By Michael Land (ISW Syria Team), Nada Atieh (Syria Direct), Calvin Wilder (Syria Direct), and William Christou (Syria Direct)
The following Syria Situation Report (SITREP) Maps summarize significant developments in the war in Syria during the periods December 17 - 28, 2019 and December 29, 2019 - January 7, 2020. Key SITREP events during these periods include Russian President Vladimir Putin's first visit to Syria since 2017, continued protests in Southern Syria against the Bashar al-Assad and Iranian regimes, an ISIS bombing attack in Eastern Syria, and pro-Assad regime forces' preparation for operations near Aleppo City in Northern Syria.