Timeline of the Syrian civil war (January–April 2018)

{{Main|Beit Jinn offensive}}

• The Syrian Army and allies made advances on the Beit Jinn area, capturing 3 villages and hilltops, in western Ghouta.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-takes-control-key-hill-chain-west-damascus-amid-jihadist-withdrawal/|title=Breaking: Syrian Army takes control of key hill chain in west Damascus amid jihadist withdrawal|website=Al-Masdar News|date=2 January 2018|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=16 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516062313/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-takes-control-key-hill-chain-west-damascus-amid-jihadist-withdrawal/|url-status=dead}}[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-restores-control-entire-west-ghouta-six-years-war/ Syrian Army restores control over entire West Ghouta after six years of war] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620233503/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-restores-control-entire-west-ghouta-six-years-war/ |date=2018-06-20 }}, Al-Masdar{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/opinion/beit-jinn-syria-between-israels-dilemma-and-irans-opportunity-532982|title=Beit Jinn, Syria – between Israel's dilemma and Iran's opportunity|work=Jerusalem Post|access-date=6 January 2018}}

• Russian Air Force airstrikes killed 25 civilians in Eastern Ghouta.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42566063|title=Syria war: 'Russian strikes' kill 25 in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta|website=BBC News|date=4 January 2018|access-date=5 January 2018}}

{{Main|Southern Damascus campaign}}

• Jaysh al-Islam fighters attempted to infiltrate ISIL positions in the orchards between Yalda and Hajjar As-Aswad, to the immediate south of Damascus city.{{Cite news|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-erupts-isis-syrian-rebels-south-damascus/|title=Battle erupts between ISIS and Syrian rebels in south Damascus|date=2018-01-05|work=AMN - Al-Masdar News {{!}} المصدر نيوز|access-date=2018-02-17|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613213635/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-erupts-isis-syrian-rebels-south-damascus/|url-status=dead}}

• The Syrian Army lifts the siege of Harasta vehicle base, which had been besieged by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Ahrar al-Sham and Al-Rahman Legion since 29 December 2017.{{cite news|title=After 8 days of being besieged by the factions, the regime forces opens a road to the Vehicle Department near Harasta and about 160 fighters and members were killed since the beginning of the attack|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=82280|work= SOHR|date=7 January 2018}}

{{Main|Northwestern Syria campaign (October 2017–February 2018)}}

• The Syrian army captures 34 villages, including Um-Miyal{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/hts-kicked-northeast-hama-losing-last-stronghold-syrian-army/|title=HTS kicked out of northeast Hama after losing last stronghold to the Syrian Army|date=10 January 2018|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213155513/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/hts-kicked-northeast-hama-losing-last-stronghold-syrian-army/|url-status=dead}} after advancing south of Aleppo towards the Abu al-Duhur Airbase, reaching a distance of about 6 km from its forces in the eastern countryside of Idlib.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/2018/01/12/%d9%87%d8%ac%d9%88%d9%85-%d9%82%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%86%d8%b8%d8%a7%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%aa%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%b5%d9%84-%d8%ac%d9%86%d9%88%d8%a8-%d8%ad%d9%84%d8%a8-%d9%86%d8%ad%d9%88/|title=هجوم قوات النظام المتواصل جنوب حلب نحو مطار أبو الضهور يوسع سيطرتها إلى 34 قرية خلال أقل من 72 ساعة ويوصلها لمشارف بلدة مهمة |publisher=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR)|date=12 January 2018}}

• Several international newspapers (e.g. the Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat, the French Le Monde and the Italian La Repubblica) report on the publication of a civil peace initiative, the Code of Conduct for Syrian Coexistence as a result of years-long secret negotiations between Syrian tribal leaders, representatives of Alawites, Sunnis and various clans and Syrian communities.{{Cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/syrie/article/2018/01/17/syrie-des-representants-alaouites-et-sunnites-signent-un-code-de-conduite-pour-la-coexistence_5242696_1618247.html|title=Syrie : des représentants alaouites et sunnites signent un " code de conduite pour la coexistence "|date=2018-01-17|work=Le Monde.fr|access-date=2020-04-03|language=fr}}{{Cite web|url=https://syrianobserver.com/EN/features/21372/confidential_sunni_alawite_meeting_berlin_summarized_eleven_item_document.html|title=Confidential Sunni-Alawite Meeting in Berlin Summarized in Eleven-Item Document|date=2018-01-22|website=The Syrian Observer|access-date=2020-04-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2018/01/17/una-carta-per-la-pace-in-siria31.html|title=UNA CARTA PER LA PACE IN SIRIA - la Repubblica.it|website=Archivio - la Repubblica.it|language=it|access-date=2020-04-03}}

{{Main|Operation Olive Branch}}

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the beginning of a military operation to capture Afrin and subsequently Manbij from Kurdish forces (Rojava).{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/01/erdogan-operation-syria-afrin-begun-180120120424928.html|title=Erdogan: Operation in Syria's Afrin has begun|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=28 April 2018}} It is the first major military operation by Turkey in Syria since Operation Euphrates Shield.
• Syrian Army forces capture the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Idlib governorate.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-airport/syrian-army-allies-capture-idlib-air-base-state-tv-idUSKBN1F90M7?il=0|title=Syrian army, allies capture Idlib air base: state TV|author=|publisher=Reuters|access-date=28 April 2018}}
• The civilian death toll of the Rif Dimashq offensive rose to 200 over the first 48 hours, and the number of hospitals struck rose to seven - the highest 48 hour death toll since the 2013 Ghouta chemical attack.[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/20/its-not-a-war-its-a-massacre-scores-killed-in-syrian-enclave-eastern-ghouta It's not a war. It's a massacre': scores killed in Syrian enclave], Guardian, 20 February 2018[https://web.archive.org/web/20180220225522/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-ghouta/more-bombs-hit-syrias-ghouta-death-toll-highest-since-2013-idUKKCN1G40NI More bombs hit Syria's Ghouta, death toll highest since 2013], Reuters, 20 February 2018

• Afrin offensive: Turkish forces - TAF/TSK and their Syrian National Army (SNA) allies - announce the capture of seven villages, although the Kurdish YPG recaptured two of them.{{cite news|title=Syria offensive: Turkish troops 'capture villages' in Afrin|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42771469|access-date=22 January 2018|work=BBC News|date=2018}}

• Afrin offensive: As Turkey's Afrin intervention entered its second week, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu urged the US to 'immediately withdraw' its military personnel from Manbij in northern Syria that's held by the Kurds.{{cite news|url=https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/pressing-syria-offensive-turkey-urges-us-pullback-doc-y06d22|title=Pressing Syria offensive, Turkey urges US pullback|publisher=AFP News|date=27 January 2018}}

• A Russian Su-25 fighter jet is shot down by a MANPAD while on a patrolling mission over the ″de-escalation zone″ in the Idlib governorate. The pilot, Roman Filipov, safely ejected via parachute but died on the ground in a brief exchange of fire with militants on the outskirts of Saraqib. HTS claimed responsibility for the downing.{{cite news|title=Russian fighter jet shot down in Syria's Idlib province|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42932616|publisher=BBC|date=3 February 2018}} In response, the Russian Ministry of Defence released alleged footage of airstrikes on HTS territory in the area of the crash site.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
• In response to the SAA offensive on the East Idlib front, 11 rebel groups announced the formation of a unified operations room, Dahar al-Ghaza ("Defeat the Invaders"), to counter the Syrian Army and allies' recent advances. The new operations room included Ahrar al-Sham, the Free Idlib Army, Faylaq al-Sham, Nour al-Din al-Zenki, Jaysh al-Izza, Jaysh al-Nukhba, and Jaysh al-Nasr, among others.{{cite news|publisher=Syrian War Daily|url=https://syrianwardaily.wordpress.com/2018/02/03/syrian-war-daily-3rd-of-february-2018/#more-8381|title=Syrian War Daily – 3rd of February 2018}}

• SAA forces reported the capture of Buyud al-Saffaf, Abu al-Kheir, Abu Khanadiq, Rasm al-Kibar, Tell al-Shur, Malihah Saghirah, Rasm al-Mafkar, and Khirbat Umm Rujum from ISIL in northeastern Hama.{{cite news|url=https://syrianwardaily.wordpress.com/2018/02/05/syrian-war-daily-5th-of-february-2018/|title=Syrian War Daily – 5th of February 2018|date=5 February 2018}}

• Airstrikes on residential areas of Douma reportedly killed at least 31 civilians, according to the UN.

• Syrian Army forces have recently seized a total of 76 towns and locations from ISIL forces in Idlib Governorate, closing out an ISIL pocket of resistance.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-storms-isils-last-positions-inside-northeast-hama/|title=Syrian Army storms ISIL's last positions inside northeast Hama|access-date=6 February 2018|publisher=Al-Masdar News|archive-date=14 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714003144/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-storms-isils-last-positions-inside-northeast-hama/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-elite-syrian-army-forces-expel-isis-16-towns-lighting-dash-across-northwest-syria/|title=Breaking: Elite Syrian Army forces expel ISIS from 16 towns in lighting dash across northwest Syria|access-date=6 February 2018|publisher=Al-Masdar News|archive-date=12 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712153813/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-elite-syrian-army-forces-expel-isis-16-towns-lighting-dash-across-northwest-syria/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-storms-isils-last-positions-inside-northeast-hama/|title=Syrian Army storms ISIL's last positions inside northeast Hama|access-date=6 February 2018|publisher=Al-Masdar News|archive-date=14 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714003144/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-storms-isils-last-positions-inside-northeast-hama/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-plan-isis-pocket-northwest-syria-revealed-inside-sources/|title=Syrian Army plan for ISIS pocket in northwest Syria revealed – inside sources|access-date=6 February 2018|publisher=Al-Masdar News|archive-date=13 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713184750/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-plan-isis-pocket-northwest-syria-revealed-inside-sources/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-overpowers-isis-northeast-hama-liberate-several-areas/|title=Breaking: Syrian Army overpowers ISIS in northeast Hama to liberate several areas|access-date=7 February 2018|publisher=Al-Masdar News|archive-date=30 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030040922/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-overpowers-isis-northeast-hama-liberate-several-areas/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isils-defenses-fall-apart-northeast-hama-syrian-army-troops-liberate-dozens-areas/|title=ISIL's defenses fall apart in northeast Hama as Syrian Army troops liberate dozens of areas|access-date=7 February 2018|publisher=Al-Masdar News|archive-date=13 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713011755/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isils-defenses-fall-apart-northeast-hama-syrian-army-troops-liberate-dozens-areas/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-elite-syrian-forces-inches-splitting-isis-pocket-half-new-big-push-across-northwest-syria/|title=Breaking: Elite Syrian forces inches from splitting ISIS pocket in half after new big push across northwest Syria|access-date=7 February 2018|publisher=Al-Masdar News|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191728/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-elite-syrian-forces-inches-splitting-isis-pocket-half-new-big-push-across-northwest-syria/|url-status=dead}}
• According to American military sources, Syrian pro-government forces initiated an offensive against US-backed SDF territory east of the Deir ez-Zor deconfliction line, near a Conoco gas field. The US-led coalition conducted strikes against the pro-government forces in support of the SDF.{{cite news|url=http://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/1435188/unprovoked-attack-by-syrian-pro-regime-forces-prompts-coalition-defensive-strik/|title=Unprovoked attack by Syrian pro-regime forces prompts Coalition defensive strikes|date=7 February 2018}} According to one US official, more than 100 pro-government fighters were killed, while about 500 troops participated in the attack; no Americans were injured or killed during the engagement.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-usa-syria/more-than-100-pro-assad-forces-killed-in-thwarted-attack-u-s-official-idUSKBN1FR3BB|title=More than 100 pro-Assad forces killed in thwarted attack: U.S. official|date=7 February 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://twitter.com/LucasFoxNews/status/961617576848740352|title=US counter attack in Syria...|publisher=Lucas Tomlinson (Fox News Pentagon Correspondent)|date=8 February 2018}} At a news briefing, Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White claimed the US is "not looking for a conflict with the regime."{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-usa-syria-pentagon/u-s-not-looking-for-conflict-with-syrias-forces-pentagon-says-idUSKBN1FS2QB|title=U.S. not looking for conflict with Syria's forces, Pentagon says|publisher=Reuters|date=8 February 2018}} According to a source close to the Syrian Army, approximately 25-30 Al-Baraka tribesmen were killed in the airstrikes. The Al-Baraka tribesmen are also from the Euphrates River Valley and considered locals.[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/details-us-bombing-pro-government-forces-deir-ezzor/ Details from the US bombing of pro-government forces in Deir Ezzor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209164055/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/details-us-bombing-pro-government-forces-deir-ezzor/ |date=2018-02-09 }}, Al-Masdar The Russian government later admitted several dozen of its citizens died or were injured during the engagement.Marc Bennets, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/20/russia-admits-several-dozen-its-citizens-killed-syria-fighting Russia admits ‘several dozen’ of its citizens killed in Syria fighting], Guardian, Tue 20 Feb 2018 16.02 GMT Last modified on Tue 20 Feb 2018

• UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein called for international action after "one of the bloodiest periods of the entire conflict", mainly in Eastern Ghouta and Idlib. The UN Human Rights Office received reports indicating that at least 277 civilians were killed between 4 and 9 February – 230 in pro-government airstrikes – with a further 812 civilians injured.[http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22647 UN rights chief urges international action as violence soars in Syria], OHCHR, 10 February 2018
• An Israeli Air Force F-16I fighter jet was shot down in northern Israel when it was hit by Syrian Air Defense. Both pilots were wounded but ejected and landed in Israeli territory.{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/10/middleeast/israel-military-jet-crash/index.html|title=Israeli F-16 jet crashes after Syrian fire|author1=Andrew Carey |author2=Nicole Chavez|work=CNN|access-date=2018-02-10}}
• A Turkish Helicopter was shot down by the SDF/YPG south of Omeran village during the Afrin offensive.{{Cite news|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/erdogan-acikladi-az-once-bir-helikopterimiz-dusuruldu-40737619|title=Erdoğan, helikopterin düştüğünü açıkladı, Başbakan acı haberi verdi: 2 şehit|work=Hürriyet|access-date=2018-02-11|language=tr}}

• The Kurdish YPG claimed to have had shot down a Turkish Bayraktar TB2 UCAV reconnaissance drone over Qodeh village in Afrin.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
• An Israeli army assessment claimed that half of Syria's aerial defense systems were destroyed in the retaliatory air force sortie during the 10 February airstrikes.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-israel-iran-20180211-story.html|title=Israel says its airstrikes took out half of Syria's air defenses|work=Los Angeles Times|date=12 February 2018}}

• The "Defeat the Invaders" Idlib rebel alliance announced the ISIL pocket in the region had been dissolved after some 400 people (ISIL fighters, their families and wounded) gave themselves up in the village of Khwein al-Kabir.{{cite news|title=Syria's Idlib ISIS-free after 'surrender': Spokesman, monitor|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/syrias-idlib-isis-free-after-surrender-spokesman-monitor|work=Straits Times|date=13 February 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=84762|title=Syria's Idlib ISIS-free after 'surrender': Spokesman, monitor|access-date=28 April 2018}}

• Afrin offensive: The Syrian National Army and Turkish forces announced the capturing of five villages from the YPG.{{cite news|url=https://en.trend.az/world/turkey/2861480.html|title=Turkish army, Free Syrian Army liberate 5 villages in Syria's Afrin|date=15 February 2018|work=Trend News Agency}}

16 February

• Afrin offensive: Turkey allegedly launches a chemical attack against Kurdish forces in Afrin, which leaves 6 people wounded.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-afrin/turkish-army-hit-village-in-syrias-afrin-with-suspected-gas-kurdish-ypg-observatory-idUSKCN1G02JE|title=Turkish army hit village in Syria's Afrin with suspected gas:...|work=Reuters|access-date=2018-05-30|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2018/02/17/Kurdish-doctors-report-suspected-Turkish-gas-attack-on-Syria-s-Afrin.html|title=Kurdish doctors report suspected Turkish gas attack on Syria's Afrin|website=english.alarabiya.net|language=en|access-date=2018-05-30}}

{{Main|Rif Dimashq offensive (February 2018)}}

• In preparation for a new ground offensive into Eastern Ghouta, the SAA launch air raids and artillery strikes into the rebel-held enclave.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-civil-war-assad-regime-killed-air-striked-wounded-eastern-ghouta-rebel-damascus-a8218001.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-civil-war-assad-regime-killed-air-striked-wounded-eastern-ghouta-rebel-damascus-a8218001.html |archive-date=2022-06-21 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Syrian government air strikes kill 71 and wound 325 in 24 hours, monitor says|date=19 February 2018|access-date=28 April 2018}}
• In Idlib, Ahrar al-Sham and Nour al-Din al-Zenki merge and form the Jabhat Tahrir Suriya (Syria's Liberation Front/SLF) rebel group.{{cite news|url=https://syrianwardaily.wordpress.com/2018/02/18/syrian-war-daily-18th-of-february-2018/|title=Syrian War Daily – 18th of February 2018|date=18 February 2018|work=Syrian War Daily}}

{{Main|Syrian Liberation Front–Tahrir al-Sham conflict}}

• Heavy clashes erupt in the Aleppo and Idlib Governorates between the Syrian Liberation Front and Tahrir al-Sham.
• In East Ghouta, monitors and activists reported 72 airstrikes, 97 civilian mortalities and 500 injuries in the first 24 hours of the Rif Dimashq offensive. Five hospital were reportedly struck and put out of service.[https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/new-bombing-campaign-hits-5-hospitals-among-worst-days-syrian-history New Bombing Campaign Hits 5 Hospitals, Among Worst Days in Syrian History], ReliefWeb, 19 February 2018

• Afrin offensive: A convoy of a pro-Syrian government militia called "Popular Forces" entered Afrin to support the YPG but was hit by Turkish artillery "warning shots", forcing the convoy to retreat.{{Cite web|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-afrin-hezbollah-idUKKCN1G41TN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125003042/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-afrin-hezbollah-idUKKCN1G41TN|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 25, 2018|title=Pro-Syrian government fighters start to enter Afrin - Hezbollah media unit|date=February 20, 2018|via=uk.reuters.com}}{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/02/pro-government-fighters-move-syria-afrin-180220145017422.html|title=Pro-government fighters move into Syria's Afrin|publisher=Al-Jazeera|date=20 February 2018}}

• By the fifth day of the Rif Dimashq offensive (February 2018), monitors reported 38 deaths, making a total of over 300 killed in pro-government air strikes in East Ghouta.[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/22/bombs-continue-pound-eastern-ghouta-un-pleads-syria-ceasefire Bombs continue to pound eastern Ghouta as UN pleads for ceasefire], Guardian, 22 February 2018[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-ghouta/syrias-ghouta-residents-wait-to-die-as-more-bombs-fall-idUSKCN1G50S2 Syria's Ghouta residents 'wait to die' as more bombs fall], Reuters, 22 February 2018 Doctors Without Borders said at least 13 hospitals and clinics were damaged or destroyed over the previous days.
• The Syrian government assumes control of Sheikh Maqsood, Ashrafiya, Haidariya, Baaeydin and Holluk neighborhoods in North Aleppo after the YPG/YPJ garrison there deploy to Afrin.{{cite news|author=Rudaw|date=22 February 2018|url=http://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/220220183|title=YPG deployed to Afrin, leaving Aleppo for Damascus|work=Anadolu Agency}}

• Airstrikes and artillery attacks on the Eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus killed at least 46 people on Thursday, according to Agence France-Presse, bringing the six day death toll to over 400.[https://www.yahoo.com/news/chaos-deepens-syria-enclave-global-outcry-grows-113531645.html Five-day assault on Syria enclave kills more than 400], Hasan Mohamed, AFP•February 23, 2018 The UN was unable to reach an agreement on a ceasefire resolution, due to Russian blocking.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-un/u-n-security-council-to-vote-on-friday-on-demand-for-syria-truce-idUSKCN1G70E8 U.N. Security Council to vote on Friday on demand for Syria truce], Reuters, 23 February 2018[https://apnews.com/daf838dfe0e4453ea9ba95df81d9cc15 World leaders urge Syria cease-fire as fighting escalates], AP, 23 February 2018
• The Kurdish YPG called on the Syrian army to intervene in Afrin, to supplement pro-government militia already there.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-ypg/kurdish-ypg-militia-urges-syrian-army-to-help-it-stop-turkey-idUSKCN1G612F Kurdish YPG militia urges Syrian army to help it stop Turkey], Reuters, 23 February 2018
• Ahrar al-Sham and Suqour al-Sham rebels attack positions of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) alliance in Idlib, according to SOHR.[https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/executive-summaries/2018/02/23 Rebel Infighting Rocks Syria’s Northwest], Syria Deeply, 23 February 2018

• Turkish President Erdogan claims a total of 2,021 YPG militants have been "neutralized" since the launch of the Afrin intervention. The Turkish government uses the term "neutralized" to refer to enemies both captured and killed. In turn, according to the Turkish Army, 32 Turkish soldiers have been killed and 183 others wounded since the beginning of the Afrin operation.{{cite news|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/one-turkish-soldier-killed-in-syrias-afrin-127851|work=Hurriyet Daily News|date=25 February 2018|title=One Turkish soldier killed in Syria's Afrin}}
• The SAA begins its ground assault on East Ghouta on multiple fronts.{{cite news|title=Fighting continues in Syria's eastern Ghouta despite UN resolution calling for ceasefire|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/un-ceasefire-syria-ghouta-sunday-damascus-1.4551210|date=25 February 2018|work=CBC News}}

• The Syrian National Army and Turkish Armed Forces (SNA/TSK) captured the town of Rajo from the YPG along with capturing Ramadiyah and Hamelika villages in the Jinderes district during the ongoing Afrin offensive.{{cite news|title=Turkey, Free Syrian Army clear town center in NW Syria|url=https://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkey-free-syrian-army-clear-town-center-in-nw-syria/1078726|date=3 March 2018}}

• SNA/TSK forces captured the town of Jindires from the YPG, giving them control of one of the largest settlements in Syria's northwest Afrin region.{{cite news|work=Reuters|date=8 March 2018|title=Turkish military seizes control of Jinderes town in Syria's Afrin region: Anadolu|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-afrin/turkish-military-seizes-control-of-jinderes-town-in-syrias-afrin-region-anadolu-idUSKCN1GK1SK}} They also captured the villages of Shawaghat al-Juz, Maarsat al-Khatib, Hallubi Kabir and Hallubi Saghir, and the "Mafraq al Jatt" crossroads, cutting off the Nubl-Kafrjana-Afrin highway.{{cite news|url=https://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2018/8-march-olivebranch-forces-take-control-over-mafraq-al-jatt|date=8 March 2018|title=OliveBranch forces take control over "Mafraq al Jatt" in western Azaz. Means Nubl-Kafrjana-Afrin highway completely cut off}}{{cite news|title=#OliveBranch forces captured Shurghat al Jhuz in northern Maryarmayn|url=https://twitter.com/op_shield/status/971754125263343616|work=Twitter|date=8 March 2018}}

• SNA/TSK forces seized control of the Maydanki dam and its western bank in Afrin. The dam serves as a water supply to Afrin city.{{cite news|url=http://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/090320181|work=Rudaw|date=9 March 2018|title=Turkey takes Afrin dam, nears city: media reports }}

• The Syrian army captures 59% of the rebel-held eastern Ghouta enclave{{Cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/2018/03/12/قوات-النظام-تخنق-حرستا-وترفع-سيطرتها-إ/|title=قوات النظام تخنق حرستا وترفع سيطرتها إلى نحو 60 % من مساحة الغوطة الشرقية خلال 13 يوماً، و أعداد الخسائر البشرية تتصاعد لتصل لنحو 1150 شهيد مدني}} and divides it into three separate pockets{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-video-syrian-army-besieges-major-islamist-stronghold-in-damascus-slices-east-ghouta-into-three/|title=Breaking video: Syrian Army besieges major Islamist stronghold in Damascus, slices East Ghouta into three|publisher=Al-Masdar News|date=11 March 2018|access-date=12 March 2018|archive-date=23 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423014301/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-video-syrian-army-besieges-major-islamist-stronghold-in-damascus-slices-east-ghouta-into-three/|url-status=dead}}

• Tens of thousands of civilians evacuated the eastern Ghouta suburbs in one of the largest single-day exoduses of civilians since the start of the Syrian war.[https://apnews.com/03255232070341db84015bee08be1968 Thousands flee violence in mass exodus from Syrian towns], AFP A similar scale of displacement occurred in Afrin.[https://web.archive.org/web/20180315192549/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-afrin/syrian-kurdish-ypg-says-10000-people-in-afrin-displaced-in-two-days-idUKKCN1GR29U Syrian Kurdish YPG says 10,000 people in Afrin displaced in two days], Reuters[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-afrin/hundreds-of-families-flee-syrian-town-of-afrin-observatory-idUSKCN1GS0MN?il=0 Hundreds of families flee Syrian town of Afrin: Observatory], Reuters
• There was renewed government bombing of Daraa, a "de-escalation zone".[http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=86797 Airstrikes on the third day on a row in areas in the eastern part of Daraa countryside], SOHR[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-egeland/u-n-adviser-egeland-says-tremendous-battles-still-loom-in-syria-idUSKCN1GQ256 U.N. adviser Egeland says 'tremendous battles' still loom in Syria], Reuters

• On the 58th day of the Turkish-led Afrin offensive, Afrin city is captured by SNA/TSK forces - punctuated by Turkish and Free Syrian Army flags and banners raised above the city. De-mining operations begin as there were reports of the city being pillaged as military sites and civilian homes and businesses were looted by militants.{{cite news|title=Turkish Forces Seize Syrian City of Afrin|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/18/594690169/turkish-forces-seize-syrian-city-of-afrin|date=18 March 2018}}{{cite news|title=Pro-Turkish forces pillage Afrin after taking Syrian city|url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/pro-turkish-forces-pillage-afrin-taking-syrian-city-195451166.html|access-date=18 March 2018|agency=Yahoo news|date=18 March 2018|language=en-SG}}

• The Syrian Arab Army prepares to attack Douma in eastern Ghouta unless the Jaysh al-Islam insurgent group agrees to hand over the area.{{cite web|title=Syrian army prepares 'huge' operation in last rebel bastion as pressure mounts|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-ghouta/syrian-army-prepares-huge-operation-in-last-rebel-bastion-as-pressure-mounts-idUSKBN1H40SE}}

• President Donald Trump announced that the United States will be leaving Syria "very soon".{{cite web|title=Trump says U.S. will leave Syria 'very soon' — despite his promises not to telegraph military moves|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/03/29/trump-says-u-s-will-leave-syria-very-soon-despite-his-promises-not-to-telegraph-military-moves/}}
• President Emmanuel Macron held a meeting with representatives of the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria and plans to send soldiers to SDF-held areas at the Euphrates river.{{cite web|title=France's Macron vows support for northern Syrians, Kurdish militia

|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-france/frances-macron-vows-support-for-northern-syrians-kurdish-militia-idUSKBN1H52V1}}

• Some U.S. commanders interviewed by NBC News warned that recent firings and distracting domestic political tumult within the Trump administration could jeopardize the Special Forces mission against ISIL in Syria.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/white-house-chaos-jeopardizes-war-isis-u-s-commanders-warn-n859966|title=White House chaos jeopardizes war on ISIS, U.S. commanders warn|access-date=28 April 2018}}
• One British and one American servicemen were killed by an IED explosion in Manbij along with five other soldiers being injured.{{cite web|title=US and British troops killed in Syria blast

|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/30/politics/syria-coalition-ied/index.html}}

• A summit on achieving a lasting ceasefire in Syria is held in Ankara, Turkey by Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Ankara summit is particularly significant in that Russia and Iran support the Assad government and Turkey's president has supported the Free Syrian Army.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

• At least 41 people were reportedly killed in a chemical attack in Douma.{{cite web|last1=Loveluck|first1=Louiusa|title=Dozens killed in apparent chemical weapons attack on civilians in eastern Ghouta — rescue workers|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/dozens-killed-in-apparent-chemical-weapons-attack-on-civilians-in-eastern-ghouta--rescue-workers/2018/04/08/231bba18-3ac0-11e8-af3c-2123715f78df_story.html|website=Washington Post|access-date=8 April 2018}}

{{See also|Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018)}}

• About 100 buses evacuated the last batch of rebels and civilians from Douma,{{Cite web|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=89315|title=About 100 buses within a new batch launch from the outskirts of the Eastern Ghouta towards the Syrian North • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=April 14, 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/syrian-army-declares-ghouta-rebel-enclave-fully-retaken|title=Syrian army declares Ghouta rebel enclave fully retaken|work=Agence-France Presse|publisher=Straits Times}} following which Russian and Syrian government forces took complete control of Douma ending the four years long Siege of Eastern Ghouta.{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/western-airstrikes-impact-assads-war-machine-54470432|title=Western airstrikes unlikely to impact Assad's war machine|work=Associated Press|publisher=ABC News}}{{cite news|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/15/c_137111615.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415063533/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/15/c_137111615.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 15, 2018|title=Syrian army declares full control of Eastern Ghouta rebel enclave|publisher=Xinhua News Agency}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/east-ghouta-officially-under-the-syrian-armys-control-after-last-militant-convoy-leaves-douma/|title=East Ghouta officially under the Syrian Army's control after last militant convoy leaves Douma|first=Leith|last=Aboufadel|date=April 14, 2018|access-date=May 1, 2018|archive-date=November 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123034047/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/east-ghouta-officially-under-the-syrian-armys-control-after-last-militant-convoy-leaves-douma/|url-status=dead}}
• The United States, France, and the United Kingdom carried out a series of military strikes against the Syrian Government of Bashar al-Assad.
• The SAA declared eastern Ghouta to be fully liberated after the last batch of Jaysh al-Islam rebel fighters evacuated Douma. Syrian forces promptly began mine-clearing operations in the city.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-ghouta/syrian-army-announces-eastern-ghouta-free-of-militants-state-media-idUSKBN1HL184|title=Syrian army announces eastern Ghouta free of militants: state media|date=14 April 2018|work=Reuters}}

{{Main|Southern Damascus offensive (April–May 2018)}}

• The SAA and allied Palestinian militias launch an offensive to dislodge ISIL from their pocket in southern Damascus.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-palestinian-forces-launch-offensive-in-southern-damascus/|title=Breaking: Syrian Army, Palestinian forces launch offensive in southern Damascus|date=19 April 2018|access-date=21 April 2018|archive-date=13 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213165815/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-palestinian-forces-launch-offensive-in-southern-damascus/|url-status=dead}}

• As a part of an evacuation deal, rebels in East Qalamoun surrendered their weapons to the SAA in exchange for safe evacuation to rebel-held northern Syria, dissolving the rebel pocket of resistance there.{{cite news|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/23/c_137129175.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423015610/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/23/c_137129175.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 23, 2018|title=Rebels surrender weapons as part of evacuation deal in Damascus' Qalamoun region|date=23 April 2018|work=Xinhua}} The government flag was raised in Jayrud two days later as the last batch of rebels evacuated, signifying government control in the former rebel enclave.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2018/Apr-25/446702-syria-regime-retakes-new-region-near-damascus-sana.ashx|title=Syria regime retakes new region near Damascus: SANA|work=Agence France-Presse|date=25 April 2018|access-date=29 April 2018|archive-date=13 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213141950/https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2018/Apr-25/446702-syria-regime-retakes-new-region-near-damascus-sana.ashx|url-status=dead}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Syrian Civil War}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Timeline of the Syrian Civil War (2018-01)}}

Category:Timelines of the Syrian civil war

*

Category:2018 in Syria

Category:Conflicts in 2018