2020–2021 Ayn Issa clashes

{{Main|Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone|2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria}}

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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=147958|title=Shrekrak Silos area in Ayn Issa witnesses the continuation of exchange of shelling and clashes between SDF and the Ankara-loyal factions|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=20 November 2019}} According to the SDF, the SNA attacked positions in Tell Tamer and villages around Ayn Issa with rockets, UAVs and heavy weapons.{{Cite web|url=https://anfenglishmobile.com/rojava-syria/sdf-reports-ongoing-attacks-against-northern-syria-39543|title=SDF reports ongoing attacks against northern Syria|website=ANF News}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=143803|title=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|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=13 October 2019}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=147897|title=SDF carry out a violent attack on Shrekrak Silos in the Ayn Issa countryside to recover them from the Ankara-loyal factions|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=20 November 2019}} The SNA advanced towards Ayn Issa, resulting in the death of 13 SNA fighters and six SDF fighters.{{Cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=148243|title=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|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=23 November 2019}} The SDF managed to regain full control of Ayn Issa and its surroundings after heavy clashes and a counterattack{{Cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-sdf-troops-still-in-full-control-of-ayn-issa/|title=Syrian Army, SDF troops still in full control of Ayn Issa|date=24 November 2019|access-date=9 December 2020|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113181523/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-sdf-troops-still-in-full-control-of-ayn-issa/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=148317|title=Cautious calm prevails Ayn Issa area north of al-Raqqah in conjunction with the flight of warplanes believed to be Russian|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=24 November 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=149064|title=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|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=1 December 2019}} 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. 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=148365|title=SDF continue to sweep villages and sites where the Turkey-loyal factions advanced to in Ayn Issa outskirts|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=24 November 2019}}

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.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-25|title=Mutual interests behind Moscow's inaction over escalation in Syria's Ain Issa, Russia politician|url=https://npasyria.com/en/50376/|access-date=2020-12-19|website=North press agency|language=en-US}} In early October 2020, Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan began threatening to launch another offensive into the area calling it a "terrorist zone."{{Cite web|title=Erdoğan threatens new Syria offensive over presence of Kurdish forces|url=https://ahvalnews.com/syria/erdogan-threatens-new-syria-offensive-over-presence-kurdish-forces|access-date=2020-12-19|website=Ahval|language=en|archive-date=2020-10-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013153447/https://ahvalnews.com/syria/erdogan-threatens-new-syria-offensive-over-presence-kurdish-forces|url-status=dead}} 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.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-20|title=Turkey Sets Up New Military Base in Northern Raqqa|url=https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2635951/turkey-sets-new-military-base-northern-raqqa|access-date=2021-01-08|website=Asharq Al-Awsat}}

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.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-24|title=SDF official: Russian grantor keeps watching Turkish attacks on Syria's Ain Issa|url=https://npasyria.com/en/50314/|access-date=2020-12-19|website=North press agency|language=en-US}} It was reported that 11 SNA and several SDF fighers died during the skirmishes.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-24|title=Infiltration attempt {{!}} 11 Turkish-backed militiamen killed in clashes with SDF nearby Ain Issa|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/193211/|access-date=2020-12-19|language=en-US}} The next day, it was reported that over 30 SNA fighters were killed during a failed infiltration attempt in the vicinity of Ayn Issa.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-24|title=Dozens among opposition groups killed and injured in Syria's Raqqa countryside|url=https://npasyria.com/en/50327/|access-date=2020-12-19|website=North press agency|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/193779/|title=In full sight of Russian troops | Residents of Ain Issa in northern Raqqa flee their area, as Turkish shelling on the region continues|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=November 28, 2020}} On 1 December, Turkish bombardments renewed in the village of Sayda and the outskirts of Ayn Issa.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-01|title=North of Raqqa {{!}} Turkish forces and proxy factions shell villages near M4 road|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/194257/|access-date=2020-12-19|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Turkish-Backed Rebels Intensify Attacks on Syrian Town|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_turkish-backed-rebels-intensify-attacks-syrian-town/6199248.html|access-date=2020-12-19|website=Voice of America|language=en}}

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.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-10|title=Turkish military escalation in a month {{!}} Nearly 7,000 people flee from Ain Issa and countryside, amid fears of imminent military operation|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/195410/|access-date=2020-12-19|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US}}

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.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-12-18|title=Turkey-backed fighters clash with Kurdish forces in north Syria town|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-ainissa-idUSKBN28S298|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218164041/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-ainissa-idUSKBN28S298 |archive-date=2020-12-18 |access-date=2021-02-20|website=Reuters}}{{Cite web|date=2020-12-18|title=Backed by intensive Turkish artillery fire {{!}} Turkish-backed factions launch violent attacks on east Ain Issa frontlines|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/196453/|access-date=2020-12-19|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US}} Nine SNA fighters and two SDF fighters were killed during the attack.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-18|title=Ain Issa countryside {{!}} Two SDF members killed in shelling and clashes with Turkish-backed factions, as shelling continues on frontlines|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/196473/|access-date=2020-12-19|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US}} On 19 December, there were again clashes reported on the same frontline without any territorial changes.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Clashes with Turkey-backed militias continue in Ain Issa: SDF|url=https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/turkey/191220201|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219142855/https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/turkey/191220201 |archive-date=2020-12-19 |access-date=2020-12-19|website=Rudaw}} The following week was characterized by daily shelling and clashes on the villages of Jahbal and Mushayrifah in the northeastern outskirts of Ayn Issa.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-26|title=Turkish-backed opposition renew shelling on Syria's northeast Ain Issa|url=https://npasyria.com/en/51898/|access-date=|website=North press agency|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-25|title=Infiltration attempt {{!}} Turkish forces and their proxies sneak to key village in rural Ain Issa, amid intensive shelling and clashes|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/197553/|access-date=2020-12-26|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-12-22|title=SDF commander slams Russian silence on Ain Issa attacks|url=https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/22122020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222102756/https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/22122020 |archive-date=2020-12-22 |access-date=2020-12-26|website=Rudaw}}

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.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-03|title=Turkish-backed factions try to advance on western frontlines of Ain Issa|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/198749/|access-date=2021-01-06|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-06|title=Renewed clashes in villages in Syria's Ain Issa|url=https://npasyria.com/en/52524/ |access-date=|website=North press agency|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Fighting Continues Over Flashpoint Town in Northern Syria|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_fighting-continues-over-flashpoint-town-northern-syria/6200367.html|access-date=2021-01-06|website=Voice of America|language=en}}

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.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-12|title=After nearly six days of tense calm {{!}} Clashes resume in Ain Issa countryside between SDF and Turkish-backed factions|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/200233/|access-date=2021-01-13|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US}} On 23 January, the SDF reportedly foiled an SNA infiltration attempt on the same front.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-23|title=SDF foils infiltration attempt by Turkish-backed groups in Syria's Ain Issa|url=https://npasyria.com/en/53401/|access-date=2020-01-28|website=North press agency|language=en-US}} Three days later, Turkish forces shelled SDF positions on the village of Sayda and the M4 road.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-26|title=North of Raqqa {{!}} Turkish forces shell Ain Issa frontlines and "M4" road|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/202284/|access-date=2020-01-30|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-31|title=Ain Issa {{!}} Turkish forces and proxies shell several positions, while tens of regime soldiers brought in to the 93rd Brigade|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/203139/ |access-date=2020-02-13|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US}}

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.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-31|title=Fresh Clashes Erupt Between Kurdish, Government Forces in Northeast Syria|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_fresh-clashes-erupt-between-kurdish-government-forces-northeast-syria/6201448.html|access-date=2020-02-13|website=Voice of America|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2021-02-04|title=How Turkey fits in regime-Kurdish showdown in Syria|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2021/02/turkey-syria-damascus-kurds-escalation-where-ankara-stands.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204190201/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2021/02/turkey-syria-damascus-kurds-escalation-where-ankara-stands.html |archive-date=2021-02-04 |access-date=2021-02-20|website=Al-Monitor}} 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.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-21|title=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|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/206112/|access-date=2021-02-22|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US}} Hours later, Russian forces returned after discontent from the area's residents.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-22|title=Hours after withdrawal {{!}} The Russians return to Ain Issa base, amid popular anger over "Russia's extortion against SDF"|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/206128/|access-date=2021-02-22|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US}}

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. Turkish shelling on Hadriyat village east of Ayn Issa resulted in the death of one child, four other people were reportedly wounded.{{Cite news|date=19 March 2021|title=Child killed in Turkish-backed shelling of Ain Issa: SDF|work=Rudaw|url=https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/190320211|access-date=19 March 2021}} On the next day Turkish forces began to use aircraft to target SDF positions around Ayn Issa.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-20|title=Military escalation {{!}} Turkish aircraft join Ain Issa battles, as ground troops failing to advance into its villages|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/210203/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321073742/https://www.syriahr.com/en/210203/ |archive-date=2021-03-21 }}{{Cite web|date=2021-03-20|title=First aerial operation in 17 months {{!}} Turkish jet strikes positions near contested areas between SDF and Turkish-backed factions in northern Al-Raqqah|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/210202/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320230554/https://www.syriahr.com/en/210202/ |archive-date=2021-03-20 }} 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.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-24|title=With the help of agents {{!}} Turkish-backed faction kills seven members of "Tahrir Al-Raqqah Forces" in infiltration operation near Ain Issa|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/211091/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324130133/https://www.syriahr.com/en/211091/ |archive-date=2021-03-24 }}

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.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-18|title=Renewed bombardment {{!}} Turkish forces and their proxies shell positions in Ain Issa countryside and M4 highway|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/214165/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-19|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418200725/https://www.syriahr.com/en/214165/ |archive-date=2021-04-18 }}

• 2018 Syrian-Turkish border clashes
• 2019 Tell Rifaat clashes

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{{Syrian Civil War}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ayn Issa clashes, 2020}}

Category:2020 in international relations

Category:2020 in Syria

Category:Conflicts in 2021

Category:November 2020 in Syria

Category:December 2020 in Syria

Category:January 2021 in Syria

Category:Battles of the Syrian civil war in 2020

Category:Battles of the Syrian civil war in 2021

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Free Syrian Army

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the People's Defense Units

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Syrian Democratic Forces

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving Turkey

Category:Raqqa Governorate in the Syrian civil war