An NFL spokesman said the assault had taken place earlier in the week. [133][126][134][135], The SAA continued to push west of Ma'arrat al-Nu'man, reportedly capturing Hantutin. Erdogan says he hopes for Idlib ceasefire deal in Putin talks. [168], On 7 February, the Syrian army, spearheaded by the 25th Special Forces Division and assisted by the Republican Guard and Hezbollah, made further advances, reportedly capturing the towns of Zaytan, Birnah, Makhalah and Huwayyir al-Eis in the southwestern Aleppo countryside and the towns of Maharim, Khawari, Tall al-Nabariz, Ijaz, Rasm al-Ward and Abbad in southeast Idlib. Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan threatened to take direct military action in Idlib unless the government-led offensive ceased. [7], After a short lull, and after the Russia-Turkey ceasefire failed to materialize, the Syrian Arab Army renewed its ground offensive towards Ma'arrat al-Nu'man on 24 January, assisted by massive airstrikes. In turn Turkish losses included 3 M60 main battle tanks and 2 APCs destroyed, rebels lost 4 main battle tanks, 7 IFVs, 3 APCs and 1 self-propelled gun. [166] By 7 February, after two days of siege, government forces took most of the city, opening the road towards the city of Idlib. [189] Later that day, the SAA captured Khan al-Asal, a key location on the M5 highway. [297] Images on social media showed a Turkish TAI Anka drone shot down by Syrian Air Defenses,[307] and Turkey confirmed one drone was hit. [166], Meanwhile, prominent rebel commander Obada Abu Jafar and eight other militants of an elite Ansar al-Tawhid unit were killed in fierce clashes with the Syrian Army while defending their positions in southern Idlib, according to a pro-government blog. The clashes reportedly left up to 50 fighters killed and 90 wounded while government forces lost 40 dead and 80 wounded. [173], On 10 February, Syrian government forces shelled a recently built Turkish observation post at Taftanaz Military Airbase, killing five Turkish soldiers, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry. Following the air bombing campaign and after the 14th round of negotiations in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan ended a few days prior without any definitive ceasefire agreement, ground fighting resumed on 18 December, reportedly due to the opposition's refusal to accept new Russian terms regarding control of Idlib. 2 Mar 2020 [323] However, opposition sources told Reuters that clashes continued in western parts of the town and the SNA said it had prevented Russian Military Police from entering; SOHR said rebels were trying to regain control while Al Jazeera reported that rebels were in control of the western part of the city while government control was limited to the eastern (industrial) zone. [352][353] Turkish media reported Iran sent reinforcements to front lines: 2,000 members of its proxy militias and IRGC-Quds Force elements to Saraqib and 200 Liwa Fatemiyoun Brigade vehicles to Ma'arrat al-Nu'man, supported by Russian aerial cover. [278][279][280][281][282][283] Iranian media also reported the deaths of 21 members of Liwa Fatemiyoun and Liwa Zainebiyoun brigades—Afghan and Pakistani Shiite forces supported by Iran—in the Turkish operation. [169] On the northern approach, the army advanced on the town of Al-Eiss, capturing the towns of Maryudah, Tell Bajir, Kusiniya, al-Shiekh Ahmad, Abu Kannseh, Umm Atabah, Rasm al-Eis, Rasm al-Saharij and Jub Kas in the process. [94], On 30 November, HTS and other rebel groups reportedly captured several villages near the Abu al-Duhur Military Airbase, according to pro-government sources. [309] [119], The government offensive was condemned by world leaders, including United States president Donald Trump, who tweeted that "Russia, Syria, and Iran are killing, or on their way to killing, thousands of innocent civilians in Idlib province. [172][better source needed] Army units stormed and captured the towns of Barqum, al-Zarbah and al-Salehiyah along the M5. Russian warplanes were also reportedly seen during the assault, according to opposition sources. [407] After the 25 February attack, all schools in Idlib were suspended. [183] The UN said a total of 100 civilians had been killed in the first two weeks of February by both air and ground-based strikes. [199][183] During 13–16 February, the UN reported that 160,000 people fled from advancing front lines, mostly from Atareb and Darat Izza sub-districts. Nine years into one of the most brutal civil wars in living memory, Idlib province stands as the last rebel-held territory in Syria. [375] Opposition activists reported that the Syrian military shelled the village of al-Mastouma near a Turkish observation point on 9 March. [360] The Turkish military updated its figures for Syrian Army losses due to Turkish operations to 3,138 soldiers and militia killed, plus the following materiel losses: 3 fighter jets, 8 helicopters, 3 UAVs, 151 tanks, 47 howitzers, 52 launchers, 12 antitank weapons, 4 mortars, 10 arsenal depots and 145 military, technical and combat vehicles. According to SOHR, pro-government forces were besieging Ma'arrat al-Nu'man from three sides and had captured 22 areas since 24 January; SOHR recorded 91 deaths among pro-government forces and 112 among the rebels, including 89 jihadists, since 24 January. [234] The same evening, Syrian government airstrikes were reported by SNHR on Hazarin—striking two schools—and nearby Ma'aret Harma, where a mosque was struck. [245] SOHR said that 11 government and loyalist militia fighters and 26 rebels were killed, while al-Masdar claimed 150 rebels were killed. [163][better source needed] With this advance, the Syrian Army had captured 22 villages and towns including 110 square kilometers of territory. [392][196][393] By 14 February, 10 Canadian aid organisations reported that 142,000 people had fled their homes in the past five days alone, including 6,500 children a day, bringing the total number of people displaced to over 800,000 since December. [170][171], On 9 February, in Idlib, pro-government sources said the army captured the towns of Buwaybiyah and al-Kusaybiyah as well as the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) research center. An SAA source said the rebels had suffered 70–80 dead. [116] Both government and opposition factions later reported that they paused their field operations in the Idlib region due to poor weather conditions. [59] Between 14–15 February, pro-government shelling struck IDP camps located around the town of Sarmada, according to the UN and MSF. [182] By this point, according to Reuters, the government had taken 600 square kilometers (230 square miles) of territory in the offensive, and 700,000 people, mostly women and children, had been displaced—the largest number in a single period since fighting began in 2012 according to the UN—while 200 had been killed. [164][167] By 10 February 2020, the number of displaced civilians had reached 689,000. [citation needed], On 8 February, the army reportedly captured several sites along the strategic M5 highway as it advanced north of Saraqib. [237], On 24 February, the Syrian army reported advances in southern Idlib, capturing the towns of al-Naqayar, Araynabiyah, and Sitouh Al-Dayr, south of Kafrsajna, along with nearby Ma'ar Taseen, Jabla and Maar Tamater, as rebels retreated westwards. A Syrian military source said HTS and allied rebels mostly withdrew from the stronghold the day before, neglecting to defend the city proper, besides a small garrison. Reading Time: 1 min read 3. [363] According to the statements made by the Turkish and Russian leaders following their one-on-one meeting, a ceasefire in the area of Idlib was to come into force from 00:00 hrs on 6 March. [227] The Russian Defence Ministry said Russian elements destroyed one tank, six armored vehicles, and five other vehicles all belonging to the rebels. [128] According to opposition activists and paramedics, Ma'arrat al-Nu'man was almost empty of its 110,000 civilian residents as a result of the intense government bombardment in prior weeks which displaced hundreds of thousands, many of which fled north towards the border with Turkey. [29], By 22 December, government forces spearheaded by the 5th Corps and the 25th Special Mission Forces Division had made notable advances in the southeastern Idlib countryside, battling rebel units in the area and reportedly capturing over 15 towns and villages within a 48-hour period. The Syrian military said they had repelled all attacks and that 12 pro-government fighters were injured and hospitalized. [114] Pro-government media reported that HTS withdrew from its defensive positions in and around Ma’arat Al-Nu’man as well as other defensive positions in the southern Idlib countryside, handing control over to Ansar al-Tawhid, part of the Rouse the Believers Operations Room. [185][186][180] A report on a Russian TV channel showed 25th Special Mission Forces Division troops, apparently wearing UNICEF backpacks distributed as relief supplies, entering Kafr Halab;[187] The Daily Telegraph reported the troops were deliberately shooting elderly civilians there. [106] Russia reported that 17 Syrian soldiers were killed. [205], On 16 February, pro-government forces achieved a major breakthrough on the Aleppo front by capturing more than 30 villages, towns and suburbs in the west Aleppo countryside in a single day amidst a sudden collapse in rebel defense lines. [256] Two Turkish soldiers were killed, according to the Turkish foreign ministry. [228] As well as the two confirmed Turkish deaths,[229] the SOHR said that about 28 rebels and 14 pro-government soldiers were killed and that some captured Syrian soldiers were beheaded by jihadist fighters. [276], On 28 February, Turkey said it retaliated for the Balyun strikes by striking 200 Syrian government targets and "neutralizing" 309 soldiers in a dedicated operation throughout Greater Idlib. [82], Following Syrian government victories in 2018 during the siege of Eastern Ghouta, the Southern Damascus offensive, and the completion of rebel evacuations from eastern Qalamoun—which partially concluded the government's Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign—parts of northwestern Syria in the Idlib and Aleppo Governorates became the only significant opposition-controlled territory. [292] Russia stepped up naval and airborne deliveries to Syria, concerned that Turkey might shut the Bosporus to Russian shipping and Turkish airspace to Russian supply flights. The battle took place in a province considered a stronghold of the armed opposition to the Syrian government and was fought in the wider context of the Syrian Army trying to retake several rebel strongholds. [270] Several military vehicles were also reported destroyed. [115] The Deputy Defense Minister of the Syrian Interim Government said that HTS had blocked reinforcements sent by the SNA from areas in northern Aleppo such as Afrin and further alleged that the only SNA factions allowed into Idlib by HTS were the Levant Front, Ahrar al-Sharqiya and the Lions of the East Army. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic said people suffered incomprehensible misery. [295], On 1 March, Turkey's defence minister Hulusi Akar announced the continuation of Operation Spring Shield, which was launched on 27 February. [183], Following the complete capture of the strategic M5 highway, the Syrian army shifted its momentum towards securing Greater Aleppo, particularly the city's western outskirts. [109] Government sources reported the death of Colonel Basil Ali Khaddour, the commander of the sixth regiment of the 25th Special Mission Forces Division, while opposition media reported several of the Division's members killed. Turkey said it would meet with Russian and European leaders in March to discuss the situation. [332] The SOHR reported fatalities in the ranks of Turkish soldiers as a result of Syrian government shelling on Turkish positions in Sarmin. [102] As many as 200 Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Guardians of Religion Organization fighters jointly attacked Syrian government forces in the Umm al Khalakhil and Zarzur fronts. [390] More than 235,000 civilians were displaced as of 27 December 2019 per the United Nations. [364][365], There were reports of Russian and Syrian bombardments continuing after the ceasefire came into effect, with activists noting artillery shelling from the government military camp at Jurin targeting Al-Ziyarah, from Ma'arrat al-Nu'man targeting Bara, and from Saraqib targeting Sarmin. [149], On 2 February, fighting was reported between HTS and the LDF-affiliated Iranian-backed Baqir Brigade in the Aleppo countryside, in which a Brigade commander, Juma al Ahmad, was reported killed. ", "Turkish drones – a 'game changer' in Idlib", "Turkey's Erdogan hopes to broker Syria truce in Moscow", "Syrian government forces re-enter strategic town, Turkey vows to keep up strikes", "Saraqeb situation fluid as Syrian gov't, rebel groups fight on", "The Opposition at the Gates of Kafranbel and Heavy Clashes in Saraqeb", "Russia announces deployment of military police in Saraqib amid clashes", "قوات النظام تواصل هجماتها المضادة على حساب الفصائل والجهاديين بريفي إدلب وحماة.. وعشرات القتلى من الطرفين خلال اليوم", "Syrian Army turns the table in southern Idlib, retakes ground in Jabal Al-Zawiya", "Search for diplomatic solution resumes as Turkey-Syrian regime tension escalates", Moderate opposition controls Zawiya Mountain in Syria, "Turkey: 12 villages in Idlib reclaimed from regime forces", Regime forces renew counter-attacks in Idlib and Hama, and dozens of fatalities among rebels and regime forces, "Iranian-backed forces launched a missile strike on Turkish troops on Syria", "Pro-Iranian militants fire ballistic missile at Turkish troops in Syria", "U.S. Says May Increase Flow of Humanitarian Aid to Syria", "U.S. willing to give Turkey ammunition for Syria's Idlib", Dead and wounded in the ranks of the Turkish forces with artillery shelling of the regime forces in Idlib countryside (, "بعد إسقاط تركيا لطائرته.. الفصائل تعثر على جثة الطيار في منطقة جبل الزاوية", "Syrian Army went behind enemy lines to save pilot in Idlib", "Syrian Army takes down Turkish drone in Idlib", "Syria army retakes Saraqib city in Idlib from opposition", "115 regime soldiers, rebels and jihadists killed in 24 hours, while regime forces recapture Saraqeb and surrounding villages", "Syrian Army attempts to advance in eastern Idlib after seizing Saraqib city", "Syria opposition recapture Jabal Al-Zawiya in Idlib", "Syrian large-scale missile attack on a group of Turkish soldiers", Turkish forces resume bombarding regime positions, while regime forces attempt to advance further northwest of Saraqeb, "Opposition Forces Launch Major Attack to Retake Strategic Saraqeb", "Opposition Forces Make Gains West of Aleppo", "İdlib'de şehit olan askerlerin ölüm haberleri ailelerine verildi", Two Turkish soldiers killed, six wounded in Syria's Idlib - ministry, "Iran deploys new military reinforcements in Syria's Saraqib", "Russia says Syrian militants hurt while preparing chemical attack - agencies", "At least 15 displaced Syrians killed in Idlib air attack", "March 5, 2020, 17 civilians killed in Syria", "Bombs from all sides and jets overhead: Inside Idlib, Syria's final war frontier", "Russian Airstrike Kills 16 Displaced in Idleb", "While Putin and Erogan Meet, This Is What's Happening in Idleb", EU countries welcome Syria ceasefire, urge aid access - latest updates, "Losses of armored vehicles and aviation in Syria", "How Russia's Putin became the go-to man on Syria", "Turkey says no ceasefire violations in Syria's Idlib", "Joint Turkish-Russian patrols to begin on March 15 – latest updates", "Assad regime forces violate ceasefire in Idlib", "Syria's Assad regime forces violate ceasefire mins after it goes into effect", Fifteen killed in clashes in Syria's Idlib despite ceasefire - monitor, 15 regime soldiers and rebels killed in clashes on Jabal al-Zawiya frontlines since ceasefire came into effect, "Russia-Turkey ceasefire broadly holds despite clashes in Syria's Idlib", "Turkey says ceasefire holds in Syria's Idlib, Russia reports some shootings", "Fragile Idlib ceasefire holding after Syrian regime forces withdraw from villages", "خلال الـ 48 ساعة الأولى.. قوات النظام تخرق وقف إطلاق النار وتستهدف منطقة "بوتين-أردوغان" بـ25 قذيفة وتتقدم بدون مقاومة", "Turkey Sends Heavy Military Reinforcements to Idleb Despite Ceasefire", "Assad forces violate ceasefire in Idlib", "Turkish, Russian forces to patrol either side of new Syrian corridor", "Turkey threatens 'heavy' retaliation if Idlib ceasefire is broken", "Ceasefire violations: regime forces advance into areas around Kafr Nubl without resistance", "Turkey-Russia patrols start amid protests on Syrian highway", "Under HTS's supervision, Turkish forces set up guard posts and conduct patrol on their own", "Rocket attack in northwest Syria kills two Turkish soldiers", "Turkey retaliates after attack kills troops in Idlib - Turkey News", "Ceasefire violations: regime forces shell positions in Jabal Al-Zawiyah", "Syria activists: After 3 months, Russian strikes hit Idlib", "Turkish soldier killed, two wounded in Syria's Idlib, defence ministry says", "Two killed as Russian jets hit towns in Syria's Idlib after truce", "Jihadists in Syria's Idlib Form New 'Operations Room, "In a week of flare up in Idlib .. about 3500 air and ground strikes kill 78 persons including 30 children and women .. 41000 people displace .. regime forces advance snatching 44 areas from the factions grip in Maarrat Al-Nu'man and 259 casualties documented in ranks of both sides", "More than 235,000 flee northwest Syria flare-up: UN", "Humanitarian catastrophe in Idlib as thousands of children displaced in sub-zero temperatures - Syrian Arab Republic", "Brutal Winter Temperatures Intensify Desperation for Rising Numbers of Displaced People in Northwest Syria - Syrian Arab Republic", "Statement of Concern - Situation in northwest Syria - Syrian Arab Republic", "Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock: Statement on Northwest Syria, 17 February 2020 - Syrian Arab Republic", "UNICEF Whole of Syria - Northwest Syria Situation Report (1 - 26 February 2020) - Syrian Arab Republic", "The worst humanitarian crisis of the 21st century: 5 questions on Syria answered", "Displaced yet again, Syrians flee Idlib for Manbij", "Inside Syria's worst humanitarian crisis", "Under attack: Hospitals deliberately targeted as Syria's war intensifies", "Islamic Relief calls for immediate ceasefire and protection of aid workers in Idlib as 90% of staff displaced - Syrian Arab Republic", "Syria: Targeting schools being properly used for educational purposes in Idlib is a war crime", "UN alleges war crimes during Syria's Idlib offensive", "EU urges halt to Idlib 'humanitarian drama, "Arab League demands immediate cease-fire in NW Syria", "Italy intends to promote an EU ceasefire mission in Libya | The Libya Observer", "Libyan embassy in Syria to re-open March 3 after 8-year shutdown", "Brawl in Turkey's parliament after MP criticises Erdogan", "Brawl erupts in Turkish parliament over Syria", "UAE official praises Assad as his forces kill civilians in Idlib", "Trump warns Syria, Russia and Iran against killing 'innocent civilians' in Idlib province", "Pompeo accuses Syrian gov't Russia, Iran, Hezbollah of preventing ceasefire in Syria", "Pompeo Urges Syrian, Russian, And Iranian Forces To Halt Idlib Offensive", "New video message from Hay'at Taḥrīr al-Shām's Abū Muḥammad al-Jawlānī: "The War of Liberation and Independence, Al-Hasakah Governorate campaign (2012–2013), Rif Dimashq offensive (Nov 2012-Feb 2013), East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (Apr-May), September Urum al-Kubra aid convoy attack, Syrian Liberation Front–Tahrir al-Sham conflict, Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region, National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change, International demonstrations and protests, First Northern Syria Demilitarization Deal, Second Northern Syria Demilitarization Deal, Fourth Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, International recognition of the Syrian National Council, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Northwestern_Syria_offensive_(December_2019–March_2020)&oldid=1022476626, Military operations of the Syrian civil war in 2019, Military operations of the Syrian civil war in 2020, Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Syrian government, Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving Russia, Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving Iran, Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving Turkey, Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving Tahrir al-Sham, Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Free Syrian Army, Aleppo Governorate in the Syrian civil war, Idlib Governorate in the Syrian civil war, Latakia Governorate in the Syrian civil war, Articles with dead external links from February 2021, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles lacking reliable references from March 2020, Pages using military navigation subgroups without wide style, Articles lacking reliable references from February 2020, All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from March 2020, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2020, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Syrian Army and allies capture 2,345 square kilometers of territory, Syrian Army and allies gain complete control over the entire, Syrian Army and allies encircle 9 out of 29, Turkish-backed rebels recapture 19 towns and villages, including the northern part of the Al-Ghab Plain, This page was last edited on 10 May 2021, at 18:31.