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Operation Spring Shield

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Operation Spring Shield
Part of the 2019–2020 northwestern Syria offensive and Turkish military operations in Idlib as part of Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war
Operation Spring Shield.svg
The situation after the ceasefire.
Date27 February – 6 March 2020
(1 week and 1 day)
Location
Northwestern Syria
  • Latakia Governorate
  • Aleppo Governorate
  • Idlib Governorate
  • Hama Governorate
Result Ceasefire[2][3][4]
Territorial
changes
  • Turkish Armed Forces and their allies capture the strategic Zawiya Mountain and 18 villages[5][6]
  • Syrian Government forces and their allies capture the strategic Saraqib city and 4 villages[7][8]
Belligerents
 Turkey  Syria
 Iran
InfoboxHez.PNG Hezbollah[1]
Commanders and leaders
  • Syria Suheil al-Hassan
  • Syria Maher al-Assad
  • Brig. Gen. Burhan Rahmun 
  • (commander of 124 Brigade of Republican Guard)[10]
  • Brig. Gen. Ismael Ali [11]
  • Col. Mazar Farwati [11]
Units involved

Turkish Armed Forces

  • Turkish Land Forces
  • Turkish Air Force

Syrian Armed Forces

  • Syrian Arab Army
  • Syrian Arab Air Force
  • Syrian Air Defense Force

 Iran

Strength
8,350[14]–20,000[15] unknown
Casualties and losses

Per Turkey:[16][17][18]
Turkey 41 killed
81 wounded
(including Balyun Airstrikes)


Materiel:

Destroyed or lost

Per SOHR:[21]
Syria 170 soldiers and 27 militiamen killed (between 15th of January and the 5th of March 2020).
Per Middle East Institute:[22]
Syria 405 government soldiers and militias killed


Materiel:

  • 73 armored vehicles lost[23]
  • 2 SU-24 and 1 L-39 lost[24]

Operation Spring Shield (Turkish: Bahar Kalkanı Harekâtı) was a cross-border military operation conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) against the Syrian Armed Forces and allied militias in the Idlib Governorate of northwestern Syria,[25] which began on 27 February 2020 in response to the Balyun airstrikes.[26][27] Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that the purpose of the operation had been within the framework of the Astana talks, to ensure a ceasefire agreement in the Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone and to prevent migration from Idlib towards the Turkish border. On 5 March, Turkey and Russia signed a ceasefire agreement in Moscow.[28]

Background[]

On 27 February 2020, during the peak of Operation Dawn of Idlib 2, the Syrian Air Force and allegedly the Russian Air force conducted airstrikes against Turkish Army positions in Balyun, Idlib Governorate. The strikes resulted in the deaths of 34 Turkish soldiers,[29][16] and the number of wounded reported ranged from 36 to 60.[30][31] The following day, Russia denied it had carried out airstrikes in the area and stated it made attempts to ensure the Syrian military ceased firing to allow the evacuation of the Turkish troops, and claimed the Turkish forces should not have been in the area, where "counter-terror operations" were taking place, and that Turkey had failed to notify it about the soldiers' presence in advance. Turkey claimed that Russia was aware of Turkish troop locations, the two countries having regularly liaised about this.[32]

Operation timeline[]

27-28 February[]

After the air attack in Balyun, Turkey formalized its military intervention and announced the beginning of Operation Spring Shield, aimed at halting the advance of the Syrian government forces on Syrian rebels in Idlib and drive them back to pre-offensive frontlines.[33] On 28 February, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense claimed that the Turkish armed forces had responded to the airstrikes and "neutralized" 329 Syrian government troops and destroyed five helicopters, 23 tanks, 10 armored vehicles 23 artillery and howitzers, five ammunition trucks, one SA-17 and one SA-22 air defense systems, three ammunition depots, two inventory depots and one headquarter building belonging to the Syrian government,[34] which could not be corroborated.[35] A Syrian military official acknowledged their armored and technical vehicles were heavily targeted and that their northwestern Syria arsenal suffered significant destruction.[36] Overnight retaliatory Syrian government attacks killed a Turkish soldier and injured six more.[37]

According to SOHR, one Turkish soldier, 11 Syrian soldiers and four members of the Lebanese Hezbollah were killed during clashes.[38]

29 February[]

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 26 members of Syrian Armed forces and militias loyal were killed in shelling by Turkish forces and drones in Idlib and Aleppo countryside.[39] Thirteen military vehicles were also reported destroyed.[40]

Turkish airstrikes also targeted the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center in As-Safira.[41] Which a Turkish official claimed was used to develop chemical weapons.[42]

1 March[]

A Turkish TAI Anka drone was shot down by Syrian forces.[43] Two Syrian Su-24 jets were shot down by Turkish Air Force F-16s.[44] All four Syrian pilots safely ejected. Both Syrian and Turkish forces confirmed the downing.[45] Turkish drones attacks in Jabal al-Zawiya and Al-Hamidia, Idlib countryside, left 19 Syrian soldiers killed.[46]

In the same day Turkish drones bombed the 47th brigade in Hama Military Airport.[47]

2 March[]

A Turkish drone was shot down by Syrian Air Defense Force near Saraqib.[48][49][50] Syrian government forces killed 1 and injured 3 Turkish soldiers on a military post in Taftnaz military airbase while Turkish drones attacked military vehicles belonging to the Syrian Armed Forces.[51] The SOHR reported that 26 Syrian government soldiers were killed by Turkish bombartement and drones strikes in Jabal Al-Zawiyah, south Idlib countryside, Saraqib and its countryside.[52]

3 March[]

On 3 March, Syrian forces launched artillery strikes on Turkish forces at Taftanaz airport, killing one Turkish soldier and leaving three wounded.[53] A Turkish F-16 jet downed a Syrian Aero L-39 Albatros over Idlib; the pilot of the aircraft managed to eject and Syrian Army units immediately began a ground search to rescue him.[54][55] Rebel forces stated that they had found the pilot's dead body,[56] while the Syrian Army later stated that they had recovered the pilot in good health after conducting a CSAR operation 2 kilometers behind rebel lines.[57] In turn, a Bayraktar TB1 drone was shot down by the Syrian Arab Army in Kifer Dael in the western countryside of the Aleppo Governorate.[58][59]

On the ground, the Syrian Army secured Saraqib[60][61] and captured several surrounding villages after pushing back rebel forces supported by Turkish artillery and air power. The previous day's clashes led to the deaths of 75 rebel and 40 pro-government fighters, according to SOHR and Al-Masdar, while Turkish airstrikes on government targets had reduced significantly amidst a further government advance toward the town of Afis.[62][63] Syrian fire killed four Turkish soldiers and wounded seven in Al-Tarnaba and Al-Mastouma camp.[64]

According to SOHR, between February 27 and March 3, 119 members of Syrian Armed forces and militias, as well as 20 members of non-syrian nationality, including ten Hezbollah members and four Iranians, were killed.[65]

4 March 2020[]

Turkish sources claimed that Suheil al-Hassan was targeted and wounded by drone strikes near Saraqib.[66]

A Turkish Bayraktar TB2 was shot down by Syrian Arab Army air defenses in the evening in the Idlib Governorate.[67][68]

The SOHR, reported that 19 Syrian and seven non-Syrian fighters were killed by Turkish ground shelling and drones in Idlib countryside.[69]

5 March 2020[]

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that during the SAA offensive in Idlib 1,449 Syrian soldiers and 1,469 Syrian rebels were killed, in the same period 73 Turkish soldiers were killed as well. Of the Pro-government forces killed; 170 Soldiers and 27 allied foreign fighters were killed by Turkish drone and artillery attacks.[21][70][71]

The Middle East Institute reported that Turkish drone and artillery strikes, alongside rebel fighters, killed at least 405 pro-regime fighters between February 27 and March 5. Damascus also lost at least 73 armored vehicles to drone strikes and rebel anti-tank guided missile operators during the Turkish operation.[72]

Ceasefire[]

On 5 March 2020, the presidents of Turkey and Russia, Erdoğan and Putin, met in Moscow for high-level talks.[73] According to the statements made by the Turkish and Russian leaders following their one-on-one meeting, a ceasefire in the area of Idlib was to come into force from 00:00 hrs on 6 March. The terms of the ceasefire included a secure corridor 6 kilometers either side of the M4 highway, to be patrolled jointly by Russia and Turkey beginning on 15 March.[74]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Israel learned from Hezbollah's defeat at the hands of Turkey, Jerusalem Post, May 21, 2020. Accessed May 22, 2020.
  2. ^ Tuvan Gumrukcu (2020-03-06). "Ceasefire in Syria's Idlib comes at a cost for Turkey's Erdogan". Reuters.
  3. ^ Andrew Roth (2020-03-05). "Russia and Turkey agree ceasefire in Syria's Idlib province". The Guardian. Moscow.
  4. ^ "Syria war: Idlib ceasefire between Russia and Turkey begins". BBC. 2020-03-06.
  5. ^ "Opposition factions capture more areas in south Idlib as regime forces advance into Saraqeb". SOHR. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Liveuamap, (New Zaytoun, Az Ziyarah, Tell Wasit, Khirbat al-Naqus,Tall Rasm al Kabir, Tall Zajrim, Al Qahirah, Al Zuqum, Qulaydin, Al Ankawi, Al Haluba, Qaqafinah, Kafr Uwayd, Sfuhun, Fulayfil, Al Fatirah)". Liveuamap.
  7. ^ "Backed by Russian airpower, regime forces recapture Saraqib city only four days after Turkish forces and proxy factions captured it". SOHR. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Liveuamap (Kafr Battihk, Dadikh, Turunbah, Jubas, Saraqib)". Liveuamap.
  9. ^ "Bahar Kalkanı Harekatı'nı yöneten komutan Sinan Yayla kimdir nerelidir?" (in Turkish). Yeni Akit. 2020-03-02.
  10. ^ "Syrian regime commander reportedly killed in Turkish drone strike in Aleppo". Rudaw. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Turkish combat drones kill 3 Assad regime generals in Idlib". Daily Sabah. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  12. ^ "Son dakika haberi: SİHA korkusu sardı! Rejimin elindeki asker sayısı azalınca, böyle getirildiler..." Sabah. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  13. ^ "Cumhurbaşkanlığı İletişim Başkanlığı açıkladı: Güncel haritalar ve grafikler ile Suriye'de yaşanan son gelişmeler". Takvim. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  14. ^ 150 Turkish military vehicles enter Syria as calm prevails the “de-escalation” zone
  15. ^ Ceasefire in Syria's Idlib comes at a cost for Turkey's Erdogan
  16. ^ a b "Erdoğan: İdlib'de 59 şehit verdik". www.sozcu.com.tr.
  17. ^ One Turkish soldier killed, two wounded in Syria's Idlib - ministry, Turkey says one soldier killed in Syrian government shelling in Idlib, One Turkish soldier killed and nine wounded in Syria's Idlib: ministry
  18. ^ Two Turkish soldiers killed, six wounded in Syria's Idlib - ministry, Turkish defence ministry says two soldiers died in Syria's Idlib
  19. ^ 1 Bayraktar TB2 (March 2020) [1][2]
    1 TAI Anka-S (1 March)[3][4]
    1 Bayraktar Tactical UAS (3 March)[5][6]
    1 Bayraktar TB2 (4 March) [7]
  20. ^ Services (March 6, 2020). "Turkish UAVs played leading role in Idlib battle". Janes.
  21. ^ a b Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (March 5, 2020). "Military escalation in "De-escalation zone" 51 days on: 1,200,000 people displaced…2,640 killed…276 areas fall to regime forces". Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  22. ^ "The Syrian Regime's Combat Losses in Spring 2020, and What Lies Ahead". Middle East Institute. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  23. ^ "The Syrian Regime's Combat Losses in Spring 2020, and What Lies Ahead". Middle East Institute. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  24. ^ "بعد إسقاطها لمروحيتين الشهر الفائت.. القوات التركية تسقط طائرتين حربيتين تابعة للنظام السوري في أجواء محافظة إدلب". SOHR. March 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  25. ^ "Turkey launches Operation Spring Shield against regime aggression in Syria". Istanbul: Daily Sabah. 2020-03-01.
  26. ^ Amberin Zaman (2020-03-01). "Turkey launches Operation Spring Shield against Syrian forces". Al-Monitor.
  27. ^ Joe Truzman (2020-03-05). "Turkey's Operation "Spring Shield" delivers blow to Hezbollah". Longwarjournal.org.
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  34. ^ "Bakan Akar: 200'ü aşkın rejim hedefi ağır ateş altına alındı". NTV. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
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  36. ^ Desk, News (February 28, 2020). "Turkish military carries out massive attack against Syrian Army".
  37. ^ 45 regime forces killed by bombing drones and war planes and Turkish artillery shelling ... and surface-to-surface missiles targeting the countryside of Aleppo
  38. ^ "24 Hours after the killing of tens of Turkish soldiers, regime's artillery kill and injure 3 others and drones kill officers of the regime and leaders of Hezbollah". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 28 February 2020.
  39. ^ "26 members of the regime forces were killed in bombing by Turkish drones and death toll of the regime and loyalists increased to 74 in less than 48 hours". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 29 February 2020.
  40. ^ "Turkish air and ground bombardment kills nearly 50 regime soldiers in Idlib and Aleppo and destroys 13 military vehicles in 24 hours". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 29 February 2020.
  41. ^ "45 قتيلا من قوات النظام بقصف طائرات مسيرة وحربية وقصف مدفعي تركي.. وصواريخ أرض-أرض تستهدف ريف حلب". SOHR. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
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  61. ^ Turkey’s Erdogan hopes to broker Syria truce in Moscow
  62. ^ "115 regime soldiers, rebels and jihadists killed in 24 hours, while regime forces recapture Saraqeb and surrounding villages". SOHR. 3 March 2020.
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  64. ^ "Turkish forces resume bombarding regime positions, while regime forces attempt to advance further northwest of Saraqeb". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 4 March 2020.
  65. ^ "Turkish drones and artillery resume targeting regime's military vehicles and positions in Idlib countryside". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 4 March 2020.
  66. ^ "Esad'ın katliamcı generali Süheyl Hasan, SİHA ile vuruldu". A Haber. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
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  69. ^ "82 were killed yesterday including 46 of the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them, and 36 others". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 5 March 2020.
  70. ^ "خلال أقل من 50 يوم.. مليون و150 ألف نازح.. و2640 شخص استشهدوا وقضوا وقتلوا في حلب وحماة وإدلب.. و276 منطقة باتت بيد "النظام السوري"" (in Arabic).
  71. ^ 383 soldiers and 357 rebels killed (19 Dec.-23 Jan.),[8][9] 1,129 rebels and 1,098 soldiers killed (15 Jan.-5 March),[10] 9 rebels and 6 soldiers killed (6 March),[11] 1 rebel killed (10 March) [12] total of 1,496 rebels and 1,487 pro-government soldiers reported killed. 38 of the soldiers were non-Syrian.[13][14]
  72. ^ "The Syrian Regime's Combat Losses in Spring 2020, and What Lies Ahead". Middle East Institute. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  73. ^ Marcus, Jonathan (2020-03-05). "How Russia's Putin became the go-to man on Syria". BBC News. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
  74. ^ "Joint Turkish-Russian patrols to begin on March 15 – latest updates". TRT World. 2020-03-07. Retrieved 2020-03-12.
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