[10] The town was initially targeted by artillery and aerial bombing by the Turkish Air Force, which resulted in some of the civilian population fleeing the area, heading south.

[14][15] Around this time, Kurdish politician and secretary general of the Future Syria Party Hevrin Khalaf, alongside a number of unarmed civilians, was captured on a road by Ahrar al-Sharqiya fighters and executed outside the town.

[16] On 13 October, the SDF launched a counter-offensive, pushing back Turkish forces and recapturing key points of the town, including the industrial district.

[20] On 17 October, amid heavy clashes, Turkish and TFSA forces completely besieged and captured half of Ras al-Ayn after encircling the town and cutting off all roads leading to it, according to SOHR.

[2][21] Later in the day, the United States government and Turkey agreed to a five-day ceasefire deal to allow the SDF to withdraw from the 20 mile safe-zone on the Syria–Turkey border.

[25] Around this time, a Turkish airstrike wounded five civilians, who were then evacuated to al-Hasakah where Syrian medics showed to the media burns on the victims that they said were consistent with the use of white phosphorus.

[26] On 18 October, a large convoy of 80 cars and 400 civilians, including the Free Burma Rangers and people who had traveled from Derik, Qamishli, Tell Tamer, and al-Hasakah, attempted to reach Ras al-Ayn to provide humanitarian aid.

[33][34] On 20 October, three days after Ras al-Ayn was fully encircled, the SDF announced they would be withdrawing from the town to comply with the US-brokered deal with Turkey.

[37] 86 vehicles left the town, taking SDF troops to Tell Tamer, located about 40 kilometres south of Ras al-Ayn, alongside a few hundred civilians.

A number of civilians, who had been evacuated to the nearby town of Hasakah to be treated at the Hospital, showed signs consistent with White Phosphorus burns.