Timeline of the Syrian civil war (May–August 2017)

Main article: Timeline of the Syrian civil war

The following is a timeline of the Syrian Civil War from May to August 2017. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian Civil War.

May

2 May

• At peace talks in Astana, the presidents of the Russian Federation and Turkey announced their support for the creation of "safe zones" in Syria. Representatives of the Syrian rebels walked out of a press conference on the talks in protest at the inclusion of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the deal.^[1]

5 May

See also: Syrian Civil War spillover in Lebanon

• Lebanese Army reports capture of Muhammad Hassan Hasweh, who it describes as a senior Tahrir al-Sham commander, in the frontier town of Arsal.^[2]
• The Russian delegation at the Astana talks announced that the "safe zone" (or "de-escalation zone") agreement sponsored by Russia, Iran and Turkey - covering four areas, in the Idlib Governorate, the northern rebel-controlled parts of the Homs Governorate, the rebel-controlled eastern Ghouta, and the Badia region - would come into effect at 12:00 P.M. Damascus Time.^[3][4] Neither the rebels nor the main Syrian Kurdish party, the Democratic Union Party (Syria) (PYD), recognised the zones.^[4]

The U.S.-led coalition bombs an ISIL-controlled wellhead near Mayadin, 6 May 2017

9 May

See also: Qaboun offensive (February–May 2017)

• Relocation begins of Tahrir al-Sham and other rebel fighters, family members and supporters from Qaboun, Barzeh and Tishreen in the Damascus suburbs to Idlib Governorate^[5][6]
• The Trump administration approved a plan to arm the Syrian Democratic Forces, despite opposition from Turkey. The move aimed to help the SDF capture Raqqa from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.^[7][8]

10 May

See also: Battle of Tabqa (2017)

• SDF forces have completed the capture of the town of Tabqa and the adjacent Tabqa Dam from Islamic State forces.^[9]

16 May

• A U.S.-led Coalition bombing kills 42 civilians in al-Bokamal city, including 11 children and 6 women.^[10]

22 May

• Dozens of rebels are killed or wounded by an Islamic State bombing of Ahrar al-Sham headquarters in a village east of Saraqeb in Idlib Province in northwest Syria.^[11]

26 May

• A U.S.-led Coalition bombing reportedly kills over 108 civilians in Mayadin.^[12]
• Syrian government forces retake the Damascus–Palmyra highway from ISIL.^[13]

June 2017

5 June

See also: Syrian Desert offensive (May 2017–present)

• Government forces and allies captured areas of Al-‘Alb, Bi’r Dahlon and Sharat Dahlon in Eastern Homs Governorate from ISIL.^[14] They reported to have captured over 6,000 km² of ISIL-held territory.^[15]

6 June

• SDF started the fifth phase of the campaign to capture Raqqa.^[16]

10 June

• The Syrian government announced it had captured over 20,000 km² of territory.^[17]
• Two FSA commanders are killed in the city of Daraa.^[18]

18 June

• A U.S. F/A-18E Super Hornet shoots down a Syrian Arab Air Force Su-22 warplane after it allegedly dropped bombs near Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters in Raqqa Governorate, according to United States Central Command.^[19]
• The first aid convoy in eight months to Harasta in besieged rebel-held eastern Ghouta, jointly organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the United Nations, came under fire from pro-government forces, thwarting the humanitarian mission. Airstrikes also intensified in the eastern Ghouta as the 2017 Jobar offensive began.^[20]

20 June

• The Australian Department of Defense reported that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) halted its aerial military involvement in Syria.^[21]
• CNN reported that a U.S. F-16 shot down an Iranian-made drone near al-Tanf.^[22]

21 June

• The Royal Australian Air Force announced a resumption of military air operations in Syria.^[23]

22 June

• The United States is sending a civilian team of State Department officials and security team to help stabilise areas that have been captured from ISIL by American-backed forces.^[24]

24 June

• Israeli airforce attacks Syrian government positions in the Quneitra province after fighting between rebels and the Syrian government spilled over the Israeli controlled Golan Heights.^[25]

30 June

• The Syrian Observatory of Human Rights reports that the Islamic State withdrew from Aleppo province^[26]

July 2017

1 July

See also: Quneitra offensive (June 2017)

• Syrian Army forces fully recaptures the quarries area west of Baath City in Quneitra reversing all rebel gains during the offensive.^[27]

4 July

See also: Syrian peace process § Astana talks, July 2017

• A fifth round of talks organized by Russia, Turkey and Iran takes place in Astana, Kazakhstan discussing the implementation of safe zones in Syria.^[28]

11 July

The Syrian Observatory of Human rights confirm the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Caliph of the Islamic State and the Levant.^[29]

13 July

An improvised device blast an Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region building in Al-Baroon Street, Aleppo. The attack left the Secretary Fadil Najar killed and five other people were wounded in the blast.^[30][31]

14 July

• Syrian Arab Army claims that Free Syrian Army commander of Regiment 107 is killed by a roadside bomb planted by the SAA in Daraa.^[32]
• Reports suggest the FSA and Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Southern Syria reject the US-Russia ceasefire.^{[33][better source needed]}

23 July

• According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Syrian government carried out several airstrikes in Eastern Ghouta, in violation of the cessation of hostilities it had declared on the previous day.^[34]

24 July

• The Russian General Staff announced the introduction of new "de-escalation zones" in Syria, including in the north of the city of Homs and in East Ghouta region.^[35]

26 July

• A FSA military commander of the Syrian Revolutionaries Front, Bashair al-Numairi, is targeted and killed by an IED at the road between the towns of Zimrin and Um Al-Uosaj in northern Daraa, according to a pro-government source.^[36]

29 July

• The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant loses 6,000 square kilometers during the first month of the 4th year of its creation. Over 5,635 square kilometers are lost to government forces and the rest to SDF forces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.^[37]

31 July

• According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the Syrian government dropped 244 barrel bombs in July, in the "de-escalation zones", targeting Daraa governorate, the Damascus suburbs, Suwayda, Hama and Homs.^[38]

August 2017

3 August

• The Syrian government shells rebel towns in Eastern Ghouta: Ein Tarma town targeted with 10 ground-to-ground local FIL missiles, killing a woman and child and wounding others; and four people are wounded when the city of Harasta is shelled with mortars.^[39]

4 August

• Nearly 8,000 Syrian refugees and fighters arrived in rebel-held central Syria from Lebanon as part of a ceasefire deal between Hezballah and Fateh al-Sham.^[40]

9 August

• Syrian government shelling killed five civilians and wounded 10 more in the town of Kafr Batna.^[41]

10 August

• Syrian government forces bombed two areas in Tal Dahab village near Houla town in “de-escalation zones”, killing least four people, while captured at least 30km border with Jordan from rebel control.^[41]
• A woman, a man and a child were killed, and seven more people were wounded in shelling on a town of Hammuriyeh in the Eastern Ghouta area near the capital, Damascus.^[41]

27 August

See also: Silk Way Airlines § Weapons for terrorists

• A Bulgarian newspaper published a report that appeared to show that Eastern European-made weapons supplied by the United States, Saudi Arabia and the UAE reached the hands of militants and terror groups in the Middle East via 350 diplomatic flights on Azerbaijan's Silk Way Airlines.^[42]

28 August

See also: Qalamoun offensive (July–August 2017)

• Former US ambassador to Syria Robert Ford said that Syrian President Assad's victory in Syria and the Iranian role in the region are realities.^[43]
• ISIL forces agree to withdrawal from Qalamoun to Abu Kamal in Iblid,^[44] and 600 are bused under Syrian army escort into ISIL-controlled territory in a deal negotiated by Hezbollah, thus allowing Lebanese and Syrian Forces to gain control of their borders in the first time since six years.^[45][46] The transfer deal is met with objections in Iraq and Lebanon, including condemnation from the Iraqi prime minister.^[47]
• Two SDF commanders defected to the Syrian Arab Army, both leaders were part of the Northern Sun Battalion, according to a Syrian military source.^{[48][49][better source needed]}

References

1. editor, Alec Luhn Patrick Wintour Diplomatic (4 May 2017). "Syrian rebels walk out of press conference as 'safe zone' deal is signed". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 May 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
2. Tomson, Chris (5 May 2017). "Lebanese Army arrests Syrian Al-Qaeda commander in Arsal". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
3. Fadel, Leith (5 May 2017). "Breaking: Syrian safe-zones to come into effect tonight". Al-Masdar. Archived from the original on 2 September 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
4. "Syrian Kurdish PYD denounces Syria deal for 'de-escalation zones'". Reuters. 5 May 2017.
5. Hiba Dlewati Years-Long Truces End As Government Tightens Control on Damascus, Syria Deeply, 18 May 2017
6. "Evacuation of Syrian rebels starts in Barzeh". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
7. "Trump approves plan to arm SDF".
8. Gordon, Michael R.; Schmitt, Eric (9 May 2017). "Trump to Arm Syrian Kurds, Even as Turkey Strongly Objects". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
9. "The Latest: Syrian Kurds take largest dam, town from IS". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
10. "88 persons were killed yesterday including 4 members of the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them, and 42 persons were killed due to bombing by the International Coalition' warplanes on al-Bokamal city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Retrieved 4 July 2017.
11. Syria Daily: Dozens Killed, Wounded in ISIS Bombing of Rebels, EA Worldview, 22 May 2017
12. "'Coalition strikes kill 106 civilians' in Al Mayadeen". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
13. Lucas, Scott (30 May 2017). "Syria Daily: The Looming Battle in the Eastern Desert". EA Worldview. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
14. Feyerabend, Henri (2017-06-06). "SAA scores massive advances against ISIS in east Homs". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. Archived from the original on 2018-09-21. Retrieved 2017-06-05.
15. "Syrian army, allied militia gain ground against IS". ABC News. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
16. U.S.-backed force launches assault on Islamic State's "capital" in Syria. Reuters
17. "Çöl taarruzu: Suriye ordusu, +20.000 kilometrekare alanı kontrol altına aldı". Al-Masdar News. 10 June 2017. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
18. "Two Free Syrian Army commanders killed in Daraa". Al-Masdar. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
19. "U.S. warplane downs Syrian army jet in Raqqa province". Reuters. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
20. Aid Convoy to Besieged Area Comes Under Fire in Syria, VOA, 18 June 2017
21. "Australia halts Syria air strikes after Russia warning". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
22. "BREAKING: US shoots down drone near Syria-Iraq borders". 20 June 2017. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
23. "Syria conflict: Australia resumes anti-IS air raids". BBC News. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
24. Gordon, Michael R.; Schmitt, Eric (22 June 2017). "U.S. Sends Civilian Team to Syria to Help the Displaced Return Home". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
25. Cohen, Gili; Khoury, Jack; Shpigel, Noa (24 June 2017). "Two Killed in Israeli Airstrikes on Syrian Army in Golan Heights, Local Reports Say". Haaretz. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
26. "ISIS withdraws from Syria's Aleppo, nearby villages". Al-Arabiya. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
27. "Rebel Israeli-backed offensive ultimately fails as Syrian Army recaptures all territory". Al-Masdar. 2 July 2017. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
28. "Fifth round of Syria talks begins in Kazakhstan". Indian Express. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
29. "BREAKING: ISIS caliph confirmed dead by SOHR". Al-Masdar. 11 July 2017. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
30. "Bombings in Aleppo kill Baath party leader". Egypt Today. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
31. "GTD ID:201707130059". Global Terrorism Database. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
32. "Syrian Army kills high ranking FSA commander in Daraa". Al-Masdar. 14 July 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
33. "Rebel factions in southern Syria reject ceasefire deal". Al-Masdar. 14 July 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
34. Monitors: Syria Breaks Ceasefire, Strikes Rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, VOA, 23 July 2017
35. "De-escalation zones to be set up in Homs, East Ghouta, and Idlib - MoD". Al-Masdar. 24 July 2017. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
36. "In pictures: FSA commander killed by roadside bomb in Daraa". Al-Masdar. 26 July 2017. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
37. "ISIS loses about 6000 square kilometers during the first month of the 4th year of its "Caliphate" declaration". SOHR. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
38. Is this de-escalation? Assad regime dropped 244 barrel bombs in July, The New Arab
39. Despite cease-fire, shelling continues in Eastern Ghouta Archived 2017-12-29 at the Wayback Machine, Al-Monitor, 7 August 2017
40. Nearly 8,000 refugees and fighters reach Syria from Lebanon after truce deal, Al-Araby, 4 August 2017
41. Syrian army bombs ‘safe zones’ killing civilians. August 10, 2017. Al Jazeera. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
42. Report: Saudi, UAE weapons end up with armed groups, Al-Jazeera 27 Aug 2017
43. Assad has won says former US ambassador to Syria, The National
44. "Islamic State prepares to evacuate Syria-Lebanon border zone". Reuters. 28 August 2017.
45. Isil fighters bussed from Lebanon-Syria border after first deal to surrender, Telegraph, 29 August 2017
46. Isil fighters bussed from Lebanon-Syria border after first deal to surrender, Belfast Telegraph, 29 August 2017
47. Lebanon's negotiated IS evacuation angers many, abc.com, 29 August 2017
48. "BREAKING: Two top US-backed SDF commanders defect to Syrian Army (Photos)". Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
49. SDF commanders defect to Syrian Arab Army (SAA) + PICTURE Archived 2017-10-19 at the Wayback Machine, Al-Masdar