East Aleppo offensive (2024–present)
| East Aleppo offensive (2024) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Syrian civil war and Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war | |||||||||
 Territorial control in Manbij | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria |
 Syrian Interim GovernmentSupported by:  Turkey[1] | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
 Mazlum Abdi Ferhad Şamî |
Fadlallah al-Haji Adnan al-Ahmad Abu Fayez †[3][4] Munir Hajak †[5] | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
 Turkish Air Force | |||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
|
63 killed[a] 4 wounded[14] |
200 killed[b] 1 Bayraktar TB2 destroyed[18][19][20] 2 radar systems (SDF claim)[21] 157 killed (SDF claim)[c] Dozens wounded (SDF claim)[29] 25+ vehicles destroyed (SDF claim)[31] 8 armored vehicles and 2 tanks (SDF claim)[32][33][34][30] | ||||||||
| 7 civilians killed[d] | |||||||||
The East Aleppo offensive (2024) is an operation launched by the Syrian Democratic Forces in December 2024 against the Syrian National Army (SNA) to regain control of territory that was lost during the Manbij offensive and to advance from Dayr Hafir into the Tishrin Dam area.[38][39]
Background
[edit]Following the SNA capture of Manbij city on 11 December, a temporary ceasefire agreement in the region was reached between the SNA and SDF through U.S. mediation.[40] However, military activities did not cease, which eventually resulted in fighting in the Kobani countryside. In addition, the SNA refused the evacuation of SDF fighters or civilians from Manbij, executed captured SDF soldiers and attempted offensive operations against the SDF, resulting in fighting near the Tishrin Dam.[41][42] The following week, the SNA stated that they ended the US-brokered ceasefire with the SDF.[43] Turkey stated that the ceasefire did not exist.[44]
The offensive comes around the same time in which several Syrian rebel factions agreed with de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa to dissolve their groups and to fall under the country's new Defense ministry. The SDF did not participate in this meeting in Damascus.[45]
Offensive
[edit]The Manbij Military Council of the SDF initiated an offensive against the Syrian National Army near the Tishrin Dam on 23 December 2024.[46] The SDF managed to take control over several villages south east of Manbij.[47][48]
The following day, SDF started assaults in two different directions. At the Dayr Hafir front, the SDF advanced from the Jirah Military Airbase along the west bank of the Euphrates where they took control of the Babiri water pumping station, five kilometres south of the town of Al-Khafsah and advanced from the Tishrin Dam into the Abu Qalqal district. Further north, fighting also started around the Qarah Qawzak bridge.[49] A spokesperson of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) stated that its fighters were located just over 11 kilometers (7 miles) away from the center of Manbij city, which was later confirmed by the SOHR.[50][51] During the clashes with YPJ and MMC at least 12 SNA fighters were killed in the Tishrin Dam area.[15] On 26 December, the SDF spokesperson Ferhad Şamî made a statement at the Tishrin Dam confirming SDF control over the area.[52][53] The next morning, fighting reached the surroundings of the Najm castle.[54]
Between 27 and 31 December, the clashes continued mainly in the Abu Qalqal direction, where both sides executed several infiltration attempts.[16][17][55] Meanwhile, the SDF claimed that the Turkish Armed Forces are establishing two military bases in the Manbij countryside.[56] The Deputy Press Secretary of the Pentagon, Sabrina Singh, stated during a press briefing that the US-brokered ceasefire around the city of Manbij is "still holding" despite the concurrent fighting.[57]
In early January 2025, both sides attacked each other with drone strikes, including a Turkish drone strike targeting the sugar factory in Dayr Hafir.[58] The SNA, backed by Turkish artillery, launched an attack on Khirbet Zamalah south of the Tishrin dam.[59] The SDF on their part managed to down a Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drone in the southern Kobani countryside.[60] Continued clashes between SDF and SNA forces occurred west of the Tishrin dam and further north near the Qarah Qawzak bridge. At least 50 SNA and 12 SDF fighters were killed in the clashes.[61][10] Fights also broke out at Dayr Hafir.[29] The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed that the SDF may seek to link-up their forces with these two advances to strengthen supply lines.[62] At the same time, US-led coalition forces began constructing a military base in the city of Kobani, being the first time that US forces enter the eastern Aleppo Governorate since their departure following the 2019 Turkish offensive,[63][64] though the reports have been denied by the Pentagon.[65] On 4 January, clashes continued in the vicinity of Sad Teshrin and Jisr Qarqozak, leaving 20 SNA and 8 SDF fighters dead.[5]
On 5 January, three SDF fighters were killed and four others injured in a Turkish airstrike on Teshreen Dam.[14]
See also
[edit]- Tishrin Dam offensive
- East Aleppo offensive (2017)
- 2019 Tell Rifaat clashes
- 2020–2021 Ayn Issa clashes
- 2024 Kobani clashes
Notes
[edit]- ^ 16 killed on 24 December[6] 5 killed on 29 December[7][8] 3 killed on 31 December[9] 12 killed in 3 January[10] 8 killed on 4 January[5] 19 Killed on 5 January [11][12][13][14]
- ^ 12 killed on 25 December,[15] 7 killed on 27 December[16] 19 killed on 29 December[7][8] 7 killed on 30 December [17] 50 killed on 3 January[10] 20 killed on 4 January[5] 85 Killed on 5 January [11][12][13]
- ^ 19 killed on 25 December,[22][23] 22 killed on 27 December,[24] 23 killed on 28 December[25][26] Dozens killed on 2 January,[27][28] 72 killed on 3 & 4 January[29] 13 Killed on 5 January [30]
- ^ 1 killed on 25 December,[35] 1 killed on 29 December,[36] 5 killed on 30 December,[37]
References
[edit]- ^ "Manbij | Exchange of bombardment between SDF and Turkish forces leaves several civilians injured". SOHR. 28 December 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ Kishore, Siddhant; Moorman, Carolyn; Braverman, Alexandra; Parry, Andie; Reddy, Ria; Campa, Kelly; Rezaei, Ben; Borens, Avery; Carter, Brian (26 December 2024). "Iran Update, December 26, 2024". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "17 mercenaries killed and 40 others injured in vicinity of Tishreen Dam". Hawar News Agency. Hawar News Agency. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "Turkish-backed groups abandon positions after intense clashes". Medya News. Medya News. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Military escalation | 28 members of "SDF" and Turkish-backed factions including a commander of "Al-Sultan Murad" kil*led and injured in Aleppo". SOHR. 4 January 2025.
- ^ "Syrian authorities say armed groups agree to disband, merge under defence ministry". France24. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Raging battles | Six Turkish-backed militiamen and three SDF fighters killed on Manbij frontlines". SOHR. 29 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Military escalation | 15 members of Turkish-backed factions and "SDF" kil*led in Aleppo". SOHR. 29 December 2024.
- ^ "Ground and aerial escalation | Ten members of "Al-Asayish" killed and injured on a checkpoint in Aleppo". SOHR. 31 December 2024.
- ^ a b c "Amid ongoing clashes between SDF and Turkish-backed factions in Manbij | 28 militiamen killed in 24 hours". SOHR. 3 January 2025.
- ^ a b "More than 100 killed in clashes between Kurds and pro-Turkish forces near Manbij". L'Orient-Le Jour. L'Orient-Le Jour. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Over 100 combatants killed in intensified clashes between SDF, Turkish-backed forces in Rojava". Kurdistan 24. Kurdistan 24. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Dozens of pro-Turkey and Kurdish forces killed in fighting in northern Syria". Middle East Eye. Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ^ a b c "Military escalation | Turkish drone attacks vehicle in eastern Tishreen dam and house in Sarrin town in Ain Al-Arab countryside". SOHR. 5 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Aleppo | 12 members of Turkish-backed factions kil*led in clashes near Teshrin Dam and Qere qozak bridge area". SOHR. 26 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Military escalation | "SDF" infiltrates a village in Aleppo and kil*ls seven members of "Al-Amshat" as artillery shells fired on Ain Al-Arab (Kobani)". SOHR. 27 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Leaving 11 militiamen dead and wounded | Clashes erupt between SDF and "National Army" factions in Manbij and frontline of Teshreen dam". SOHR. 30 December 2024.
- ^ "SDF down Bayraktar drone over Qereqozaqe Bridge". Hawar News Agency. Hawar News Agency. 28 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "SDF shoots down Turkish reconnaissance drone". ANF English. ANF News. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ^ "While flying over Qarrah Qarquzaq bridge: SDF shoot down Turkish drone in southern Ain Al-Arab (Kobani)". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ^ "Destruction of 2 radar jamming system and armored vehicles of Turkish occupation". Hawar News Agency. Hawar News Agency. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ^ "5 Turkish occupation mercenaries killed, others wounded southeast Manbij". Hawar News Agency. Hawar News Agency. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "14 Turkish mercenaries in Manbij & Tishreen Dam". Hawar News Agency. Hawar News Agency. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "22 mercenaries killed, 25 others injured, and armored vehicles destroyed in southeast Manbij". Hawar News Agency. Hawar News Agency. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "17 mercenaries killed and 40 others injured in vicinity of Tishreen Dam". Hawar News Agency. Hawar News Agency. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "6 mercenaries eliminated in the Abu Qalqal front, rural Manbij". Hawar News Agency. Hawar News Agency. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "Turkish occupation armored vehicle destroyed east of Manbij". Hawar News.
- ^ "MMC blows up BMB tank of Turkish occupation mercenaries in Manbij". Hawar News.
- ^ a b c "Heavy casualties reported among Turkish-backed fighters in Manbij, Dayr Hafir clashes". Kurdistan 24. 4 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Moment armored vehicle destroyed by Turkish occupation mercenaries in Manbij". Hawar News Agency. Hawar News Agency. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ^ "Violent clashes in south-east Manbij, destroying many vehicles". Hawar News Agency. Hawar News Agency. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ^ "Turkish occupation armored vehicle destroyed east of Manbij". Hawar News.
- ^ "MMC blows up BMB tank of Turkish occupation mercenaries in Manbij". Hawar News.
- ^ "SDF Destroys Tank, Military Vehicles in Response to Turkish Mercenaries' Attacks". Hawar News Agency. 2 January 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ^ "Amid subsiding clashes in Manbij countryside | Civilian killed in bombardment by SDF on house near Al-Khafsah water station - The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". 25 December 2024.
- ^ "Escalation in Manbij | Child killed in exchanged shelling between "SDF" and Turkish-backed factions". 29 December 2024.
- ^ ""SDF" and "National Army" accusing each other | Five civilians of one family executed in a village in Manbij countryside". 30 December 2024.
- ^ "SDF launches counterattack at Tishrin Dam". Rudaw. 23 December 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "Kurdish forces fight back against Turkish-backed rebels amid clashes in northern Syria". Euronews. 24 December 2024.
- ^ "Syrian democratic forces, rebels reach US-brokered ceasefire agreement in Manbij, SDF commander says". Reuters. 11 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ "Having been besieged by faction | Injured combatants of "Manbij Military Council Forces" extrajudicially executed in eastern Aleppo - The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Military escalation | Members of "National Army" kil*led and injured in an attack in Al-Raqqa - The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". 17 December 2024.
- ^ Zaman, Amberin (16 December 2024). "Turkey-backed Syrian factions end US-mediated ceasefire with Kurdish-led SDF". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ "Turkiye refutes US claims of ceasefire with Syrian Kurdish fighters". Al Jazeera English. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ Cooper, Ollie (24 December 2024). "Some Syrian rebel factions agree to dissolve under new leadership - but fighting continues in north". Sky News. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ "SDF initiates counter-offensive against SNA factions in Syria's Manbij". North Press Agency. 23 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
- ^ "After taking control of three villages | SDF and military formations take control of surroundings of Tishrin Dam and launch combing operation". SOHR. 23 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
- ^ "Military escalation | "SDF" advances and takes control over four villages in Manbij as Turkish-backed factions shell Kobani villages - The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". 23 December 2024.
- ^ "Following clashes with Turkish-backed factions | SDF advance into areas 12 kilometres away from Manbij city". SOHR. 24 December 2024.
- ^ Chehayeb, Kareem; Al Abdo, Hogir (24 December 2024). "Kurdish-led forces push back Turkish-backed Syrian rebels in a tense offensive". AP News. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ "Following clashes with Turkish-backed factions | SDF advance into areas 12 kilometres away from Manbij city - The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". 24 December 2024.
- ^ "SDF denies militants' takeover of crucial dam near Manbij". Rudaw. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Ferhad Shami refutes Turkish claims: Tishrin Dam is completely in the hands of SDF forces". ANF News. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Military escalation | Fierce clashes erupt between SDF and "National Army" near Najm fortress and Teshreen dam in east Aleppo countryside". SOHR. 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Amid intensive bombardment | Clashes erupt between SDF and Turkish-backed factions on Abu Qalqal frontline in eastern Aleppo". SOHR. 31 December 2024.
- ^ "SDF claims Turkey building two military bases near Manbij". Rudaw. 30 December 2024. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Ceasefire between Turkey and US-backed SDF in northern Syria holding, Pentagon says". Reuters. 30 December 2024. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
- ^ "Military escalation | Turkish drone attacks sugar factory in Aleppo countryside". SOHR. 1 January 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Amid Turkish bombardment | "National Army" factions attack village near Tishreen Dam in Aleppo countryside". SOHR. 1 January 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "While flying over Qarrah Qarquzaq bridge | SDF shoot down Turkish drone in southern Ain Al-Arab (Kobani)". SOHR. 2 January 2025.
- ^ "Syria's Manbij Military Council Repels Turkish-Backed Faction Attacks". North Press Agency. 2 January 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ Campa, Kelly; Parry, Andie; Braverman, Alexandra; Moorman, Carolyn; Wells, Katherine; Moore, Johanna; Rezaei, Ben; Borens, Avery; Carter, Brian (2 January 2025). "Iran Update, January 2, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ Issa, Fatah (2 January 2025). "U.S.-led Global Coalition begins establishing new base in Kobani". North Press Agency. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Preparations for establishing new base | US forces bring in cement blocks to Ain Al-Arab (Kobani)". SOHR. 2 January 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Pentagon vehemently denies reports of new US base in Syria's Kobani". Al Arabiya. 3 January 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- Aleppo Governorate in the Syrian civil war
- Battles of the Syrian civil war in 2024
- Battles of the Syrian civil war in 2025
- December 2024 events in Syria
- Military operations of the Syrian civil war in 2024
- Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Syrian Democratic Forces
- Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Syrian National Army
- Turkish Air Force involvement in the Syrian civil war
- Manbij District