The Syrian Army, aided by Iranian-backed militias, as well as by Russian advisers and Russian airstrikes, break the three-year siege of the city ofDeir ez-Zor by ISIL by reaching the Brigade 137 desert base.[5][6]
In conjunction with the Deir ez-Zor offensive,Russian frigate Admiral Essen in the Mediterranean Sea launchescruise missiles at ISIL targets near Deir ez-Zor, killing many fighters an destroying command and communications posts, ammunition depots, and repair facilities for armored vehicles.[7]
Staffan de Mistura, the U.N. special envoy for the Syrian conflict says that theSyrian opposition must accept that it has "failed to win the war", but also that the government "cannot announce victory".[9][10]
Syrian Democratic Forces claim they advanced 50km and reached an industrial zone miles to the east of Deir ez-Zor city as part of their offensive against ISIL in the northern and eastern parts of the Deir ez-Zor province,[14] while pro-government forces regained full control of the highway from Deir ez-Zor to Damascus, putting SDF and pro-government forces within 15km of each other.[15]
At least 34 civilians, including nine children, are killed in a Russian air raid onEuphrates River ferries near Deir ez-Zor city, according to theSyrian Observatory on Human Rights (SOHR).[16]
Russian warplanes continue with their aerial campaign on the eastern province, with at least 19 civilians killed in an airstrike on the ISIL-held village ofal-Khrayta, near Deir ez-Zor city on Monday, AFP reports. SOHR says that “Two sets of strikes 30 minutes apart hit civilians sheltering in tents along the Euphrates and boats on the river”.[17]
At Russia's request, US air forces allow a convoy carrying ISIL fighters to reachal-Mayadin in ISIL-held territory in eastern Syria after being bused from the Lebanese border as part of an evacuation agreement brokered by Hezbollah and the Syrian government.[20]
A US-led Coalition spokesman states that the Coalition-backed SDF forces will not go intoDeir ez-Zor city, but will leave it clear to Russian and government forces.[21]
The representatives of Iran, Russia and Turkey reach an agreement for the implementation of a “de-escalation zone”, in the Idlib Governorate.[22] Turkish government-linkedYeni Safak newspaper says in an unsourced report that the three countries plan to divide the Idlib region into three, with Turkish forces and opposition fighters in the northwest region bordering Turkey.[22] The deal takes place amid pro-government media reports that "around 9,000 militants" from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham attempt to wrest control from other rebel groups.[23]
Ahmad Abu Khawla, commander of the SDF'sDeir ez-Zor Military Council, states that it will not allow Syrian government forces to cross the Euphrates.[24]
Russian aircraft reportedly bombs SDF positions on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, injuring six SDF fighters, according to US-led Coalition sources.[25] Russia denies responsibility.[26]
Russian and Syrian warplanes launch airstrikes in the south of Idlib, killing three civilians and wounding several others.[34]
A prominent Syrian opposition activist,Orouba Barakat, and her journalist daughter,Hala Barakat, a US citizen, are found dead in theirIstanbul apartment late Thursday.[35]
The SOHR report an agreement between the Syrian Army forces and ISIL militants on the East Hama region. The truce includes the evacuation of ISIL members and their families out of the villages they control. This follows 18 days of clashes that have left over 305 ISIL fighters and 138 pro-government forces dead.[36]
The Syrian government reports that rebel shelling of Qardaha continue, while SOHR, Syria Civil Defence and other sources in rebel territories report major government and Russian airstrikes in Idlib governorate, with at least 37 people in the town ofJisr al-Shughour and nearby areas.[44][45] Russia denied it had bombed any civilians.[46]
SDF forces say Russian warplanes struck their positions in the Conoco gas field in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, killing one and wounding two, although Moscow denies the claims.[47][48]
Suspected Russian fighter jets target rubber dinghies and family boats fleeing the town ofAl-Ashara, killing at least 60 civilians.[57]
Russian defence ministerIgor Konashenkov claims that ISIL have undertaken several attacks on Syrian cities through US-controlled areas.[58]
Human rights group,Physicians for Human Rights, accuses the Russian and Syrian governments of attacking hospitals since April despite the "de-escalation" zones being agreed on. They also accuse them of sending jets to raid three hospitals in September in the rebel-heldIdlib province.[59]
The SOHR states that Russian airstrikes killed at least 14 civilians including three children as they crossed theEuphrates river near ISIL-heldMayadin while fleeing the village of Mahkan.[60]
Jaysh al-Islam militants launch a successful attack on the EastGhouta region in Damascus, regaining territory they lost to the Syrian government.[61]
2 people are killed and another six are injured when three suicide bombers blew themselves up near the police headquarters in central Damascus.[62]
Reports byThe Sun mention that theCIA informed British intelligence agencies that British-born ISIL member,Sally Jones and her 12-year-old son were killed in a drone strike in June while fleeingRaqqa.[63]
The Syrian Army captures al-Mayadin, whilst more fighting takes place between the East Deir ez-Zor city and the countryside of Deir ez-Zor province.[65]
Avigdor Lieberman, theIsraeli Defense Minister, calls Assad 'victorious' in the Syrian civil war and recalls that former enemies now "court" him. The Israeli Minister makes these remarks at the Israeli news websiteWalla!.[71]
TheBBC reveals that a secret deal in mid-October allowed hundreds of ISIL fighters and their families, including some of their "most notorious members", to escape from Raqqa in a convoy that was between 6 and 7km long which consisted of 100 ISIL vehicles and over 250 fighters. TheUnited States government confirmed that the deal with ISIL was made and that the evacuations took place.[77][78]
At least 14 civilians, including one young girl, are killed by Syrian government bombardment of the rebel-held eastern Ghouta region near Damascus, according to SOHR.[81]
Russian PresidentVladimir Putin announces the beginning of a withdrawal from the base of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in connection with the recent victories over ISIL.[83]
Russian Defense MinisterSergei Shoigu announces Russia has started establishing a permanent presence at its two military bases (Tartus andLatakia) in Syria.[84]
