern Hama region, a member of the Tiger Forces was killed by an HTS sniper.[32]

On 22 January, a civilian and a Syrian soldier were killed in clashes on the frontline in the western Aleppo countryside.[33]

On 23 January, a Syrian soldier was shot dead by a HTS sniper on the frontline near Nayrab, east of Idlib city. On the same day, 2 HTS fighters were killed and 4 others were wounded after Syrian Army forces shelled HTS positions with heavy artillery on the Kafr Nouran frontline in the western Aleppo countryside.[34]

On 24 January, Ahrar al-Sham militants launched an attack on Syrian army forces on the Al-Tufahiyah frontline in the Latakia countryside. At least 3 Syrian soldiers were killed in the attack.[35] Also, a HTS militant died of wounds sustained in clashes with Syrian forces on the Sheikh Suleiman frontline in the Aleppo countryside.[36]

On 26 January, 2 Syrian soldiers were shot dead during a HTS sniping operation on the Dadikh frontline east of Idlib.[37]

On 28 January, a Syrian soldier was shot dead by a HTS sniper on the Maarat Mokhas frontline in the southern Idlib countryside.[38]

On 30 January, two HTS fighters and two Syrian soldiers were killed in exchanges of artillery fire on the western Aleppo frontline.[39]

February[edit]

On 1 February, eight Syrian soldiers including a major were killed, after HTS rockets hit one of the military headquarters of the government forces near the town of Kafr Rumah.[40] Three Syrian soldiers were killed later in the day by HTS sniper attacks, near the town of Kafr Nabl.[41]

On 2 February, Turkish defence minister, Hulusi Akar announced the defence ministries of Turkey, Syrian and Russia will hold a meeting in Moscow in the next few days to try and agree to a rapprochement and normalisation of relations between Syria and Turkey.[42]

On 3 February, a Syrian soldier was shot dead by a HTS sniper on the Saraqib frontiline.[43] In the northern Latakia countryside, seven Syrian soldiers and six HTS fighters were killed during an HTS attack on government positions.[44]

On 5 February, one HTS fighter and one Syrian soldier were killed in exchanges of rocket and artillery fire on the Idlib frontline.[45]

Clashes reduced in the aftermath of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.

On 9 February, 2 Syrian soldiers were killed in a HTS sniping campaign on the Kabani frontline in the Latakia countryside.[46]

On 18 February, a Syrian soldiers was killed in clashes on the western Aleppo countryside.[47]

On 22 February, 2 Syrian soldiers were killed in a HTS sniping campaign on the Afs frontline in the southern Idlib countryside.[48]

On 25 February, a HTS fighter was killed and another was wounded after Syrian army forces fired a missile at a HTS vehicle in Fuleyfel village in the southern Idlib countryside.[49]

On 28 February, a Syrian soldier was killed by in a HTS attack on Syrian positions on the Latakia frontline.[50]

March[edit]

Between 1–2 March, two Syrian soldiers and a fighter of Ahrar al-Sham were killed in clashes on the Al-Ghab Plain and Jabal al Turkmen areas of the frontline.[51][52]

Between March 4–5, 3 Syrian soldiers were killed by a HTS sniper attacks on the Saraqib frontline and Atarib frontline, in the Idlib countryside.[53][54]

Between March 11–12, 2 Syrian soldiers and a fighter of HTS were killed in clashes in Western Aleppo countryside.[55][56]

In the evening on 16 March, HTS forces launched an inghimasi attack on Syrian positions on the frontline near al-Fatatira village in the Southern Idlib countryside. At least 5 Syrian soldiers were killed and another 6 were injured. This was the first HTS inghimasi attack since the recent earthquake.[57]

On 17 March, 2 Syrian soldiers were killed in a HTS infiltration operation on the Nahshaba frontline, in the Latakia countryside.[58]

On 23 March, at least 5 HTS militants and 5 Syrian soldiers were killed and several others were severely wounded after HTS forces launched infiltration attempt on Syrian Army positions on the western Aleppo countryside.[59]

On 25 March, at least 2 Syrian soldiers and an HTS militant were killed in a HTS infiltration attempt on Al-Ruwaiha frontline in southern Idlib countryside.[60]

On 31 March, 4 Syrian soldiers and an HTS fighter were killed during clashes in the southern Idlib countryside.[61]

April[edit]

On 1 April, 5 Syrian soldiers were killed during clashes near the 46th regiment in the western Aleppo countryside. A fighter of the al-Sham legion was also killed in and a Syrian soldier were also killed in artillery bombardments elsewhere.[62][63]

On 4 April, 3 Syrian soldiers were killed and 4 others were injured in an infiltration attempt by HTS militants on the Jabal al-Zawiyah frontline in the southern Idlib countryside.[64]

On 11 April, 3 Syrian soldiers were killed and 9 others were wounded after HTS forces fired an AGTM at a Syrian Army truck on the frontline in the western countryside of Aleppo.[65]

On 14 April, 3 Syrian soldiers were killed during clashes in Western Hama and Aleppo countrysides.[66] On the same day, a Syrian army tank was destroyed by an AGTM fired by opposition forces on the Kafr Nabl frontline, south of Idlib.[67]

Between 19-20 April, 7 Syrian soldiers and a HTS militant were killed in clashes and infiltration attempts on the Idlib frontline.[68][69]

May[edit]

Between 1-6 May, 5 Syrian soldiers were killed and another 6 were injured in HTS attacks on the Idlib frontline.[70]

On 26 May, commander-in-chief of the Russian special forces in Syria, colonel Oleg Viktorovich Pitchvesti was killed by HTS artillery strikes on a Syrian military post on the Al-Jeb Al-Ahmar frontline in the Latakia countryside.[2][3] Later in the day, Russian forces conducted their first airstrikes in Idlib Province since December, targeting HTS positions in the southern Idlib countryside.[71]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Arm*ed clashes | Officer of "Republic Guards" kil*led in Idlib countryside". SOHR. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b ""De-escalation zone" | Commander-in-chief of Russian Special Tasks Forces killed in HTS attack in rural Latakia". SOHR. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b "سوريا.. مقتل عقيد روسي بارز في اللاذقية". Enab Baladi. 29 May 2023. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  4. ^ a b "HTS escalated attacks in December 2022 Hezbollah commander and member and 45 regime soldiers and loyalists killed by HTS". SOHR. 1 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i ""De-escalation zone" | Commander-in-chief of Russian Special Tasks Forces killed in HTS attack in rural Latakia". SOHR. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  6. ^ a b "De-escalation zone | Civilian killed by regime shelling on Jabal Al-Zawiyah, while two jihadists killed in suicide operation south of Idlib". SOHR. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  7. ^ a b "HTS guided missile attack Death toll jumps to three people, including Hezbollah leader in western Aleppo countryside". SOHR. 30 December 2022.
  8. ^ "Guided missile attack Young man killed and another injured in Latakia countryside". SOHR. 27 December 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g "HTS escalated attacks in December 2022 | Hezbollah commander and member and 45 regime soldiers and loyalists killed by HTS". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 1 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Syria in 2022 - Movement in the south, fighting in the north, and the economy is collapsing". hawarnewsagency.com. 21 December 2022.
  11. ^ serbest (11 January 2023). "Clashes Between Syrian Forces, HTS in Aleppo result in casualties". North press agency. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Amid frequent reports about potential rapprochement between Ankara and Damascus | HTS escalates military operations on frontlines of "de-escalation zone"". SOHR. 18 December 2022.
  13. ^ "Sneak operation | HTS member and regime soldier killed on Sahl Al-Ghab frontline". SOHR. 7 December 2022.
  14. ^ "Idlib | Regime soldier killed in attack by "Al-Fatah Al-Mubin" factions on military position". SOHR. 6 December 2022.
  15. ^ "MUNJEVIT UPAD EKSTREMISTA: Kamera sve snimila, ubijena i ranjena 24 vojnika! Zastrašujući kadrovi sa ratišta (FOTO)". Srbija Danas. 11 December 2022.
  16. ^ "Death toll update | Regime soldier dies in attack by factions raising number of casualties to five". SOHR. 11 December 2022.
  17. ^ "Terrorists Carry Out 3 Attacks On Syria's Idlib Zone In Past Day - Reconciliation Center". urdupoint.com. 13 December 2022.
  18. ^ a b "JOŠ JEDAN KRVNIČKI NAPAD NA ASADOVE STRAŽE: Mitraljezac HTS-a raspalio po sirijskim snagama, ima mrtvih! (FOTO/VIDEO)". Srbija Danas (in Serbian). 18 December 2022.
  19. ^ "HTS Infiltration operation | Regime soldiers killed and injured east of Idlib". SOHR. 18 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Syrian army thwarts terror attack in Idlib province". plenglish.com. 19 December 2022.
  21. ^ "Escalating H*T*S attacks | Ten regime soldiers, including two officers, killed in two infiltration operations and soldier in Sahl Al-Ghab frontline west of Hama". SOHR. 19 December 2022.
  22. ^ "Two operations by HTS | Six regime soldiers killed in Idlib countryside". SOHR. 22 December 2022.
  23. ^ "Military escalation of HTS | Two regime soldiers shot dead on Idlib frontlines". SOHR. 23 December 2022.
  24. ^ ""Putin-Erdogan" area | Two regime soldiers shot de-ad by rebels on Idlib frontlines". SOHR. 24 December 2022.
  25. ^ "De-escalation zone | Regime soldier shot de*ad by Al-Fath Al-Mubin sniper in western Aleppo countryside". SOHR. 28 December 2022.
  26. ^ "Three operations in 36 hours, 38 members of regime forces and HTS killed on "Putin-Erdogan" frontlines". SOHR. 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  27. ^ "Escalating anti-regime attacks | HTS kills and injures six regime soldiers north of Latakia, exploiting anger over Turkey-Regime rapprochement". SOHR. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  28. ^ ""Putin-Erdogan" area | Regime lieutenant killed on Latakia countryside frontline". SOHR. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  29. ^ ""Putin-Erdogan" area | Regime lieutenant killed on Latakia countryside frontline". SOHR. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
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  31. ^ "HTS armed attack | Nearly 15 regime soldiers killed and injured west of Aleppo". SOHR. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  32. ^ "Military escalation Officer of Suhayil Al-Hassan Division shot dead by Al-Fath Al-Mubin sniper in Sahl Al-Ghab". SOHR. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  33. ^ "Renewed clashes with opposition factions | Regime captain killed in Aleppo countryside". SOHR. 22 January 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  34. ^ "Amid attack by drone | Six HTS members killed and injured in Aleppo countryside". SOHR. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  35. ^ "Military escalation | Three regime soldiers killed and others injured in Ahrar Al-Sham attack on military positions in Jabal Al-Akrad north of Latakia". SOHR. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  36. ^ "Having injured in earlier clashes with regime forces | HTS member dies in western Aleppo". SOHR. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  37. ^ "Military escalation | Two regime soldiers killed by Al-Fath Al-Mubin sniper in eastern Idlib countryside". SOHR. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  38. ^ ""Putin-Erdogan" frontlines | Regime soldier shot dead by "Al-Fath Al-Mubin" members in Idlib". SOHR. 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  39. ^ "Military escalation | Four people kil-led in exchanged shelling between regime forces and "Al-Fath Al-Mubin" operation room". SOHR. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  40. ^ "On the first day of February | Eight regime soldiers kil-led in Idlib countryside". SOHR. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  41. ^ "Death toll update | Three regime soldiers killed in Idlib raising casualties to 11" (in Arabic). SOHR. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  42. ^ "Defense ministers from Russia, Syria, Turkey to meet in coming days". AlMayadeen.net. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  43. ^ ""De-escalation zone" | Regime soldier killed by HTS sniper on Saraqeb frontline". SOHR. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  44. ^ "Death toll update | Six HTS members killed in attack on regime positions in Latakia". SOHR. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  45. ^ "Ceasefire violations | H-T-S member and regime soldier ki*lled in exchange of bombardment in Idlib and Aleppo countryside". SOHR. 5 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  46. ^ "Latakia frontlines | Two regime soldiers killed". SOHR. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  47. ^ ""Putin-Erdogan" area | Regime soldier killed in exchanged shelling in Aleppo". SOHR. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  48. ^ "Military escalation | Two regime soldiers killed by Al-Fa*th Al-Mubin snipers in southern Idlib countryside". SOHR. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  49. ^ "Idlib | Member of HTS killed and another injured". SOHR. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  50. ^ ""Putin-Erdogan" area | Regime soldier killed by factions of Al-Fath Al-Mubin". SOHR. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  51. ^ "Idlib and Hama | Regime soldier killed and factions shell regime positions". SOHR. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  52. ^ "Ceasefire viola*tions | Regime soldier ki*lled in Latakia countryside and regime forces and factions trade fire "de-escalation zone"". SOHR. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  53. ^ "Idlib | "H-T-S" sniper kills regime soldier". SOHR. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  54. ^ ""Putin-Erdogan" frontlines | Regime soldier ki*lled in Al-Atareb in western countryside of Aleppo". SOHR. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  55. ^ "Military escalation Regime soldier kil-led in shelling by factions on military positions in Aleppo". SOHR. 11 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  56. ^ ""De-escalation zone" | H-T-S member ki*lled and five civilians injured in regime bombardment on western Aleppo". SOHR. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  57. ^ "New attack | HTS kills and injures 11 regime soldiers in "Putin-Erdogan" area". SOHR. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  58. ^ "Death toll update | 14 people kil*led in two att*acks by H*T*S on regime positions within "Putin-Erdogan" area". SOHR. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  59. ^ "In sneak att*ack | Ten comba*tants of the regiem and H*T*S kil*led in Aleppo". SOHR. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  60. ^ "Two att*acks in few hours | Three members of the regime and H*T*S kil*led in idlib countryside". SOHR. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  61. ^ ""Putin-Erdogan" area in March 2023 | H-T-S military operations and counter attacks by regime forces leave nearly 50 combatants de*ad, amid ongoing suspension of Russian airstrikes". SOHR. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  62. ^ "Unsuccessful attempt to advance in HTS-controlled areas | Three regime soldiers killed in western countryside of Aleppo". SOHR. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  63. ^ "Military escalation | Member of Al-Sh*am legion kil*led and another inj*ured in Idlib". SOHR. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  64. ^ "Sneak att*ack | Seven casu*alties among regime forces on Idlib frontlines". SOHR. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  65. ^ "Fired by HTS | Rocket hits regime military vehicle in western Aleppo, killing and injuring nine soldiers". SOHR. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  66. ^ "Military escalation | "Al-Fath Al-Mubin" factions kill three regime soldiers in "de-escalation zone"". SOHR. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  67. ^ "With anti-tank mis*sile | "Al-Fa*th Al-Mub*in" factions destroy tank of the regime forces in Idlib". SOHR. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  68. ^ "Ongoing escalation | Three regime soldiers kil*led in cla*shes with H*T*S west of Aleppo". SOHR. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  69. ^ ""Putin-Erdogan" area | Regime forces she*ll Lattakia countryside and Hama countryside". SOHR. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  70. ^ ""De-escalation zone" in six days | 11 regime soldiers killed and wounded by HTS and opposition factions". SOHR. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  71. ^ "Russian intervention in Syria 92 months on | First round of airstrikes on "de-escalation zone" in six months…five joint patrols with the Turks and ongoing suspension of anti-IS*IS operations in Syrian desert". SOHR. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  1. ^ 4,[4] 41[5]
  2. ^ 45,[4] 157[5]
  3. ^ 1 [8] 9[5]
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