Operation Dawn of Freedom

Operation Dawn of Freedom
Part of the Northwestern Syria offensive (2024) and the Rojava conflict during the Syrian civil war
Map of the offensive in Aleppo region   Controlled by the Syrian Arab Republic   Controlled by the Syrian opposition   Controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces
Date 30 November 2024 – present (4 days) Location Aleppo Governorate, Syria Territorial changes SNA capture Tadef, As-Safira, Khanasir, Kuweires Sharqi, Tell Rifaat, Menagh and numerous other villages, as well as the Kuweires airbase and Menagh airbase. SNA cut the territorial corridor between SDF-controlled Tell Rifaat and Manbij. SNA took complete control of Afrin Region from SDF.
Belligerents
Syrian Interim Government	Syrian Arab Republic Russia Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria
Units involved
Syrian National Army Sultan Murad Division	Syrian Armed Forces Syrian Army Russian Armed Forces Russian Aerospace Forces Russian Air Force Syrian Democratic Forces People's Protection Units Manbij Military Council
Casualties and losses
7 killed 12 killed (SDF claim)	53 killed 40 captured 14 Aero L-39 Albatros captured 3 killed

Operation Dawn of Freedom refers to a military offensive launched by the Syrian National Army (SNA; a Turkish-backed coalition of forces) against the Syrian Arab Armed Forces (SAAF) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), targeting the northern Aleppo Governorate region between al-Bab and Tadef within the Operation Euphrates Shield zone.

Background

Following the initiation of the 2024 Northwestern Syria offensive on 27 November and the capture of several regions of the city of Aleppo, the Syrian National Army (SNA) commenced Operation Dawn of Freedom on 30 November. The operation was officially announced by the Prime Minister of the Syrian National Coalition Abdurrahman Mustafa during an NTV interview. He outlined two primary strategic objectives: intercepting SDF supply networks and establishing a corridor connecting al-Bab, under the Turkish occupation of northern Syria, to Tel Rifaat.

Offensive

Following intense clashes between SNA forces and those loyal to the Assad government in northern Aleppo Governorate, SNA forces captured the town of Tadef later the same day. Clashes broke out between SDF and SNA forces as SDF forces began to enter government-controlled towns in northern Aleppo, which government forces were retreating from due to the Tahrir al-Sham-led offensive on Aleppo from Idlib. On 1 December 2024, SNA captured the towns of as-Safirah, Khanasir and the Kuweires airbase, while clashes occurred between SNA and SDF in the Sheikh Najjar district of Aleppo city. The capture of Kuweires airbase had cut the "corridor" that the SDF had established between the Shahba Canton centred on Tell Rifaat and Manbij. Since the operation began, approximately 850km² of territory had been captured by the SNA.

On the evening of 1 December 2024, the SNA launched an offensive on the SDF-held town of Tell Rifaat, capturing the town along with several surrounding villages, including Shwargha, Menagh, Maranaz, Kafr Naya, Shaykh Issa, Deir Jamal, and Ain Daqna. The remaining SDF-controlled towns in the region were besieged and cut off from communication after being encircled by opposition forces.

On 2 December 2024, the SDF announced plans to evacuate Kurdish IDPs from Tel Rifaat and the Shahba region to SDF-held areas in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsood district and northeastern Syria.

War crimes

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Syrian National Army groups committed several atrocities on the Kurdish population in Tel Rifaat after seizing the town, including the execution of at least 11 people.