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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan calls a Turkish intervention in Syria's Idlib Governorate "imminent" after talks with Russia fail to reach what he describes as their "desired result". Erdoğan threatens to launch an operation in Idlib by the end of the month. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov calls Turkish involvement in the battle "the worst scenario". The countries support opposing sides in the war.
2020-02-19

Russia and Turkey announce a demilitarized zone in Syria's Idlib Governorate and rule out any military operations.
2018-09-17

For the first time, Russia strikes Islamic State targets in northern Syria with 3M-54 Klub (Kalibr) cruise missiles launched from a Kilo-class submarine in the Mediterranean, according to the Russian Minister of Defence, Sergey Shoygu.
2015-12-8

The Associated Press reports that Russia's crackdown on Muslims is fueling their exodus to ISIS. For example, Russia's southernmost republic of Dagestan keeps devout Muslims under surveillance, routinely raids their homes, and hauls them to police stations to give DNA samples and fingerprints. Regional police say nearly a third of the estimated 3,000 Russians who are believed to have gone to fight alongside IS militants in Syria are from Dagestan. The AP added, "Few efforts are made by Russian authorities to stop young men from leaving."
2015-11-25

Russia arms Syria with Iskander missiles in response to NATO's stationing of Patriot missile defense systems in Turkey.
2012-12-8

The Lebanese Navy boards a ship from Libya allegedly carrying weapons bound for the opposition in Syria.
2012-04-28

2011 Syrian uprising: At least 19 people are killed across Syria by security forces as protests continue against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
2011-11-19

Russia and the People's Republic of China veto a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Syria for a crackdown on political protestors.
2011-10-4

Syria's deputy foreign minister says anti-regime protests have been ignited and fueled by "extremist" groups with religious affiliations while a human rights group says 1,337 protesters have been killed since anti-regime protests began.
2011-06-25

The United Nations Human Rights Council condemns Syria for using deadly force against peaceful protesters and calls for an investigation into the killing of civilians and other alleged crimes; China, Russia and Pakistan vote against measures as "meddling in Syria's internal affairs".
2011-04-29