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Operation Dawn of Freedom

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Operation Dawn of Freedom
Part of the Northwestern Syria offensive (2024) and the Rojava conflict during the Syrian civil war
Northwestern Syria offensive (2024).jpg
Operation Dawn of Freedom.jpg

Map of the offensive in Syria
  Controlled by the Syrian opposition
  Controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces
Date30 November 2024 – 12 December 2024
(2 weeks and 4 days)
Location
Aleppo Governorate, Syria
Territorial
changes		 Temporarily US mediated truce between SDF and SNA[2]
Belligerents
Syrian opposition Syrian Interim Government
 Turkey (since 8 December)[1]		  Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria
Ba'athist Syria Syrian Arab Republic Surrendered (until 8 December)
 Russia
Units involved

Syrian opposition Syrian National Army

Turkish Armed Forces

Syrian Democratic Forces[11]

 Syrian Armed Forces Surrendered

 Russian Armed Forces

Casualties and losses
Syrian opposition 34 killed[a]
Syrian opposition 222 killed[b] (SDF claim)
Syrian opposition 14 captured (SDF claim)[22]
Syrian opposition 42 vehicles destroyed (SDF claim)[22][21]
Syrian opposition 6 tanks destroyed (SDF claim)[21]

41 killed[c]
3 injured[16]

Syria 53 killed[25]
Syria 33 captured (Turkish claim)[26]
Syria 14 Aero L-39 Albatros captured[25]
13 killed[27][28]
11 SDF/civilians executed by the SNA[29]
Unknown number of civilians held captive[29]
Several injured[27]

Operation Dawn of Freedom[d] refers to a military offensive launched by the Syrian National Army (SNA; a Turkish-backed coalition of forces) against the Syrian Arab Armed Forces (SAAF) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), targeting the northern Aleppo Governorate region between al-Bab and Tadef within the Operation Euphrates Shield zone.

Background

Following the initiation of the 2024 Northwestern Syria offensive on 27 November and the capture of several regions of the city of Aleppo, the Syrian National Army (SNA) commenced Operation Dawn of Freedom on 30 November. The operation was officially announced by the Prime Minister of the Syrian National Coalition Abdurrahman Mustafa during an NTV interview. He outlined two primary strategic objectives: intercepting SDF supply networks and establishing a corridor connecting al-Bab, under the Turkish occupation of northern Syria, to Tel Rifaat.[30]

Offensives

Operation Dawn of Freedom is unlikely to have occurred without approval from Turkey.[31]

Following intense clashes between SNA forces and those loyal to the Assad government in northern Aleppo Governorate, SNA forces captured the town of Tadef later the same day.[3] Clashes broke out between SDF and SNA forces as SDF forces began to enter government-controlled towns in northern Aleppo, which government forces were retreating from due to the Tahrir al-Sham-led offensive on Aleppo from Idlib.[11] On 1 December 2024, SNA captured the towns of as-Safirah, Khanasir and the Kuweires airbase, while clashes occurred between SNA and SDF in the Sheikh Najjar district of Aleppo city.[4] The capture of Kuweires airbase had cut the "corridor" that the SDF had established between the Shahba Canton centred on Tell Rifaat and Manbij.[7] Since the operation began, approximately 850km² of territory had been captured by the SNA.[32][better source needed]

On the evening of 1 December 2024, the SNA launched an offensive on the SDF-held town of Tell Rifaat, capturing the town along with several surrounding villages, including Shwargha, Menagh, Maranaz, Kafr Naya, Kuweires Sharqi, Shaykh Issa, Deir Jamal, and Ain Daqna. The remaining SDF-controlled towns in the region were besieged and cut off from communication after being encircled by opposition forces.[6] During its offensive, Turkey launched strikes on Rojava's territory in support of their offensive.[31]

On 2 December 2024, the SDF announced plans to evacuate Kurdish IDPs from Tel Rifaat and the Shahba region to SDF-held areas in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsood district and northeastern Syria.[33][34]

On 4 December 2024, SDF reported clashes in Dayr Hafir and in the southern Manbij region and confirmed casualties among the SNA.[35]

On 6 December 2024, Dawn of Freedom operations room announced an offensive on the SDF-held city Manbij.[8] On 8 December 2024, Turkey started supporting the SNA's offensive by conducting drone strikes on SDF positions.[1] On 9 December 2024, SDF withdrew from Manbij.[5] On 9 December 2024, Russia withdrew from their bases in Manbij and Kobani which are part of the peacekeeping agreement in 2019.[36]

From 8 December 2024, clashes took place on the Qara Qozak Bridge of the M4 Motorway and the Tishrin Dam, both critical Euphrates crossings,[37] with the SDF claiming to have killed dozens of SNA fighters.[38]

On 12 December 2024, a truce mediated by the United States was announced[2], though it was ended days later.[39] On 17 December 2024, the truce was extended by a week.[40] The military attacks on Rojava continued in mid-December with the 2024 Kobani offensive.[41]

Notes

  1. ^ 7 killed on 1 December,[18] 12 killed on 6 December,[19] and 15 killed on 8 December.[5]
  2. ^ 12 killed on 3 December[20] and 210 killed on 13 December[21]
  3. ^ 3 killed on 1 December,[23] 3 killed on 7 December,[16][24] 35 killed on 8 December[5]
  4. ^ Arabic: عملية فجر الحرية, romanized: eamaliat fajr alhuriya;
    Turkish: Özgürlük Şafağı Operasyonu

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "With the support of Turkish drones, the factions of the "Fajr al-Hurriya" operations room attack several axes in the Manbij countryside" (in Arabic). SOHR. 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Kurdish-Led Force Announces US-Brokered Truce in Syria's Manbij". The Defense Post. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Escalating conflict in northern Aleppo: Pro-Turkish factions launch offensive as Syrian army tightens control - MAP/VIDEO". caliber.az. 1 December 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  4. ^ a b ""Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" and "National Army" control the towns of Khanaser and Al-Safira, Kuweires Airport in the Aleppo countryside, and military sites on the outskirts of Aleppo". SOHR (in Arabic). 1 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Following fierce clashes | Turkish-backed factions take control of Manbij and 50 militiamen and members of "Manbij Military Council Forces" ki*lled". SOHR. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  6. ^ a b "More than 200,000 Syrians trapped in Operation "Dawn of Freedom"... Communications cut off in northern Aleppo countryside and fears of massacres against Kurdish citizens" (in Arabic). SOHR. 1 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Turkish-backed Syrian opposition group blocked Kurdish plan, Turkish security sources say". Alarabiya News. 1 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Syrian opposition forces launch new offensive in Manbij, northern Syria". Türkiye Today. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Halep'e giren Sultan Murad Tümeni'nden Haydar Komutan: "Ya Esed'i düşürürüz ya da Türkiye'ye bağlanırız"". Samimi Haber (in Turkish). 2 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Recent Developments in Syria: Between Military Gains and Future Challenges". Harmoon Center for Contemporary Studies. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Clashes between the SDF and SNA on al-Bab front". Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  12. ^ "Protürkische Kräfte rücken gegen Kurdenmilizen vor". Nau.ch (in German). 1 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  13. ^ "Turkish occupation, its backed mercenaries shell villages of Manbij". Hawar News Agency. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  14. ^ "Number of Turkish mercenaries killed during clashes south of Manbij, Deir Hafer". Hawar News Agency. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  15. ^ "Sireen Military Council forces blow up 5 vehicles of Turkish occupation mercenaries". Hawar News Agency. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  16. ^ a b c "Military escalation | member of "National Defence" killed and others injured under Turkish shelling on Manbij". SOHR. 7 December 2024.
  17. ^ "New Russian attack: Three members of the "National Army" killed in Al-Bab in Aleppo". SOHR. 30 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  18. ^ "Russian airstrike: Seven members of the "National Army" kil*led in Aleppo within "Euphrates Shield" area". SOHR. 30 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  19. ^ "Before Kurdish forces' withdrawal two days ago | 12 Turkish-backed militiamen killed in clashes in northern Aleppo - The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". 4 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  20. ^ "Attack on Manbij repelled, 12 mercenaries killed". Firat News Agency. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  21. ^ a b c "Manbij Council: 210 mercenaries Killed at Tishrin Dam, Qereqozaqê Bridge". Hawar News Agency. 13 December 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  22. ^ a b "14 mercenaries of Turkish occupation arrested in Manbij". Hawar News Agency. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  23. ^ "3 SDF fighters martyred in response to attacks by Turkish occupation mercenaries". Hawar News Agency. 1 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  24. ^ "New attack | Kamikaze drone kills two members of "Manbij Military Council Forces"". SOHR. 7 December 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Amid Turkish bombardment | Clashes escalate between Kurdish forces and "National Army" factions in northern Aleppo countryside - The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". 1 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  26. ^ "Syrian National Army captures 33 regime soldiers in Operation Dawn of Freedom". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  27. ^ a b "Aleppo | Woman killed in artillery fire by Turkish forces in Manbij in eastern countryside". SOHR. 5 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Daily death toll | 80 people killed on December 9 across Syria". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 9 December 2024.
  29. ^ a b "Exec*utions and humiliation of Kurdish people | Turkish-backed factions carry out ethnic cleansing in Aleppo and Al-Shuhabaa". SOHR. 3 December 2024.
  30. ^ "Syrian National Coalition PM: Operation Freedom Dawn aims to cut PKK supply lines - Türkiye Today". Türkiye Today. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  31. ^ a b Yackley, Ayla Jean (3 December 2024). "Rebel offensive boosts Turkey's influence in Syria". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  32. ^ Yılmaz, Mehmet Şah; Koparan, Ömer; Karacaoğlu, Mehmet Burak (1 December 2024). "Syrian National Army enters Tel Rifaat in major offensive against PKK/YPG terror corridor". Anadou Agency. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  33. ^ "In harsh humanitarian conditions, tens of thousands of displaced people from Afrin and the people of the Shahba region gathered, waiting to be transferred to the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood" (in Arabic). SOHR. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  34. ^ "Mazloum Abdi: Our efforts are continuing to secure a safe exit for the residents of Tal Rifaat and al-Shahba" (in Arabic). Rudaw. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  35. ^ Kardo Roj (4 December 2024). "SDF Reports Casualties Among Turkey-Backed Militants in Northern Syria". North Press Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  36. ^ Adam Taylor; Júlia Ledur (9 December 2024). "Fall of Assad puts Russia's large military footprint in Syria at risk". The Washington Post. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  37. ^ Brian Burns (9 December 2024). "US-Backed SDF Faces Growing Challenges Amid Local Dissent, External Pressures In Syria". Tampa Free Press. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  38. ^ "Clashes intensify in vicinity of Qaraqozaq bridge". Hawar News Agency. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  39. ^ "Turkey-backed Syrian factions end US-mediated ceasefire with Kurdish-led SDF". Al-Monitor. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  40. ^ "Truce Extended At Syria Flashpoint Between Kurds, Pro-Turkish Fighters: US". Barron's. Agence France-Presse. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  41. ^ New attack – Turkish drone attacks military position in Tal Mishtanour in Ain Al-Arab (Kobani) countryside, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 10 December 2024, Wikidata Q131460344
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