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Fiction and history.
Welcome to the immersive series that retraces defining moments of the conflict against the Islamic State in Syria. The story blends fictional characters with historical events, with deep attention to heroism, sacrifice and international alliances.
Syrian Front’s characters and missions are fictional. The markers below summarise verified real-world facts, with their sources; they do not endorse the series’ story choices. Where accounts differ, both are given.
01Historical markers
2015–2016, on the ground.
August 2015
Destruction of Palmyra’s temples
The Islamic State blows up the Temple of Baalshamin and then, on 30 August, the Temple of Bel. UNESCO calls it a war crime; UNITAR satellite imagery confirms the destruction of the Temple of Bel’s main building.
Sources: Al Jazeera · Christian Science Monitor (AP)
30 September 2015
Russia’s air campaign begins
Russia launches air strikes in Syria on the day the Federation Council approves the use of force abroad, at the Syrian government’s request. Moscow says it is targeting the Islamic State; Washington, Paris and the opposition say the first strikes mainly hit other groups. Both positions were reported at the time.
Sources: Christian Science Monitor · Meduza
15 October 2015
Offensive north of Homs
The Syrian army, with Hezbollah and Russian air support, attacks the rebel enclave north of Homs (Talbiseh, Rastan). Territorial gains are limited. Human Rights Watch documents strikes that killed dozens of civilians.
Sources: RFE/RL (GlobalSecurity) · Human Rights Watch
31 October 2015
Metrojet Flight 9268
The Airbus A321 flying from Sharm el-Sheikh to St Petersburg breaks up over northern Sinai, killing all 224 people aboard. The Islamic State’s Sinai branch claims the attack; on 17 November Russia’s FSB concludes it was a bomb.
Sources: CNN · Long War Journal
24 November 2015
A Russian Su-24 shot down near the Turkish border
A Turkish F-16 shoots down a Russian Su-24M, which falls in northern Latakia province. The pilot is killed; the navigator is recovered by a Russian–Syrian rescue operation. Turkey says the jet violated its airspace after warnings; Russia and the navigator dispute this.
Sources: The Moscow Times · Global News (AP)
Dec 2015 – Feb 2016
UN resolutions 2254 and 2268
The Security Council unanimously adopts a roadmap for a Syrian political process (18 December 2015), then endorses the US–Russian cessation of hostilities, in force from 27 February 2016.
Sources: Security Council Report
January 2016
Latakia offensive: Salma and Rabia
Launched in autumn 2015, the government offensive in northern Latakia, backed by Russian air power, takes Salma, a rebel stronghold since 2012 (12–13 January), then Rabia (24 January).
Sources: The New Arab
27 March 2016
Palmyra retaken
After a roughly three-week offensive, Syrian government forces, backed by Russian air power and special forces, retake Palmyra from the Islamic State.
Episode 8 · Battle for Palmyra – Part 1Episode 9 · Battle for Palmyra – Part 2Episode 10 · Escape through the Sewers of PalmyraSources: NPR · PBS NewsHour (AP)
April – May 2016
Demining the ancient site
Russian sappers clear mines from the town and the ancient site for several weeks. On 5 May 2016 the Mariinsky orchestra performs in Palmyra’s Roman theatre.
Sources: CNN
15 November 2016
Offensive on eastern Aleppo
Air strikes on opposition-held eastern Aleppo resume after a month-long pause; the government ground offensive advances from late November. The city is divided between the government-held west and the opposition-held east.
Episode 17 · Final Battle for Aleppo – Part 1Episode 18 · Final Battle for Aleppo – Part 2Episode 19 · The Final Assault on AleppoSources: WGBH (AP)
22 December 2016
The battle of Aleppo ends
After an evacuation deal for the last fighters and civilians in eastern Aleppo, the Syrian army announces full control of the city for the first time since 2012.
Sources: Philippine Daily Inquirer (AP) · Voice of America
02Theatres of operation