Syria says Israeli missiles target sites near Damascus

Says 'Our air defences confronted the aggressors' missiles and downed some of them'

Syria's Assad should be put on trial, says French foreign minister

Syria's Assad should be put on trial, says French foreign minister

Syria attends first Arab League meeting in 11 years

Syria attends first Arab League meeting in 11 years

Syria extends permission on post-quake aid border crossings for 3 months

Syria extends permission on post-quake aid border crossings for 3 months

On landmark visit, Iran's Raisi praises Syria 'victory' despite sanctions

On landmark visit, Iran’s Raisi praises Syria ‘victory’ despite sanctions

Israeli attack puts Syria's Aleppo airport out of service, one soldier killed -state media

Israel carried out the missile attack at 23:35 p.m. southeast of Aleppo

Islamic State leader killed in Syria by Turkish intelligence services, Erdogan says

The raid took place in the town of Jandaris controlled by Turkey-backed rebel groups

Saudi FM meets Syria's Assad on first trip to Damascus since start of civil war

Saudi FM meets Syria's Assad on first trip to Damascus since start of civil war

Syria, Tunisia reestablish diplomatic relations

Syria, Tunisia reestablish diplomatic relations

Worshippers celebrate in Jerusalem amid surge in attacks

Worshippers celebrate in Jerusalem amid surge in attacks

US military says senior IS commander killed in Syria

The man killed in the strike was identified by a military statement as Khalid Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri.

Syria condemns US strikes on Deir Al-Zor

Syria condemns US strikes on Deir Al-Zor

Attacks on Iran-linked bases in Syria will draw swift response, spokesperson says

Attacks on Iran-linked bases in Syria will draw swift response, spokesperson says

A look at the US military mission in Syria and its dangers

A look at the US military mission in Syria and its dangers

US carries out air strikes in Syria after American contractor killed

Both the attack on US personnel and the retaliation were disclosed by the Pentagon at the same time.

After Iran, Saudi Arabia to re-establish ties with Syria, sources say

After Iran, Saudi Arabia to re-establish ties with Syria, sources say

Pakistan Navy's second ship reaches Turkiye with 500 tons of aid for earthquake victims

Pakistan Navy's second ship reaches Turkiye with 500 tons of aid for earthquake victims

Syria's Assad says he won't meet Erdogan until Turkiye ends its 'occupation'

Syria's Assad says he won't meet Erdogan until Turkiye ends its 'occupation'

Meeting of Turkiye, Syria, Iran, Russia, officials postponed: Turkish source

Meeting of Turkiye, Syria, Iran, Russia, officials postponed: Turkish source

Putin hosts Assad, expected to focus on rebuilding Syria

Putin hosts Assad, expected to focus on rebuilding Syria

UN, Syrian government implicated in Syria aid failures after quake: commission

UN, Syrian government implicated in Syria aid failures after quake: commission

Syria hopes Iran-Saudi agreement will ease regional tension

Syria hopes Iran-Saudi agreement will ease regional tension

New quake hits Turkey and Syria, killing three

A 6.4-magnitude earthquake on Monday rocked Turkey's southern province of Hatay and northern Syria.

UN appeals for $1 billion to help Turkey quake survivors

UN appeals for $1 billion to help Turkey quake survivors

Syria quake survivors battle cold in tents and vehicles

Syria quake survivors battle cold in tents and vehicles

KP interim CM establishes relief fund for quake-hit Turks and Syrians

KP interim CM establishes relief fund for quake-hit Turks and Syrians

Daesh still sizeable threat, UN counter-terrorism officials warn UNSC

Foreign terrorist fighter issue is not exclusive to Iraq and Syria.

Scientist who predicted earthquake in Turkey, Syria predicts quake in Pakistan

The scientific community believes it is hard to predict earthquakes in advance

PIA transports over 21-ton relief assistance for quake-affected areas of Turkiye, Syria

The national flag carrier had airlifted a 51-member team for Turkiye.

UAE to allocate $100 mln for earthquake relief efforts in Syria, Turkey - WAM

UAE to allocate $100 mln for earthquake relief efforts in Syria, Turkey - WAM

PM Shehbaz sets up relief fund for quake-stricken Turks and Syrians

PM Shehbaz sets up relief fund for quake-stricken Turks and Syrians

Syrian foreign minister: No normal ties with Turkey without end to occupation

Syrian foreign minister: No normal ties with Turkey without end to occupation

Turkish foreign minister says he could meet Syrian counterpart in early February

Turkish foreign minister says he could meet Syrian counterpart in early February

Attack kills 10 in Syria, Kurdish forces arrest 52 militants

Attack kills 10 in Syria, Kurdish forces arrest 52 militants

Syria fuel crisis slows down life in Damascus

Universities have dropped classes to three days a week due to the fuel crisis.

Surge in starving children in war-torn Syria: charity

Surge in starving children in war-torn Syria

Scores of Syrian refugees head home from crisis-hit Lebanon

Scores of Syrian refugees head home from crisis-hit Lebanon

US airstrikes target militia-controlled areas in east Syria

US airstrikes target militia-controlled areas in east Syria

Syria denies it is holding American journalist Austin Tice

Syria denies it is holding American journalist Austin Tice

Syrian war drama makes TV breakthrough on Saudi-owned channel

Syrian war drama makes TV breakthrough on Saudi-owned channel

In war-torn Syria, a charity offers hope to kids with cancer

In war-torn Syria, a charity offers hope to kids with cancer

EXPLAINER: Humanitarian corridors, from Syria to Ukraine

Russia has announced the establishment of safe corridors.

Fact Check-Photo of injured girl is from 2018 Syrian war, not Ukraine

Fact Check-Photo of injured girl is from 2018 Syrian war, not Ukraine

Crisis looms in Syria camps, jails holding foreign nationals

Crisis looms in Syria camps, jails holding foreign nationals

US says IS leader 'taken off battlefield' in Syria raid

US says IS leader 'taken off battlefield' in Syria raid

Turkish warplanes attack Kurdish fighters in Iraq, Syria

Turkish warplanes attack Kurdish fighters in Iraq, Syria

Syrian fighters set deadline for IS gunmen to surrender

Syrian fighters set deadline for IS gunmen to surrender

US-backed Syria forces retake prison a week after IS assault

US-backed Syria forces retake prison a week after IS assault

Kurds locked in tense Syria prison standoff with IS jihadists

Kurds locked in tense Syria prison standoff with IS jihadists

IS-Kurds battle after Syria prison attack kills over 120: monitor

Fighting began late Thursday with an assault by more than 100 IS insurgents on prison.

US-backed fighters chase IS gunmen near prison in Syria

US-backed fighters chase IS gunmen near prison in Syria

Kurdish-led forces kill 23 Islamic State militants in Syria, source says

Kurdish-led forces kill 23 Islamic State militants in Syria

UN hails landmark conviction of senior Syrian official

UN hails landmark conviction of senior Syrian official

Syria war killed 3,700 in 2021, lowest annual toll

The war in Syria has killed close to half a million people

Israel strike targets Iran weapons in Syria port: monitor

Israel strike targets Iran weapons in Syria port: monitor

Turkey releases detained Syrian singer Souleyman

Turkey releases detained Syrian singer Souleyman

Turkey deports Syrian refugees over posting eating bananas video on social media

Turkey deports Syrian refugees over posting eating bananas video on social media

Attacks kill 27 in Syria capital, rebel stronghold

Two bombs planted on an army bus in central Damascus were detonated early in the morning

Pakistan, Syria agree to expand mutual relations

Pakistan, Syria agree to expand mutual relations

Third Turkish soldier dies after Syria assault

Third Turkish soldier dies after Syria assault

Syrian children hold 'Tent Olympics' of the displaced

Syrian children hold 'Tent Olympics' of the displaced

Syrian president sworn in for 4th term in war-torn country

Assad’s re-election in May in a landslide was never in doubt.

Syria's last aid crossing in balance as Biden to meet Putin

The aid crossing from Turkey into rebel-held northwest Syria serves up to 4 million people in Syria

Saudi Arabia-Syria in rapprochement talks

Saudi Arabia-Syria in rapprochement talks

Decade of Syria war killed nearly 500,000 people: new tally

The previous tally, issued by the Observatory in March this year, stood at more than 388,000 dead.

Putin tells Assad vote win confirms his 'political authority': Kremlin

Putin tells Assad vote win confirms his 'political authority': Kremlin

Assad dismisses critics as Syria votes to extend his grip on power

Huge election posters glorifying Assad have mushroomed across the country under his control

Syria heads to polls with Assad set to win

Syria heads to polls with Assad set to win

Israeli air strikes hit southern Syria

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported there had been "Israeli strikes".

First woman ever applies to run for president of Syria

The presidential election is to be held May 26. Syrians abroad will vote on May 20.

Delights of Ramadan disappear for Syrian refugees in Lebanon

More people resorted to reducing the size or number of meals

UN seeks $10 billion for Syrians as humanitarian needs soar

Fighting between Syrian army forces and rebels has subsided since a deal a year ago

Syria says Assad, his wife have recovered from coronavirus

Syria is witnessing a sharp increase in cases.

Syrian president and wife recover from COVID-19

Syria has seen a sharp rise in infections since mid-February

'Republic of Queues': 10 years on, Syria is a hungry nation

Frustration is voiced even among Assad’s most loyal supporters.

For Syrians, a decade of displacement with no end in sight

The war has left Syria divided and in ruins. Nearly a million children have been born in exile.

Syria's President Assad and his wife test positive for COVID-19

Syria has seen a sharp rise in infections since mid-February

Syria slams US strike as bad omen for Biden administration

The US said it carried out the strikes overnight at a Syria-Iraq border control point

Killings surge in Syria camp housing Islamic State families

The camp has long been chaotic, with the hardcore militants among its population

Libyans mark 2011 uprising with eyes on interim govt

Libya has become one of the most intractable conflicts, along with Yemen and Syria

13 killed in car bombs, shooting in northern Syria

Turkey and allied Syrian fighters control large parts of northern Syria

Bombings, minefield kill 29 in pro-Turkey north Syria

Syria's civil war has evolved into a complex conflict involving world powers and jihadists

Virus threat 'a new terror' in Syria's scarred Idlib region

COVID-19 infections in last opposition-controlled territory in Syria have been increasing rapidly.

Syria's foreign minister Walid Muallem dies

Muallem was hit with US and European sanctions early on in the conflict that has torn Syria apart.

In ruins, Syria marks 50 years of Assad family rule

The Assad family’s gravest challenge came with the Arab Spring uprisings that swept the region

Syria strike shows Russia not seeking 'lasting peace': Erdogan

Syria strike shows Russia not seeking 'lasting peace': Erdogan

Russia strikes kill 78 Turkey-backed rebels in Syria: monitor

More than 90 others were wounded when Russian warplanes targeted a training camp

Busy Damascus cemetery points to higher pandemic death toll in Syria

Syria's health system, shattered by a nine-year war and lacking equipment to detect the virus

Assad blames Turkey for Nagorno-Karabakh fighting, Russia sees 'terrorism' risk

Turkey has denied involvement in the fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh

UN warns of possible war crimes in Turkish-controlled Syria

Turkey controls large stretches of northeastern Syria through various armed groups

Syria Kurds transfer some IS-linked foreign families from camp

So far 76 families have been moved since July from Al-Hol to the Roj camp

UN detects virus cases in Syrian refugee camp in Jordan

Experts and aid agencies have warned of potentially catastrophic outbreaks in world’s refugee camps

HRW says Syria medics dying for want of virus protection

HRW said evidence suggested the official figures significantly understate the scale of the outbreak.

Turkey shifts fight against Kurdish militants deeper into Iraq

The cross-border campaign has attracted less attention than Turkey's incursions into Syria

Syria vote counting delayed by reruns

The millions of Syrians who fled the conflict were not eligible to vote.

Syria goes to the polls as new sanctions hit war-ravaged economy

People voted across government territory at more than 7,000 polling stations

Syrians vote for new parliament amid war, economic turmoil

In the last polls in 2016, turnout stood at 57 percent.

UN restarts cross-border aid to Syria but shuts access point

European countries and the US had wanted to maintain both crossing points.

Deadly Syrian, Russian air strikes in Idlib amount to war crimes: UN

Fighters from HTS, a group formerly known as Nusra Front, have tortured and executed detainees

No sweet victory for Assad as economy collapses and US sanctions hit

Assad's hopes of rehabilitation have been put on ice by new U.S. sanctions

Vowing new Syria campaign, US sanctions dozens including Assad wife

Syrian government-controlled areas this month saw rare protests over the skyrocketing cost of living

Syria's war: a human tragedy

Syria's war: a human tragedy

What do new US sanctions mean for Syria?

The new legislation could label Syria’s Central Bank as a "primary laundering concern".

NW Syria clashes kill 48 in highest toll since truce: monitor

A truce since March 6 had largely stemmed fighting in Syria's last major rebel bastion of Idlib

Amid ruins of a Syrian town, Ramadan meal reunites a community

Fears that new coronavirus would spread quickly through camps for the displaced at Turkish border.

'Keep going': Syrian refugees use war resilience to confront virus

Seeing war close-up does not make living through a pandemic any easier

Attack in Syria town run by Turkish-backed fighters kills 40

The blast set several cars and shops on fire and tanker trucks were used to fight the blaze.

Israeli strikes near Syria capital kill 3 civilians: state media

Three civilians were martyred and four others wounded from Israeli missiles.

Syrian air defences intercept hostile targets over Damascus: state news agency

Israeli aggression coming from Lebanese airspace, and had downed some rockets.

Syria's divisions damage efforts to mobilize against virus

Syrian authorities have conducted coronavirus tests only in Damascus’ central lab

Syria war records lowest monthly death toll in 9 years

Of the total deaths, some 51 people were killed in shelling and air strikes by the Syrian regime

Trump, Erdogan stress need for Syria, Libya ceasefires

Syria's government has so far reported only a handful of coronavirus cases

Rare calm in Syria's Idlib after ceasefire deal

Rare calm in Syria's Idlib after ceasefire deal

Russian strikes kills 15 civilians in northwest Syria: monitor

Russian strikes kills 15 civilians in northwest Syria: monitor

Europe must support Turkey in Syria if it wants migrant solution: Erdogan

Europe must support Turkey in Syria if it wants migrant solution: Erdogan

Russia says Turkey does not meet terms of pact in Syria's Idlib - media

Russia says Turkey does not meet terms of pact in Syria's Idlib - media

Turkey fighter jet downs Syrian warplane over Idlib: monitor

Turkey fighter jet downs Syrian warplane over Idlib: monitor

Turkey-Russia tensions soar after deadly Syria strike

Turkey warned it was opening the gates for refugees to flee to Europe

Two Turkish troops killed in Syria's Idlib: defence ministry

Two Turkish troops killed in Syria's Idlib: defence ministry

Erdogan rules out 'smallest step back' in Syria's Idlib

Ankara has confirmed as many as 17 Turkish security personnel have been killed this month alone.

Erdogan urges Russia to restrain Syria regime in Idlib

Erdogan told Putin the solution was to return to the Sochi agreement they signed in 2018

Syrian father teaches young daughter to laugh at bombs

Hundreds of people, many of them children, have been killed in recent weeks

Erdogan threatens 'imminent' Turkish operation in Syria

Erdogan threatens 'imminent' Turkish operation in Syria

Air strikes hit hospitals, camps in northwest Syria, relief effort overwhelmed - U.N.

Syrian and Russian warplanes meanwhile kept up raids on the town of Darat Izza in Aleppo

Syrian forces consolidate control of Aleppo, air strikes under way

Syrian forces consolidate control of Aleppo, air strikes under way

Assad says no let-up in northern Syria offensive

Deadly incidents between regime forces and rebel-backer Turkey

Syrian government forces consolidate grip around Aleppo

The move enabled forces of President Bashar al-Assad to push back jihadists and allied rebels

Turkey denies flouting agreement with Russia in Syria's Idlib province

Turkey denies flouting agreement with Russia in Syria's Idlib province

Turkey and Russia trade accusations as Syria tensions rise

Turkey has beefed up its positions in recent days in Idlib

Syrian regime shelling kills five Turkish soldiers in Idlib

Monday's incident comes a week after earlier regime shelling killed eight Turkish soldiers

Russian air strikes kill 5 civilians in Syria: monitor

Russian air strikes kill 5 civilians in Syria: monitor

Iran says it is ready to mediate between Turkey and Syria

Iran says it is ready to mediate between Turkey and Syria

Erdogan warns Syria to back off from Turkish outposts

The UN envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, is expected in New York to report on the situation in Idlib

NW Syria violence displaces 500,000 in two months

The exodus, which coincides with a biting winter, is one of the largest since the 2011

Six Syrian soldiers killed in Turkish counterattack: monitor

Six Syrian soldiers killed in Turkish counterattack: monitor

Air strikes in northwest Syria kill 14 civilians

Rescue workers pulled the bodies of a nine-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy from the debris

Syria army says retakes key northwest town

The following year, it was captured by rebels fighting against President Bashar al-Assad's rule.

Syria regime forces recapture most of key rebel-held town

The violence has displaced around 358,000 people in Syria's northwest since December

Trump discusses Syria, Libya with Turkey's Erdogan: White House

Trump discusses Syria, Libya with Turkey's Erdogan: White House

Russian air strikes in Syria kill 23 civilians: monitor

Idlib hosts at least three million people, many of whom have fled other parts of the country

Having fled bombing, Syrian children learn to read in tent schools

Having fled bombing, Syrian children learn to read in tent schools

Under Russian pressure, UN approves scaled back aid for Syria

The existing mandate was to expire Friday.

Air strike kills 8 Iraq paramilitaries in east Syria: monitor

Air strike kills 8 Iraq paramilitaries in east Syria: monitor

How the world is reacting to US killing of top Iran general

Qasem's assassination was praised by Trump but elsewhere there were warnings of the danger.

Winter-hit Syrians turn to pistachio shells for heat

Winter-hit Syrians turn to pistachio shells for heat

Relief group: 216,000 have fled homes in northwest Syria

The group called on other relief agencies to help the displaced amid cold weather and heavy rain.

Children among 8 killed in Russian strikes on Syria's Idlib: monitor

Children among 8 killed in Russian strikes on Syria's Idlib: monitor

Car bomb kills 8 in Turkey-controlled Syria town: ministry

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing

Syria regime advances in Idlib, 9 civilians killed

The fresh advances in Idlib came as Russian warplanes continued to pummel the province's south

Five killed by car bomb in Turkish-controlled Syria region

The attack took place in Tal Halaf southwest of Ras al-Ayn

Nearly 70 dead in Syria regime clashes with Idlib militants

At least 36 regime forces were among those killed.

US accuses Russia of helping Syria cover up chemical weapons use

Syria and Russia deny there ever was a chemical attack in Douma

Two Turkish soldiers killed on Syria border: ministry

Two Turkish soldiers killed on Syria border: ministry

Turkey must halt Syrian rebel abuses, Human Rights Watch says

Turkey says it plans to settle more than a million Syrian refugees in a "safe zone"

Turkey holds up NATO military plans over Syria dispute

Turkey began its offensive in northern Syria after the United States pulled 1,000 troops

Israeli air strikes kill 23 in Syria: monitor

The Israeli army said they had targeted about a dozen military sites, including warehouses

Israel confirms strikes in Syria: army

Israel confirms strikes in Syria: army

Russia lands forces at former U.S. air base in northern Syria

Russia lands forces at former U.S. air base in northern Syria

Top US military official says 500 troops to remain in Syria

Trump's abrupt announcement last month that he had ordered a full troop withdrawal

Erdogan says Turkey will not leave Syria until other countries pull out

Erdogan says Turkey will not leave Syria until other countries pull out

Erdogan says U.S. not fulfilling Syria deal ahead of Trump talks

Erdogan says U.S. not fulfilling Syria deal ahead of Trump talks

Islamic State's presence evolved worldwide despite Syria defeat - U.S. State Dept

IS declared its so-called "caliphate" in 2014 after seizing large swathes of Syria and Iraq.

Turkey hands over 18 Syrian soldiers after Russian coordination

Turkey hands over 18 Syrian soldiers after Russian coordination

Car blast kills eight in Syria's Afrin, near Turkish border

Car blast kills eight in Syria's Afrin, near Turkish border

Turkey-Russia joint patrols in Syria to start Friday: Erdogan

The Turkish army and Syrian proxies launched an offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria on Oct 9.

Syria government, opposition open 'historic' constitutional review

Hopes remain dim the group will reach a breakthrough towards resolution to Syria's conflict.

Iran, Russia take aim at U.S. military presence near Syrian oilfields

“Our U.S. colleagues are aware of our position and we will defend that position,” Lavrov said.

Trump says Baghdadi's top replacement also killed

Trump did not identify the person or give more detail on how he was killed.

Turkey says Kurdish YPG has not fully withdrawn from Syria border area

Turkey began a military offensive in northeastern Syria targeting the YPG forces .

Trump confirms death of Islamic State chief Baghdadi in US raid

Trump said that the raid had been accomplished by help from Russia, Syria, Turkey and Iraq.

Turkey will clear Syria border area of Kurdish fighters if Russia fails to act: Erdogan

Ankara says more than 350,000 Syrian refugees have already voluntarily returned to their country.

More Russian military police arrive in Syria under peace deal with Turkey

More Russian military police arrive in Syria under peace deal with Turkey

NATO hammers Turkey on Syria operation

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg described discussions as "frank and open".

Turkey 'heading in wrong direction' over Syria: US

"I think the incursion’s unwarranted," Esper said.

Trump lifts Turkey sanctions, says Kurds 'thankful'

Trump said he didn't want the US troops caught in the middle of a Turkish-Kurdish fight.

Russian forces patrol Syrian-Turkish border

Trump has been accused of betraying key allies in the fight against the Islamic State jihadist group

Russian forces head for Syrian-Turkish border: state media

The convoy of Russian military police had crossed the river at noon (0900 GMT)

Pentagon chief visits Iraq as US quits northern Syria

Pentagon chief visits Iraq as US quits northern Syria

Russia, Turkey reach 'historic' deal on northern Syria

The agreement will see Turkey preserve control of an area 32 kilometres (20 miles) deep into Syria

Erdogan warns Syria offensive will resume unless Kurds complete pull out

Erdogan warns Syria offensive will resume unless Kurds complete pull out

Withdrawing US troops enter Iraq from Syria

The offensive was paused on Thursday by a fragile ceasefire negotiated by Washington.

US forces withdraw from key base in northern Syria

Syrian Observatory for the Human Rights said the convoy was evacuating the military base of Sarrin.

US forces withdraw from key base in northern Syria

US forces withdraw from key base in northern Syria

Turkish soldier killed in Syrian Kurd attack: defence ministry

The Turkish defence ministry said Sunday that Kurdish forces carried out 20 attacks.

Erdogan threatens to restart Syria operation Tuesday if deal not respected

Turkey launched cross-border incursion on October 9 after repeatedly threatening to clear the border

Turkish air strike kills five civilians in NE Syria: monitor

Turkish air strike kills five civilians in NE Syria: monitor

Trump hails 'great news' after Pence-Erdogan talks on Syria

"Millions of lives will be saved!" Trump wrote.

Turkey gains ground in key Syria border town: monitor

Turkey gains ground in key Syria border town: monitor

Turkey defiant on Syria offensive as US demands ceasefire

Turkish operation, now in its second week, has triggered a flurry of diplomacy among major powers.

Hundreds of Syria Kurds seek refuge in Iraq

Hundreds of Syria Kurds seek refuge in Iraq

Turkey's Erdogan rules out talks with Syrian Kurdish forces

Turkey's Erdogan rules out talks with Syrian Kurdish forces.

Turkey slams 'dirty deal' between Syria's Assad and Kurdish forces

He said the Kurdish militants had deliberately set free IS prisoners from their detention camps.

Syria's Kurds, US allies of convenience, left in the lurch

Turkish invasion had "damaged" the US-Turkey relationship.

Turkish soldier killed in shelling from Syria's Manbij: ministry

Turkish soldier killed in shelling from Syria's Manbij: ministry

Syria Kurds keep Turkey at bay in border town: monitor

The monitor has put the number of pro-Turkish Syrian fighters killed at 120.

Syria regime steps in to halt Turkish assault on Kurds

Autonomous Kurds in Syria had few other options to stop the rapid advance of Turkish troops.

Erdogan says US Syria withdrawal 'positive'

Erdogan said he expected Kurdish forces to withdraw from other key towns such as Manbij.

As options narrow on Syria, Trump prepares to drop sanctions hammer on Turkey

As options narrow on Syria, Trump prepares to drop sanctions hammer on Turkey

Turkey and proxies advance deep into Syria

Fighting raged but Turkish-backed forces made significant progress along the border on the fifth day