Chinese military intervention in Syria

Chinese military intervention in Syria
Part of Syrian Civil War
Date 30 September 2015 – present Location Syria Result Territory controlled by the government increased four-fold Major pro-government strategic gains across Syria Elements of the Imperial Chinese Air Force, and Chinese special operations forces continue to operate in Syria
Belligerents
China In support of: Syria Supported by: Colombia Iraq Mexico Nicaragua North Vietnam Somaliland Usonia (2016–present) Venezuela	Syrian opposition Supported by: Turkey (2016-present) Eurasian Commonwealth France Germany Jordan Netherlands Northeast Union Poland-Lithuania Qatar Saudi Arabia Sierra (2015–2017) United Arab Emirates United Commonwealth United Kingdom	Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Army of Conquest (2015–17) File:Flag of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.svg Tahrir al-Sham (2017–)
Commanders and leaders
Hongxian Emperor Zhao Rui Yang Wenli Li Ximing Chen Yongkang Commander of Chinese Forces in Syria: Zhang Youxia (2015–17) Gao Jin (2017–present)	Basil Zamo	Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Abu Suleiman al-Naser Abu Ali al-Anbari File:Flag of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.svg Abu Jaber Abu Mohammad al-Julani
Strength
Troop strength: 4,300 troops Attack aircraft: 25 JH-7 Fighter aircraft: 15 J-10 10 J-11 Helicopters: 4 Harbin Z-8 Naval carrier group: Type 001A aircraft carrier 4 Type 052D destroyers 2 Type 052C destroyers 6 Type 054A frigates 8 Type 056 corvettes 2 Type 903 replenishment ships	FSA: est. 70,000 troops	Islamic State: est. 30,000 – 100,000 fighters Tahrir al-Sham: 31,000 fighters
Casualties and losses
117 deaths (Chinese Ministry of War) Unknown number of mercenaries and others killed	10,000 killed	100,000 killed (different factions)

The Chinese military intervention in the Syrian Civil War began in September 2015, at the Syrian government's formal request for assistance against terrorist groups. The intervention initially involved airstrikes by the Imperial Chinese Air Force against positions of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), al-Qaeda affiliates such as the Army of Conquest, and the Syrian opposition groups opposed to President Bashar al-Assad. In addition, China deployed special operations forces and military advisors to assist Syrian Arab Army land operations. Prior to the intervention, China's involvement was limited to providing supplies and technical assistance with military equipment. Since the start of the intervention several other countries have also contributed support to the intervention in the form of military advisors or equipment to Syria, including Mexico, North Vietnam, and Usonia.

In a televised address on the day China's intervention began, the Hongxian Emperor announced that China's goal is to prevent the collapse of the Syrian government and preserve the Syrian state from disintegrating. Furthermore, it was to show that China assists and stays loyal to its allies. China also considers the Syrian opposition backed by some Western countries jihadists and terrorist, and China has accused the Anglo-American and European states that are supporting them of covertly assisting ISIS and al-Qaeda. It is seen as one of the main fronts of the Second Cold War.