2019 Tell Rifaat clashes explained

Conflict:2019 Tell Rifaat Clashes
Partof:Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War, Operation Olive Branch and the Syrian Civil War
Date:4–5 May 2019
Place:Tell Rifaat Subdistrict, Aleppo Governorate, Syria
Result:SDF victory
  • Turkish and SNA forces capture three villages before withdrawing due to SDF shelling
  • Frontlines remain the same
  • Turkey/SNA cancel the offensive
Combatant1: Turkey

Syrian National Army (SNA)

Combatant2: Rojava

Afrin Liberation Forces (HRE)[1]
Syrian Arab Republic[2] [3]

Commander1:Unknown
Commander2:Unknown
Units1: Turkey

Syrian National Army (SNA)

  • Third Legion[4]
Units2: Syrian Democratic Forces

Syrian Arab Armed Forces

Strength1:+600-1200
Strength2:+200-450
Casualties1: 4 killed, 2 injured(per SOHR)[5] [6]
8 killed (per SOHR)[7] [8]
40 killed (per SDF)
Casualties2:23 killed

The 2019 Tell Rifaat Clashes were a military confrontation between Turkey and allied Free Syrian Army groups against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in early May 2019.

Background

The clashes began after two Turkish soldiers were killed on May 4, 2019, in a confrontation with the YPG, and one soldier was injured. In retaliation, the Turkish Defense Ministry claimed to have killed a total of 23 YPG fighters. Following the incident, a Turkish official told Reuters that a larger operation would be launched "if necessary."[5]

Timeline

On 4 May 2019, the Syrian National Army (SNA) announced it had initiated an operation against the YPG in the villages near Tell Rifaat. The SNA managed to initially capture the three villages of Mar'anaz, Al-Malikiyah, and Shawarighat al Arz, facing little resistance.[9] After taking the villages the SNA stated “Our aspiration is to reach Tel Rifaat and what is beyond it.”[10] However, subsequently, due to heavy shelling by SDF as well as pro-government forces and a large number of landmines in the area, the SNA and the Turkish Armed Forces were forced to withdraw and the Kurdish-led forces recaptured all three villages.[7] [11]

The following day, it was reported that the offensive had been cancelled in favor of more negotiations between Turkey and Russia to set up a joint demilitarized zone in the area.[12]

Aftermath

On 18 May 2019, new fighting erupted in the Tell Rifaat area,[13] with five rebels and one civilian being killed.[14] On 9 June 2019, fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces attacked Turkish troops, killing 2 soldier and wounding 7. In response, the Turkish Armed Forces responded days later with shelling.[6]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Afrin Liberation Forces: 40 terrorists killed in Afrin . 5 May 2019 . ANF News . Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firatê . 5 May 2019 . en.
  2. Web site: Kurdish forces and #SAA repelled attacks by Turkish-backed jihadists on Malikiya for the third time. There many casualties among #TFSA.. Berxwedan. Zagros. 4 May 2019. 7 May 2019.
  3. Web site: Syrian Army artillery was directly involved with shelling TFSA positions today.. Woofers. 4 May 2019. 7 May 2019.
  4. Web site: Archived copy . 2019-05-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190505113004/https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5u6KDaWsAIE3eM.jpg . 2019-05-05 . dead .
  5. News: Four Turkish soldiers killed in attacks by Kurdish militants,.... Reuters. 4 May 2019. 7 May 2019. www.reuters.com.
  6. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=130934
  7. Web site: The pro-Turkey factions of "Olive Branch and Euphrates Shield" withdraw from the areas they have advanced into in the northern countryside at the expense of the Kurdish forces after heavy shelling and landmine explosions. 7 May 2019.
  8. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=128145
  9. Web site: Tel Rıfat operasyonu başladı: Maranez köyü PKK'dan kurtarıldı. Yeni. Şafak. 4 May 2019. Yeni Şafak. 7 May 2019.
  10. Web site: Syrian rebel force liberate Kurdish YPG-held village - official. Devdiscourse. 7 May 2019.
  11. News: Turkey-backed Syrian rebels launch attack into Kurdish-held area. Reuters . 4 May 2019. 7 May 2019. www.reuters.com.
  12. Web site: Turkish Army cancels offensive in northern Aleppo amid safe zone talks with Russia: reports. 5 May 2019. 7 May 2019. 8 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190508061015/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkish-army-cancels-offensive-in-northern-aleppo-amid-safe-zone-talks-with-russia-reports/. dead.
  13. Web site: Under the continuous escalation and after less than 15 days of killing Turkish officers, renewed violent clashes in Tal Rifaat area between the Kurdish Forces and pro-Turkish factions killed 5 of the latter, coinciding with a violent Turkish bombardment targets Tal Rifaat and its vicinity. 18 May 2019 .
  14. Web site: At least 7 people were killed and injured in the heavy shelling by the Turkish Forces on Tal Rifaat north of Aleppo. 18 May 2019 .