Timeline of the Syrian civil war (September–December 2018)
December 2018
December 2018
-------------

### December 2

* The US\-led Coalition kills senior ISIL member Abu al\-Umarayn in a drone strike in the [Syrian Desert](/wiki/Syrian_Desert "Syrian Desert"). Al\-Umarayn executed American aid worker and former [US Army Ranger](/wiki/US_Army_Ranger "US Army Ranger") [Peter Kassig](/wiki/Peter_Kassig "Peter Kassig") in 2014\.

### December 7

* The US's [Federal Aviation Administration](/wiki/Federal_Aviation_Administration "Federal Aviation Administration") extends its no\-fly rule over Syrian airspace for commercial and private flights by American air carriers until December 2020\.

### December 11

* The Syrian army general command orders the demobilization of some conscript and reserve officers that have served multiple years during the civil war.
* The [Syrian Observatory for Human Rights](/wiki/Syrian_Observatory_for_Human_Rights "Syrian Observatory for Human Rights") reported a large number of local civilians and tribesmen from the [Khasham](/wiki/Khasham "Khasham") and [New Akidat](/wiki/New_Akidat "New Akidat") area clashed with guards of the US\-backed [Syrian Democratic Forces](/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces "Syrian Democratic Forces") (SDF) and managed to capture several oil wells in the Conoco oil field after SDF personnel allegedly avoided supplying fuel to the village of New Akidat and refugee camps in the region while hoarding fuel for themselves, causing local prices to spike.

### December 12

* Despite recent apparent attempts by the US to dissuade violence in northern Syria, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announced Turkey will launch a new military operation targeting US\-backed [Kurdish territory](/wiki/Democratic_Federation_of_Northern_Syria "Democratic Federation of Northern Syria") (DFNS) east of Manbij "in a few days".

### December 14

* The SDF, supported by heavy US\-led Coalition airstrikes, capture the stronghold of [Hajin](/wiki/Hajin "Hajin") from the [Islamic State](/wiki/Islamic_State_in_Iraq_and_the_Levant "Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant"), depriving the battered terror group of its last de facto capital within its fledgling pocket of territory in the Middle [Euphrates](/wiki/Euphrates "Euphrates") River Valley.

### December 19

* Proclaiming ISIL's defeat, US President [Donald Trump](/wiki/Donald_Trump "Donald Trump") orders the deliberate withdrawal of all of the approximately 2,000–2,500 American troops from Syria "within 60–100 days". [Reuters](/wiki/Reuters "Reuters") reports the move comes after a phone call between Trump and the Turkish President Erdogan. French forces are to remain.[France says it will continue to fight Islamic State in Syria](http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/69210569-05bb-4bde-bd08-002f790472fd)

### December 21

* Following the US announcement to withdraw all troops, Turkey postponed the planned attack on Northern Syria.

### December 23

* According to the SOHR, at a meeting in Moscow, the Russians offered to deploy troops of the Syrian government along the border between Turkey and the territory of the DFNS.

### December 24

* With the previous announcement of the withdrawal of US troops, Iraq's prime minister [Adil Abdul\-Mahdi](/wiki/Adil_Abdul-Mahdi "Adil Abdul-Mahdi") says Iraqi troops could potentially be deployed to Syria.

### December 25

* In the face of the planned withdrawal of US forces and the Turkish preparations to attack the DFNS, the SDF handed over the town of [Arima](/wiki/Arima%2C_Syria "Arima, Syria") west of Manbij to troops of the Syrian government.

### December 27

* The [United Arab Emirates](/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates "United Arab Emirates") re\-opens its embassy in [Damascus](/wiki/Damascus "Damascus") in an effort to restore relations between the two countries. [Bahrain](/wiki/Bahrain "Bahrain") would follow suit the next day.

### December 28

* Three days after handing over Arima to the Syrian army amid the continued mobilization of Turkish regular and [Turkish\-backed Free Syrian Army](/wiki/Turkish-backed_Free_Syrian_Army "Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army") forces, conflicting reports emerged surrounding the YPG's inviting of Syrian troops to enter Manbij in order to deter the Turks from attacking the city. SOHR stated Syrian troops had deployed around the Manbij countryside while US\-led Coalition officials denied that the SAA had taken Manbij as US forces continued to patrol in and around Manbij with no immediate plans to leave. In a future conflict, the Kurds want the Syrians to control Manbij, not pro\-Turkish rebels. Turkey decried that the Kurds have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the region's people.

### December 30

* [SANA](/wiki/Syrian_Arab_News_Agency "Syrian Arab News Agency") reports that Syrian President Assad authorized Iraqi warplanes and artillery to strike ISIL targets in Syrian territory without having to seek prior approval from Damascus, a sign of improved relations and coordination between the neighboring countries.

### December 31

* Syrian government forces and Iran\-backed militias intensify their attacks on civilian settlements in Homs and Idlib province's de\-escalation zone despite a ceasefire agreement, killing two civilians and wounding six others in a camp for displaced people.[Syrian regime attacks Idlib in violation of Sochi deal](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190101-syrian-regime-attacks-idlib-in-violation-of-sochi-deal/). 1 January 2019\. *MEMO*. Retrieved 11 July 2020\.

Can the US provide military support to the Kurds against Turkish aggression?