2020–2021 Ayn Issa clashes
Part of Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War

A house in the Ayn Issa countryside
Date23 November 2020 – 19 April 2021
(4 months, 3 weeks and 6 days)
Location
Ayn Issa, Raqqa Governorate, Syria
Result Inconclusive
Territorial
changes		 SNA temporarily controls parts of two villages, but is then repulsed.[1][2]
Belligerents
 Turkey
Syrian National Army (SNA)		 Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria
Commanders and leaders
Turkey Hulusi Akar
Syrian opposition Anas al-Abdah
Syrian opposition Abdurrahman Mustafa		 Aziz Xerbisan[3]
Emmar Ekaş[4]
Ziyad Heleb[5]
Units involved

Turkish Armed Forces

Syrian National Army (SNA)

Syrian Democratic Forces

Strength
Unknown infantry
Several tanks, APCs, technicals, artillery[9][6]		 Unknown
Casualties and losses

Per SOHR:[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]
71 killed, 7 wounded, 7 captured
1 tank, 1 bulldozer, 1 military vehicle destroyed

[23]

Per SOHR:[24][18][25][26][27][28][29][30]
25 killed, 3 wounded
1 mechanized digger destroyed

Per Turkey:

28 killed or wounded in whole Peace Spring area

3 civilians killed, 5 wounded[31][32][33][34][35]

1 wounded, 1 vehicle burned down[36]

The 2020–2021 Ayn Issa clashes were a series of clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) in Ayn Issa during the Syrian civil war.

Background

The line of contact between the Syrian Democratic Forces and Turkish-backed Syrian National Army forces had mainly been focused on Ayn Issa, Raqqa Governorate, with clashes being frequent.

During the 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria, clashes occurred between the SNA and SDF on 20 November 2019 around SDF-controlled Ayn Issa, resulting in the death of eight SNA fighters and four SDF fighters.[37] According to the SDF, the SNA attacked positions in Tell Tamer and villages around Ayn Issa with rockets, UAVs and heavy weapons.[38] As a result of fighting in Ayn Issa, guards of the Ayn Issa refugee camp left their posts to fight the SNA, resulting in several IS families housed there to escape the camp.[39] Later in the same day, the SDF launched an offensive to retake Shrekrak village silos from the SNA, shelling SNA positions, with the SNA in turn shelling the surrounding villages controlled by SDF.[40] The SNA advanced towards Ayn Issa, resulting in the death of 13 SNA fighters and six SDF fighters.[41] The SDF managed to regain full control of Ayn Issa and its surroundings after heavy clashes and a counterattack[42][43][44] with Russian planes seen flying over Ayn Issa after the failed offensive; by this time, the Kurds and the Syrian government–and therefore Russia–agreed to a joint presence in the region.[43] After the fighting, the SDF further secured villages around Ayn Issa. 21 SNA fighters were killed in the fighting while the SDF's casualties were unknown.[45]

Turkey has always had an interest in the area and has widely regarded the SDF units as having ties to the PKK organization, which it regards as a terrorist group. The Turkish incursion into north-eastern Syria ended short of the M4 highway that spans through most of Syria; cutting the highway would be a major blow to the SDF.[46] In early October 2020, Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan began threatening to launch another offensive into the area calling it a "terrorist zone."[47] On 19 November 2020, military sources from the SDF confirmed that Turkey had set up a military base in the village of Sayda, north of Ayn Issa.[48]

Clashes

Preliminary shelling

Tensions increased when Turkish and allied forces intensified shelling on Ayn Issa and its surroundings in the northern Raqqa countryside on 23 November, thus violating the October 2019 agreements. Officials stated that the violations had worsened in the past few days.[49] It was reported that 11 SNA and several SDF fighers died during the skirmishes.[50] The next day, it was reported that over 30 SNA fighters were killed during a failed infiltration attempt in the vicinity of Ayn Issa.[51] A few days later a Turkish rocket attack near the town reportedly injured two children and destroyed some houses. Because of this and several other incidents, civilians began to flee the area.[52] On 1 December, Turkish bombardments renewed in the village of Sayda and the outskirts of Ayn Issa.[53] Local news media reported on 6 December that SNA fighters supported by Turkish elements intensified their attacks on Ayn Issa amid fears of a new Turkish offensive into the region.[54]

On December 10, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that 7,000 people had fled their homes in Ayn Issa over the past month, fearing a Turkish military campaign. There had been daily shelling concentrated on Ayn Issa and its surroundings and the M4 highway. In response to Russia's lack of a response to the developments, residents of the town held two demonstrations.[55]

Attempted SNA advance

After a week of relative calm, SNA forces backed by Turkish artillery launched an attack on 18 December on the Jahbal and Mushayrifah villages in the eastern countryside of Ayn Issa. The factions were unable to capture any new positions.[56][57] Nine SNA fighters and two SDF fighters were killed during the attack.[58] On 19 December, there were again clashes reported on the same frontline without any territorial changes.[59] The following week was characterized by daily shelling and clashes on the villages of Jahbal and Mushayrifah in the northeastern outskirts of Ayn Issa.[60] The clashes included several attempts by the SNA to seize the village of Mushayrifah. This village is seen as a strategic village, as it is located along the M4 international road, which the Turkish backed forces sought to cut off.[61] Meanwhile, an SDF commander criticized Russia's stance in the conflict. In recent talks he accused the Russian counterpart of pressuring the SDF to hand over the lands of Ayn Issa to the Syrian government in exchange for Russian protection against the Turkish attacks.[62]

The fighting shifted towards the northwestern countryside of Ayn Issa in the first week of January 2021. Clashes erupted when the SNA, backed by Turkish artillery, tried to advance on the villages of Khaldiyah and Mu'alaq.[63] The villages witnessed clashes again on January 6, with the SDF managing to destroy a technical belonging to the SNA on the Mu'alaq frontline.[64] Kurdish officials claimed that Turkey is accelerating its efforts to capture more ground in northern Syria during the current presidential transition period in the United States. One official stated that Ankara knew that the upcoming US administration would have a different policy towards the region, and that this was the reason the SDF was being pressured so heavily around Ayn Issa.[65]

Subsequent skirmishes

After six days of tense calm, clashes renewed on 12 January in the villages of Jahbal and Mushayrifah, following a push by Turkish-backed forces.[66] On 23 January, the SDF reportedly foiled an SNA infiltration attempt on the same front.[67] Three days later, Turkish forces shelled SDF positions on the village of Sayda and the M4 road.[68] While Turkish forces shelled the villages of Khaldiyah, Mu'alaq and Istirahat Saqr in northern Raqqa, the Syrian Armed Forces brought tens of soldiers into the 93rd Brigade south of Ayn Issa.[69]

Tensions between the SDF and the SAA also increased following the Siege of Qamishli and Al-Hasakah. The SDF feared that the Syrian government, together with Russia, would strike a deal with Turkey and withdraw from Ayn Issa in a betrayal. In exchange, Damascus was seeking a plan to expel rebel forces and end the Turkish military presence in the Idlib Governorate.[70][71] Russia withdrew from Ayn Issa and Al-Hasakah on 21 February seeking to exert pressure on the SDF after it refused to hand over nearby villages and food silos to regime forces.[72] Hours later, Russian forces returned after discontent from the area's residents.[73]

In the next month a Turkish officer, 3 Turkish backed militants, and 2 SDF fighters were killed on March 19 according to SOHR after several clashes and exchanges of artillery fire between the two sides.[23] Turkish shelling on Hadriyat village east of Ayn Issa resulted in the death of one child, four other people were reportedly wounded.[33][74] On the next day Turkish forces began to use aircraft to target SDF positions around Ayn Issa.[75][76] The SOHR documented the deaths of 5 SDF fighters that had been killed during Turkish bombardments and further clashes in the town on March 21. Days later, Turkish-backed forces killed 7 additional members of SDF's Raqqa Military Council.[77]

As the spring progressed, the situation calmed down, with the last skirmishes reported on 19 April when Turkish-backed forced shelled positions in Ayn Issa, injuring three people at a petrol station.[78][35]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "International pressure, ideological shift, and domestic developments shape the future of the eastern Euphrates region". Enab Baladi. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  2. ↑ "SDF repel Turkish occupation's attacks in Musherfeh, M4 vicinity". Hawar News Agency. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  3. ↑ "SDF Commander: We have foiled an occupation attempt in Ain Issa". ANF News. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Resistance in Ain Issa continues, says Commander Ekaş". ANF News. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  5. ↑ "SDF commander: 12 killed, a vehicle destroyed in Ain Issa". ANF News. 21 December 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  6. 1 2 Sultan al-Kanj (29 December 2020). "Turkey weighs attack on Syrian Kurdish town". Monitor. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  7. ↑ "First aerial operation in 17 months | Turkish jet strikes positions near contested areas between SDF and Turkish-backed factions in northern Al-Raqqah • the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights". 20 March 2021.
  8. ↑ Raúl Redondo (20 December 2020). "Rebels supported by Turkey advance attack on an important enclave in northern Syria". atalayar. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  9. 1 2 Wladimir van Wilgenburg (18 December 2020). "Violent clashes erupt in Syria between Turkish-backed groups and Kurdish-led SDF". Kurdistan24. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  10. ↑ "Russia Propositions SDF in Ayn Issa". ASHARQ AL-AWSAT. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  11. ↑ "مراسم تشييع الشهداء الخمس". YouTube. Retrieved 2020-12-31. "The funeral ceremony of four martyrs from the North Democratic Brigade and a martyr from the Martyr Adel Manbij Brigade, who lost their lives defending the homeland, Ain Issa"
  12. ↑ Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (21 December 2020). "Liwa al-Shamal al-Dimoqrati: Component of the Syrian Democratic Forces". Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  13. ↑ "Members of Jazira Young Women's Union join resistance in Ain Issa". ANF News. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  14. ↑ "Young women join the SDF to defend their land". ANF News. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  15. ↑ "Turkish attack | Forces renew shelling Ain Issa, injuring woman and her two children". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. November 28, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Ain Issa battles in four days | Nearly 25 fighters of Turkish-backed factions killed in failed military attacks to cut off Hasakeh-Aleppo international road, under Turkish orders". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. December 22, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Ain Issa | 17 Turkish-backed fighters killed and captured during infiltration attempts into SDF positions in countryside". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. December 28, 2020.
  18. 1 2 "North of Raqqa | Turkish forces shell Tel Abyad countryside, as tense calm continues on Ain Issa frontlines". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. December 29, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Ain Issa | Clashes renew between SDF and Turkish-backed factions". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. January 6, 2021.
  20. ↑ "With Russian consent | SDF destroys bulldozer of Ankara-backed factions, east of Ain Issa". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. January 14, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Ain Issa | SDF shell post of "Al-Amshat", killing and wounding ten". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. February 22, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Third infiltration attempt in three days | Clashes between SDF and Turkish-backed factions on Ain Issa frontlines leaves casualties". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-03-17. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  23. 1 2 "Ain Issa violent clashes | Turkish officer and five fighters of SDF and Turkish-backed factions killed in clashes and bombardment". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-03-19. Retrieved 2021-03-20. ...the death of a Turkish officer and three fighters of the Turkish-backed factions, while SDF lost two fighters
  24. ↑ "Russia's military build-up | Forces set up new base south of Ain Issa, as shelling and clashes resume in eastern frontlines of Ain Issa in northern Raqqa". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. December 24, 2020. SDF lost five fighters in the same clashes
  25. ↑ "The Syrian Democratic Forces issued a statement regarding the Ain Issa clashes". Xeber 24. 29 December 2020. ...five fighters were killed, four of them from the North Democratic Brigade
  26. ↑ "Al-Raqqah | Three SDF fighters killed in Turkish bombardment on Ain Issa countryside". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. January 1, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Al-Raqqah | Turkish forces destroy SDF mechanised digger on M4 and shell positions on Ain Issa frontlines". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. February 20, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Al-Raqqah | Five members of "Kawadir" and SDF killed in last few days, and Ain Issa frontlines witness sporadic clashes". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-03-21. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  29. ↑ "With the help of agents | Turkish-backed faction kills seven members of "Tahrir Al-Raqqah Forces" in infiltration operation near Ain Issa". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  30. ↑ "East of Ain Issa | Several SDF members injured in Turkish ground shelling on their positions". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-04-06. Retrieved 2021-04-07. ...three members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were injured in Turkish artillery shelling...
  31. ↑ "Old ordnance | Child among four people killed in two separate explosions in Ain Issa and Aleppo countryside". SOHR. 2021-03-15. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  32. ↑ "Infiltration attempt into SDF positions | Turkish-backed factions shell Ain Issa villages, north of Raqqa". SOHR. 2021-01-29. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  33. 1 2 "Growing tension | Child killed in Turkish bombardment, while exchange of shelling continues between SDF and Turkish-backed factions". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-03-19. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  34. ↑ "Ain Issa | Girl dies of wounds sustained in earlier Turkish bombardment on eastern countryside". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-03-23. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  35. 1 2 "Rocket fire | Turkish forces and their proxies shell positions in Ain Issa, injuring many". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-20. ...the bombardment targeted a petrol station on the western outskirts of Ain Issa, which injured three people...
  36. ↑ "North of Raqqa | Regime soldier injured, and vehicle burned down in Turkish rocket attack on the perimeter of Ain Issa silos". SOHR. 2021-02-22. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  37. ↑ "Shrekrak Silos area in Ayn Issa witnesses the continuation of exchange of shelling and clashes between SDF and the Ankara-loyal factions". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 20 November 2019.
  38. ↑ "SDF reports ongoing attacks against northern Syria". ANF News.
  39. ↑ "Lens of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights from Ayn Issa Camp:: as clashes approach the camp .. "Asayish" forces abandon the task of protecting the camp to join the fighting .. families of the "Islamic State" organization flee .. and fears among the displaced people". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 13 October 2019.
  40. ↑ "SDF carry out a violent attack on Shrekrak Silos in the Ayn Issa countryside to recover them from the Ankara-loyal factions". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 20 November 2019.
  41. ↑ "With intensive Turkish air support, the Ankara-loyal factions advance at the expense of SDF and control Ayn Issa camp, the death toll is about 20 so far". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 23 November 2019.
  42. ↑ "Syrian Army, SDF troops still in full control of Ayn Issa". 24 November 2019. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  43. 1 2 "Cautious calm prevails Ayn Issa area north of al-Raqqah in conjunction with the flight of warplanes believed to be Russian". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 24 November 2019.
  44. ↑ "The news about handing over "Ayn Issa" to the regime forces is completely false .. and the "Autonomous Administration" transfers its headquarters for being considered an area of clash". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 1 December 2019.
  45. ↑ "SDF continue to sweep villages and sites where the Turkey-loyal factions advanced to in Ayn Issa outskirts". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 24 November 2019.
  46. ↑ "Mutual interests behind Moscow's inaction over escalation in Syria's Ain Issa, Russia politician". North press agency. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  47. ↑ "Erdoğan threatens new Syria offensive over presence of Kurdish forces". Ahval. Archived from the original on 2020-10-13. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  48. ↑ "Turkey Sets Up New Military Base in Northern Raqqa". Asharq Al-Awsat. 2020-11-20. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  49. ↑ "SDF official: Russian grantor keeps watching Turkish attacks on Syria's Ain Issa". North press agency. 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  50. ↑ "Infiltration attempt | 11 Turkish-backed militiamen killed in clashes with SDF nearby Ain Issa". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  51. ↑ "Dozens among opposition groups killed and injured in Syria's Raqqa countryside". North press agency. 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  52. ↑ "In full sight of Russian troops | Residents of Ain Issa in northern Raqqa flee their area, as Turkish shelling on the region continues". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. November 28, 2020.
  53. ↑ "North of Raqqa | Turkish forces and proxy factions shell villages near M4 road". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  54. ↑ "Turkish-Backed Rebels Intensify Attacks on Syrian Town | Voice of America - English". Voice of America. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  55. ↑ "Turkish military escalation in a month | Nearly 7,000 people flee from Ain Issa and countryside, amid fears of imminent military operation". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2020-12-10. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  56. ↑ "Turkey-backed fighters clash with Kurdish forces in north Syria town". Reuters. 2020-12-18. Archived from the original on 2020-12-18. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  57. ↑ "Backed by intensive Turkish artillery fire | Turkish-backed factions launch violent attacks on east Ain Issa frontlines". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2020-12-18. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  58. ↑ "Ain Issa countryside | Two SDF members killed in shelling and clashes with Turkish-backed factions, as shelling continues on frontlines". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2020-12-18. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  59. ↑ "Clashes with Turkey-backed militias continue in Ain Issa: SDF". Rudaw. Archived from the original on 2020-12-19. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  60. ↑ "Turkish-backed opposition renew shelling on Syria's northeast Ain Issa". North press agency. 2020-12-26.
  61. ↑ "Infiltration attempt | Turkish forces and their proxies sneak to key village in rural Ain Issa, amid intensive shelling and clashes". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2020-12-25. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  62. ↑ "SDF commander slams Russian silence on Ain Issa attacks". Rudaw. 2020-12-22. Archived from the original on 2020-12-22. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  63. ↑ "Turkish-backed factions try to advance on western frontlines of Ain Issa". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-01-03. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  64. ↑ "Renewed clashes in villages in Syria's Ain Issa". North press agency. 2021-01-06.
  65. ↑ "Fighting Continues Over Flashpoint Town in Northern Syria". Voice of America. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  66. ↑ "After nearly six days of tense calm | Clashes resume in Ain Issa countryside between SDF and Turkish-backed factions". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-01-12. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  67. ↑ "SDF foils infiltration attempt by Turkish-backed groups in Syria's Ain Issa". North press agency. 2021-01-23. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  68. ↑ "North of Raqqa | Turkish forces shell Ain Issa frontlines and "M4" road". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-01-26. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  69. ↑ "Ain Issa | Turkish forces and proxies shell several positions, while tens of regime soldiers brought in to the 93rd Brigade". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-01-31. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  70. ↑ "Fresh Clashes Erupt Between Kurdish, Government Forces in Northeast Syria | Voice of America". Voice of America. 2021-01-31. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  71. ↑ "How Turkey fits in regime-Kurdish showdown in Syria". Al-Monitor. 2021-02-04. Archived from the original on 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  72. ↑ "To exert pressure on SDF and force it to agree to their demands | Russian forces withdraw from military bases in al-Hasakeh and Raqqa provinces". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-02-21. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  73. ↑ "Hours after withdrawal | The Russians return to Ain Issa base, amid popular anger over "Russia's extortion against SDF"". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-02-22. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  74. ↑ "Child killed in Turkish-backed shelling of Ain Issa: SDF". Rudaw. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  75. ↑ "Military escalation | Turkish aircraft join Ain Issa battles, as ground troops failing to advance into its villages". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-03-20. Archived from the original on 2021-03-21. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  76. ↑ "First aerial operation in 17 months | Turkish jet strikes positions near contested areas between SDF and Turkish-backed factions in northern Al-Raqqah". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-03-20. Archived from the original on 2021-03-20. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  77. ↑ "With the help of agents | Turkish-backed faction kills seven members of "Tahrir Al-Raqqah Forces" in infiltration operation near Ain Issa". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-03-24. Archived from the original on 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  78. ↑ "Renewed bombardment | Turkish forces and their proxies shell positions in Ain Issa countryside and M4 highway". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2021-04-18. Archived from the original on 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
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