Deir ez-Zor Governorate clashes
| Deir ez-Zor Governorate clashes (April 2018) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of theDeir ez-Zor Governorate campaignof theSyrian civil war | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Syrian government |
 Syrian Democratic Forces CJTF–OIR[1][2] | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 9 killed[3] | 6 killed,[3]22 wounded[4] | ||||||
On 29 April 2018, clashes took place betweenSyrian governmentforces and theSyrian Democratic Forces(SDF) inDeir ez-Zor Governorate.
Background[edit]
Tensions between theSyrian Armyand theSyrian Democratic Forcesin the eastern bank of theEuphratesofDeir ez-Zor Governoratehave always been high following theliberationofDeir ez-Zorcity fromISILand the SDF's capture of large parts of the area following itsoffensiveagainst ISIL withCJTF–OIRsupport. On 16 September 2017, either Syrian or Russian aircraft bombed SDF positions on the eastern bank.[5]On 25 September, Russian and Syrian forces shelled SDF forces in the nearbyConocogas field.[6][7][8]Between 7 February and 8 February 2018, clashes between the SDF and pro-Syrian government forces nearKhashamresulted inUSairstrikes on pro-government forces which killed dozens of pro-government militiamen, including contractors of the Russian private military companyWagner Group.[9]Additional armed incidents took place in the following weeks.[10][11]
Tensions between the two backers of the Syrian government and Syrian Democratic Forces,Russiaand theUnited Statesrespectively, had also risen before the clashes due to the allegedDouma chemical attackand the subsequentmissile strikesagainst the Syrian government by the US,Franceand theUnited Kingdom.
A few days before the clashes, there were claims that the SDF were going to restart anti-ISIL operations in co-ordination with the US-led coalition near theIraq–Syria borderin Deir ez-Zor Governorate.[12]The previous offensive against ISIL in the region was postponed due to theTurkish offensiveagainst SDF forces inAfrin.[13][14]
Clashes[edit]
On 29 April, theSyrian Armyattacked and captured four SDF-held villages on the eastern side of theEuphratesriver inDeir ez-Zor Governorate.[15]According to theSyrian Observatory for Human Rights(SOHR), nine pro-government and six SDF-affiliated fighters were killed in the clashes.[3]SDFspokesperson Kino Gabriel claimed that the clashes were "supporting terrorism and an attempt to obstruct the war against terrorism".[16]Several hours later, the SDF claimed they recaptured all of the villages they lost,[15][17]although the SOHR reported three of the four villages had been recaptured by the SDF.[4]Some local sources claimed thatUS-led coalitionjets hit pro-government forces attacking the SDF,[1][2]althoughthe Pentagonstated they only conducted warning airstrikes and did not hit the pro-government troops directly.[18]
See also[edit]
- Battle of Qamishli (2016)
- Battle of al-Hasakah (2016)
- Battle of Khasham
- September 2016 Deir ez-Zor air raid
References[edit]
- ^abU.S.-backed forces say they regain villages seized by Syrian army
- ^abSyria: SDF reclaim territory hours after government capture
- ^abc"Syria regime, US-backed forces in deadly clashes: Monitor".Archived fromthe originalon 2 May 2018.Retrieved1 May2018.
- ^abSyrian troops briefly take villages east of Euphrates river
- ^Francis, Ellen (16 September 2017)."Jets strike U.S.-backed forces in eastern Syria".Reuters.
- ^"U.S.-backed militias says Russian jets struck its fighters in east Syria".Reuters.25 September 2017.Retrieved25 September2017.
- ^Illingworth, Andrew (25 September 2017)."BREAKING: Russian warplanes bomb Kurdish forces in east Deir Ezzor: reports".al-Masdar News.Archived fromthe originalon 30 March 2019.Retrieved25 September2017.
- ^Illingworth, Andrew (25 September 2017)."Syrian Army, Russian artillery shells Kurdish forces in east Deir Ezzor: reports [Update]".al-Masdar News.Archived fromthe originalon 30 March 2019.Retrieved25 September2017.
- ^O'Connor, Tom (12 February 2018)."The U.S.-led coalition killed Russians in airstrikes against pro-Syrian government forces, reports say".Newsweek.Retrieved13 February2018.
- ^Kube, Courtney (13 February 2018)."U.S. airstrike destroys Russian-made tank used by pro-Syria forces".NBC News.Retrieved11 April2023.
- ^Stewart, Phil (13 February 2018)."U.S. drone destroys Russian-made tank in Syria".Reuters.Retrieved14 February2018.
- ^"SDF return to Deir ez-Zor front with ISIS: coalition".Rudaw.24 April 2018.Retrieved10 March2024.
- ^"Battle against Isil 'paused in Syria' as Kurdish fighters battle Turkey".Telegraph.6 March 2018.Retrieved6 March2018.
- ^US-backed Syria force to redeploy 1,700 from IS fight to Afrin
- ^ab"U.S.-backed forces say they regain villages seized by Syrian army".Reuters.29 April 2018.Retrieved29 April2018.
- ^"You are being redirected..."www.nrttv.com.Archived fromthe originalon 29 April 2018.
- ^"SDF Regain Control of Villages Near Euphrates Captured by Syrian Army".Murasolen.29 April 2018. Archived fromthe originalon 1 May 2018.Retrieved29 April2018.
- ^Illingworth, Andrew (30 April 2018)."Update: US warplanes purposely avoided striking Syrian Army during Deir Ezzor attack, only fired warning shots – Pentagon".Archived fromthe originalon 26 June 2018.Retrieved1 May2018.
