Timeline of the Syrian Civil War (January–April 2019)

The following is a timeline of the Syrian Civil War from January to April 2019. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian Civil War.

January 2019

1 January

2 January
  • SOHR reported the death of 11 civilians, including 5 children by Coalition bombing on Deir ez-Zor.[2]

6 January

8 January
  • Russian military units begin patrolling areas in and around the vicinity of Manbij, including Arima, according to pro-Russian Al-Masdar News.[4]

11 January
  • The CJTF-OIR anti-ISIL Coalition confirms the withdrawal process of US troops from Syria has officially began.[5]

12-13 January
  • Journalist Mohammed Hassan posted pictures on Twitter of a joint base of operations in Arima shared by the Russians, the Syrian government, and the Manbij Military Council.[6] Reports and images of Russian Military Police conducting joint patrols with the Manbij Military Council in what the Russians called “the security zone around Manbij" also surfaced. Russian military police spokesman Yusup Mamatov said “The task is to ensure security in the area of responsibility (and) to monitor the situation and movements of armed formations.”[7]

15 January
Main article: Manbij bombing

17 January
See also: Operation Chammal
  • Citing the recent attack on American soldiers in Manbij, French President Emmanuel Macron states that ISIL is not yet defeated and reaffirms his commitment to keep French soldiers in Syria throughout 2019 despite US withdrawal.[10]

18 January
  • A massive explosion targeting a Tahrir al-Sham headquarters in Idlib kills 15 people and wounds 20 others. car bomb is reported to have been used in the attack, according to Al-Masdar.[11]

20 January
Main article: Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian Civil War § 2019
  • Israel launches a wave of cruise missile and guided bomb attacks against what it considered to be Hezbollah and Iranian sites in Syria after an alleged Iranian rocket was intercepted over the Golan Heights. 11 people were killed in the pre-dawn strikes, with Russia claiming 4 of those were Syrian troops. The strikes also caused significant infrastructural damage to Damascus International Airport.[12][13]

21 January
See also: Eastern Syria insurgency (2017-present)
  • An ISIL suicide car bomb targets a US convoy accompanied by SDF troops on the Shadadi-Al-Hasakah road in Al-Hasakah province, killing five SDF personnel. Witnesses said the SVBIED rammed into an SDF vehicle by a checkpoint held by Kurdish forces a dozen kilometers outside Shadadi as the US convoy drove past. No Americans were harmed.[14]

22 January
  • Syrian Democratic Forces secure Mozan and capture most of as-Safafinah from the Islamic State in the Middle Euphrates River Valley. ISIL's territorial control in Eastern Syria is reduced to two villages - al-Marashidah and al-Shajlah.[15]

23 January
  • After an ISIL counterattack, the Syrian Democratic Forces storm the ISIL-held towns of Al-Baghuz Fawqani and al-Shajlah. Heavy clashes are reported from inside al-Baghuz. Shajlah and Baghuz Fawqani were later reported to be fully liberated.[16][17]

24 January

29 January
  • US Director of National Intelligence, Dan Coats, said at a Senate Intelligence Committee meeting that "President Bashar al-Assad has defeated the opposition and is now seeking to control over all Syria".[20]
  • France becomes the first European country to take back citizens arrested on suspicion of links to the Islamic State, with 130 ISIL suspects held in SDF custody expected to be repatriated to France within upcoming weeks. Only the US, Lebanon, Russia, Indonesia and Sudan, had so far agreed to repatriate their nationals. Among the suspects are members of the infamous "Artigat Network" that masterminded several attacks in France, including an attack in Nice which killed 87 people.[21]

31 January

February 2019

2 February
  • A five-story building in the war-torn Salaheddine District of Aleppo collapses, killing 11 people with only one person rescued alive. The neighborhood was a hotly contested rebel front line during the Battle of Aleppo.[23]
  • ISIL sends messages via smugglers requesting safe passage to Turkey from Kurdish forces. The deal is rejected.[24]

7 February

9 February
See also: Battle of Baghuz Fawqani
  • The Syrian Democratic Forces launch their final assault on the remaining ISIL enclave in the Middle Euphrates River Valley (MERV).[26]
  • Armenia sends a team of 83 de-mining experts, medical personnel and security officers to defuse mines and provide medical help to residents of Aleppo. Russia provides transport and logistical assistance for the mission.[27]

11 February
  • After a meeting of their respective defense ministers in Ankara, Russia and Turkey announced their joint intentions to seek "decisive" measures to stabilize the situation in Syria's Idlib province. The released joint statement did not specify what the measures were or when they might happen.[28]

16 February
  • UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt stated that Syria had no "future" under Bashar Al-Assad but was "stuck" with him due to Russian support.[29]
  • SOHR reported that at least 18 people were killed and many more injured after sporadic Syrian government shelling on Maarrat al-Nu'man, Khan Shaykhun, Hama and surrounding settlements in the rebel-held Idlib region within the past two days. Rebels responded with machine gun and rocket fire towards SAA positions.[30]

18 February
  • Two explosions kill over 25, and wounds 20 in Idlib.[31]

21 February
  • The United States' allies France and the United Kingdom say they won't keep their troops in Syria after the United States pulls out.[32]
  • The White House announces 200 U.S. troops would remain in Syria as a "peacekeeping" force post-withdrawal. The announcement came after the U.S. and Turkish presidents spoke earlier in the day. The number was later raised to 400.[33]

23 February
  • Turkish President Erdogan asserts that any potential "safe zone" established along the Turkish border must be under Turkish control.[34]

25 February

28 February
  • Syrian Democratic Forces discover a mass grave in Baghuz Fawqani containing dozens of decapitated bodies, mainly of Yazidi people.[36]

March 2019

7 March
  • Human rights legal teams submitted cases to the International Criminal Court alleging possible war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Assad government. The lawsuits were submitted on behalf of 28 Syrian refugees in Jordan who say they were forced to flee the country.[37]

13 March
  • In the most extensive and heaviest bombardment in weeks, Syrian and Russian warplanes pounded the rebel-held enclave in the Idlib-Hama-east Latakia region, deemed a "de-escalation zone" since the 2018 demilitarization agreement. Russia confirmed they, in coordination with Turkey, targeted Hayat Tahrir al-Sham drones and weapons stockpiles. Among dozens of rocket strikes, usage of incendiary and cluster munitions were reported as well. The Syrian army has escalated its shelling of the rebel enclave since February 2019, causing civilians to depopulate rebel-held towns in the buffer zone. The attacks have killed dozens of civilians and injured hundreds, and led to tens of thousands of people fleeing front line areas to camps and towns closer to the Turkish border, rescuers and aid agencies have said. The army have denied the deliberate targeting of civilians.[38]

14 March

19 March
  • SDF and Kurdish fighters report "significant progress" in the fight against ISIL in Baghuz; the town itself is fully liberated with a few small pockets remaining along the Euphrates river.[40]

20 March
  • The SDF report that the remaining ISIL fighters in Baghuz are operating in tunnels along the Euphrates.[41]

21 March
  • US President Donald Trump announces his intentions to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the disputed Golan Heights, a move welcomed by Israel.[42]

23 March

25 March
  • President Donald Trump officially signs a declaration of the US's recognition of Israel's claim to the Golan Heights region during a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the United States.[44]

28 March
  • At least 7 people are killed in Aleppo following air strikes in the region; Syria blames Israel for the assault.[45]

April 2019

1 April
  • Media sources report ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is believed to be hiding in tunnels under the Iraq-Syria border.[46]

7 April
  • At least 15 people are killed by continued shelling between government and rebel forces in the Idlib-Hama region, further straining the formal truce brokered in 2018.[47]

12 April
  • At least two children are reportedly killed and five others injured after tampering with a land mine in Aleppo.[48]

13 April
  • Syria says Israel launched airstrikes at a military research facility near Masyaf known as the "Accounting School", along with targeting a missile development center in a village near Masyaf, and a nearby military base run by Iran-backed fighters. The strikes injured at least 6 soldiers. The SOHR reports that 17 were wounded and deaths occurred, but no number was given.[49] Reportedly a nearby S-300 missile system battery did not fire anything at all against the attack.

20 April
Further information: Syrian Desert campaign (December 2017–present)
  • SOHR reports that, in the deadliest attacks on pro-government forces in weeks, jihadist cells have killed almost 50 pro-government fighters across Syria within the previous 48 hours. ISIL claims responsibility for the collective assaults.[50]
  • Kosovo repatriates 110 of its citizens from Syria, including 72 children, 32 women, and four men suspected of fighting for ISIL. The men were arrested upon arrival back into the country.[51]

23 April

29 April
  • ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi makes his first appearance on video since 2014; in the 40 second video, al-Baghdadi speaks about the Battle of Baghuz and praises the Sri Lanka Easter bombings.[53]

30 April
  • After weeks of intensified bombardment, the SAA launches an offensive into the rebel-controlled Idlib-Hama region.

References
  1. "Exchanged and continuous attacks between the National Front and Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham in the countryside of Idlib and Hama, and more casualties raise to about 100, the number of casualties in 3 consecutive days of bloody fighting". SOHR. 3 January 2019.
  2. "International Coalition warplanes carry out the first massacres of 2019 and kill 11 civilians including 8 children and women, and continuous clashes and shelling in the ISIS-controlled enclave". Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  3. "Trump Adviser: US to Leave Syria Once IS Beaten, Kurds Safe". New York Times. 6 January 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  4. Desk, News (8 January 2019). "Russian military begins armored patrols around Manbij (video)". Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  5. "US-led coalition says Syria withdrawal has begun". Arab News. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  6. HASSAN, MOHAMMED (13 January 2019). "#Manbej #Syria A joint military base between the Russian military police, the Syrian army and the forces of the Manbej military council in the town of Al-Arima, 18 km west of Manbejpic.twitter.com/SZ7z0oczqk". Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  7. AFP (12 January 2019). "Russian army starts patrols around Manbij in North Syria". Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  8. "U.S. confirms American troops killed in blast claimed by Islamic State in Syria". The Washington Post. January 16, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  9. Barić, Joško (2019-01-15). "Syrian War Daily – 15th of January 2019". Syrian War Daily. Retrieved 2019-01-16.
  10. "French military to continue fight against Daesh in Levant: Macron". Arab News. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  11. Desk, News (2019-01-18). "Breaking: Massive explosion rocks Idlib city, 15+ killed". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  12. "Israel bombs Iranian targets in Syria". Arab News. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  13. "Israel will block 'Iranian aggression' after Syria strikes". Arab News. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  14. "Suicide attack on Kurdish-US convoy in Syria kills 5: monitor". Arab News. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  15. "Islamic State Faces Possible Territorial Elimination". Syrian Civil War Map - Live Middle East Map/ Map of the Syrian Civil War. 2019-01-20. Retrieved 2019-01-22.
  16. "Clashes reported from inside Al-Baghuz Fawqani". liveuamap/ Map of the Syrian Civil War. 2019-01-20. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  17. "US coalition forces overrun last ISIS village in Syria". The National. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  18. "U.S. sanctions hit Iran-backed airlines, fighters in Syria - Middle East - Jerusalem Post". www.jpost.com. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  19. Reuters; DPA (24 January 2019). "Putin Says Turkey and Russia Ready to 'Stabilize' Syria's Idlib - 'Liquidate' Terrorists". Retrieved 3 February 2019 – via Haaretz.
  20. "DNI Coats Says Syria's Assad Will 'Seek to Avoid Conflict With Israel and Turkey'". CNS News. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  21. "France 'to repatriate 130 suspected Isil members from Syria' over security concerns". 29 January 2019.
  22. "US court finds Assad regime liable for Marie Colvin's death in Syria". 31 January 2019.
  23. Building collapses in Syria’s Aleppo killing 11
  24. "U.S.-backed Syrian forces reject ISIS request for safe passage to Turkey". Ahval. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  25. "Rukban camp in Syria receives first aid in three months". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  26. qsd1. "عاجل: قوات سوريا الديمقراطية تطلق معركتها الأخيرة – قوات سوريا الديمقراطية – Syrian Democratic Forces". Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  27. "Armenia sends mine-clearing experts, doctors to Syria". 9 February 2019.
  28. "Russia, Turkey agree on decisive action in Syria's Idlib: RIA". 11 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019 – via www.reuters.com.
  29. "Syria stuck with Assad for now, says UK minister Jeremy Hunt". Arab News. 16 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  30. "War monitor: Regime shelling kills 18 civilians in northwest Syria". The National. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  31. "At least 24 killed, 25 injured in twin explosions in Syria's Idlib". DailySabah. Retrieved 2019-02-18.
  32. 20 February 2019. The Washington Post. "Allies decline request to stay in Syria after U.S. troops withdraw"
  33. "About 200 U.S. peacekeepers are to remain in Syria". CBS News. 21 February 2019.
  34. Erdogan says safe zone on Syria border must be under Turkey's control. Reuters. 23 February 2019
  35. "Assad meets Khamenei in first Iran visit since Syrian war began". Reuters. 25 February 2019.
  36. Sang, Lucia Suarez (2019-02-28). "Mass grave with dozens of decapitated bodies found in last ISIS enclave: 'They were slaughtered'". Fox News. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
  37. "Syria war: Lawyers submit first war crimes cases against Assad". BBC. 7 March 2019.
  38. "Syrian forces and Russian jets intensify attacks on last rebel bastion". 13 March 2019.
  39. Tomlinson, Lucas (2019-03-19). "ISIS fighters tied to killing 4 Americans in Syria captured by US-backed forces, US official says". Fox News. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
  40. Jansen, Michael. "Kurds report 'significant progress' in fight against Isis in Baghouz". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
  41. "Syrian fighters search tunnels as seige [sic] on the last Islamic State outpost comes to an end - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  42. Jeremy Diamond and Jennifer Hansler. "Trump says it's time for US to recognize 'Israel's Sovereignty over the Golan Heights'". CNN. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  43. "′Islamic State′ defeated in Syria: US-backed Syrian forces". DW. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  44. "Trump formally recognises Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  45. "Syrian military: Israeli air attack targeted Aleppo". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  46. McKay, Hollie (2019-04-01). "Despite crumbled caliphate, hunt for Baghdadi continues in Syria". Fox News. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  47. "At least 15 reported killed as Syrian government, rebels exchange fire". Reuters. 7 April 2019.
  48. "Syria: 2 children killed, 5 injured in Aleppo's landmine blast". 13 April 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  49. "Syria says Israeli airstrike on military position wounds 6". 13 April 2019.
  50. "Jihadist Kills Almost 50 Regime Fighters Across Syria". VOA. 20 April 2019.
  51. "Syria war: Kosovo brings back 110 citizens including jihadists". BBC. 20 April 2019.
  52. "Arabs in Syria's Deir al-Zor protest against ruling Kurdish..." 28 April 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019 – via www.Reuters.com.
  53. Islamic State leader al-Baghdadi appears in new video
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