October 2023 Northern Syria clashes explained

Conflict:October 2023 Northern Syria clashes
Partof:the Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war
Date:5 – 9 October 2023
Place:Aleppo, Raqqa and Hasakah Governorates, Northern Syria
Combatant1: Turkey
Combatant2:
Units1: Turkish Armed Forces
Units2:

Asayish
Syrian Armed Forces

Casualties1:Per SOHR:
8 killed,[1]
7+ wounded[2]
3 killed[3]
Equipment
  • 1 Anka-S combat drone[4]
Casualties2: 40 killed, 37 wounded 2 killed,[5] [6] 3 wounded[7]
Casualties3:6 civilians killed

Starting on 5 October 2023, the Turkish Armed Forces launched a series of air and ground strikes targeting the Syrian Democratic Forces in Northeastern Syria. The airstrikes were launched in response to the 2023 Ankara bombing, which the Turkish government alleges was carried out by attackers originating from Northeastern Syria.[8]

Background

On 1 October 2023, a suicide bombing took place in the Turkish capital, Ankara. The attack injured two policemen and was claimed by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). On 4 October, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the attackers had entered Turkey through Syria and had received training there. He further added that all infrastructure, superstructure, and energy facilities belonging to the SDF in Syria are now legitimate targets of Turkey's armed forces.[8]

Clashes

On 5 October 2023, the Turkish Air Force conducted 38 airstrikes in the Aleppo and Hasakah Governorates of Northern Syria, resulting in the deaths of 10 people.[9] During the airstrikes, the international coalition (CJTF–OIR) shot down an armed Turkish combat drone after it approached the coalition base near the town of Tal Baidar.[10] [11] Two members of the Turkish Special Forces were killed later that day when Syrian government forces conducted an artillery shelling attack on their base near the town of Dabiq.[12]

On 6 October, the number of Turkish airstrikes in northeastern Syria increased to 64.[13] The targets of these airstrikes were critical infrastructure such as oil, gas, and power stations, as well as dams and oil pipelines in the Qahtaniyah region of Hasakah. At least seven people were killed during these airstrikes.[14]

On 7 October, the number of Turkish airstrikes in northeastern Syria increased to 70.[15] Two Turkish troops and one civilian were killed.[16]

On 8 October, Turkish airstrikes targeted the headquarters of the Asayish in Al-Malikiyah District, killing 30 and wounding 37 others.[17]

On 9 October, a Syrian soldier died due to Turkish shellings in Aleppo Province.[5] In addition, 4 Turkish soldiers were killed in an missile attack by Tel Tamr Military Council on Al-Dawadiya base of Turkish forces. Also 3 fighters of Ahrar al-Sharqiya Faction were killed.[18]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Monthly death toll 238 civilians among 544 people killed in October 2023 . 2023-11-01.
  2. News: Butler . Daren . Gumrukcu . Tuvan . 2023-10-06 . Turkey steps up strikes on militants as conflict escalates in Syria . en . Reuters . 2023-10-06.
  3. https://www.syriahr.com/en/313512/ Missile attack | Seven people including four Turkish soldiers kil*led in Turkish military base in “Peace Spring” areas
  4. Web site: Pentagon Says It Shot Down Turkish Drone Over Syria; Turkish Military Says It Was Not Theirs. 6 October 2023. David. Hambling.
  5. News: Military escalation Regime soldier kil*led in shelling by Turkish forces on areas in Aleppo . 10 October 2023 . SOHR . 9 October 2023.
  6. https://www.syriahr.com/en/313851/?doing_wp_cron=1697290281.6800909042358398437500
  7. https://www.syriahr.com/en/313725/
  8. News: Turkey says bombers came from Syria, eyes cross-border targets . 5 October 2023 . Reuters . 4 October 2023.
  9. News: After threats by Turkish Foreign Minister Turkish drones attack 11 vital facilities in north eastern of Syria . 6 October 2023 . SOHR.
  10. News: Following large Turkish aerial escalation "International Coalition" shoots down Turkish drone approached airspace of Tel Baidar base in Al-Hasakah countryside . 6 October 2023 . SOHR . 5 October 2023.
  11. News: Gordon . Michael R. . Youssef . Nancy A. . Malsin . Jared . U.S. Jet Shoots Down Turkish Drone Over Syria . 6 October 2023 . The Wall Street Journal . 5 October 2023.
  12. News: Artillery fire Two members of Turkish special forces killed in military base in Aleppo countryside . 6 October 2023 . SOHR . 6 October 2023.
  13. News: Turkey is burning areas in northeastern Syria.. Turkish warplanes bomb vital facilities in Amuda and Al-Malikiyah in the Hasakah countryside . 6 October 2023 . SOHR . 6 October 2023.
  14. News: بقصف لمسيرة تركية.. شاب يفارق الحياة متأثراً بإصابته في قرية تل حبش جنوبب عامودا . With the bombing of a Turkish march, a young man dies from his injury in the village of Tal Habash, south of Amuda . 6 October 2023 . SOHR . 6 October 2023 . Arabic.
  15. https://www.syriahr.com/en/313171/
  16. https://www.syriahr.com/en/313210/
  17. News: 30 members of the Internal Security Forces were killed as a result of the Turkish air strike on a training center for them in the Al-Malikiyah countryside/Derik . 9 October 2023 . SOHR . 9 October 2023.
  18. https://www.syriahr.com/en/313512/