Crisis Chronology

SYRIA

11/16/2024

IDF attacks in Syria are increasing, as the IDF attempts to reduce Hezbollah’s arms and intelligence centers. It has also recently attacked crossings on the Syria-Lebanon border.

09/09/2024

Israel strikes targets in Syria, a larger attack than usual. Sixteen or more are said to have been killed.

04/01/2024

Iran says Israeli bombed Iranian embassy in Syria and killed several military commanders, including an Iranian Quds Force commander.

02/03/2024

US and allies strike at least 85 targets in seven locations in Iraq and Syria in reprisals on Iranian proxies for the 1/28 killings.

02/02/2024

Revolutionary Guards advisor killed in Israeli airstrike in Syria. Some report that this is Israeli help in a response to the killing of three Americans on 1/28.

01/28/2024

Three US military personnel are killed in an attack on a post in Jordan, probably by Iranian proxies. Jordan says it was a neighboring post in Syria.

01/12/2024

Israel continues significant bombing and ground fighting in southern Gaza but restricts fighting somewhat in the north as fighting in northern Israel against Hezbollah attacks continues.

01/09/2024

Israel has intensified and continues to intensify attacks on Iran-linked targets in Syria since 10/7/23.

11/15/2023

French government issues arrest warrants for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his brother for crimes against humanity.

11/13/2023

US again attacks Iran-backed military sites in Syria in retaliation for attacks on US personnel.

11/08/2023

US bombs military facility in Syria linked to the Iran Revolutionary Guards in retaliation for multiple attacks on American forces in the region.

10/22/2023

Israel bombs airports in Damascus and Aleppo to prevent them from being used to widen the war with Hamas.

07/17/2023

Skirmishes along the Lebanese border, centered around the town of Ghajar, a disputed area that straddles Lebanon and Syrian territory captured and occupied by Israel since 1967.

07/11/2023

UN fails to reauthorize cross-border mechanism for humanitarian aid to Syria after competing authorizations are vetoed by Russia and then by the US, the UK, and France. Russia is opposed to aid to the opposition-held northwest but says that a Brazil-Switzerland resolution would call into question Syrian sovereignty. Western nations oppose Russia’s short-term, limited authorization, saying that it would provide inadequate aid.

05/07/2023

Arab League readmits Syria. Demands from some members that Syria modify some policies were denied. The move was facilitated by the earthquake that devastated northern Syria and Turkey on 2/6, and by the rapprochement of Saudi Arabia and Iran, a strong Syria supporter.

03/24/2023

Reports of another strike against US facilities in eastern Syria.

03/23/2023

Drone strike kills US contractor in Syria. US suspects that the drone came from Iran. US authorizes an air strike against “facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).”

03/23/2023

Saudi Arabia and Syria in talks to restore ties.

02/06/2023

Major earthquake and subsequent aftershocks kill at least 4000 in southwestern Turkey and at least 2500 in northwestern Syria.

01/05/2023

Turkish President Erdogan says he is ready to meet with Syrian President Assad to discuss a peace agreement.

01/02/2023

Early morning air strike by Israel stops traffic at Damascus International Airport. Such attacks are usually an attempt to stop arms shipments from Iran to militant groups in Syria such as Hezbollah.

11/20/2022

Turkey launches attacks against Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Army in Syria and against Kurdish forces in Iraq.

09/01/2022

Israeli jets fire on the Aleppo International airport in Syria, claiming that Iranian missiles were housed there.

08/23/2022

US strikes positions in Syria of groups supported by Iran.

07/20/2022

Syria suspends diplomatic ties with Ukraine.

06/07/2022

Syrian Democratic Forces threaten to ask Assad for support if Turkey carries out its planned military operation in northern Syria.

05/08/2022

Syrian president Assad visits Iran for only the second time since civil war broke out in Syria.

04/26/2022

Israel bombs military positions in Syria linked to Iran, killing five Syrian soldiers and four soldiers of an Iranian militia.

04/25/2022

Turkey closes its airspace to Russian planes flying to Syria for three months.

04/18/2022

Turkey launches new offensive against Kurds in Syria.

01/23/2022

Islamic State forces attack prison in Syria defended by Kurds, killing more than 100.

01/02/2022

Russian airstrikes on Idlib increase, and its water supply is disrupted.

12/06/2021

Government seizing assets of large companies. There is also an extensive network of illegal drug production and distribution that is at least partially operated by members of the government.

10/17/2021

Government and opposition agree to start talks about constitutional reform.

09/04/2021

Syria announces agreement to supply Lebanon with Jordanian electricity and Egyptian natural gas through Syrian territory.

09/02/2021

Three-day truce reached for Deraa, rebel stronghold, that allows patrols by Russian forces but also a government military presence in the city. Some rebels are surrendering their weapons. Those that do not surrender will be moved to Idlib.

08/09/2021

Increased fighting in Daraa threaten to unravel Russian-imposed truce in Syria.

10/26/2020

Russian airstrike in northern Syria kills dozens of rebels supported by Turkey.

10/01/2020

Fighting continues. Both sides reject mediation. Armenia, which is in a military alliance of former Soviet countries, has accused Turkey of sending Syrian mercenaries to fight for Azerbaijan, which denies the charge.

09/22/2020

Turkey now has about 15,000 troops in Idlib to counter Syrian and Russian attack.

08/06/2020

There are news reports of a secret deal for a US person to develop oil fields in Syria that were guarded by US and Kurdish soldiers. Assad denies the deal, but US Secretary of State Pompeo confirms it.

07/20/2020

Another in a series of attacks on Iranian positions in Syria, assumed to be carried out by Israel.

07/19/2020

Parliamentary elections. The Assad government is assumed to retain its majority.

05/25/2020

There are conflicting reports about Iran withdrawing its troops from Syria, which Iran denies. However, a legislator says that Syria owes Iran $30 billion for its support during the war in Syria.

05/25/2020

There are conflicting reports about Iran withdrawing its troops from Syria, which Iran denies. However, a legislator says that Syria owes Iran $30 billion for its support during the war in Syria.

05/17/2020

Mahklouf refuses to resign as head of Syriatel.

04/14/2020

With ceasefire holding in Idlib, thousands of Syrians have fled to the province in the face of the government’s continued offensive in the northwest.

04/14/2020

With ceasefire holding in Idlib, thousands of Syrians have fled to the province in the face of the government’s continued offensive in the northwest.

03/22/2020

Syria confirms its first case of COVID-19.

03/05/2020

Turkey and Russia agree on a cease-fire in Idlib in Syria, to begin at midnight.

03/04/2020

Syrian reports fighting “hostile objects” in central and southern Syria and suggests that they are Israeli aircraft striking at what they consider Iranian forces.

03/02/2020

Syrian rebels backed by Turkish forces recapture thirty towns in Idlib.

03/02/2020

Turkish Pres Erdogan announces talks with Russian Pres Putin on 3/5 aimed at a cease-fire in Idlib.

03/02/2020

Syrian rebels continue advances in Idlib. Turkey maintains military pressure on Syrian army.

03/01/2020

Turkey continues attacking Syrian positions in Idlib.

02/29/2020

Turkey attacks other Syrian bases.

02/27/2020

In an uptick of violence, thirty-three Turkish soldiers are killed in Syria during a bombing attack in Idlib. Russian planes have been flying most of those missions, but Turkey blames the Syrian forces. Turkey attacks Syrian forces in response, vows to drive Syrian forces away from its observation posts in Idlib and calls for a no-fly zone there. Turkey formally triggers Article 4 of the NATO treaty, rquiring consultation with other members about military situation.

02/19/2020

Turkey Pres Erdogan warns Syria more strongly against pushing further into Idlib after talks with Russia do not produce the “desired result.”

02/10/2020

After five Turkish soldiers are killed by Syrian forces, Turkey launches airstrikes against dozens of Syrian targets that “neutralize” about a hundred soldiers. In its agreement with Russia, Turkey has twelve observation posts in Idlib to prevent Syrian from retaking the province, which would drive many refugees into Turkey. Syrian forces continue to advance, securing the highway from Aleppo to Damascus for the first time since 2012.

02/04/2020

Turkey bombs Syrian positions, saying that a million refugees have crossed from Idlib in Syria to Turkey since the Syrian offensive began.

02/03/2020

First conflict between Syrian army and Turkish military in Syria, with some Turks killed.

01/16/2020

Syria continues bombing Idlib.

01/15/2020

Syria says Israel has bombed Homs airbase.

01/14/2020

Rebels say that Syrian bombers have violated the ceasefire agreement in Idlib.

01/09/2020

Russia and Turkey announce a cease-fire in Idlib.

01/07/2020

Turkey and Russia open TurkStream pipeline, which will make Turkey an energy provider to the EU. However, the two countries, while moving closer, still differ over Syria and Libya. The pipeline will also provide natural gas to Bulgaria, bypassing Ukraine.

01/03/2020

US kills high-ranking Iranian

US kills top Iranian military commander, Qassam Soleimani, head of Quds force, probably the second-most powerful leader in the country at the Baghdad airport. Iran vows revenge.

12/29/2019

US strikes bases of the Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia, on the Iraq-Syria border to deter attacks on US personnel. The bases were in both Syria and Iraq.

12/04/2019

Syrian Defense Force in talks with Kurdish National Council, a group including the YPG’s political arm the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and rivals.

12/02/2019

On eve of NATO meeting, Pres Macron criticizes the alliance as “brain dead” for its response to Turkey’s operation in Syria.

11/20/2019

Israel fires rockets on Quds Force targets near Damascus and surrounding towns in Syria, killing Iranians and Syrians. Observers suggest that Israel has also fired on Iranian targets in Iraq, fearing that they may be preparing an attack like the one on Saudi Arabia’s Aramco.

11/19/2019

Four rockets are launched into the Golan Heights, but intercepted. Israel says they were fired by “an Iranian force.” The Israelis take this as evidence that Iran is increasing its threat to Israel by bolstering its forces in southern Syria and giving them precision-guided missiles.

11/08/2019

US troops will hold oil fields in Syria.

10/31/2019

Syrian, Turkish, US, and Russian troops now all patrolling parts of northern Syria. Fighting between Syrian and Turkish troops.

10/31/2019

Assad says that all Syrian territory must be restored.

10/30/2019

First meeting of Syrian Constitutional Committee, sponsored by the UN, in Geneva. It is chaired by Ahmad Kuzbari for the government and Ahmad Kuzbari of the opposition National Coalition for Syrian and Revolutionary Opposition Forces. The committee has 150 members, of which fifty are nominated by the government, fifty by the UN to represent civil society, and fifty by the opposition.

10/24/2019

US says it will leave some troops and add heavy armored equipment to forces in Syria to protect the oil fields.

10/23/2019

Turkey halts its incursion of Syria after agreement with Russia.

10/22/2019

Erdogan and Putin agree to police the border zone required by Turkey. Russian military and police will ensure that all Kurdish fighters are out of the 22-mile zone, though it is not clear if that zone extends from Syria’s eastern border to its western border, a much longer zone than the US had agreed to. Turkey will retain possession of territory taken so far. They make no statements about non-combatant Kurds in the zone. The agreement also affirms the “territorial integrity” of Syria. Assad has asserted that he wants to reconquer all of the former Syria.

10/21/2019

US will move some Syrian troops to western Iraq border to continue fight against Islamic State. Iraq army says that the troops do not have permission to stay.

10/18/2019

There is sporadic fighting in the zone that Turkey has invaded, but the halt in fighting appears to take hold. 10/17/19. Second day of protests against new taxes, especially on internet

10/17/2019

Erdogan and Pence announce a temporary halt to the incursion in Syria. Turkish forces will stand down for five days to allow the Kurds to leave the buffer zone. When they do, the incursion will end. In return, the US relieves sanctions on Turkey. Both countries agree to continue to fight the Islamic State. The Kurds were not involved in the discussions, but agree to it.

10/16/2019

Erdogan rejects calls for a cease-fire and demands that Syrian Kurds lay down their weapons. US Vice-president Pence in Ankara for talks. The lira rises, probably because US sanctions are lighter than feared.

10/15/2019

Russian forces enter Syria to create a buffer between Turkish and Syrian military where possible. With Syrian support, Kurds slow Turkish advance elsewhere.

10/14/2019

US imposes sanctions on two Turkish ministries and three government officials.

10/13/2019

Syrian Kurds agree with Syrian government to allow it to enter the north and protect the borders. Details of the agreement are not clear.

10/09/2019

Turkey begins invasion of northern Syria, attacking and bombing Kurdish positions there.

10/06/2019

US removes troops from northern Syria ahead of Turkish invasion aimed at Kurds who are holding territory there.

09/16/2019

Russia, Turkey, and Iran announce the formation of a commission to rewrite the Syrian constitution.

09/12/2019

Israel intensifying its war on Hezbollah, fearing that the group will gain missile technology that could overwhelm Israel’s defenses.

09/08/2019

Turkish forces begin patrols in Northern Syrian Buffer Zone Agreement. Syria condemns the patrols as a violation of international law. Erdogan accuses the US of being more interested in a buffer zone for “a terrorist organization” than for Turkey.

08/27/2019

Turkey and Russia meet to discuss the war in Syria, especially recent Syrian attacks on Turkish forces. They announce an agreement to “normalize” the situation without further details.

08/25/2019

Drones believe to be Israeli crash in a Beirut suburb, and other locations in Syria and Iraq are hit by drone strikes.

08/19/2019

Syrian Free Army withdraws from important town in Idlib after government forces surround it.

08/07/2019

Syria renews its assault on Idlib.

08/04/2019

Turkey threatens military incursion into Kurdish-held parts of Syria.

08/03/2019

Syria halts military action in Idlib. Opposition says the advance has stalled.

07/25/2019

Syria continues bombing of Idlib.

06/16/2019

Syrian army and Turkish army exchange fire outside of Idlib. Turkey accuses Syria of a deliberate attack.

06/02/2019

Israel strikes targets in Syria after rocket attacks from there.

04/25/2019

Talks between Russia, Iran, and Turkey on Syria end with no progress on the composition of a constitutional committee.

03/21/2019

Pres Trump reverses longstanding US policy and condones the recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Much of the world condemns the policy change.

03/20/2019

US says that the Islamic State’s physical territory in Syria has been subdued.

03/18/2019

Attack on Baghouz progressing slowly.

03/10/2019

Syrian Defense Forces attack last ISIS stronghold in Syria. About 500 Islamic State soldiers are said to remain, along with about 1000 civilians.

03/04/2019

US Pres Trump says that US will keep 200 troops in Syria.

03/01/2019

Allies in Syria dispute pronouncement by US Pres Trump that all of ISIS’s territory has been captured, saying fighting is continuing.

02/21/2019

France and UK say they will pull troops out of Syria is the US removes its troops.

01/22/2019

Israel again strikes targets near Damascus.

01/21/2019

Israel strikes targets near Damascus that it believes are supported by Iran.

01/13/2019

US threatens economic reprisals if Turkey attacks Syrian Kurds.

01/12/2019

Israel targets missile attacks on Damascus airport buildings suspected of holding Iranian weapons and materiel.

01/08/2019

Erdogan, rejecting a meeting with John Bolton, says that Bolton made a “serious mistake” to call for new conditions on US troop withdrawal from Syria.

01/06/2019

National Security Chief John Bolton says that withdrawal of US troops from Syria was dependent on Turkey pledging not to attack Kurds and ISIS is completely defeated, effectively nullifying Pres Trump’s announcement.

01/04/2019

US extends its timetable for removing troops from Syria.

01/03/2019

US intensifies bombing campaign of ISIS territories in Syria.

12/28/2018

Syrian Kurds ask Assad for protection against Turkish assault.

12/28/2018

Bahrain announces that it will reopen its embassy in Syria.

12/27/2018

UAE announces that it will reopen its embassy in Syria.

12/18/2018

US announces withdrawal of troops from Syria

Trump tweets that ISIS is defeated in Syria and therefore the US will withdraw all its troops from Syria. US security advisors and allies are dismayed. Russia and Turkey welcome the move, and some conjecture that Trump made the move after discussion with Erdogan. Others conjecture that the US may not withdraw all its troops. Syrian Kurds are left with few options for independence and will probably have to negotiate with Assad.

12/12/2018

Turkey says it is preparing a new offensive against Kurds in northern Syria. US warns Turkey that such action might impair the fight against the Islamic State in Syria.

11/24/2018

Rebels and government accuse each other of a chemical weapons attack in Aleppo.

11/23/2018

UN envoy Martin Griffiths holds talks in Hodeida with the goal of the UN taking over control of the port. Both the Abdel Malik al-Houthi and the Saudi coalition have agreed in principle to participate in that and to attempt to negotiate further.

10/27/2018

France. Germany. Russia. and Turkey meet to discuss Syria and agree to work toward a political process. Russia, Syria, Turkey, and Iran want the US to leave northern Syria and end its association with the YPG. Europe is angered about the US ending the nuclear and possibly destabilizing Iran’s economy and therefore nascent democratic government, and the possible increase in refugees to Europe. Assad has no interest in any change in the Syrian political structure.

10/16/2018

Russia announces that the buffer zone will be imposed despite the rebels' defiance.

10/15/2018

Rebels in Idlib fail to meet deadline to leave Idlib, vowing to continue to fight.

10/10/2018

Turkey says a planned buffer zone in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib has been cleared of heavy weapons as part of a deal reached between Russia and Turkey.

10/02/2018

Syria rebels begin moving heavy arms out of Idlib.

10/02/2018

Syria rebels begin moving heavy arms out of Idlib.

10/01/2018

Iran fires missiles at what it calls “terrorists” in Syria, but connects the attack to the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

09/25/2018

Russia deploying advanced air defense system to Syria, perhaps to reassure Syria in regard to Israel, which has affirmed that it will continue to fight Iranian proxies in Syria. The US objects.

09/17/2018

Russia and Turkey agree to create a buffer zone in Idlib to enforce demilitarization there and avoid an assault by the Syrian government.

09/16/2018

Israel admits that it has carried out multiple strikes against Iranian allies in Syria and implies that it will not hesitate to continue such strikes when and where necessary.

09/11/2018

Western allies in Syria begin assault on last sliver of land held by ISIS. It is ultimately unsuccessful.

09/11/2018

China sets up $20 billion fund to aid reconstruction in Syria and other Arab countries.

09/08/2018

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Russia and Syria bomb Idlib more heavily.

09/04/2018

Assault on Idlib

Syria begins airstrikes in Idlib in what is expected to be an all-out attack on the rebel enclave. Russia is dissatisfied with Turkey’s failure to eradicate Tahrir al-Sham, the latest incarnation of the Nusra Front, in the northeast, and the Syrian government is determined to regain all its pre-war territory.

08/29/2018

Russia masses ships off the coast of Syria in anticipation of attack on Idlib.

07/19/2018

Rebels agree to give control of Quneitra province in the Golan Heights to the government.

07/11/2018

Israel bombs three targets in western Syria.

07/08/2018

Iranian foreign ministry official says that Iranian military advisors will remain in Syria despite Russian request to remove them.

07/07/2018

Despite ceasefire agreement, fighting around Deraa continues.

07/04/2018

Syria resumes bombing Deraa area after talks between rebels and Russians breask down. An estimated 320,000 refugees have fled to the border with Jordan.

07/02/2018

Jordan and Russia agree to talks about attack on Deraa, Syria, which has created a new wave of immigrants to Jordan.

07/01/2018

One rebel group in Deraa surrenders, following talks brokered by Jordan.

06/30/2018

Syrian Free Army begins negotiations with Russian officers about returning Deraa to Syrian control.

06/29/2018

A Russian-brokered twelve-hour truce is agreed to in Deraa, which has been relentlessly bombed for the last nine days. Negotiators in Jordan have failed to reach any other agreements.

06/04/2018

US and Turkey agree on a plan to withdraw Kurdish troops from Manbij and for US and Turkish forces to maintain stability there.

02/24/2018

UN resolution calls for a ceasefire in Ghouta, Dasmascus suburb being heavily bombed. Syria continues attacks.

02/20/2018

Turkish forces fire on Syrians moving into Afrin to support Kurds.

02/19/2018

Heavy bombardment of Damascus suburb Ghouta.

02/18/2018

Government reportedly aiding Kurds in Afrin, northern Syria. fight Turkish campaign in an agreement said to brokered by Russia. Turkey opposes the move, says it will not prevent its troops from firing on the joint forces.

01/26/2018

Syria and rebels agree to a cease-fire in a suburb of Damascus.

01/24/2018

US reports that Pres Trump told Pres Erdogan of concerns about the Turkish offensive in Syria and about rhetoric, but Turkey disputes those characterizations by the US, saying they did not happen.

01/22/2018

Supreme Court rules against calls by Sunni and Kurdish legislators to delay parliamentary elections, expected to be called for 5/18.

01/19/2018

After two days of shelling, Turkey begins ground offensive against Kurdish positions in Afrin, northern Syria.

01/15/2018

US announces plans for a border security force led by Kurds in Syria. Turkey denounces plan and says it will “drown” the force.

01/08/2018

Syria military advances on rebel strongholds in Idlib province.

12/06/2017

Russia announces that, with the Syrian Kurds, the Islamic State has been driven from the east banks of the Euphrates.

12/03/2017

Syrian Kurds say they have captured eastern Syrian province Deir Al-Zor from Islamic State.

11/28/2017

UN peace talks on Syria resume. Syria’s delegation arrives on 11/29.

11/24/2017

US will stop supplying weapons to Kurdish militias in Syria.

11/22/2017

In discussions brokered by Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Russia agree on a plan for peace in Syria. It includes a dialogue in Russia in December that would frame a constitution for an integrated Syria and elections that could include Assad as a presidential candidate. Turkey insists that Kurds be excluded from the discussion. Iran objects to military from foreign countries, including the US, in Syria. A number of Syrian negotiators resign in protest to this outline.

11/09/2017

Syria declares victory over Islamic State

With capture of last town held by Islamic State in Syria, Syria declares victory over the Islamic State. Fighting continues sporadically and the Islamic State still holds some territory in Iraq. Syria now moves to recapture territory held by the Syrian Democratic Forces. The Islamic State still holds small areas in Iraq.

11/03/2017

Syrian army enters al-Qaim, one of the last areas held by the Islamic State.

11/02/2017

Syrian army takes control of Deir al-Zour from Islamic State, key city in eastern Syria.

11/02/2017

Syria accuses Israel of airstrikes in central Syria, around Homs, likely against Hezbollah.

10/31/2017

Iraq takes control of border crossings between Kurdistan and Turkey and Syria.

10/30/2017

Syria Iraq offers the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the largest Syrian Kurdish group, self-rule in exchange for withdrawal from majority-Arab areas, but the PYD demands a federal state.

10/17/2017

Syrian Democratic Forces declare Raqqa freed from Islamic State.

10/07/2017

Turkey begins military operation in Syria against jihadists preventing a truce between insurgents and Syrian government.

09/24/2017

US announces new ban on travel for countries that do not adequately share information about terrorism: Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen. Also increases restrictions or scrutiny on some Venezuelans and Iraqis.

09/20/2017

Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by US, has recaptured most of Raqqa.

09/07/2017

Israeli jets bomb suspected chemical weapon facility in Syria.

09/06/2017

UN commission implicates Syria in chemical attacks, and Russia for complicity in them.

08/02/2017

Refugees, some of them armed, are returned to Syria from Lebanon, as agreed between Hezbollah and the Syria branch of Al-Qaeda, known as the Levant Liberation Force. They are being returned to Idlib province, where there is still fighting.

07/19/2017

US has ended covert aid to anti-Assad rebels in Syria, saying the program had failed.

07/16/2017

Israel rejects Syria cease-fire plan proposed by US and Russia.

07/15/2017

UN-brokered talks on Syria end without progress.

07/09/2017

Cease-fire holding raggedly.

07/07/2017

US, Russia, and Jordan agree to partial cease-fire in southern Syria.

07/07/2017

After talk between Pres. Trump and Pres. Putin at G-20 meeting, US and Russia agree to resume coordination in Syria.

06/27/2017

US Pres. Trump warns Syria against new chemical attacks against its US-supported rebels.

06/26/2017

US Supreme Court agrees to hear cases about executive order restricting travel, and allows most of its provisions to be imposed against the seven countries targeted: Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia.

06/19/2017

Russia says it will regard US aircraft west of the Euphrates in Syria as enemy combatants and suspends deconfliction hotline.

06/18/2017

US shoots down Syrian warplane in Syria, saying that it bombed near allied forces, which Syria denies. Russia condemns attack, but no more.

06/05/2017

Syrian rebels back by USA begin attempt to regain Raqqa, the nominal Islamic State capital in Syria.

05/18/2017

Syria and Russia condemn US and Syrian anti-government strike against Syrian government convoy that breached deconfliction zone.

05/17/2017

US and Syrian anti-government forces strike Syrian government convoy that breeches a deconfliction zone around US/British military base.

05/16/2017

Syrian peace talks resume in Geneva with little hope of progress.

05/09/2017

US authorizes arms shipments to Kurds in Syria to fight Islamic State. Turkey objects, and US attempts to show limitations of the arrangement.

05/08/2017

Syria rejects UN monitoring of de-escalation zones.

05/08/2017

In separate agreement from de-escalation plan of Russia, Turkey, and Iran, rebels are allowed evacuate section of Damascus.

05/04/2017

Russia, Turkey, and Iran announce creation of “de-escalation” zones of cease-fire in Syria, except against Islamic State forces. The areas are in the north, including Idlib, Homs in central Syria, northern Damascus, and the South near Jordan. There will be a six-month renewable truce. No air forces of any country will overfly the zones, which will be enforced by Russia.

04/27/2017

Explosion in Damsacus, believed to be Israeli bombing of Hezbollah ammunition dump.

04/21/2017

Members of a falcon-hunting party that included members of the Qatari royal family are freed. They were captured in 1/16. Their release involved a payment of millions of dollars to a Shiite militia in Iraq that is supported by Iran and the transfer of Shiites from two villages that have been surrounded by Sunni Islamist militias supported by Turkey and Qatar, though negotiations on that deal had begun before the hostage release was included.

04/17/2017

Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu says that the occupied Golan Heights, formally part of Syria, will never be returned to Syria.

04/14/2017

Evacuations of Shi’ites in two Syrian towns begin. In exchange, Sunni rebels in two other towns will be moved to rebel territory.

04/12/2017

Russia says that air strike in Syria was illegal. US accuses Russia of falsifying evidence about use of chemical weapons in Syria.

04/04/2017

Chemical weapons attack on rebel-held town near Idlib named Khan Sheikhoun causes international outrage. Syrian government and Russia deny that government forces were responsible.

03/16/2017

Israeli jets strike unidentified targets in Syria, which responds with missiles.

03/15/2017

US court issues temporary restraining order halting second travel ban.

03/14/2017

Syrian opposition pulls out of Kazakhstan talks, accusing Russia and Syria of breaking truce. Syria says that Turkey ordered the move. Talks are supposed to continue.

03/06/2017

US issues revised travel and immigration order that eliminates Iraq from the countries from which immigrants are barred, removes the indefinite ban on Syrian refugees, and removes language about religious minorities, but still suspends entry of refugees for 120 days. Countries whose immigrants are still banned for 90 days are Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia.

03/03/2017

Syrian peace talks in Geneva end with no substantive progress.

03/02/2017

Syrian government forces retake Palmyra from Islamic State.

02/26/2017

Syrian government forces advance in the north, confining Turkish military and meeting territory Kurdish territory.

02/22/2017

Syrian rebel forces and Kurdish troops, supported by US military, surround villages north of Raqaa.

02/12/2017

Turkey announces that Turkish troops in coordination with Syrian rebels, enter Islamic State stronghold of Al Bab in Syria. The Syrian government military has also been attempting to take Al Bab, with air support by Russian planes, resulting in some conflict with Syrian rebel forces.

01/31/2017

The Syrian opposition agrees to surrender some territory in exchange for transportation of at least 250 rebel fighters to stronghold.

01/27/2017

US Pres. Trump issues executive order on foreign nationals holding visas or applying for visas to the US. The visa process will be reviewed; individuals from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia are temporarily barred entry for 90 days, whether they hold a valid visa or not, so that the policy can be reviewed. It announces that refugees from Syria are detrimental to the US. It suspends immigration into the US for 120 days, and caps total immigration into the US at 50,000 for the year 2017. It prioritizes immigration for those who claim to be victims of religious persecution as long as the person’s religion is a minority in their home country.

01/26/2017

Rebel factions, including Anrar al-Sham (formerly Al Nusra Front) join together in northern Syria to fight the Islamic State.

01/24/2017

Conference in Astana on Syria ends with an agreement to enforce the cease-fire, without further detail. Neither the rebels nor the Syrian government sign the agreement.

01/23/2017

Peace negotiations on Syria begin in Astana, Kazakhstan, the first meeting between rebels and the government since the end of UN-sponsored peace talks in 2016.

01/16/2017

Syrian opposition agrees to attend peace talks in Kazakhstan in February. A spokesman says all groups will be represented.

01/04/2017

Turkish Prime Minister says that an offensive by Syrian rebels to retake a Syrian town, al-Bab from the Islamic State should be completed successfully within a few days.

01/03/2017

Coalition of rebel groups suspends talks with Syrian government, citing violations of the cease-fire.

12/29/2016

Cease-fire begins, but rebels claim violations by the Syrian government.

12/27/2016

Turkey announces that a cease-fire plan has been created by Turkey and Russia. Syrian opposition groups say that Russia and Turkey are discussing a cease-fire agreement for Syria, but that they have not seen any details. Not all groups have been included in the discussion. Some groups considered terrorists would be excluded in the agreement, according to reports.

12/26/2016

Turkish President Erdogan accuses the West of supporting the Islamic State and breaking promises about Syria. He suggests that Saudi Arabia and Qatar join the cease-fire talks for Syria with Russian and Iran in Kazakhstan in 1/17.

12/19/2016

Russia, Turkey, and Iran meet to discuss a Syrian situation with the aim of a plan for an agreement about a cease-fire or political transition.

12/19/2016

Off-duty riot policeman, Mevlut Mert Alintas, shoots and kills Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov, shouting, “Don’t forget Aleppo! Don’t forget Syria!” He is killed in a shootout with police. Karlov was speaking at an art gallery opening. Turkish officials blame Fethullah Gulen, but there is no evidence that Alintas was allied with Gulen or any other group or if he had ties to Syria.

12/18/2016

New agreement on evacuation is reached and evacuation resumes. It was interrupted by various obstacles; in one instance, rebels opposed to the agreement, wanting to include other neighborhoods, set fire to buses that would carry refugees.

12/16/2016

Evacuation is interrupted by Syria. Both sides complain of violations of the ceasefire.

12/15/2016

Ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Russia holds, and refugees are taken out of Aleppo on buses going to other rebel-held areas.

12/14/2016

Ceasefire takes hold, then is interrupted by shooting by both sides. Later, the ceasefire is again agreed upon, with transportation of militants and civilians in rebel-held areas to begin on 12/15.

12/13/2016

Russia and Syria declare that Aleppo has been retaken. An attempt at a ceasefire that would allow rebels to transit to other rebel-held territories breaks down amid new shelling by both sides. There are reports of mass murders in formerly rebel-held neighborhoods of Aleppo by government troops or allied militias.

12/11/2016

Islamic State retakes Palmyra, as Russia and Syria are focusesed on Aleppo.

12/06/2016

Misurata troops fighting under the banner of the unity government, retake Surt from the Islamic State.

12/01/2016

Denmark withdraws its fighter jets from the war in Syria against the Islamic State as of mid-December.

11/30/2016

Israeli jets strike a suspected Hezbollah weapons convoy near Damascus.

11/27/2016

Northeast Aleppo is taken by government forces.

11/19/2016

Last operating hospitals in Aleppo are forced to close due to bomb damage.

11/15/2016

Russian airplanes resume bombing, though it is not clear whether they targeted Aleppo.

11/14/2016

Syrian Free Army says that airstrikes on Aleppo have resumed.

11/01/2016

Russia says that bombing pause in Aleppo will be extended to 11/4.

10/28/2016

Syrian Free Army begins strong counterattack against government forces in Aleppo. Russia says that it will not be involved in further airstrikes.

10/23/2016

As battle for Mosul proceeds, there is continuing antagonism between Turkey, which insists on participating, and Iraq, which feels its sovereignty is being violated. Turkey now has troops in both Syria and Iraq, and has attacked Kurdish soldiers in Syria.

10/19/2016

UN considers sanctions against Syria and its supporters (which would include Russia).

10/19/2016

Russian President Putin says pause in Aleppo could continue, but that fighters should leave the city.

10/18/2016

Russia and Syria suspend air attacks on Aleppo for humanitarian aid to pass and call for opposition to leave the city during that time.

10/16/2016

Syrian Democratic Forces supported by Turkish military evict Islamic State from the town of Dabiq, which the Islamic State had invested f with symbolic priority as the possible site of an apocalypitc final battle with the West.

10/11/2016

Russian President Putin cancels planned visit to France after Paris insists that the visit discuss only the situation in Syria.

10/05/2016

France asks Russia and US to support a UN Security Council resolution to impose a new truce to allow humanitarian aid into Aleppo.

10/03/2016

US and Russia end talks on Syria amid mutual recriminations and Russia withdraws from an agreement that both countries would destroy plutonium.

09/28/2016

Outgoing Secretary General of the UN Ban Ki-Moon says that the bombing hospitals in rebel-held areas of Aleppo amounts to war crimes. He does not accuse the government of Syria directly.

09/26/2016

Government attempt to retake Aleppo.

Government begins ground offensive to take Aleppo, which has been largely devastated.

09/22/2016

Aid convoys are resumed as Russia and US attempt to repair broken truce. Government continues fierce bombing of Aleppo

09/19/2016

Syria declares the truce over. An aid convoy is bombed, either by Syrian or Russian aircraft. Aid convoys are halted.

09/17/2016

Errant bombing run by US kills Syrian Army soldiers rather than its intended target of Islamic State forces, but the accident threatens the ceasefire.

09/12/2016

With some exceptions, ceasefire takes hold.

09/09/2016

Ceasefire

Russia and US agree on a plan for a ceasefire in Syria, to begin at sundown on 9/12.

09/05/2016

After discussions at the G20 meeting with Russian president Putin about Syria, US President Obama says that there is insufficient trust for talks to proceed successfully. Putin, on the other hand, says progress could come within a few days.

08/24/2016

Turkish troops enter Syria.

Turkey sends troops into Syria to help Syrian Democratic Forces take control of a town from Islamic State, with US assistance. The advance also prevents Syrian Kurds from gaining further territory, though the Kurdish militias are bombing the Syrian Democratic Forces.

08/23/2016

Kurdish truce with Syria.

Kurdish militias sign a truce with Syrian government that gives them control of northeastern province in Syria.

08/23/2016

Iran abruptly denies Russia access to the airbases it has been using, criticizing the Russian attitude is oblique terms. Russia says its mission has been completed, an unlikely reason for ending these flights.

08/16/2016

Russia bombs ISIS positions in Syria from a base in Iran, the first time since the revolution that Iran has allowed a foreign country to use its military bases.

08/14/2016

Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of militias led by the Kurds, retake town of Manbij from the Islamic State.

05/04/2016

The truce that is in effect is announced as being extended to Aleppo, which has seen continuous fighting. Conditions and likelihood of its effective imposition seem unclear.

04/28/2016

Severe attacks on Aleppo suggest cessation of hostilities has fallen apart.

04/18/2016

With continued disruptions of the ceasefire, peace talks stall.

04/13/2016

Voting for parliament in the areas controlled by the Syrian government.

03/27/2016

Syrian government retakes Palmyra.

03/21/2016

Rebels mount several substantial attacks around Damascus and elsewhere in largest offensive in years.

03/17/2016

Syrian Kurds announce the formation of an autonomous region in northern Syria. Though not separate from Syria, this formalizes the de facto control Kurds have had in the north during the last five years of war.

03/14/2016

Putin orders withdrawal of “main part” of Russian forces from Syria, saying that the goals have been reached.

02/27/2016

Cessation of fighting begins at midnight.

02/23/2016

Government and opposition agree to a temporary halt in fighting, though Syria and Russia are still allowed to attack the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front, and any other group identified as terrorists by the UN. However, many of the foreign-backed opposition fight alongside the al-Nusra Front.

02/22/2016

Assad announces parliamentary elections for 4/23.

02/22/2016

Obama and Putin agree on instituting the agreement, which will begin on 2/27. Russia has largely achieved its goals of stabilizing the Syrian government, depriving the opposition of territory gained, especially around Aleppo, making itself a diplomatic force, and distracting its citizens from the economic hardships in the country.

02/21/2016

US and Russia announce agreement on a “provisional” ceasefire for Syria, though it still has to be approved by the presidents of both countries.

02/19/2016

Continued fighting and bombing by Russia suggest there is little hope for a real ceasefire.

02/17/2016

Humanitarian aid being delivered to several besieged cities.

02/15/2016

Kurdish forces continue to advance.

02/14/2016

Turkey condemned for second day of bombing military units known as the YPG (People’s Protection Units) of the Kurdish separatist area Rojave in Syria, governed by the Kurdish Supreme Committee, a part of the Syrian Democratic Front. Turkey, which calls the Kurds terrorists, says it will continue to do so.

02/13/2016

Saudi Arabia sends troops to Turkey ahead of a planned invasion of Syria. Turkey confirms the reports, but neither the numbers nor the date of any invasion.

02/11/2016

At the meeting of the International Syria Support Group, US and Russia say the negotiators have agreed on allowing delivery of humanitarian aid and a cessation of hostilities that is to lead to a more formal ceasefire.

02/03/2016

Talks suspended.

02/01/2016

Talks formally open, with UN special envoy Steffan de Mistura shuttling between the groups.

01/31/2016

Delegation of insurgent groups meets with UN negotiator in Geneva to begin peace talks.

01/25/2016

Delayed peace talks scheduled to begin on 1/29, UN says.

12/10/2015

Many rebel groups unite to form a new negotiating group for talks with the government.

12/02/2015

Parliament authorizes military action in Syria and RAF immediately schedules airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria for 12/3.

11/24/2015

Turkey shoots down a Russian jet that was in its airspace, after many previous overflights and warnings from Turkey.

11/18/2015

Moderate rebels announce a truce for parts of Damascus to allow for humanitarian aid to be received. The truce was brokered by Russia, suggesting it is increasing its negotiating power with the Syrian government and may have more influence than Iran now. This seems to be separate from the negotiations going on in Vienna.

11/17/2015

Russia and France coordinate airstrikes against Islamic State.

11/14/2015

France conducts airstrikes in Syria against Raqaa in retaliatio for attacks in Paris.

11/12/2015

Kurds take a major supply route for the Islamic State between Raqaa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq.

10/27/2015

Iran is invited for the first time to join talks about Syria with US, Russia, and EU countries in Vienna.

10/12/2015

Increasing flow of US arms to insurgents in Syria, through third parties, but with the tacit approval of the US, have made the conflict increasingly a proxy war between the US and Russia.

10/05/2015

Russia says that "volunteer" ground forces are participating in battle in Syria. Turkey and NATO warn Russia about incursion into Turkish airspace.

10/02/2015

Russian airstrikes also now include some Islamic State targets, following international criticism.

10/01/2015

Islamist opponents of both Assad and the Islamic coordinating fighting under the banner of the Army of Conquest (Jaish al-Fatah). It includes the Nusra Front and US-backed rebels, and has made gains against the Islamic State.

09/30/2015

Russia enters war.

Russia begins airstrikes, but they are aimed not at territory controlled by the Islamic State, but at territory disputed by the opposition forces.

09/27/2015

Russia, Iraq, Syria, and Iran agree to share intelligence about Islamic State.

09/18/2015

US and Russia agree to discuss military coordination in Syria.

09/15/2015

Putin suggests US and Russian military discuss how to combat Islamic State. With Russian financial reserves running low, Russia may be trying to improve relations with the West.

09/08/2015

In US effort to control Russian buildup in Syria, Bulgaria agrees to close its airspace to Russian transport planes. The US has asked Greece to do the same.

09/04/2015

Russia increasing its military support for Syrian government.

08/06/2015

Government sends officials to Oman for a meeting, which may signal a new effort at peace talks.

06/25/2015

Islamic State renews offensive in northern Syria against Kurds. Rebels in south push against government forces in Daraa.

06/23/2015

Kurds push down from the north toward de facto Islamic State capital of Raqqah.

06/18/2015

Islamic State restricting oil shipments to western-back rebels. Bashar government attacking hospitals and bakeries there in addition.

06/15/2015

Kurds retake strategic border city in northern Syria, Tal Abyad. Thousands of Syrians attempt to go into Turkey, but are kept out by Turkish army.

06/11/2015

Increasing incursion of Al Nusra Front causing a realignment in the Druse community in Lebanon and southern Syria, where the Druse live among Sunnis. Walid Jumblatt, leader of the Druse, calls for them to reconcile with the Sunnis in southern Syria, saying that the Assad regime “is finished.”

06/09/2015

The Southern Front of the Free Syrian Army claims to have overrun a large Syrian Army base near Daraa, their first major success in a very long time, perhaps due to increased quality of weapons from the West.

06/02/2015

Syrian rebels accuse government of aiding Islamic State in its attack on Aleppo, currently held by the rebels.

05/20/2015

Islamic State captures ancient central crossroads city of Palmyra, surrounded by oil fields. The Islamic State now controls about half of Syria.

04/28/2015

Syrian army has suffered several setbacks to the Islamist coalition that opposes the Islamic State.

04/01/2015

Islamic State conquers more territory in Syria.

03/29/2015

Fearing a terrorist attack, Turkey closes remaining passages to Syria.

03/20/2015

Al Nusra Front takes Idlib, second provincial capital removed from government control.

02/26/2015

Islamic State forces overrun region inhabited by Assyrians, killing and enslaving the population and destroying ancient statuary.

02/17/2015

UN envoy Steffan de Mistura announces that Syria has agreed in principal to halt the shelling of Aleppo as part of a six-week truce.

01/26/2015

Kurdish forces recapture most of important northern border city in Syria, Kobani, from Islamic State.

01/19/2015

Iran accuses Israel of airstrike in southern Syria that killed an Iranian and several Hezbollah generals. Israel does not respond openly, although there are reports that Hezbollah was planning an attack from that area.

01/19/2015

US and other western nations backing new proposals about how to proceed in Syria, signaling an end to their efforts to oust Assad. One proposal, from the UN, would seek to end the fighting in stages, beginning with Aleppo. The other, from Russia, would initiate talks soon with the aim of a power-sharing government between Assad and some opposition figures, with perhaps parliamentary elections to precede any change in the president.

01/15/2015

UN to renew talks with government, on a cease-fire in Aleppo.

01/13/2015

Several opposition leaders say they will not attend peace talks brokered by Russia.

12/02/2014

Syria says it is ready to enter into “preliminary discussions” with Russia to renew negotiations. Syrian National Army dismisses the move.

11/10/2014

Assad says that a UN-backed peace plan for Aleppo is worth considering.

11/04/2014

Western-backed rebels lose a series of towns to the Nusra Front.

10/20/2014

In a policy shift, Turkey allows Iraqi Kurds a safe corridor through Turkey to travel to fight the Islamic State in Syria, where it is besieging Kobani in the north. US, also in a shift, drops weapons and materiel to Kurdish fighters in Kobani, the first time it has provided arms for the rebels in Syria.

10/15/2014

Islamic State continues to advance on Baghdad as it gains ground in the Syrian Kurdish city of Khobani, where heavy airstrikes are slowing but not stopping its advance.

10/09/2014

Resisting intense pressure by the US and other western countries to take on the fight against the Islamic State, Turkey proposes the creation of a buffer zone on its Syrian border. This would, in effect, create a territory for moderate Syrian rebels to establish themselves, perhaps creating a confrontation with Assad. The Islamic state is advancing on the Turkish border in the north of Syria.

09/22/2014

US and allies bomb main headquarters and “capital city” of the Islamic State, Raqqa, in Syria. Sunni Arab states Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates take part.

09/17/2014

Government increasing attacks on main rebel groups.

09/16/2014

Intensified fighting between rebels, Islamic State, and Syria ahead of new US air campaign.

09/10/2014

US bombing Islamic State in Syria

US President Obama outlines plan to continue bombing Islamic State positions in order to end its threat, including its positions in Syria, as well as to bolster effectiveness of Iraqi army.

08/25/2014

US begins surveillance of Islamic State territory in Syria. Many expect airstrikes to follow, with or without approval by Syria, which has said it welcomes help but requires coordination and input. US reluctant to be seen as aiding Assad.

08/15/2014

ISIS continues to gain territory, as does the government, as mainstream rebel movement continues to lose force and momentum.

08/05/2014

24-hour ceasefire between Syrian and Lebanon falls apart quickly.

07/24/2014

Following a Security Council resolution, UN officials send relief trucks into Syrian rebel-held territory across Turkish border, defying the government, which had refused access.

06/23/2014

Withdrawal of chemical weapons is completed.

06/09/2014

Government declares amnesty for all crimes except “acts of terrorism.” 6/5/14. Assad is declared the winner with 88% of the vote and a turnout said to be 73%.

06/03/2014

Voting is held in government-controlled areas but largely absent in insurgent-held areas.

05/28/2014

Syrians in Lebanon say almost uniformly they are voting for Assad. Syrians in foreign countries are allowed to vote ahead of 6/2 voting in Syria.

05/13/2014

Lakdar Brahimi resigns as lead negotiator, most likely out of frustration.

05/07/2014

Rebels agree to leave Homs, but say they will fight on.

04/28/2014

Assad announces candidacy for president.

04/24/2014

There are reports that Alawites, having fought and suffered in the war, may demand more power from Assad in the future. According to this view, they see the Assad clan as upstarts in Alawite culture (an offshoot of Shiite Islam). Hafez al-Assad offered them opportunities in the military, but suppressed the clan and religious leadership.

04/23/2014

Government says it has nearly regained control of Homs, one of the centers of the revolution.

04/21/2014

Government announces elections for 6/3. One-third of the population has been displaced by the war.

04/14/2014

Disposal of chemical weapons proceeding slowly.

04/04/2014

With government increasingly in control of formerly rebel-held territory in the southwest, government offers “reconciliation” to rebels who surrender and some have accepted.

03/19/2014

Israelis strike Syrian Army sites after these sites bomb targets in Golan Heights, killing one Israeli soldier. Fears that this will lead to larger Israeli involvement in Syrian war.

03/16/2014

Government forces take back long-held rebel town.

03/13/2014

With parliament preparing to call for new elections, in accordance with a new constitution approved in a referendum in 2/12, UN negotiator Lakdar Brahimi says an election at this time would make further talks unfeasible. The elections would allow for multiple political parties, for the first time in Syria.

03/04/2014

Syrian shipments of chemical weapons increasing its pace, and although the country has missed one deadline, it now proposes to complete the transfer of all chemical weapons by the end of April.

02/23/2014

Members of Syrian rebel command, Supreme Military Council, have fallen out with each. Former chief of staff, Gen. Salim Idris, was replaced without notice by Brig. Gen. Adbul-Ilah al-Bashir, who was not aware the appointment had been made until afterwards. The involvement of other countries in the SMC’s formation seems to have undermined it. It was mainly a distribution arm, but now arms in many of its storehouses have been stolen or sold.

02/16/2014

After unsuccessful end of Geneva talks on Syria, US and Russia are severely critical of each other.

02/12/2014

Syrian rebels, having also brought some of the fighting forces to their side in Geneva, propose a peace plan that does not mention Assad to stepping down, but with strong wording about human rights.

02/10/2014

Second round of talks begins.

01/28/2014

Geneva peace conference is disrupted by government spokesman protesting US congress’s approval of continued aid for rebels.

01/28/2014

ISIS and the Nusra Front reported to have seized most of the oil and gas facilities and are selling the products to the government

01/24/2014

Geneva peace conference 2014

Government representatives and opposition representatives at UN conference in Geneva agree to meet face to face, mediated by UN special envoy Lakdar Brahimi, on 1/25. Opposition representatives do not represent any of the fighting troops, nor many of the Syrian groups, and mainly speak for Syrian exile groups.

01/20/2014

With peace conference on Syria scheduled to begin on 1/22, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon invites Iran to join the talks. But when Iran rejects precondition that the talks are aimed at creating a transition regime to replace Assad, Iran rejects the invitation and when Syrian opposition and US also object, Ban rescinds the invitation.

01/08/2014

ISIS ejected from its base in Aleppo.

01/06/2014

Battle in northern Syria between insurgents and the radical group Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS), which many Islamists see as too radical, widens to city of Raqqa, which ISIS has controlled. ISIS has also played a large role in the fighting in Iraq’s Anbar province, where radical Islamists have tried to create a zone of control.

01/06/2014

Saudi Arabia gives $3 billion to government to buy arms to fight Hezbollah and other militias. It is seen as a challenge to US to change its strategy in the Middle East. It is unlikely to have much effect on the war either in Syria or Lebanon. US and Iran see increasing policy conjunction in facing Sunni-Al Qaeda uprisings in Middle East, including in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Assad’s Alawite Shiites control a Sunni majority. Iran is overwhelmingly Shiite. Iraq has a Shiite government and a Shiite majority, although Sunnis are a substantial part of the population. It is difficult to be certain of demographics in Lebanon, but although Shia and Sunni populations are about equal, the Sunnis have traditionally held power and are the only sect eligible to be prime minister. Saudi Arabia is overwhelmingly Sunni. Hezbollah is a Shia movement that has lately angered many by fighting against Sunni rebels in Syria.

01/02/2014

Hezbollah moving long-range missiles from Syria to Lebanon.

12/11/2013

US suspends military aid to Syrian rebels after Al Qaeda factions among them take over Free Syrian Army bases.

11/26/2013

Syrian National Coalition says it will not participate in peace talks. The head of the Free Syrian Army, Gen. Salim Idris, says his forces will continue fighting.

11/25/2013

Peace conference agreed upon to begin in January 2014.

11/22/2013

Seven important rebels groups announce alliance.

11/11/2013

National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, under international pressure, votes to join peace talks.

10/31/2013

UN weapons inspectors say that Syria has destroyed its facilities for making chemical weapons and that its chemical weapons have been secured.

10/29/2013

Government fires deputy prime minister who had strongly advocated peace talks. Stated reasons are that he spent too much time away from Syria, neglected his duties and failed to coordinate his actions with the government sufficiently.

10/27/2013

Syria submits accounting of its chemical weapons program and a plan for its destruction three days ahead of schedule.

10/07/2013

Advance destroys some components of chemical weapons arsenal.

10/02/2013

Advance team of UN weapons experts arrives in Syria to begin the process of dismantling the chemical weapons caches.

09/27/2013

UN Security Council approves resolution on Syria.

09/26/2013

Permanent members of the UN Security Council agree on a resolution requiring Syria to give up its chemical weapons. Although no consequences are specified if Syria doesn’t comply, the resolution authorizes the Security Council to impose sanctions or even act militarily, but only after further deliberations by the Security Council to approve such actions.

09/25/2013

Islamic State increasing in Syria

Some rebel groups abandon Syrian National Coalition and ally themselves with al-Qaeda offshoot, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). There are reports that the five permanent members of the Security Council of the UN have agreed on a broad outline of the UN resolution on Syria that would include language about sanctions if Syria does not comply. Russia disputes this.

09/17/2013

Trajectory data in the UN report on Syrian chemical attack indicate that missiles delivering the sarin came from Mount Qasioun, site of the Republican Guard and the army’s Fourth Division.

09/16/2013

UN report asserts that chemical weapons were used in August in Syria in violation of international law. The inspectors were instructed not to assign responsibility.

09/14/2013

US and Russia agree on a framework for removal of chemical weapons from Syria. It calls for Syria to provide a complete report on its chemical weapons and their locations within a week and to hand over all weapons by the middle of 2014. US has signaled that UN resolution about this need not specify the use of force if it is not carried out.

09/12/2013

Syria announces that it will sign the treaty against chemical weapons, sending a letter to this effect to the UN, and that it will give up its chemical under an agreement to be negotiated with the Russians. It says it should have thirty days to provide a list of its weapons and their locations.

09/08/2013

After a casual remark by Secretary of State John Kerry suggesting that Syria could avert military action by putting all its chemical weapons under international control, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says that this would be a good idea and Syrian Foreign Minister in Russia for talks agrees. Obama says that while skeptical, the US will pursue the avenue to avoid military action.

09/02/2013

Obama asks US congress to vote on military action against Syria. World leaders show reluctance to do anything. UN opposed to unilateral action, as is Russia.

08/30/2013

US President Obama decides to ask Congress to vote on action against Syria while also trying to build international support.

08/29/2013

British parliament opposed to military action against Syria for chemical attack and Prime Minister Cameron says he will respect that. US still may be preparing military strike.

08/27/2013

Britian, France, Turkey, and others call for punitive action against Syria, but Arab League, while condemning the chemical attack, stops short of calling for action. Iran says that any attack on Syria would provoke a retaliatory attack on Israel. Russia, while publicly condemning any attack, says it will not respond militarily in any event.

08/26/2013

US Secretary of State John Kerry says there is clear evidence that the Syrian government used chemical weapons against civilians, signaling some kind of military response.

08/25/2013

Western observers, including US, now feel certain that Syrian government used chemical weapons against civilians.

08/20/2013

Government accused of using chemical weapons

Syrian government forces said to use chemical weapons against rebels and civilians, killing about a hundred.

08/08/2013

Islamist groups continue to build bases of power within Syria. As many as 6000 are now fighting, from groups such as the Nusra Front and a more extreme umbrella group, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

07/31/2013

Head of Syrian opposition Ahmad al-Jarba says the Syrian National Coalition (formally the Syrian National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces) will not negotiate with anyone who is in the current government, making peace talks even less likely.

07/17/2013

Better weapons and infighting among rebels shifts momentum in the fighting to the government. It seems unlikely, however, that he could regain control of the entire country again. The government controls 30% to 40% of the territory, with about 60% of the population.

06/13/2013

US government, having determined that Syrian government has used chemical weapons in limited instances, is said to plan to send weapons to Syrian rebels.

06/12/2013

Government steps up air attacks on rebels, seeming to have regained a tactical advantage.

06/10/2013

Government and Hezbollah troops advancing on Homs. Evidence of use of chemical weapons remains sketchy, though it seems clear that sarin was released in Aleppo and elsewhere. However, there were few deaths, which would be unusual in a full-scale sarin attack.

06/05/2013

Government retakes Qusayr.

06/04/2013

Rebels, trying to open a second front on the Aleppo-Damascus road, stall, and the fighting causes friction within the movement and with villagers in the line of fire. UN says that chemical weapons have definitely been used but it is not clear who used them.

05/19/2013

With aid from Hezbollah fighters, government making inroads in key city, Qusayr, long held by rebels.

05/16/2013

Syrians increasingly being divided into zones of influence: Kurds in the northeast, rebels and Islamists, predominantly Sunni, in the rest of the north, government and Hezbollah in the center and south.

05/16/2013

Russia to send more sophisticated surface-to-surface missiles to Assad in Syria, providing better defense and with the potential of hampering imposition of a no-fly zone (because of their accuracy in hitting ships at sea that would refuel airplanes).

05/11/2013

Car bombings in a town near the Syrian border. No one has claimed responsibility.

05/05/2013

A third airstrike by Israelis is seen as a continuing effort to prevent Hezbollah from acquiring missiles.

05/02/2013

Government fighting back against rebels on several fronts.

04/30/2013

US considers sending arms to Syrian rebels. Hezbollah says it will come to the aid of the Syrian government.

04/28/2013

US acknowledges that chemical weapons have been used in the conflict, probably by the Syrian government, but remains hesitant to accuse Syria of systematic use of chemical weapons, saying that it will wait until the UN can confirm the circumstances of the use.

04/25/2013

US, following UK and France, says Syrian government has used chemical arms, but needs more detail about when and how.

04/24/2013

Assad government attempting to convince the West that it is still the best alternative to Islamic rule in the country. US increasingly concerned about the involvement of jihadists and perhaps Al Qaeda in the insurgency.

03/27/2013

Assad appeals to BRICS group to help end Syrian War.

03/26/2013

Khatib is seated in Syria’s place at Arab League meeting, to the outrage of the Assad government.

03/24/2013

CIA helping Arab countries and Turkey airlift arms to rebels. Khatib resigns and head of rebel coalition, complaining about lack of foreign aid. Khatib called for talks with the government, but Hitto has rejected the idea.

03/19/2013

Rebels and government trade accusations about use chemical weapons.

03/18/2013

Rebels choose naturalized American Ghassan Hitto, and IT executive, to lead interim government.

03/12/2013

Syrian military increasingly demoralized and finding it difficult to recruit. It has restricted itself to holding major cities.

03/09/2013

Rebels release UN peacekeepers.

03/06/2013

Some rebels, hoping to force the UN to do more, kidnap UN security forces in Golan Heights.

02/25/2013

Saudi Arabia said to have purchased arms and sent them to the rebels.

02/11/2013

Rebels say they have taken control of a major hydroelectric dam in the north.

02/10/2013

Rebels filtering into Damascus, and government begin bombing outlying suburbs of Damascus. Government soldiers seen increasingly demoralized.

02/06/2013

Prospects for discussions dim as fighting resumes previous intensity. Khatib puts a Sunday deadline on his offer.

02/05/2013

Khatib, having brought some of his allies on board with possible discussions, says that Assad could avoid prosecution by agreeing to the talks.

01/30/2013

Without acknowledging it, Israel bombs Hezbollah convoy in Syria carrying surface to air missiles given to the militia by Syria.

01/30/2013

Syrian opposition leader Sheik Ahmad Moaz al-Khatib says he is willing to negotiate with the government, but demands the release of political prisoners and the renewal of expired passports held by expatriate Syrians. Other opposition figures criticize the statement.

01/27/2013

Continuing deterioration in Syria prompts Israel to heighten security measures.

01/11/2013

Rebels say they have captured an important helicopter in the north, Taftanaz.

01/06/2013

In his first public address in six months, Assad justifies the fight against the rebels and tries to rally supporters. He offers a peace plan involving a new cabinet, a new constitution and talks with officially tolerated opposition groups, but rules out any negotiations with the rebels.

01/04/2013

War at a stalemate. Rebels attempting to overrun crucial military airports. They say they are not receiving adequate help from other countries.

01/02/2013

All-out civil war continues, as civilians are killed in war zones by government.

01/01/2013

Russia says that Assad will not leave voluntarily, at least temporarily ending diplomatic moves.

12/26/2012

Russia increasingly acknowledging that a transitional government that will remove Assad may be necessary. Rebels continue to make advances.

12/21/2012

Putin says Russia is not a “defender” of the Assad regime, but wants a democratic regime there.

12/16/2012

Government bombs Palestinian neighborhood, weakening Palestinian support for it. Foreign ministry calls for an end to military action, release of political prisoners, and a dialog to form a traditional government that would hold free elections. The vice-president says that neither side can win militarily and called for a ceasefire and an international effort to create a unity government.

12/12/2012

Government fires Scud missiles at an Airport that rebels have taken.

12/11/2012

US President Obama says that the United States will recognize the Syrian opposition group as a legitimate representative of Syria.

12/06/2012

Rebels fighting Kurdish militias in the north.

12/04/2012

NATO agrees to send Patriot missiles to Turkey to protect its territory against Syrian fire.

12/03/2012

Rebels continue to grain ground. A Turkish official says Russian has agreed to find ways to persuade Assad to give up power.

11/29/2012

Main airport and Internet access are disrupted, although it is not clear whether it was accidental, whether the rebels created the problem, or whether the government did.

11/28/2012

Opposition coalition begins discussions aimed at forming an alternative government for Syria, which would pave the way for more international acceptance and aid. US considers increasing assistance to the opposition.

11/26/2012

Rebels take the tactic that, anything government installation the start of air and air bases that and dams, and then leaving them before government can attack. Meanwhile, government forces have reduced their focus to a corner northward from Damascus to the coast and Damascus itself.

11/20/2012

UK recognizes the Syrian opposition rebel group.

11/19/2012

EU grants support to Syrian opposition and legitimate representatives of the Syrian people, stopping short of full diplomatic recognition.

11/15/2012

Turkish government announces support for new Syrian rebel coalition.

11/13/2012

France recognizes the new umbrella group of Syrian rebels, which calls itself to the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces. More than 10% of the population have been displaced, more than 400,000 have fled to neighboring countries, and nearly 400,000 have been killed.

11/12/2012

Opposition announces a unity pact. Turkey bombs a Syrian village after an attack by a Syrian jet fighter in Turkey. Israeli tanks in the Golan heights fire on a military rocket launcher after days of erratic rocket fire from Syria.

11/09/2012

Rebels said to be losing popular support after various missteps, including the willful shooting of prisoners, senseless destruction, and poorly planned missions.

11/08/2012

Assad says he will never leave Syria.

11/07/2012

UK prime minister David Cameron suggests that it might be possible to negotiate an exit for Assad to a country where he could take refuge.

11/07/2012

Turkey considering deploying Patriot missiles on Syrian border, which would allow rebels to create a no-fly zone and a safe zone inside Syria.

11/05/2012

Fierce fighting in Damascus suburb dominated by Palestinians. One major Palestinian group in Syria sides with the government.

11/04/2012

Following call from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Syrian opposition groups attempt to unify, but success seems unlikely.

11/02/2012

China proposes vague plan for transition government in Syria, but there is little enthusiasm for it.

10/23/2012

UN special envoy Lakdar Brahimi announces plan for a cease-fire on highest Muslim holy day, Eid al-Adha, on 10/25, though Syrian government says it will respond to any rebel attacks. One Islamic opposition group says it will not abide by the ceasefire. Eid al-Adha (“the greater Eid,” as opposed to Eid that celebrates the end of Ramadan), Festival of the Sacrifice, celebrates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to God.

10/18/2012

Powerful bomb kills intelligence chief of internal security service and 80 others. Authorities say Syria set off the bomb to provoke unrest in Lebanon.

10/17/2012

Violence increasing in Damascus, where many now seem resigned to a change of regime.

10/04/2012

During attack by Syria on rebels in Turkey, a shell accidentally goes astray and kills five civilians and the Turkish military responds. Turkish parliament authorizes military action against Syria.

10/02/2012

Government attacks Khaled Meshal, leader of Hamas, who has condemned the Syrian crackdown. Although Syria and Hamas have long been Allies, there are many Sunni Palestinians in Syria and some have joined the rebellion.

10/01/2012

Rebels pressing offensive in Aleppo.

09/26/2012

Rebels continue to make slight gains against Syrian Army.

09/24/2012

Civil War in Syria exacerbating sectarian divisions in Iraq. Also, Turkish Kurdish rebels are galvanized by the rebellion and rising up in the north, showing that Iraq cannot control its airspace. Iraq’s Shiite-dominated government is worried that a victory by Sunni rebels in Syria would set off a regional sectarian war, and is becoming closer to Iran because of it. Iraq is also looking to acquire more arms, from Russia as well as the US.

09/03/2012

Government taxes and shelling continued throughout the country. US says that Iran is supplying Syrian military by means of flights that go through Iraq’s air space. Hundreds of thousands have now fled to Turkey and other neighboring countries.

08/15/2012

A powerful Lebanese Shiite family abduct more than 30 Syrians in Lebanese territory in revenge for the kidnapping of a relative inside Syria.

08/06/2012

Prime Minister Riyad Farid Hijab, a Sunni, defects. Though not an important figure in the power structure, he was able to fool the security forces for months (since his forced appointment as prime minister) and also get many members of his extended family out.

07/24/2012

Fighting breaks out throughout Aleppo, Syria's largest city and commercial capital.

07/19/2012

Rebels take over the four border crossings between Turkey and Syria and say they have gained control of a section of Damascus.

07/18/2012

A bomb attack kills Defense Minister and Assad's brother-in-law, as well as the security offered charge of the strategy for fighting the rebels at a government building near Assad's home.

07/17/2012

Widespread clashes in Damascus bring tanks and helicopter attacks to the capital.

07/15/2012

With fighting widespread across the country, the Red Cross designates situation a civil war.

07/11/2012

Syrian ambassador to Iraq defects. Some question as to whether commander in the Republican guards has actually defected.

07/09/2012

Russia says it will suspend weapons shipments to Syria during the crisis, and calls on Assad to talk with adversaries.

07/05/2012

Close friend and confidant of Assad, a commander in the Republican Guards, is said to have defected to Turkey, a possible sign of the government starting to lose control.

06/26/2012

NATO supports Turkey. Turkey warns Syria to keep away from its borders or risk retribution. Meanwhile some questions about whether the Turkish plane was on a spy mission. Opposition fighters attack Republican Guard post in Damascus suburbs, killing more than 30 and provoking a furious response of shelling. Assad tells parliament that the country is at war.

06/25/2012

Opposition military becoming increasingly more effective and better equipped. Turkey reports that a general, two colonels, other officers and some soldiers have defected.

06/22/2012

Syria shoots down a Turkish fighter jet. Both countries agree that jet was over Syrian waters above the Mediterranean, but Turkey says that jet left Syria's airspace before it was shot down.

06/12/2012

Fighting becomes more intense on both sides with the use of heavier weapons. US Secretary of State Clinton accuses Russia of sending helicopter gunships to Syria to fight rebels, though Russia says it sends only defensive weapons to Syria.

06/10/2012

Syrian government continues to shell rebel strongholds across the country. The government has lost control of some cities than other parts of the country. Syrian National Council agrees on a leader, Abdelbaset Sieda, a Kurdish professor of Arabic and philosophy.

06/07/2012

Government bars UN observers from viewing the scene of the massacre in Qubeir.

05/29/2012

After massacre of women and children in Qubeir, a small village north of Hama, 11 nations, including the United States, expel Syrian diplomats.

05/23/2012

Oil minister says that sanctions are beginning to cause widespread fuel shortages. Violence continues on both sides, and there have been some outbreaks of violence in Lebanon directly related to this. Uprising.

05/10/2012

Two car bombs explode outside a military intelligence compound, suggesting that outside terrorists, likely Al Qaeda in Iraq, are using the situation.

04/19/2012

Increasingly tough talk about Syria as government failed to carry out all steps of the peace plan.

04/17/2012

Cease-fire breaking down as both sides accuse the other of violating it. Advance team of six UN observers arrives.

04/12/2012

Very little firing in the country, although government troops have not withdrawn from cities. Opposition calls for peaceful protests after Friday prayers.

04/09/2012

Syria fires on refugee camps in Turkey and Lebanon. It may be a kind of threat, as they have said they would destabilize the region if they are pressed too hard.

04/03/2012

Reports that the Army has escalated attacks in some rebellious cities, despite having agreed to a cease-fire immediately in the agreement yesterday.

04/02/2012

Syria accepts the April 10 as a deadline for withdrawing its forces from in and around major population center. Few believe that the process will actually take place, because the insurgents are unlikely to stop fighting, giving Assad a reason to continue fighting.

04/01/2012

United States and other Friends of Syria agreed to provide more aid for the insurgents, with Arab nations pledging $100 million to pay the opposition fighters, although they stop short of pledging weapons.

03/29/2012

Insurgents assassinate to senior military officers, further dimming hopes of a political solution.

03/28/2012

Reports suggest that government is cleansing villages around areas of dissent in the, largely along ethnic lines. Sunnis especially are being targeted.

03/27/2012

Assad formally accepts UN brokered cease-fire. Few believe he will hold to its terms, which include withdrawing troops and allowing opposition to protest peacefully.

03/26/2012

New shelling in Homs. State media suggest that May 7 parliamentary elections may be delayed, and the government restricts Syrian men of conscription age from international travel.

03/19/2012

Free Syrian Army clashes with security forces in wealthy Damascus district called Mezze.

03/18/2012

Protest by moderate political party in Damascus is cut short. Car bombs explode in Damascus, perhaps the work of outside agitators.

03/14/2012

With nothing happening on the diplomatic front and a pledge by Russia to continue supplying arms, Syria expands its attack on the opposition to cities other than Homs.

03/12/2012

Government and opposition in Homs, but attribute it to different causes. Government seems to be attempting to completely cleanse rebellious neighborhoods of inhabitants, either by killing them or driving them away.

03/08/2012

Four military commanders and the deputy oil minister defect.

03/01/2012

Syrian Army overwhelms main rebel stronghold in Homs.

02/28/2012

Shiites in Iraq supporting Assad in Syria, in part because of a Shiite prophecy that presages the end of time in which Sufyani — a devil-like figure – gathers an army in Syria, conquers that land, and then attacks Iraq.

02/27/2012

Government says that the referendum on the new Constitution held on 2/25/12 resulted in a 90% approval vote. 7.5 million votes were cast for about 57% of eligible voters. Many opposition supporters stay away from the polls, so the vote may be an accurate count of those who voted, says outside observer. This new Constitution ends the ruling Arab Baath Socialist Party's political monopoly and sets a limit of two seven-year terms for future presidents.

02/24/2012

Ismail Haniya of Palestinian Hamas expresses support for Syrian opposition, though Syria has been an ally of Hamas.

02/23/2012

UN panel finds that Syrian government has committed crimes against humanity. 80 nations convene to attempt to find a way to provide aid to Syrian citizens. Opposition remains politically fragmented.

02/22/2012

Government continues brutal shelling on rebellious cities, especially problems, while international community remains stymied. Some countries are undoubtedly helping to harm the Syrian opposition, now commonly referred to as the Free Syrian Army.

02/16/2012

UN General Assembly condemns Assad and call for his resignation under an Arab League peace proposal.

02/15/2012

Recent car bombings suggest Al Qaeda is aiding opposition rebels in attacking government, for its own ends.

02/14/2012

Syria continues heavy attacks on opposition in several cities and announces that 2/26 will be the day for a referendum for a vote on a new draft constitution, largely seen as a façade for legitimizing Assad's regime. UN attempts to agree on a resolution endorsing Arab Leak efforts to halt the violence, but success is not expected.

02/06/2012

US suspends its embassy in Syria and UK recalls its ambassador.

02/03/2012

Russia and China block an attempt to censure Syria.

01/31/2012

The fall of Assad in Syria would also weaken Iran, cutting off its conduit for support to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Syria is thought to run out of cash in the middle of this year.

01/30/2012

Government increases fighting as Arab League prepares to address the UN Security Council. Russia continues to oppose any sanctions on Syria.

01/29/2012

Syria rejects new Arab League offer of a transitional government.

01/12/2012

Several Arab League monitors are said to have left the group.

01/10/2012

Outside says that he will not step down and instead will crack down even harder on protesters.

01/03/2012

Arab League says it will send more observers to Syria.

01/02/2012

Chief of the Arab League observer mission draws fire for his dismissive statements about violence. General Muhammed Ahmed al-Dabi will once ran Sudan's military intelligence agency, which has been charged with the same kind of heavy-handed tactics as Syrian government.

12/31/2011

Arab Parliament, an institution created by but separate from the Arab League, calls for removing the observers because the Syrian government continue to kill civilians.

12/29/2011

Opposition says that violence has increased while Arab League observers have been visiting, and that the observers are being tricked by the government in a variety of ways.

12/21/2011

Surge in government violence before outside observers are allowed in the country.

12/19/2011

Syria agrees to end its crackdown on protests, allow outside observers, remove its forces and heavy weaponry from restive cities, and open a dialogue with opposition groups. The agreement came after both Russia and the Arab League brings. Courtney United Nations Security Council.

12/12/2011

Second day of me general strike that was effective in Damascus suburbs and the city of Homs. Voting in local elections. UN reports that 5000 people have been killed.

11/27/2011

Arab League imposes economic sanctions intended to sever most trade and investment with the Arab world.

11/20/2011

Second: to attack against the government in Damascus. Negotiations with the Arab League break down and Assad says he has no choice but to continue military campaign against dissidents.

11/17/2011

Army defectors attack symbols of Syrian power. Russia calls the situation approaching civil war.

11/16/2011

In a reprieve to Syria, Arab League offers to send civilian and military observers to Syria to monitor the league-brokered peace plan. Syria has three days to accept. Opposition is split on the proposal.

11/14/2011

King Abdullah of Jordan becomes the first Arab leader to suggest that Assad should step down.

11/13/2011

Several foreign embassies are attacked in Damascus.

11/12/2011

Arab League suspends Syria's membership because of the continuing crackdown on protesters. Qatar is said to be a major factor decision. The Arab League has invited Syrian opposition figures to Cairo for discussions. Some feel the Syrian regime will now begin to collapse.

11/07/2011

Military attempts homes with the intention of subduing, fighting armed defectors. Negotiations the Arab League have a rate collapsed.

11/03/2011

Opposition says that government forces are continuing to kill protesters, despite the agreement with the Arab League.

11/01/2011

Syria says it has accepted the Arab league's proposal about ending violence and opening talks with the opposition. Arab League says it is awaiting the final draft from Syria.

10/27/2011

Turkey harboring Syrian military defectors who are forming their own military force.

10/10/2011

Economic sanctions beginning to hurt Syria's economy severely. However, some feel the government could use the foreign-imposed sanctions to rally support.

10/02/2011

Opposition forms the National Council to overthrow Assad's government. Members include the Damascus Declaration group, a pro-democracy network; the Syrian Muslim brotherhood, a banned Islamic political party; various Kurdish factions; the Local Coordination Committees, a group that helps organize protests; and other independent and tribal figures.

09/23/2011

Turkey imposes an arms embargo on Syria.

08/21/2011

Assad says he will not step down and that Syria’s economy will withstand the new sanctions.

08/18/2011

US and Western European countries call on Assad to step down and adds new sanctions. He says that the military actions against protesters have ceased, but there is clear evidence that they haven't.

08/10/2011

Political and business elites seem to be losing confidence in Assad.

08/08/2011

King Abdullah condemns Assad, calling on him to stop the "killing machine and end the bloodshed."

07/31/2011

Violent crackdown on protesters in Hama and another Syrian city.

07/10/2011

Opposition leaders boycott a government meeting on dialogue about government. Moderate politicians did attend the talks.

07/06/2011

Restive city of Hama, which security forces had pacified a month ago, erupts in new protests. Security forces return and encircle the city. Hama was seen the killing of 10 to 25,000 protesters a generation ago.

06/21/2011

Assad offers amnesty to protesters and rallies ordered in Damascus and other cities.

06/20/2011

Assad calls for a national dialogue about change in the government, but offered no specifics or a timetable.

06/12/2011

Military retakes Jisr al-Shoughour.

06/08/2011

Resignation of Syrian ambassador is confirmed to be false.

06/07/2011

Reports of increasing defections from the Army, although the security forces, controlled by Bashar’s brother Maher al-Assad, remain loyal. A town named Jisr al-Shoughour seems to have broken the grip of the military and is bracing for a counterattack. A woman claiming to be the Syrian ambassador to France resigned in a telephone call to French radio, but Syrian government says she was an imposter.

06/05/2011

Syrian military continued to shoot at protesters in many cities around the country, with a total death toll of at least hundreds.

06/05/2011

Pro-Palestinian protesters again tried to breach Israeli border at the Golan Heights in what seems to be a new strategy.

05/18/2011

US places largely symbolic sanctions on President Assad and other top members of the government, freezing their assets in American financial institutions and prohibiting trade with them.

05/09/2011

Government official says that the government has gained the upper hand over the protesters.

05/08/2011

Military crackdown widens and nearly all communications touched with the opposition protesters. The government seems to have decided to quell the uprising by force.

05/02/2011

To the annoyance of Syrian government, Hamas is refusing to take sides in the political struggle. Arrests of opposition leaders are increasing.

04/25/2011

Syrian army moves fail to crush rebellion in the Dara’a is, which has become the epicenter of the protest.

04/24/2011

Protests continue, with many deaths. International pressure on Assad is increasing.

04/19/2011

Government lifts emergency law for the first time in forty-eight years, but demonstrations continue and continue to be suppressed. Serious importance in the region comes from its central location, its alliance with Iran, and its status as a kingmaker in Lebanon.

04/18/2011

Security forces fire live ammunition on protest in Homs. Demonstrations show no sign of decreasing, despite al-Assad’s concessions.

04/17/2011

Protests continue despite president's conciliatory tone. New wiki leaks revelations that US funded antigovernment groups in 2006 and thereafter, though it's not clear whether the US is still doing so.

04/16/2011

President al-Assad offers contrite statement about deaths, and promises a series of legal reforms, including lifting the emergency law that has been in place for forty-eight years.

04/15/2011

Protests increase, so far without violence.

04/11/2011

Pro-democracy protests spread to a university campus and are violently repressed.

04/10/2011

Continuing protests in continuing killing of protesters by government, which had sealed off one city, Banias, because of unrest there.

04/07/2011

Protests continue in many small towns ringing Damascus.

04/03/2011

A tense calm prevails.

03/30/2011

In a major speech, aside refuses to make concessions.

03/29/2011

Cabinet resigns, which may be a sign of concessions to come.

03/25/2011

Protests grow and more are killed.

03/24/2011

Large protests against government after more than a dozen people were shot during protests by security forces. President al-Assad offers concessions, including a salary increase, review of the emergency rule that Syria has lived under for 48 years, and greater freedom for the news media.

03/18/2011

Beginning of unrest in Syria that leads to civil war

Protests break out in for Syrian cities, especially Dara’a, the first large-scale demonstrations since the wave of uprisings in the Arab world. Police opened fire on the crowds and kill at least six.

02/04/2011

No protesters show up in Damascus for the "day of rage."

02/01/2011

Following the upheaval in Tunisia and Egypt, Syrian opposition's urges “a day of rage."

04/20/2010

Hezbollah dismisses Israeli accusation.

04/15/2010

Israel accuses Syria of transferring Scud missiles to Hezbollah.

12/14/2009

Rapprochement between Turkey and Syria increases as both see an opportunity to strength their economies and their regional power.

03/03/2009

US tries for rapprochement with Syria, in order to put more pressure on Iran and Hamas to negotiate.

05/21/2008

Negotiations with Israel about Golan Heights

Syria and Israel begin negotiations through Turkish intermediary regarding Golan Heights. Syria also hopes to establish some connection with the US. Though these talks reject the Bush principle of not talking to terrorists and extremists. Israel hopes to reduce influence of Iran in Syria.

11/26/2007

Bush-sponsored meeting of Middle East players begins in Annapolis, MD. Pushed by Condolezza Rice, Israel, the Fatah segment of the Palestinians, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and all other members of the Arab League.

10/03/2007

Syrians, seeking investors, turning to Iran.

05/29/2007

Bashar al-Assad re-elected

Bashar wins 98% of the vote in referendum on Sunday, giving him a second seven-year term. He was the only candidate allowed to put his name forward.

11/20/2006

Syria and Iraq restore diplomatic ties. Syria, Iran, and Iraq agree to discuss problem of insurgency in Iraq.

05/22/2006

Two leading exile politicians, Ali Sadreddin al-Bayanouni of the Muslim Brotherhood and Abdel Halim Khaddam, Baathist and former vice-president, unite to form National Salvation Front to attempt to change leadership.

04/04/2006

Syria repressing opposition.

11/01/2005

Following UN request for a Syrian investigation into the Hariri killing, conservatives hunker down, tightening their control on the government, though popular support for the government is shaky.

10/28/2005

Preliminary UN report on Syrian responsibility for murder of Lebanon’s Rafik Hariri

Facing international sanctions after preliminary report says that the murder of Lebanon’s Hariri was ordered by Syria, government says it will reconsider a law that stripped some Kurds of citizenship and perhaps also discuss multiparty elections.

07/01/2005

Kurds in Syria, emboldened by developments in Lebanon, showing increasing desire for greater rights. Immediate focus is the killing of Sheik Muhammad Mashouk al-Khaznawi, who recently began denouncing Syrian government. Some say he was killed because of family arguments about money, and there is no evidence now that government killed him.

06/06/2005

In South Lebanon, a Hezbollah-led slate, in alliance with the other Shiite party, Amal, and some independents, wins more than 80% of the vote and 23 seats in parliament. The election turned on whether Hezbollah should be allowed to keep its weapons and continue its resistance to Israel.

04/26/2005

Last Syrian troops and intelligence officers leave Lebanon.

03/06/2005

Syrian intelligence officers begin to leave Lebanon

Syria agrees to a phased pullout of troops and intelligence officers from Lebanon. US finds it inadequate.

10/09/2004

Assad rejects French and US calls to retire from Lebanon, saying that withdrawal would increase instability.

08/28/2004

Under pressure from Syria, Lebanese cabinet approves a bill that will allow President Emile Lahoud to remain in office past the end of his designated term. The bill would amend the constitution to allow Lahoud to serve another three-year term in addition to the constitutionally mandated single six-year term. 2/3 of parliament must approve the bill. It also elects the president, which must be a Maronite Christian. Patriarch Nasrullah Sfeir has condemned the move. Syrian allies Sunni Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and Druze chieftain Walid Jumblatt have opposed amending the constitution. US and France have both opposed it.

03/23/2004

Seeing new freedoms for Kurds in Iraq, Kurds in northwestern Syria protest, sometimes violently, against government, citing years of repression. Syria dominated by one small ethnic group, the Alawites.

03/04/2003

Baath Party and coalition remains with 167 seats in parliament, the same number it has had for three decades. The 83 other seats went to independents.

06/26/2002

Increasing crackdown on human rights advocates.

12/10/2001

Assad accepts resignation of PM Mustafa Mero's government and asks him to form another, probably to allow Assad to proceed with some reforms of the economy.

07/10/2000

Referendum held on Assad's taking office. No doubt as to the outcome.

06/20/2000

Bashar Assad nominated by Baath Party to succeed his father. Parliament will set a date for presidential referendum.

06/12/2000

Rifaat Assad, believed to be about 63, challenges succession from exile in Europe, where he went after trying to topple Hafez Assad in 1983.

06/11/2000

Support coalescing around Bashar.

06/09/2000

Hafez al-Assad dies

Assad dies. His son Bashar will probably take his place. However, Assad’s younger brother Rifaat Assad may contest power.

03/26/2000

Assad and Clinton fail to get Syria to resume talks.

03/07/2000

Prime Minister Mahmoud Zuabi submits resignation of his cabinet, having failed to improve economy since its beginning in 1987. Assad asks provincial governor, Mohammed Mustafa Mero, to form a new cabinet.

12/08/1999

Syria and Israel agree to negotiations again, after four years. Barak will represent Israel; foreign minister will represent Syria.

11/12/1970

Hafez al-Assad takes power

Hafez al-Assad takes full power of government in a largely bloodless coup.