Timeline of the Syrian Civil War (September–December 2017)

The following is a timeline of the Syrian Civil War from September to December 2017. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian Civil War.

September 2017

1 September

2 September

3 September

5 September
See also: Central Syria campaign (2017)
  • The Syrian Army, aided by Iranian-backed militias, as well as by Russian advisers and Russian airstrikes, break the three-year siege of the city of Deir ez-Zor by ISIL by reaching the Brigade 137 desert base.[5][6]
  • In conjunction with the Deir ez-Zor offensive, Russian frigate Admiral Essen in the Mediterranean Sea launches cruise missiles at ISIL targets near Deir ez-Zor, killing many fighters an destroying command and communications posts, ammunition depots, and repair facilities for armored vehicles.[7]

6 September

7 September

9 September

10 September
See also: Deir ez-Zor offensive (September 2017–present)
  • Syrian Democratic Forces claim they advanced 50km and reached an industrial zone miles to the east of Deir ez-Zor city as part of their offensive against ISIL in the northern and eastern parts of the Deir ez-Zor province,[14] while pro-government forces regained full control of the highway from Deir ez-Zor to Damascus, putting SDF and pro-government forces within 15km of each other.[15]
  • At least 34 civilians, including nine children, are killed in a Russian air raid on Euphrates River ferries near Deir ez-Zor city, according to the Syrian Observatory on Human Rights (SOHR).[16]

11 September
  • Russian warplanes continue with their aerial campaign on the eastern province, with at least 19 civilians killed in an airstrike on the ISIL-held village of al-Khrayta, near Deir ez-Zor city on Monday, AFP reports. SOHR says that “Two sets of strikes 30 minutes apart hit civilians sheltering in tents along the Euphrates and boats on the river”.[17]
  • Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah declares that the ´Syrian war is won´.[18][19]

13 September
  • At Russia's request, US air forces allow a convoy carrying ISIL fighters to reach al-Mayadin in ISIL-held territory in eastern Syria after being bused from the Lebanese border as part of an evacuation agreement brokered by Hezbollah and the Syrian government.[20]

14 September
  • A US-led Coalition spokesman states that the Coalition-backed SDF forces will not go into Deir ez-Zor city, but will leave it clear to Russian and government forces.[21]

15 September
See also: Syrian peace process § Initiation of Astana talks, and ceasefire (December 2016)
  • The representatives of Iran, Russia and Turkey reach an agreement for the implementation of a “de-escalation zone”, in the Idlib Governorate.[22] Turkish government-linked Yeni Safak newspaper says in an unsourced report that the three countries plan to divide the Idlib region into three, with Turkish forces and opposition fighters in the northwest region bordering Turkey.[22] The deal takes place amid pro-government media reports that "around 9,000 militants" from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham attempt to wrest control from other rebel groups.[23]
See also: Deir ez-Zor offensive (September 2017–present)

16 September
  • Russian aircraft reportedly bombs SDF positions on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, injuring six SDF fighters, according to US-led Coalition sources.[25] Russia denies responsibility.[26]

17 September
  • SAA troops seize a suburb of the city of Deir ez-Zor, cornering ISIL forces there[27] with the intention of encircling them.[28]

18 September

19 September

20 September
  • Syrian Tiger Forces advance against ISIL in the northwest Deir ez-Zor Governorate as Syrian troops close in on southeast Raqqa Governorate, according to a military source close to the government; the towns of al-Tabni, al-Turayif, al-Buwytiyah, Khan Zahra and al-Masrab are captured from ISIL forces.[33]

21 September
  • Russian and Syrian warplanes launch airstrikes in the south of Idlib, killing three civilians and wounding several others.[34]
  • A prominent Syrian opposition activist, Orouba Barakat, and her journalist daughter, Hala Barakat, a US citizen, are found dead in their Istanbul apartment late Thursday.[35]

22 September
  • The SOHR report an agreement between the Syrian Army forces and ISIL militants on the East Hama region. The truce includes the evacuation of ISIL members and their families out of the villages they control. This follows 18 days of clashes that have left over 305 ISIL fighters and 138 pro-government forces dead.[36]

23 September

24 September
  • Syrian government media and SOHR report rebel shelling of President Assad's hometown Qardaha.[41]
  • SOHR report heavy shelling and 40 deaths in the Idlib countryside.[42]
  • Russian lieutenant general, Valery Asapov, is killed by mortar fire from ISIL near Deir ez-Zor.[43]

25 September
  • The Syrian government reports that rebel shelling of Qardaha continue, while SOHR, Syria Civil Defence and other sources in rebel territories report major government and Russian airstrikes in Idlib governorate, with at least 37 people in the town of Jisr al-Shughour and nearby areas.[44][45] Russia denied it had bombed any civilians.[46]
  • SDF forces say Russian warplanes struck their positions in the Conoco gas field in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, killing one and wounding two, although Moscow denies the claims.[47][48]

26 September
  • The Syrian government says it will consider allowing some autonomy for Kurdish regions.[49]

27 September
  • Russia conducts airstrikes on the villages of Qaina and Yaqobia, killing a child and injuring 5 more.[50]
  • The city of al-Tamane'a is bombarded by five Russian warplanes with rockets, bombs and missiles wounding several and forcing others to flee.[51]

28 September

October 2017

1 October
  • The Islamic State seizes the town of Al-Qaryatain in the province of Homs in a surprise attack against government forces.[54]

2 October
  • At least 10 people are killed and 20 are injured in a twin suiciding bombing on a police station in the Al-Midan neighborhood in Damascus.[55]

3 October
  • ISIL releases a video of two Russian soldiers they claim to have captured. However, Russia denies that they are their soldiers.[56]

4 October
  • Suspected Russian fighter jets target rubber dinghies and family boats fleeing the town of Al-Ashara, killing at least 60 civilians.[57]
  • Russian defence minister Igor Konashenkov claims that ISIL have undertaken several attacks on Syrian cities through US-controlled areas.[58]
  • Human rights group, Physicians for Human Rights, accuses the Russian and Syrian governments of attacking hospitals since April despite the "de-escalation" zones being agreed on. They also accuse them of sending jets to raid three hospitals in September in the rebel-held Idlib province.[59]

6 October
  • The SOHR states that Russian airstrikes killed at least 14 civilians including three children as they crossed the Euphrates river near ISIL-held Mayadin while fleeing the village of Mahkan.[60]
  • Jaysh al-Islam militants launch a successful attack on the East Ghouta region in Damascus, regaining territory they lost to the Syrian government.[61]

10 October

11 October
  • 2 people are killed and another six are injured when three suicide bombers blew themselves up near the police headquarters in central Damascus.[62]
  • Reports by The Sun mention that the CIA informed British intelligence agencies that British-born ISIL member, Sally Jones and her 12-year-old son were killed in a drone strike in June while fleeing Raqqa.[63]

12 October
See also: Turkish military intervention in Idlib Governorate

15 October
  • The Syrian Army captures al-Mayadin, whilst more fighting takes place between the East Deir ez-Zor city and the countryside of Deir ez-Zor province.[65]

16 October
  • Israeli jets destroy an anti-aircraft battery outside of Damascus after its planes were fired upon in Lebanese airspace.[66]

17 October
  • The SDF capture the Islamic State's de facto capital of Raqqa after four months of fighting.[67]

18 October

22 October
  • The SDF have capture the al-Omar oil field, the largest oil field in Syria from Islamic State forces.[69]

November 2017

3 November
  • Avigdor Lieberman, the Israeli Defense Minister, calls Assad 'victorious' in the Syrian civil war and recalls that former enemies now "court" him. The Israeli Minister makes these remarks at the Israeli news website Walla!.[70]
  • The SAA capture Deir ez-Zor from ISIL.[71]

7 November

8 November

13 November
  • The BBC reveals that a secret deal in mid-October allowed hundreds of ISIL fighters and their families, including some of their "most notorious members", to escape from Raqqa in a convoy that was between 6 and 7 km long which consisted of 100 ISIL vehicles and over 250 fighters. The United States government confirmed that the deal with ISIL was made and that the evacuations took place.[76][77]
  • Atarib market massacre: A Russian airstrike kills 84 people.[78]
  • Amnesty International releases a report concluding that forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad have committed crimes against humanity through their “starve or surrender” strategy and sieges that have devastated areas controlled by the opposition.[79]

18 November
  • At least 14 civilians, including one young girl, are killed by Syrian government bombardment of the rebel-held eastern Ghouta region near Damascus, according to SOHR.[80]

19 November
  • The Syrian Army finally seizes Abu Kamal after an Islamic State counterattack retook the city.[81]

December 2017

11 December
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin announces the beginning of a withdrawal from the base of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in connection with the recent victories over ISIL.[82]

26 December
  • Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announces Russia has started establishing a permanent presence at its two military bases (Tartus and Latakia) in Syria.[83]

References
  1. "SDF: ISIL removed from Raqqa's Old City". Aljazeera. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  2. "Russian Aerospace Force destroy in Syria IS' 9 armored vehicles". Tass. 2 September 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  3. Britain withdraws last of troops training Syrian rebels as world powers distance themselves from opposition, Daily Telegraph 2 September 2017
  4. IS clashes with Syrian regime forces kill 150, AFP in Times of India 3 September 2017
  5. "Syrian-backed forces reach besieged allies outside Islamic State-held city". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  6. A boost for Assad as the Syrian army makes gains against ISIS in eastern Syria, Washington Post 5 September 2017
  7. "Russian frigate fires cruise missiles at Islamic State targets near Syria's Deir al-Zor". Reuters. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  8. Stephanie Nebehay "Syrian government forces used chemical weapons more than two dozen times - U.N." Reuters 6 September 2017
  9. Syrian conflict: Opposition must face reality it lost war against, ABC
  10. Syrian opposition must accept it has not won the war: U.N., Reuters
  11. "'Israeli jets hit Syria's Masyaf chemical site' - reports". BBC News. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  12. "Syrian army, allies reach airbase besieged by Islamic State in eastern Syria: commander". September 9, 2017 – via www.reuters.com.
  13. "U.S.-backed SDF attacks Islamic State in Syria's Deir al-Zor province". September 9, 2017 – via www.reuters.com.
  14. "Syrian Democratic Forces say reach Deir al-Zor industrial zone: statement". Reuters. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  15. Scott Lucas "Syria Daily: Pro-Assad and Kurdish-Led Forces Converge on ISIS in Deir ez-Zor City" EAWorldview September 11, 2017
  16. Russian air raids kill 34 civilians near Deir Az Zor, Al-Jazeera, 10 September 2017
  17. Syria army readies push into IS-held parts of Deir Ezzor AFP
  18. Hezbollah declares Syria victory, Russia says much of country won back, Reuters
  19. Syria Daily: Hezbollah — “We Have Won", EAWorldview September 13, 2017
  20. ISIS Convoy Reportedly Crosses Syria, at Russia's Request, NYT, 13 September 2017
  21. U.S.-backed forces not planning on entering Deir al-Zor city, Reuters, 14 September 2017
  22. Final de-escalation zones agreed on in Astana, Al-Jazeera
  23. Astana deal: Russia, Iran and Turkey agree on final Safe Zone in Syria, Al-Masdar
  24. Tom Perry, Sarah Dadouch (16 September 2017). "U.S.-backed Syrian fighters say will not let government forces cross Euphrates". Reuters.
  25. "Air strikes hit U.S.-backed militia in Syria's Deir al-Zor - SDF". Reuters. 16 September 2017.
  26. Russia denies bombing US-backed Kurdish fighters in northern Syria as tensions rise, Al-Araby, 16 September 2017
  27. "Syrian army and allies close in on Islamic State in Deir al-Zor". 17 September 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017 – via Reuters.
  28. "After about 3 years of being besieged… the regime forces and Russia move to encircle ISIS within Deir Ezzor city and hundreds of meters separate them from doing that". Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  29. First-seen footage of Syrian Army crossing the Euphrates River, Al-Masdar
  30. With Russian cover .. The forces of the regime crosses to the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, Syria Observatory of Human Rights (In Arabic)
  31. Mudiq, Qalaat Al. "E. #Syria: first footage from #Russia-n media showing pro-Assad forces effectively crossed #Euphrates at #DeirEzzor.pic.twitter.com/1mvbyUISah". Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  32. Bombardment returns to rebel-held northwest as HTS aims to 'demolish, defeat' Astana ceasefire, Syria Direct, 19 September 2017
  33. Elite Syrian forces make massive advance up west Euphrates bank amid major ISIS collapse, Al-Masdar News
  34. "Russian and Syrian warplanes bombard Idlib for the 3rd day - Iraqi News".
  35. Syrian dissident and her American daughter killed in their Istanbul home, Washington Post, 22 September 2017
  36. "Agreement east of Hama countryside between ISIS and regime forces ends the existence of the organization in Hama Province". Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  37. Russia, Syria intensify bombing of rebel-held Idlib, witnesses, Reuters, 24 September 2017
  38. Tens of fighters are still missing under the rubble caused by airstrikes which killed 22 fighters, SOHR, 23/09/2017
  39. .S.-Backed Forces Seize Syrian Gas Plant From Islamic State, Wall Street Journal, 25 September 2017
  40. Syria: SDF says it took Conoco gas field from ISIL, Al-Jazeera, 23 September 2017
  41. Shelling on Syrian president's hometown kills 2, Associated Press, 25 September 2017
  42. More casualties raise death toll of warplanes’ bombardment to about 40 since dawn of today in Jisr Al-Shughur city and Idlib countryside, SOHR, 25/09/2017
  43. "Russian general killed fighting ISIS in east Syria". Al Arabiya English. September 24, 2017.
  44. Syria war: Russian air strikes in Idlib leave 37 civilians dead, observatory says, ABC News, 26 September 2017
  45. Air and rocket strikes continue for the eighth consecutive day targeting Hama and Idlib provinces and cause more destruction in the infrastructure, SOHR, 26 September 2017
  46. Russia denies it killed civilians in air strikes on Syria's Idlib, Reuters, 26 September
  47. U.S.-backed alliance says Russian jets struck its fighters in east Syria, Reuters, 25 September 2017
  48. US-backed forces say Russia attacked them in eastern Syria, AP, 25 September 2017
  49. Syria to consider granting Kurds greater autonomy, Al-Jazeera, 26 September 2017
  50. "Russian airstrikes on Christian-majority villages in Idlib leave 6 casualties - Iraqi News".
  51. "Russian warplanes conduct over 18 airstrikes on al-Tamane'a city, Idlib - Iraqi News".
  52. Putin, Erdogan Hold Talks on Missile Sale, Syria Cooperation, Bloomberg, 28 September 2017
  53. "Islamic State releases purported new audio message from top leader vowing to continue fight". Los Angeles Times. September 28, 2017.
  54. "Islamic State seizes Al-Qaryatain town in central Syria in surprise attack, shows monitor". First Post.
  55. "Deadly twin suicide attack hits Damascus police station". Reuters.
  56. "ISIS RELEASES VIDEO OF CAPTURED RUSSIAN SOLDIERS THAT MOSCOW DENIES LOSING IN SYRIA". Newsweek.
  57. "Russian jets kill civilians fleeing across Euphrates: Syrian opposition". Middle East Eye.
  58. "Russia says IS attacks in Syria come from location near US forces". CNBC.
  59. "Rights group condemns attacks on Syrian hospitals". Al-Jazeera.
  60. "Russia air strikes kill at least 14 civilians in Syria – monitor". TRTWorld.
  61. "Jaysh Al-Islam reverses the Syrian Army's gains in East Ghouta". Al-Masdar.
  62. "Suicide bombers attack Damascus police center: Syrian state media". Reuters.
  63. "British Isis member Sally Jones 'killed in airstrike with 12-year-old son'". Guardian.
  64. "First Turkish military convoy enters Syria's Idlib". Reuters. 12 October 2017.
  65. "Intensive shelling by the regime forces accompanies the continuous fighting on the banks of the Euphrates River in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor". SOHR. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  66. "Israeli jets attack anti-aircraft battery in Syria". Al Jazeera. 16 October 2017.
  67. "Raqqa: IS 'capital' falls to US-backed Syrian forces". BBC News. 17 October 2017.
  68. Josie Ensor (18 October 2017). "Top Syrian general killed by Isil landmine near Deir Ezzor". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  69. "Syria's largest oil field captured by US-backed forces". CNN. 23 October 2017.
  70. "Israeli defense minister says Syria's Assad 'victorious'". english.alarabiya.net. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  71. "Syrian army declares victory in Deir al-Zour as Islamic State territory crumbles". Washington Post. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  72. "Tension and resentment in Manbij due to tens of arrests of young men by the military police for the "self-defense duty" • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". November 7, 2017.
  73. Residents of Manbij protest against conscription in Kurdish militias, Zaman Al Wasl, 5 November 2017
  74. Syrian army ousts 'IS' from Albu Kamal, last urban stronghold in country, Deutsche Welle, 8 November 2017
  75. Breaking: Syrian Army liberates Hamdan Airbase north of Albukamal, Leith Fadel, Al-Masdar 09/11/2017
  76. Raqqa's dirty secret, BBC
  77. (Rudaw)Evacuation of local ISIS from Raqqa complete: SDF, Rudaw
  78. Nick Cumming-Bruce (6 March 2018). "U.N. Panel Links Russia to Potential War Crime in Syria". New York Times. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  79. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/13/assad-regimes-starve-or-surrender-strategy-is-a-war-says-amnesty, The Guardian, 13 November 2017
  80. AFP, Syria: at least 14 civilians killed in air strikes by government forces, The Guardian, 18 November 2017
  81. "Syria army, allies retake Albu Kamal from IS: military source". AFP. 19 November 2017.
  82. Osborn, Andrew (11 December 2017). "Putin, in Syria, says mission accomplished, orders partial Russian pul". Reuters. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  83. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-bases/russia-establishing-permanent-presence-at-its-syrian-bases-ria-idUKKBN1EK0HA Russia establishing permanent presence at its Syrian bases], Reuters, December 26, 2017
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