US intervention in the Syrian civil war

US intervention in the Syrian civil war
	Part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the war against the Islamic State, and the foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war
	; Top: Territorial map of the Syrian civil war in September 2014; Bottom: Current territorial map of the Syrian civil war; Syrian Government Army Syrian National Army & others Syrian Democratic Forces Tahrir al-Sham ISIL; (For a more detailed, up-to-date, interactive map, see here.)
Date	22 September 2014 – present; (9 years, 7 months, 2 weeks and 6 days)
Location	Syria
Result	19,786+ US and allied airstrikes, over 16,000 hitting ISIL positions; Thousands of targets destroyed, thousands of militants killed; US-backed opposition training program 2014–2017; US and allies supplying weapons and advisers to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces; ISIL loses most of its territory in Syria by December 2017; ISIL suffers military defeat and loses almost all of its remaining territory in March 2019; US-led occasional strikes against the Syrian government; Further decline of Russia–United States relations; Turkey–United States relations sour on rift over Kurdish forces; US Army, Marine and Special Operation forces deployed in Syria, and the number of US troops training local armed forces has dropped from 2,000 in 2017 to 900 in 2019; Death of ISIL's leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in October 2019; Death of ISIL's leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi in February 2022; Death of ISIL's leader Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurashi during clashes in April 2023.; Attacks on US bases in Syria since October 2023;
Belligerents
Commanders and leaders
Strength
Casualties and losses
	3,847 civilians killed by Coalition airstrikes in Syria (per SOHR); 6,100+ civilians killed by ISIL in Syria (and up to 3200 missing prisoners of ISIL) per SOHR; Over 420,000 civilians displaced or fled to other countries; Number of militants killed possibly higher, due to them covering up their losses.

On 22 September 2014, the United States officially intervened in the Syrian civil war with the stated aim of fighting the terrorist organization ISIS in support of the international war against it, code named Operation Inherent Resolve. The US currently continues to support the Syrian rebels and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces opposed to both the Islamic State and Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Shortly after the start of the civil war in 2011, the Obama administration placed sanctions against Syria and supported the Free Syrian Army rebel faction by covertly authorizing Timber Sycamore under which the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) armed and trained rebels. Following the Islamic State's occupation of Eastern Syria in August 2014, the United States conducted surveillance flights in Syria to gather intelligence regarding the Islamic State. In September 2014, the United States-led coalition—which involves the United Kingdom, France, Jordan, Turkey, Canada, Australia, and others—launched an air campaign against the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front inside Syria.

The US missile strike on Shayrat Airbase on 7 April 2017 was the first time the US deliberately attacked Syrian government forces during the war,^[165] and marked the start of a series of direct military actions by US forces against the Syrian government and its allies via airstrikes and aircraft shoot-downs, mainly in defense of either the Syrian Democratic Forces or the Syrian Free Army opposition group based in al-Tanf. In mid-January 2018, the Trump administration indicated its intention to maintain an open-ended military presence in Syria to accomplish US political objectives, including countering Iranian influence and ousting Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.^[166]^[167] However, on 19 December, President Trump unilaterally ordered the withdrawal of the 2,000–2,500 US ground troops in Syria at the time, which was to be completed in 2019.^[168]^[169]^[170] With proliferating concerns over a potential power vacuum, the US announced on 22 February 2019 that instead of a total withdrawal, a contingency force of around 400 US troops would remain garrisoned in Syria indefinitely, and that their withdrawal would be gradual and conditions-based, returning to a policy of open-ended American military presence in the country.^[171]^[172]

In 2019, the coalition saw decisive results in its intervention against the Islamic State; the terror group lost its last remaining territory in Syria during the battle of Baghuz Fawqani^[173] and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi died during a US special forces raid in Idlib in October 2019.^[174] The Trump administration ordered all US forces to withdraw from Rojava in early October ahead of a Turkish incursion into the region, a controversial move widely seen as a reneging of the US's alliance with the SDF in favor of NATO ally Turkey.^[175] However, by November 2019, US troops instead repositioned to eastern Syria, reinforcing their presence in the al-Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor governorates, with the subordinate mission of securing SDF-controlled oil and gas infrastructure from the IS insurgency and the Syrian government.^[176] On 23 November 2019, the head of US Central Command stated there was no "end date" on the US's intervention in Syria.^[177]

As of February 2021, there are around 900 US soldiers operating in Syria, according to the US Department of Defense.^[47]^[178]

^ Cite error: The named reference UK was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference bbc72435 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference barton42356 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference barnes21290 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Cite error: The named reference BBC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "German troops deployment and ops in Syria fall within 'right of self-defense', Germany's top court rules". DailySabah. 19 October 2019.
^ ^a ^b "Saudi Arabia, UAE send troops to support Kurds in Syria". Middle East Monitor. 22 November 2018.
^ "Victory for Assad looks increasingly likely as world loses interest in Syria". The Guardian. 31 August 2017. Returning from a summit in the Saudi capital last week, opposition leaders say they were told directly by the foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, that Riyadh was disengaging.
^ Samia Nakhoul, Aziz El Yaakoubi (24 May 2023). "Saudi embrace of Assad sends strong signal to US". Reuters. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
^ "The UAE has it in for the Muslim Brotherhood". Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. 22 February 2017. Along with their American counterparts, Emirati special forces are said to be training elements of the opposition. They constitute a kind of Arab guarantee among the Syrian Democratic Forces – an umbrella group dominated by the Kurds of the PYD, on whom the US are relying to fight IS on the ground.
^ Cite error: The named reference reuters23sept was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference moroccown1234 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "Australia ends strikes in Iraq and Syria". BBC News. 22 December 2017.
^ "Dutch air mission ends but Peshmerga, Iraqi training continues". Kurdistan24.
^ "Denmark's decision to withdraw from airstrikes on Syria and Iraq". Middle East Monitor. 6 December 2016.
^ "U.S. applauds Denmark's deploying troops in Syria – Xinhua | English.news.cn". xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 9 September 2019.
^ "Denmark Withdraws its Forces from Syria". The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer. 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
^ Cite error: The named reference tpi.it was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference nytpeshmerga was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference reuters75243 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference internal12345 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference wetzel55678 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference hennigan34435 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Baldore, Lolita C.; Copp, Tara (13 November 2023). "US conducts airstrikes against Iran-backed groups in Syria, retaliating for attacks on US troops". AP News. Washington, D.C.: Associated Press. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
^ "North Korean Officials Ordered to Support Palestinians, Says South Korea". The Wall Street Journal. 1 November 2023.
^ Cite error: The named reference reutersnov12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference edition.cnn.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference 6900persons was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference ahram74456 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference macclatchy09287 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference US begins airstrikes in Syria was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference atleast40 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference 8persons was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference aqs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference internal struggle was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference jund airstrike was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference leaves for Raqqa was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference tip was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Airstrike Total was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Airstrikes in Iraq and Syria 0814 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference nytime22398 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference usher28934 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "Timeline: the Rise, Spread and Fall of the Islamic State". Retrieved 6 May 2020.
^ Rogoway, Tyler (19 June 2017). "Shockwaves Sent Through Tattered US-Russian Relationship After US Downs Syrian Jet". The Drive.
^ "Full text of Turkey, US statement on northeast Syria". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
^ ^a ^b There are four times as many U.S. troops in Syria as previously acknowledged by the Pentagon The Washington Post, 6 December 2017.
^ ^a ^b "US has 900 troops in Syria, likely to remain". Kurdistan24. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
^ Cite error: The named reference guardian23418 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Barbara Starr; Oren Liebermann; Jeremy Herb; Eyad Kourdi (3 February 2022). "ISIS leader killed in US-led Syria raid, Biden says". CNN. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
^ "Islamic State confirms death of its leader, names replacement". Reuters. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
^ Carl, Nicholas; Jhaveri, Ashka; Braverman, Alexandra (28 January 2024). "Iran Update, January 28, 2024" (Think tank analysis). Washington, D.C.: Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 29 January 2024. These militias have conducted over 170 attacks targeting US positions as part of this effort since October 2023.
^ Командующий группировкой войск РФ в Сирии дал первое интервью. Rossiskaya Gazetta.
^ Источник: назначен новый командующий российской группировкой войск в Сирии RIA, 22 July 2016.
^ Андрей Картаполов возглавляет группировку российских войск в Сирии с 19 декабря Kommersant, 6 January 2017.
^ Российской группировке в Сирии нашли нового командующего RBK Group, 2 November 2017
^ В Минобороны опровергли сообщения о замене командующего российской группировкой в Сирии Interfax, 21 February 2018.
^ С начала операции ВКС в Сирии прошло три года TASS, 30 September 2018.
^ Командующий ЦВО уехал воевать, оставив в штабе округа две вакансии: Генерал-лейтенант Александр Лапин возглавил группировку российских войск в Сирии ural.aif.ru (АиФ-Урал), 24 October 2018.
^ ^a ^b Командующего ВДВ десантировали в Сирию. Российские силы в республике возглавил Андрей Сердюков Kommersant, 12 April 2019.
^ Минобороны РФ сменило командующего российской группировкой в Сирии Interfax, 13 November 2019.
^ "Памятник погибшему в Сирии летчику Роману Филипову открыли на российской авиабазе Хмеймим". TASS. 4 February 2021.
^ "На базе Хмеймим представители Татарстана вручили подарки российским военным". tatar-inform. 31 January 2021.
^ "На авиабазе ВКС РФ Хмеймим в Сирии открыли памятник погибшему в бою с террористами летчику Роману Филипову". mil.ru. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
^ "Russian General Killed by 'Explosive Device' in Syria: Agencies". 18 August 2020.
^ Fadel, Leith (7 September 2016). "Iranian, Syrian commanders meet to discuss upcoming Aleppo offensive". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 8 September 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
^ "Soleimani's presence in Aleppo underscores strategy of crushing rebels - The Long War Journal". Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
^ "Three Iranian leaders have been killed in Syria's battles". El-Dorar Al-Shamia. 6 September 2016. Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
^ Toumaj, Amir (3 August 2016). "Iranian military involvement in the battle for Aleppo". The Long War Journal. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
^ Cite error: The named reference landis70721 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference aljazeera77228 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference aljazeera11442 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference bbc88210 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference al-Baghdadi incapacitated was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Deputy leader assumes command of ISIL was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference nytimes34550 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference who is next was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference al-Shishani dead1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference al-Shishani dead2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference confirmation was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Omar dead was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference al-Qaeda deputy killed was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference war was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference al-Nusra military chief killed was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference group was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference auto was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference al-Nusra spokesman killed was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference cook was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference maclean45227 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference Drugeon wounded was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference bno was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference 5th Khorasan leader killed was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Drugeon confirmed dead was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Cite error: The named reference nbcsyriaairstrikes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference simoes25234 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference cnnsyriaairstrikes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference wsjsyriaairstrikes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference harress09024 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference harress74746 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference sherlock08022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Cite error: The named reference JustinFishel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Cite error: The named reference AFP181115 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Chammal1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference UKdrones was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference UKinSyria was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference reuters47744 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference urdupont31127 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference bbcpeshmerga was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference deepening involvement was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference speed up fight was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference join local forces was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference snow75544 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference zaretsky86698 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference todayszaman48339 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference rebel gains was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Syria military strength was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference killing ground was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference liveuamap43335 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference surfacing was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Stewart, Phil (4 September 2018). "Top U.S. general warns against major assault on Syria's Idlib". Reuters.
^ Cite error: The named reference ISIL has 200,000 fighters was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference bbc55542 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference mezzofiore48873 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference nearly 5,000 bombs dropped on ISIL was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference thetimes90755 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference schneider40453 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference nytimes80009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference ISIS controls Kobani was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference abc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference defect to ISIS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ 8 US Military, 1 DOD civilian
^ "Army identifies U.S. soldier killed in Syria". The Washington Times.
^ ^a ^b "Watson Institute International and Public Affairs- Brown University Human Cost of Post-9/11 Wars. November 2019" (PDF).
^ Cite error: The named reference sisk09990 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Roblin, Sebastien (21 June 2019). "A War Begins? How Iran Shot Down a U.S. RQ-4N Surveillance Drone". The National Interest.
^ Cite error: The named reference swarts29990 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference airforcetimes39990 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference adams49990 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Jordanian crash was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "Drones Are Dropping Like Flies From the Sky Over Syria". 22 June 2017.
^ Cite error: The named reference bbc59990 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference guardian69990 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "French soldier killed in Iraq-Syria military zone, Élysée Palace says". France 24. 23 September 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Cite error: The named reference Coalitionstrikes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Christoph Reuter. American Fury: The Truth About the Russian Deaths in Syria: Hundreds of Russian soldiers are alleged to have died in U.S. airstrikes at the beginning of February. Reporting by DER SPIEGEL shows that events were likely very different. Der Spiegel, 2 March 2018.
^ "About 220 casualties and wounded of the Russian security companies, the regime forces and their allies in Coalition's bombing and the explosion of a warehouse of the Russian protection forces east of Euphrates • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". 14 February 2018.
^ Christopher Woody (6 June 2017). "The US-led coalition destroyed more pro-Assad forces at a growing hotspot in the Syrian desert". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
^ "U.S. aircraft conduct strike on Syrian army convoy". CBS News. 18 May 2017. Archived from the original on 7 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
^ U.S. airstrike destroys Russian-made tank used by pro-Syria forces Archived 2018-02-13 at the Wayback Machine NBC News, 13 February 2018.
^ "Nine Syrian planes destroyed by US strike on airfield". ITV News. 7 April 2017.
^ Here's The Definitive Account Of The Syrian Su-22 Shoot Down From The Pilots Themselves.
^ "ISI first to analyze Shayrat airfield missile attack". ImageStat International. Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
^ "F-15E Shot Down "Predator-Sized" Drone That Attacked Coalition Forces In Syria". The Drive. 8 June 2017.
^ "US 'downs Iranian-made drone' over Syria". BBC News. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
^ Cite error: The named reference US airstrike targets Ahrar ash-Sham was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference 11 terrorists killed was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "Air strikes kill 12 fighters in Syria's Idlib: monitor". Reuters. 3 February 2017. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022.
^ Cite error: The named reference aq150 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "62 months of the "international coalition" operations in Syria: Killing "al-Baghdadi" the biggest achievement after the US withdrawal, new bases and goals in East Euphrates and joint operations with SDF to "fight IS cells" • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". 23 November 2019.
^ "Al-Assad's legacy in 3rd presidential term | over 371,000 people killed…unprecedented economic collapse…foreign interventions and large spread of drugs • the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights". 25 May 2021.
^ Cite error: The named reference syriahr30002 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference syriahr40002 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference US airstrikes center on Kobani was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference over 20,000 displaced during Al-Hasakah offensive was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference hubbard50002 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference jacobs21117 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference guardianopenend was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference washingtonpost31117 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference NYT2018-12-19a was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Time2018-12-19a was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Guardian2018-12-20a was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference ahval41117 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference cbs90009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference battleover was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference politico61117 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference bbc71117 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference ap81117 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "No 'End Date' for U.S. Troops in Syria". 25 November 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
^ "A look at the US military mission in Syria and its dangers". AP News. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2024.

[UK-1] Cite error: The named reference UK was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[bbc72435-2] Cite error: The named reference bbc72435 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[barton42356-3] Cite error: The named reference barton42356 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[barnes21290-4] Cite error: The named reference barnes21290 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[BBC-5] Cite error: The named reference BBC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[6] "German troops deployment and ops in Syria fall within 'right of self-defense', Germany's top court rules". DailySabah. 19 October 2019.

[uaesaud-7] "Saudi Arabia, UAE send troops to support Kurds in Syria". Middle East Monitor. 22 November 2018.

[Saudi-8] "Victory for Assad looks increasingly likely as world loses interest in Syria". The Guardian. 31 August 2017. Returning from a summit in the Saudi capital last week, opposition leaders say they were told directly by the foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, that Riyadh was disengaging.

[9] Samia Nakhoul, Aziz El Yaakoubi (24 May 2023). "Saudi embrace of Assad sends strong signal to US". Reuters. Retrieved 12 November 2023.

[10] "The UAE has it in for the Muslim Brotherhood". Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. 22 February 2017. Along with their American counterparts, Emirati special forces are said to be training elements of the opposition. They constitute a kind of Arab guarantee among the Syrian Democratic Forces – an umbrella group dominated by the Kurds of the PYD, on whom the US are relying to fight IS on the ground.

[reuters23sept-11] Cite error: The named reference reuters23sept was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[moroccown1234-12] Cite error: The named reference moroccown1234 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[13] "Australia ends strikes in Iraq and Syria". BBC News. 22 December 2017.

[14] "Dutch air mission ends but Peshmerga, Iraqi training continues". Kurdistan24.

[15] "Denmark's decision to withdraw from airstrikes on Syria and Iraq". Middle East Monitor. 6 December 2016.

[16] "U.S. applauds Denmark's deploying troops in Syria – Xinhua | English.news.cn". xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 9 September 2019.

[17] "Denmark Withdraws its Forces from Syria". The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer. 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.

[tpi.it-18] Cite error: The named reference tpi.it was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[nytpeshmerga-19] Cite error: The named reference nytpeshmerga was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[reuters75243-20] Cite error: The named reference reuters75243 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[internal12345-21] Cite error: The named reference internal12345 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[wetzel55678-22] Cite error: The named reference wetzel55678 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[hennigan34435-23] Cite error: The named reference hennigan34435 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[AP_Iran-Belligerents-24] Baldore, Lolita C.; Copp, Tara (13 November 2023). "US conducts airstrikes against Iran-backed groups in Syria, retaliating for attacks on US troops". AP News. Washington, D.C.: Associated Press. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.

[25] "North Korean Officials Ordered to Support Palestinians, Says South Korea". The Wall Street Journal. 1 November 2023.

[reutersnov12-26] Cite error: The named reference reutersnov12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[edition.cnn.com-27] Cite error: The named reference edition.cnn.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[6900persons-28] Cite error: The named reference 6900persons was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[ahram74456-29] Cite error: The named reference ahram74456 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[macclatchy09287-30] Cite error: The named reference macclatchy09287 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[US_begins_airstrikes_in_Syria-31] Cite error: The named reference US begins airstrikes in Syria was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[atleast40-32] Cite error: The named reference atleast40 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[8persons-33] Cite error: The named reference 8persons was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[aqs-34] Cite error: The named reference aqs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[internal_struggle-35] Cite error: The named reference internal struggle was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[jund_airstrike-36] Cite error: The named reference jund airstrike was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[leaves_for_Raqqa-37] Cite error: The named reference leaves for Raqqa was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[tip-38] Cite error: The named reference tip was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Airstrike_Total-39] Cite error: The named reference Airstrike Total was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Airstrikes_in_Iraq_and_Syria_0814-40] Cite error: The named reference Airstrikes in Iraq and Syria 0814 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[nytime22398-41] Cite error: The named reference nytime22398 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[usher28934-42] Cite error: The named reference usher28934 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[43] "Timeline: the Rise, Spread and Fall of the Islamic State". Retrieved 6 May 2020.

[44] Rogoway, Tyler (19 June 2017). "Shockwaves Sent Through Tattered US-Russian Relationship After US Downs Syrian Jet". The Drive.

[45] "Full text of Turkey, US statement on northeast Syria". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 17 October 2019.

[four_times_as_many-46] There are four times as many U.S. troops in Syria as previously acknowledged by the Pentagon The Washington Post, 6 December 2017.

[Feb2021Kurd24-47] "US has 900 troops in Syria, likely to remain". Kurdistan24. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.

[guardian23418-48] Cite error: The named reference guardian23418 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[49] Barbara Starr; Oren Liebermann; Jeremy Herb; Eyad Kourdi (3 February 2022). "ISIS leader killed in US-led Syria raid, Biden says". CNN. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.

[50] "Islamic State confirms death of its leader, names replacement". Reuters. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.

[170_attacks-51] Carl, Nicholas; Jhaveri, Ashka; Braverman, Alexandra (28 January 2024). "Iran Update, January 28, 2024" (Think tank analysis). Washington, D.C.: Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 29 January 2024. These militias have conducted over 170 attacks targeting US positions as part of this effort since October 2023.

[52] Командующий группировкой войск РФ в Сирии дал первое интервью. Rossiskaya Gazetta.

[53] Источник: назначен новый командующий российской группировкой войск в Сирии RIA, 22 July 2016.

[54] Андрей Картаполов возглавляет группировку российских войск в Сирии с 19 декабря Kommersant, 6 January 2017.

[55] Российской группировке в Сирии нашли нового командующего RBK Group, 2 November 2017

[56] В Минобороны опровергли сообщения о замене командующего российской группировкой в Сирии Interfax, 21 February 2018.

[57] С начала операции ВКС в Сирии прошло три года TASS, 30 September 2018.

[58] Командующий ЦВО уехал воевать, оставив в штабе округа две вакансии: Генерал-лейтенант Александр Лапин возглавил группировку российских войск в Сирии ural.aif.ru (АиФ-Урал), 24 October 2018.

[serdyuk-59] Командующего ВДВ десантировали в Сирию. Российские силы в республике возглавил Андрей Сердюков Kommersant, 12 April 2019.

[chaiko-60] Минобороны РФ сменило командующего российской группировкой в Сирии Interfax, 13 November 2019.

[61] "Памятник погибшему в Сирии летчику Роману Филипову открыли на российской авиабазе Хмеймим". TASS. 4 February 2021.

[62] "На базе Хмеймим представители Татарстана вручили подарки российским военным". tatar-inform. 31 January 2021.

[63] "На авиабазе ВКС РФ Хмеймим в Сирии открыли памятник погибшему в бою с террористами летчику Роману Филипову". mil.ru. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.

[64] "Russian General Killed by 'Explosive Device' in Syria: Agencies". 18 August 2020.

[discuss-65] Fadel, Leith (7 September 2016). "Iranian, Syrian commanders meet to discuss upcoming Aleppo offensive". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 8 September 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2016.

[66] "Soleimani's presence in Aleppo underscores strategy of crushing rebels - The Long War Journal". Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.

[67] "Three Iranian leaders have been killed in Syria's battles". El-Dorar Al-Shamia. 6 September 2016. Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2016.

[involvement-68] Toumaj, Amir (3 August 2016). "Iranian military involvement in the battle for Aleppo". The Long War Journal. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2021.

[landis70721-69] Cite error: The named reference landis70721 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[aljazeera77228-70] Cite error: The named reference aljazeera77228 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[aljazeera11442-71] Cite error: The named reference aljazeera11442 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[bbc88210-72] Cite error: The named reference bbc88210 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[al-Baghdadi_incapacitated-73] Cite error: The named reference al-Baghdadi incapacitated was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Deputy_leader_assumes_command_of_ISIL-74] Cite error: The named reference Deputy leader assumes command of ISIL was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[nytimes34550-75] Cite error: The named reference nytimes34550 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[who_is_next-76] Cite error: The named reference who is next was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[al-Shishani_dead1-77] Cite error: The named reference al-Shishani dead1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[al-Shishani_dead2-78] Cite error: The named reference al-Shishani dead2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[confirmation-79] Cite error: The named reference confirmation was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Omar_dead-80] Cite error: The named reference Omar dead was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[al-Qaeda_deputy_killed-81] Cite error: The named reference al-Qaeda deputy killed was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[war-82] Cite error: The named reference war was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[al-Nusra_military_chief_killed-83] Cite error: The named reference al-Nusra military chief killed was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[group-84] Cite error: The named reference group was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[auto-85] Cite error: The named reference auto was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[al-Nusra_spokesman_killed-86] Cite error: The named reference al-Nusra spokesman killed was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[cook-87] Cite error: The named reference cook was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[maclean45227-88] Cite error: The named reference maclean45227 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Drugeon_wounded-89] Cite error: The named reference Drugeon wounded was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[bno-90] Cite error: The named reference bno was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[5th_Khorasan_leader_killed-91] Cite error: The named reference 5th Khorasan leader killed was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Drugeon_confirmed_dead-92] Cite error: The named reference Drugeon confirmed dead was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[nbcsyriaairstrikes-93] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Cite error: The named reference nbcsyriaairstrikes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[simoes25234-94] Cite error: The named reference simoes25234 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[cnnsyriaairstrikes-95] Cite error: The named reference cnnsyriaairstrikes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[wsjsyriaairstrikes-96] Cite error: The named reference wsjsyriaairstrikes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[harress09024-97] Cite error: The named reference harress09024 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[harress74746-98] Cite error: The named reference harress74746 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[sherlock08022-99] Cite error: The named reference sherlock08022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[JustinFishel-100] Cite error: The named reference JustinFishel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[AFP181115-101] Cite error: The named reference AFP181115 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Chammal1-102] Cite error: The named reference Chammal1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[UKdrones-103] Cite error: The named reference UKdrones was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[UKinSyria-104] Cite error: The named reference UKinSyria was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[reuters47744-105] Cite error: The named reference reuters47744 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[urdupont31127-106] Cite error: The named reference urdupont31127 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[bbcpeshmerga-107] Cite error: The named reference bbcpeshmerga was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[deepening_involvement-108] Cite error: The named reference deepening involvement was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[speed_up_fight-109] Cite error: The named reference speed up fight was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[join_local_forces-110] Cite error: The named reference join local forces was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[snow75544-111] Cite error: The named reference snow75544 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[zaretsky86698-112] Cite error: The named reference zaretsky86698 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[todayszaman48339-113] Cite error: The named reference todayszaman48339 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[rebel_gains-114] Cite error: The named reference rebel gains was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Syria_military_strength-115] Cite error: The named reference Syria military strength was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[killing_ground-116] Cite error: The named reference killing ground was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[liveuamap43335-117] Cite error: The named reference liveuamap43335 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[surfacing-118] Cite error: The named reference surfacing was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[warns_against-119] Stewart, Phil (4 September 2018). "Top U.S. general warns against major assault on Syria's Idlib". Reuters.

[ISIL_has_200,000_fighters-120] Cite error: The named reference ISIL has 200,000 fighters was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[bbc55542-121] Cite error: The named reference bbc55542 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[mezzofiore48873-122] Cite error: The named reference mezzofiore48873 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[nearly_5,000_bombs_dropped_on_ISIL-123] Cite error: The named reference nearly 5,000 bombs dropped on ISIL was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[thetimes90755-124] Cite error: The named reference thetimes90755 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[schneider40453-125] Cite error: The named reference schneider40453 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[nytimes80009-126] Cite error: The named reference nytimes80009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[ISIS_controls_Kobani-127] Cite error: The named reference ISIS controls Kobani was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[abc-128] Cite error: The named reference abc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[defect_to_ISIS-129] Cite error: The named reference defect to ISIS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[casu-130] 8 US Military, 1 DOD civilian

[131] "Army identifies U.S. soldier killed in Syria". The Washington Times.

[auto2-132] "Watson Institute International and Public Affairs- Brown University Human Cost of Post-9/11 Wars. November 2019" (PDF).

[sisk09990-133] Cite error: The named reference sisk09990 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[134] Roblin, Sebastien (21 June 2019). "A War Begins? How Iran Shot Down a U.S. RQ-4N Surveillance Drone". The National Interest.

[swarts29990-135] Cite error: The named reference swarts29990 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[airforcetimes39990-136] Cite error: The named reference airforcetimes39990 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[adams49990-137] Cite error: The named reference adams49990 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Jordanian_crash-138] Cite error: The named reference Jordanian crash was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[warisboring.com-139] "Drones Are Dropping Like Flies From the Sky Over Syria". 22 June 2017.

[bbc59990-140] Cite error: The named reference bbc59990 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[guardian69990-141] Cite error: The named reference guardian69990 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[142] "French soldier killed in Iraq-Syria military zone, Élysée Palace says". France 24. 23 September 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2019.

[Coalitionstrikes-143] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Cite error: The named reference Coalitionstrikes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[derspiegel-144] Christoph Reuter. American Fury: The Truth About the Russian Deaths in Syria: Hundreds of Russian soldiers are alleged to have died in U.S. airstrikes at the beginning of February. Reporting by DER SPIEGEL shows that events were likely very different. Der Spiegel, 2 March 2018.

[145] "About 220 casualties and wounded of the Russian security companies, the regime forces and their allies in Coalition's bombing and the explosion of a warehouse of the Russian protection forces east of Euphrates • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". 14 February 2018.

[146] Christopher Woody (6 June 2017). "The US-led coalition destroyed more pro-Assad forces at a growing hotspot in the Syrian desert". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.

[147] "U.S. aircraft conduct strike on Syrian army convoy". CBS News. 18 May 2017. Archived from the original on 7 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.

[148] U.S. airstrike destroys Russian-made tank used by pro-Syria forces Archived 2018-02-13 at the Wayback Machine NBC News, 13 February 2018.

[149] "Nine Syrian planes destroyed by US strike on airfield". ITV News. 7 April 2017.

[150] Here's The Definitive Account Of The Syrian Su-22 Shoot Down From The Pilots Themselves.

[151] "ISI first to analyze Shayrat airfield missile attack". ImageStat International. Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.

[152] "F-15E Shot Down "Predator-Sized" Drone That Attacked Coalition Forces In Syria". The Drive. 8 June 2017.

[153] "US 'downs Iranian-made drone' over Syria". BBC News. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2018.

[US_airstrike_targets_Ahrar_ash-Sham-154] Cite error: The named reference US airstrike targets Ahrar ash-Sham was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[11_terrorists_killed-155] Cite error: The named reference 11 terrorists killed was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[156] "Air strikes kill 12 fighters in Syria's Idlib: monitor". Reuters. 3 February 2017. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022.

[aq150-157] Cite error: The named reference aq150 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[158] "62 months of the "international coalition" operations in Syria: Killing "al-Baghdadi" the biggest achievement after the US withdrawal, new bases and goals in East Euphrates and joint operations with SDF to "fight IS cells" • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". 23 November 2019.

[159] "Al-Assad's legacy in 3rd presidential term | over 371,000 people killed…unprecedented economic collapse…foreign interventions and large spread of drugs • the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights". 25 May 2021.

[syriahr30002-160] Cite error: The named reference syriahr30002 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[syriahr40002-161] Cite error: The named reference syriahr40002 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[US_airstrikes_center_on_Kobani-162] Cite error: The named reference US airstrikes center on Kobani was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[over_20,000_displaced_during_Al-Hasakah_offensive-163] Cite error: The named reference over 20,000 displaced during Al-Hasakah offensive was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[hubbard50002-164] Cite error: The named reference hubbard50002 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[jacobs21117-165] Cite error: The named reference jacobs21117 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[guardianopenend-166] Cite error: The named reference guardianopenend was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[washingtonpost31117-167] Cite error: The named reference washingtonpost31117 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[NYT2018-12-19a-168] Cite error: The named reference NYT2018-12-19a was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Time2018-12-19a-169] Cite error: The named reference Time2018-12-19a was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Guardian2018-12-20a-170] Cite error: The named reference Guardian2018-12-20a was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[ahval41117-171] Cite error: The named reference ahval41117 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[cbs90009-172] Cite error: The named reference cbs90009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[battleover-173] Cite error: The named reference battleover was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[politico61117-174] Cite error: The named reference politico61117 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[bbc71117-175] Cite error: The named reference bbc71117 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[ap81117-176] Cite error: The named reference ap81117 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[177] "No 'End Date' for U.S. Troops in Syria". 25 November 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.

[178] "A look at the US military mission in Syria and its dangers". AP News. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2024.

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

[46]

[47]

[48]

[49]

[50]

[51]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[52]

[53]

[54]

[55]

[56]

[57]

[58]

[59]

[60]

[61]

[62]

[63]

[64]

[65]

[66]

[67]

[68]

[69]

[70]

[71]

[72]

[73]

[74]

[75]

[76]

[77]

[78]

[79]

[80]

[81]

[82]

[83]

[84]

[85]

[86]

[87]

[88]

[89]

[90]

[91]

[92]

[93]

[94]

[95]

[96]

[97]

[98]

[99]

[100]