Syria news/Archive/2023

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26 Dec. An Iranian Brigadier-General was assassinated by an Israeli air strike in a suburb of Damascus on Christmas Day. As Hezbollah continued engagements with the IDF in the Lebanon - Israel border areas. While Iraqi 'resistance' factions continued targeting US bases in Syria, to which the US retaliated.

26 Nov. “At about 16:50 on Sunday, the Israeli occupation forces launched an air attack with missiles from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan, targeting Damascus International Airport and some areas in Damascus countryside, putting the airport out of service once again, reported SANA. Officials claimed most missiles were intercepted. Video (twitter)

20 Nov. Hezbollah fires "Burkan" missiles on Israel, near the border. IDF responds. US sends an envoy, tasked with preventing larger conflict.

Al Jazeera video - "Hamas armed wing claims latest rocket firings towards Tel Aviv"

Arab Summit in Riyadh on the issue of Gaza with Syria's Assad, Iran's Raisi and Türkiye's Erdogan

12 Nov. Abby Martin interviews Roger Waters ("Pink Floyd") on the issue of Gaza.

10 Nov. Assad arrives in Riyadh to take part in the "Extraordinary Session of the Arab Summit on Israeli aggression on Gaza Strip" which will take place there tomorrow.

MBS welcomes Raisi in Riyadh.

27/28 Oct. "Hezbollah" hits "Merkava" tank (video). Israeli "Panther" armored vehicle is attacked with ATGM (video).

27 Oct. Aljazeera live streams from Khan Younis, while Israeli ground operation "expands."

UN general assembly vote to take place, after UNSC was deadlocked vetoing each other's competing resolutions.

"A thousand Russian troops arrived in Syria in the second ten days of October." (1, 2).

26 Oct. Syrian army units down and destroy a number of drones (photo) in Hama, Aleppo countryside.

US bases in Iraq are targeted again.

25 Oct. Reports: Israel Strikes Syrian Military Assets Killing 8 Soldiers; Sea-borne Attack By Hamas Foiled

24 Oct. Reports of a massive rocket attack on Tel Aviv, 5 Israelis wounded. Reports: "two dozen" US military personnel received minor injuries in attacks in the previous week on US bases in Iraq and Syria

23 Oct. IDF published satellite photos claiming to show Hamas launch sites in Gaza near schools, a mosque, and a UN building

19 Oct. Reports: US troops in Syria targeted (1, 2).

18 Oct. UNSC. Russian amendments to Brazilian draft on Gaza were rejected. Then USA vetoed the draft.

17 Oct. There are media reports (and some night-time videos) that the bombing of the Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza has killed scores of people

16 Oct. Russian resolution on Gaza calling for immediate humanitarian ceasefire was vetoed by Western UNSC members

14-15 Oct. Iranian media boasts of new Iranian-made RPG which they say was used to damage Merkava tank.

Israel bombs airports in Aleppo and Damascus, prior to arrival of the Iranian FM to the region.

Cross-border clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah (using ATGM)

Continued Israeli strikes on Gaza, evacuations to the southern part of Gaza bordering Egypt is ordered.

Tentative peace moves between Israel and Saudi Arabia seem to be off.

9 Oct. Hezbollah issued a threat. It appears (1, 2) that Israel is to start a ground operation in Gaza, after intense bombardments and a full blockade. Israeli allegations of massacres and rape. Survivors interviews.

8 Oct. Israel introduced 40א , the war clause (1).

7 Oct. Surprise large-scale Hamas attack on Israel from Gaza. Report: "Footage of the Hamas breakthrough with battles in Israel and the defeat (~damage/hit) of the Merkava Mk 4 tank with an ancient Soviet RPG-7" (also 1,2). Some Israeli checkpoints overrun, prisoners captured on other videos. Israel "at war", begins retaliatory strikes.

25 Sep. Armenian exodus from Karabakh (Artsakh).

22 Sep. Netanyahu at the UN: "Israel on the cusp of historic peace with Saudi Arabia".

21 Sep. Assad visits China.

20 Sep. Azerbaijan started "local anti-terrorist operation" against Nagornyi Krabakh (Artsakh). Prior to that, Armenian leader made increasingly hostile statements and actions against Russian influence, and towards greater integration with the West. Small scale joint exercises of Armenian and US troops were held, while CSTO exercises of the post-Soviet alliance were rejected. Armenia also made diplomatic steps giving Azerbaijan control over Artsakh. On the eve of resumed clashes, there were protest meetings in Armenia against Pashinian. Azerbaijan is backed by Turkey; Armenia by Russia, with some peacekeepers on the ground, and to some varied degrees by EU, as well as Iran. As casualties mounted, it is announced that Artsakh forces are to stop firing at 1 pm today, and start talks on re-integration to Azerbaijan.

17 Sep. Kim Jong Un returns from a trip to Russia where he met Putin at a space launch site, and subsequently traveled through Russia and shown various military gadgets. These times diplomacy continues with Shoigu visit to Iran.

12-13 Aug. Iranian sources report that a group called "Popular Resistance in the East of the Euphrates" fired missiles at US forces/US interests in Deir Ez-zor /Koniko gas field/Al-Omar oil field area. Pro-Western SOHR appears to deny casualties but not an attack. No official Western coalition comment yet. 1, 2, 3

25 Jul. RU MoD: Russian military delegation led by def. min. Shoigu arrived to North Korea. arrived to North Korea. (Parade; concert 1, 2).

21 Jul. "Russian Dep. Defense Minister Col. Gen. Aleksandr Fomin held (phone) talks with Iranian Dep. Defense Minister Gen. Hojatollah Qureishi. They discussed topical issues of bilateral military and military-technical co-operation, and exchanged views on regional security and the international situation" (Eng./SANA).

5-23 Jul. Russian officials claim that US drones (planes, in other reports) locked their targeting systems on Russian jets, resulting in automatic deployment of counter-measures. Later, US released videos (1, 2) showing several encounters of Russian jets with US drones, said to happen on July 5, 7, 16, 23.

21 Jun. Report: "Iran's Illicit Procurement Related To Weapons Of Mass Destruction In The Netherlands, Sweden, And Germany During 2022" (also mentions Syria, Russia, but without details).

19 May. Assad visits the Arab League Summit in Saudi Arabia, hugs with the crown prince. Syria is re-admitted into the Arab League.

23 Mar. "After Iran, Saudi Arabia to re-establish ties with Syria".

14 Mar. Assad visits Moscow to meet Putin; gives interview to Soloviev (Rus.; abridged Eng.). That was followed by MoD's meeting.

6 Feb. Major earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Russia offered assistance to Syria and, among others, to Turkey and sent rescue teams to both countries.

Building collapse in Aleppo, video
Ocean wave, Turkey

Some 20 IS prisoners escaped jail in Rajo, near Turkish border (text).

White Helmets, baby, action (video)

28 Jan. It is said, including Western media, that Israel carried out a drone attack at a weapons factory in Isfahan in central Iran. There are conflicting claims on attack effectiveness, with Iranian photos (1, 2) showing light damage to the net protecting the roof. According to Iranian and referring to them sources, earthquake in Khoy and an accidental fire at an oil purification plant in Azarshahr allow Western media to spread disinformation.