2024 in Syria explained

Events in the year 2024 in Syria.

Incumbents

• President: Bashar al-Assad^[1]
• Vice President: Najah al-Attar
• Prime Minister: Hussein Arnous

Events

January

• 20 January – Assassination of Sadegh Omidzadeh: Israel launches four rockets against a residential building in Damascus, killing four members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and another person.^[2]

February

• 1 February – According to American officials, American plans have been approved for multi-day strikes in Iraq and Syria against multiple targets, including Iranian personnel and facilities.^[3]
• 2 February – February 2024 American strikes in Iraq and Syria:
  • The US launches retaliatory airstrikes targeting Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, in response to an attack that killed three US troops in Jordan.^[4]
• 5 February – A drone attack against a U.S. military base in Deir ez-Zor Governorate kills seven Syrian Democratic Forces fighters and injures 18 others. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claims responsibility.^[5]
• 25 February – Two Hezbollah members are killed by an Israeli strike in al-Qusayr.^[6]

March

• 1 March – An Israeli airstrike in Baniyas kills three people, including an IRGC field commander.^[7]
• 16 March – At least 16 truffle hunters including nine women are killed in a landmine explosion in northern Raqqa. The mine is suspected to have been planted by Islamic State.^[8]
• 17 March – Israel launches airstrikes in southern Syria. The Syrian state media agency SANA reports that the strikes result in a soldier being wounded and few "material losses".^[9]
• 26 March – The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) bombs Syria, killing one Quds Force officer and 15 other militants.^[10]
• 29 March – An Israeli airstrike targeting Aleppo International Airport kills 36-38 Syrian soldiers and six Hezbollah fighters. The incident marks the deadliest Israeli attack on Syria since 2021.^[11]

April

• 1 April – 2024 Israeli bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus: An Israeli airstrike targeting the Iranian embassy in Damascus kills eight members of the IRGC, including brigadier general Mohammad Reza Zahedi.^[12]
• 6 April – Seven children are killed in Daraa Governorate when a roadside bomb explodes.^[13]
• 19 April – Missiles believed to be fired by the IDF allegedly hit sites near the Iranian city of Isfahan, sites in Iraq and radar sites in Syria.^[14]

May

• 2 May – Several people are injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Damascus, the first since the attack on the Iranian consulate in April.^[15]
• 25 May – One person is killed in a car bombing in Mezzeh, Damascus.^[16]

June

• 6 June – A school bus plunges into the Orontes River near Darkush, Idlib Governorate, killing at least six children.^[17]
• 11 June – Iraqi security forces in cooperation with U.S.-led coalition forces kill Abu Zainab, a senior member of Islamic State in Raqqa.^[18]
• 12 June – Sixteen Syrian soldiers, including an officer, are killed in Homs Governorate in a minefield laid by Islamic State militants and in an attack by the Islamic State.^[19]
• 18 June – An Israeli airstrike kills a Syrian army officer in southern Syria.^[20]
• 20 June – A court in Sweden acquits former Syrian army general Mohammed Hamo on charges of aiding and abetting crimes against international law during the Syrian Civil War.^[21]

July

• 1 July – Seven people are killed after anti-Turkish protests break out in Turkish-occupied Northern Syria following anti-Syrian riots in Turkey a day earlier.^[22]
• 3 July – Investigators in Germany and Sweden arrested eight suspects allied with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government over alleged participation in crimes against humanity in Syria.^[23]
• 4 July – The Islamic State kills eight people, including two civilians, in an ambush on pro-government militiamen in the Badiya desert.^[24]
• 5 July – Luna al-Shibl, a special adviser to President Assad and concurrent director of his political and media offices, dies from injuries sustained in a car accident on 2 July.^[25]
• 9 July – Hezbollah launches dozens of rockets at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, killing two Israelis.^[26]
• 14 July – A Syrian soldier is killed and three others injured in Israeli airstrikes on the Kafr Sousa district of Damascus and other areas in southern Syria.^[27]
• 15 July:
  • 2024 Syrian parliamentary election.^[28]
  • Muhammad Baraa Katerji, a businessman who is also an associate of President Bashar al-Assad, is killed along with his assistant in an Israeli drone strike near Al-Sabboura.^{[29] [30]}
• 16 July – Former governor of Deir ez-Zor Governorate and director of the Adra Prison Samir Ousman al-Sheikh is arrested by the FBI in Los Angeles, California amid accusations of torturing and killing political dissidents while serving as prison director and governor.^[31]
• 26 July – Italy appoints an ambassador to Syria after 12 years, becoming the first G7 country to do so since the Syrian Civil War.^[32]

August

• 12 August:
  • Eighteen progovernment militiamen are killed in an attack by the Syrian Democratic Forces-affiliated Deir ez-Zor Military Council in Deir ez-Zor Governorate.^[33]
  • A magnitude 5.0 earthquake strikes Hama Governorate, killing one person.^[34]
• 23 August – Abu Abdul Rahman Makki, a senior leader of the al-Qaeda-linked Hurras al-Din, is killed during an airstrike in Jabal Zawiya, Idlib Governorate.^[35]
• 24 August – Turkey and Russia resume joint patrols over a parts of northern Syria covered by Operation Peace Spring for the first time since October 2023.^[36]

September

• 9 September – At least 25 people are killed and more than 40 others are wounded in overnight Israeli strikes on Iranian research centers in Masyaf^[37] and in Tartus and Hama governorates.^[38]
• 14 September – President Assad nominates former Communications Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali as prime minister.^[39]
• 17 September – At least seven people are killed in Syria during simultaneous explosions of pagers used primarily by Hezbollah members in Syria and Lebanon.^[40]
• 22 September –
  • Three children are killed and a fourth child from the same family is injured, when a land mine in a plastic bag explodes near a park in Manbij, Aleppo Governorate.^[41]
  • Kata'ib Hezbollah announce that Abu Haidar al-Khafaji, a senior commander in the group, was killed in Damascus, and blame Israel for the attack.^[42]
• 24 September – Thirty-seven militants belonging to Islamic State and Hurras al-Din are killed in two separate US airstrikes in the northwest of the country.^[43]
• 26 September – Over 22,000 residents in Lebanon are reported to have crossed into Syria to escape ongoing Israeli airstrikes and potential escalation of conflict.^[44]
• 27 September – Israel launches an airstrike against a Syrian Army post near Kfeir Yabous, killing five soldiers and wounding one.^[45]
• 30 September – Twelve pro-Iranian fighters are killed in airstrikes of unknown origin in Deir ez-Zor Governorate.^[46]

October

• 1 October – The Syrian military intercepts several drones and missiles in Damascus. Some explode in the Mezzeh neighbourhood, killing three people and wounding nine more.^[47]
• 9 October – Entrepreneur Jin Davod is awarded the Nansen Refugee Award by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, citing her work in connecting trauma survivors to therapists.^[48]
• 20 October – The martyrs of Damascus, consisting of eight Franciscan friars and three Maronite brothers who were killed on account of their religion in Ottoman-ruled Syria in 1860, are canonized as saints of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Francis.^[49]
• 28 October – At least 35 militants are killed in US airstrikes on Islamic State camps across Syria.^[50]

November

• 11 November – The US military launches strikes on nine sites across two locations in Syria, aiming at Iranian-backed militias involved in recent attacks on US personnel.^[51]
• 27 November – Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and allied groups launch a military offensive in Aleppo and Idlib Governorates.^[52]
• 29 November – Northwestern Syria offensive (2024): Anti-government rebels are reported to have entered the city of Aleppo for the first time since 2016.^[53]

December

• 1 December – Pro-Turkish rebels are reported to have taken the city of Tell Rifaat from Kurdish forces.^[54]
• 3 December – Aleppo soap is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible cultural heritage.^[55]

Holidays

^[56]

• 1 January – New Year's Day
• 8 March – Revolution Day
• 21 March – Mother's Day
• 31 March - Gregorian Easter
• 10 April - Eid al-Fitr
• 17 April - Independence Day
  • 1 May – Labour Day 5 May - Julian Easter
  • 6 May – Martyrs' Day 16 June – Eid al-Adha
• 7 July – Islamic New Year
• 15 September – The Prophet's Birthday
• 6 October - Tishreen Liberation War Day
• 25 December - Christmas Day

Deaths

• 1 January – Riad al-Turk, 93, Syrian political dissident.^[57]

External links

• Online calendar

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bashar al-Assad Fast Facts . CNN . 22 April 2023 . en . 6 December 2012.
2. Web site: IRGC says 4 members killed in Israeli attack on Damascus building . 2024-01-20 . Al Jazeera . en.
3. Web site: Reals . Tucker . Watson . Eleanor . Sundby . Alex . 2024-02-01 . Plans for U.S. strikes on Iranian personnel and facilities in Iraq, Syria approved after Jordan drone attack . 2024-02-01 . CBS . en-US.
4. Web site: 2024-02-02 . U.S. launches retaliatory strikes in Iraq and Syria in response to Jordan drone attack . 2024-02-02 . NBC News . en.
5. Web site: Attack on US base in Syria kills Kurdish fighters . 2024-02-05 . Al Jazeera . en.
6. Web site: February 25, 2024 . Two Hezbollah members killed as Israel allegedly strikes Syria-Lebanon border . .
7. Web site: March 1, 2024 . Israeli strike kills three on Syria coast: Monitor .
8. Web site: 16 March 2024 . Syria land mine blast kills 16 truffle hunters: monitor . 18 March 2024 . . en.
9. Web site: 17 March 2024 . Israel strikes several sites in Syria, wounding a soldier, Syrian military says . . en.
10. Web site: 2024-03-26 . Airstrikes in Syria kill an Iranian adviser and a member of a World Health Organization team . 2024-03-26 . AP News . en.
11. News: Beaumont . Peter . 2024-03-29 . Israeli airstrike in Syria kills more than 40 people, says war monitor . 2024-03-29 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
12. Web site: April 1, 2024 . Israel bombs Iran embassy in Syria, Iranian commanders among dead . Reuters.
13. Web site: 2024-04-06 . Roadside bomb in southwestern Syria kills 7 children and wounds 2 others . 2024-04-06 . AP News . en.
14. Web site: Iran says air defence systems shot down 3 drones amid Israel tensions . 2024-04-19 . Al Jazeera . en.
15. Web site: May 2, 2024 . Eight Syrians injured in first alleged Israeli airstrike since Iran escalation . The Jerusalem Post.
16. Web site: May 25, 2024 . Car bomb in the Syrian capital kills one. Drone strike near Lebanon border targets two vehicles . Associated Press.
17. Web site: June 6, 2024 . At least 6 people die when a school bus plunges into a river in northwest Syria . Associated Press.
18. Web site: June 11, 2024 . Iraqi forces kill senior Islamic State leader in a raid in Syria . .
19. Web site: June 12, 2024 . ISIS kills 16 Syrian soldiers: Monitor .
20. Web site: 2024-06-19 . Israeli strike on Syria kills army officer: state media . 2024-06-19 . Arab News . en.
21. Web site: Swedish court acquits former Syrian army general accused of role in war crimes . Associated Press . EN. June 20, 2024. June 20, 2024.
22. News: 2 July 2024 . Seven protesters killed in north Syria clashes with Turkish forces: new toll . 2 July 2024 . France 24.
23. Web site: 2024-07-03 . Germany, Sweden arrest eight over Syria crimes against humanity . 2024-07-03 . France 24 . en.
24. Web site: July 4, 2024 . ISIS extremists kill eight in Syria desert: Monitor .
25. Web site: July 6, 2024 . Special adviser to Syrian President Assad dies following car crash under unclear circumstances . Associated Press.
26. Web site: July 9, 2024 . Two killed in Hezbollah rocket barrage toward Golan Heights .
27. Web site: July 14, 2024 . Syrian state media says soldier killed in Israeli strike on Damascus . France 24.
28. Web site: 2024-07-15 . No surprises expected as Syrians vote in parliamentary poll . 2024-07-15 . . en.
29. Web site: 15 July 2024 . More on the businessman assassinated in Syria. Al Jazeera.
30. Web site: 15 July 2024 . Israeli strikes: Businessman affiliated to regime to commander funding Iran-backed militias in Syria kil*led in drone attack. SOHR.
31. News: Benner . Katie . Goldman . Adam . 2024-07-16 . Former Syrian Official in Charge of Notorious Prison Is Arrested in Los Angeles . 2024-07-17 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
32. Web site: July 26, 2024 . Italy appoints ambassador to Syria to 'turn spotlight' on country, foreign minister says . .
33. News: 12 August 2024 . U.S.-backed Syrian fighters say they killed 18 pro-government gunmen in rare attack in eastern Syria . 12 August 2024 . Associated Press.
34. News: وفاة امراة مسنة واصابة 25 جراء هزة ارضية في منطقة السلمية بحماه. 13 August 2024. 13 August 2024. Syria News. ar.
35. Web site: 2024-08-23 . US military says drone strike in Syria kills a Saudi militant from an al-Qaida-linked group . 2024-08-24 . AP News . en.
36. News: 24 August 2024 . Turkey and Russia resume joint patrols in northern Syria as Ankara seeks to mend ties with Assad . 24 August 2024 . Associated Press.
37. Web site: September 9, 2024 . In an infinite toll: 18 people including four civilians ki*lled as result of intensive Israeli strikes on Hama countryside .
38. Web site: Alkhshali . Hamdi . 2024-09-08 . At least 16 killed, 36 injured in Israeli airstrikes, Syrian state news agency says . 2024-09-09 . CNN . en.
39. Web site: September 14, 2024 . Syria's president asks former communications minister to form a new government . Associated Press.
40. Web site: September 17, 2024 . Report: Pager explosion attack killed 7 in Syria . September 17, 2024 . The Times of Israel.
41. Web site: September 22, 2024 . Landmine explosion: Four children killed and wounded in Manbij city .
42. Web site: AFP . Iraq Militant Killed In Syria Strike Blamed On Israel . 2024-09-23 . Barron's . en-US.
43. Web site: Associated Press . U.S. airstrikes on Syria kill 37 militants affiliated with extremist groups . 29 September 2024 . 2024-09-29 . en-US.
44. Web site: AFP . More Than 22,000 Flee To Syria As Israel Strikes Lebanon: Syria Security Sources . 2024-09-26 . Barron's . en-US.
45. Web site: September 27, 2024 . Israeli strike kills five Syrian soldiers near Lebanon: Report .
46. Web site: September 30, 2024 . Twelve dead in strikes targeting pro-Iranian fighters in Syria: War monitor .
47. Web site: Uras . Mersiha Gadzo, Umut . Hezbollah denies Israeli ground troops crossed into south Lebanon . 2024-10-01 . Al Jazeera . en.
48. Web site: Brazilian nun awarded UN refugee prize . 9 October 2024 . 9 October 2024 . Al Jazeera . en.
49. Web site: Pope names 14 new saints, including martyrs of Damascus . 21 October 2024 . 21 October 2024 . France 24 . en.
50. Web site: US airstrikes target multiple sites in Syria, killing up to 35 Islamic State militants . 30 October 2024 . 30 October 2024 . Associated Press . en.
51. News: 11 November 2024. US military strikes Iranian-backed militia targets in Syria. Associated Press. 12 November 2024.
52. News: 28 November 2024. Syria war monitor says more than 130 dead in army-jihadist clashes . France 24 . 28 November 2024.
53. News: 30 November 2024 . Russian strikes hit Aleppo as rebels take control . BBC . 30 November 2024.
54. News: 2 December 2024 . Monitor says pro-Turkey fighters seize Syria town from Kurdish forces . France 24 . 2 December 2024.
55. News: 4 December 2024 . UNESCO grants heritage status to Aleppo soap as Syria war flares . France 24 . 4 December 2024.
56. Web site: Syria Public Holidays 2024. 16 December 2023 . Public Holidays Global.
57. Web site: 2024-01-01 . Riad Turk, the 'Syrian Mandela', dead at 93 in France . 2024-01-02 . France 24 . en.