Rif Dimashq offensive (June–October 2016)

Rif Dimashq offensive (June–October 2016)
Part of the Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign (Syrian Civil War)

Battle map of Damascus as of October 2016
Date21 June – 30 October 2016
(4 months, 2 weeks and 4 days)
LocationEastern Ghouta, Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria
Result

Syrian Army victory

  • Army and Hezbollah capture Mayda’a[1][2][3] Al-Bahariyah,[4] Hawsh Al-Farah, Hawsh Nasri,[5] Tell Sawwan and Tell Kurdi[6]
Belligerents

Syrian Arab Republic

Palestine Liberation Army[4]
Hezbollah[4]

al-Jabalawi Battalion[7]

Jaysh al-Islam[8]
Al-Nusra Front[8]
Al-Rahman Legion[4]
Syrian opposition al-Majd Brigades[9][10]
Fajr al-Ummah[11]

Ahrar al-Sham[11]
Commanders and leaders
Col. Naeem Ahmed †[12]
(Republican Guard commander)		 Tofiq Khalid al-Khansour †[13]
(Jaysh al-Islam senior commander)
Abdul Nasr Shmeir[14]
(Al-Rahman Legion chief commander)
Abu Allam[15]
(Al-Rahman Legion commander)
Abu Na’im[15]
(Al-Rahman Legion commander)
Units involved

Syrian Army

Ministry of Interior

  • Special Mission Forces[17]

Syrian opposition al-Majd Brigades

  • Abo Mosa Al Ashaari Brigade[9]
Strength
15,000[18] Unknown

The Rif Dimashq offensive (June–October 2016) is a Syrian Army offensive in the Rif Dimashq Governorate that was launched in late June 2016, as part of the Syrian Civil War. The offensive resulted in the military's capture of parts of the eastern section of the rebel-held eastern Ghouta.[19]

The offensive

Government forces capture Mayda’a

On 21 June, 102nd Brigade of the Republican Guard, backed by the Palestine Liberation Army and Hezbollah, captured al-Bahariyah Hill, and soon after overran the rebel defenses at al-Bahariyah, capturing the entire village. In addition to capturing al-Bahariyah, the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah also continued their advance at the Jisreen Farms, where they were able to take control of several sites near the Arab Houses.[4]

On the evening of 24 June, the Army and Hezbollah entered Mayda’a, forcing the rebels from the northern part of the town towards the center.[20] One week later, the Army captured the eastern part of Mayda’a.[21] During this time, government troops also advanced in the Al-Bahariyah Farms and towards the Mayda’a-Nashabiyah axis.[22] After reaching Mayda’a's center on 4 July,[23] the following day, after nearly two weeks of fighting, the government captured Mayda’a.[1][2] With the capture of Mayda’a, the Army cut the rebel's main ammunition supply line for Eastern Ghouta.[24]

On 7 July, a rebel counter-attack recaptured several blocks of Mayda’a, but the following day the military managed to seize back all territory lost, securing Mayda’a once again. The troops than pushed the rebels back a few more kilometers to the west[25] and also secured the farms and road between Mayda’a and Al-Bahariyah.[26] Later that day, the Army pushed into the village of Mid’anah, capturing its eastern and southern parts.[27][28] On 9 July, the pro-opposition activist group the SOHR confirmed the Army's capture of Mayda’a.[29] Three days later, the military renewed their offensive by making attempts to advance to Hawsh Al-Farah, reportedly capturing several farms east of the village by 12 July.[16][30]

Interlude

By 15 July, the government had mostly suspended their offensive in the area. One week later, the Army launched a new assault against Hawsh Al-Farah,[31] resulting in a fierce, several-days-long battle. Government forces, attacking from two directions, first targeted the eastern and southern farms surrounding the town.[32]

Meanwhile, clashes between Jaysh al-Islam and the Al-Rahman Legion took place in Saqba, reminiscent of the inter-rebel conflict a few months earlier.[33] On 23 July, intense airstrikes targeted several rebel-held towns in East Ghouta, while clashes between government forces and rebels occurred along the al-Salam Highway.[34] Furthermore, a prisoner exchange between the government and Jaysh al-Islam took place, with a leading Syrian Army colonel and a female Republican Guard major being freed.[35]

Renewed Army advances

After capturing the surrounding farmland,[32] the Republican Guard, backed by Hezbollah and NDF units, stormed Hawsh Al-Farah itself on 26 July,[36] leading to heavy house-to-house fighting. After suffering numerous casualties, rebel forces finally retreated into the countryside on 29 July, leaving the strategically important town to the government. The fall of Hawsh Al-Farah served as a major morale boost for pro-government forces in East Ghouta, and allowed them to impose fire control over several important rebel-held cities in the area, such as Mayda’anah, Hawsh Nasri and Hawsh Shalaq.[32]

On 1 August, the Army entered Hawsh Nasri.[37] Five days later, they seized the farms near Hawsh Nasri[38] and on 9 August, took control of all[5][39] or most of the town.[40] This advance brought the Army into position to attack the hilltop of Tal Kurdi from three different flanks.[37]

On 13 August, the military took control of parts of Hawsh Al-Dawahira and its surrounding farms.[41] At the same time, the Army launched an assault on the strategic Tal Kurdi hill.[42]

On 15 August, Jaysh al-Islam launched a counter-attack to regain Hawsh Nasri, seizing several points and farms in the area of the town.[43][44] The rebels renewed their counter-assault on 20 August, and captured further positions in Hawsh Nasri, but lost them later in the day.[45] The next day, the Army fully pushed the rebels out of Hawsh Nasri, and attacked the northern flank of Hawsh Dawahrah.[46]

Back-and-forth fighting

On 22 August, the rebels launched an offensive on the western frontlines of Eastern Ghouta, on a one-kilometer front, in order to lift the pressure off the town of Darayya.[47] However, after several hours of fighting, the rebel offensive was repelled.[48] Following this, the Syrian Army continued its advances in Eastern Ghouta, storming the former signal Army base, near Al-Rayhan, and capturing the storage area of the base. Government forces also reportedly physically cut the rebel supply route between Al-Rayhan and Shifuniyah.[49]

Towards the end of August, the Army captured Al-Rayhan's farms,[50] threatening to encircle Tal Kurdi.[51] Shortly after, government forces captured parts of Al-Rayhan itself, as well as Tal Rayhan hill, placing Tal Kurdi under fire-control.[52] The Army also made advances from Hawsh Al-Farah towards Tal Sawwan, near Tal Kurdi.[53][54] Over the next three weeks, government troops captured Tal Sawwan twice, but subsequently lost it again both times. As of mid-September, the town was still being contested.[55] Meanwhile, on 5 September, pro-government forces stormed the East Ghouta Signal Base, gaining a bridgehead in its southern corridor.[56]

At sundown on 12 September, a country-wide ceasefire came into effect.[57] In the Damascus area, the ceasefire was temporarily shaken due to fighting in the suburb district of Jobar.[58]

Between 18 and 19 September, a rebel counter-attack between the East Ghouta Signal Base and Al-Reyhan village was repelled.[59] Later on 20 September, government forces captured the Signal Army Base and the surrounding warehouses.[60] In addition, between 19 and 24 September, the military captured a number of farms in the area around Al-Rayhan, cutting the road to Tal Kurdi.[61][62][63][64] On 25 September, the Army seized the Rehba al-Ishara area,[65] including the Katibat al-Ishara military base.[66] Meanwhile, the rebels launched a counter-attack to regain the Signal Base. After the assault was repelled, government forces in turn began their attack on Al-Reyhan village.[67]

After fortifying their positions at Rehba al-Ishara, on 1 October, government forces and Hezbollah units attempted to advance towards Al-Reyhan.[68] As of 3 October, they were within three kilometers of the rebel's largest stronghold in East Ghouta, the town of Douma.[69] On 11 October, the Army captured al-Rayhan[70][71] and advanced in the Al-Rayhan farms area.[72][73] Five days later, a rebel-counter attack managed to push government forces back from several positions around the town,[74] with the rebels retaking the western part of Al-Rayhan. On 18 October, the Army launched a renewed push in the west of al-Rayhan[75] in an attempt to cut the supply road for Tal Kurdi,[76] managing to capture the Sbidaj factory area.[77] On 25 October, the al-Majd Brigades seceded from the al-Rahman Legion due to the continued differences between Jaysh al-Islam and the al-Rahman Legion that hindered the rebel attempts to halt the government offensive.[9]

Army secures Tal Kurdi

On 29 October, the Army captured several factory areas, imposing fire control over Tal Kurdi.[17][78] On 30 October, after more than 50 days of continues fighting,[79] the Army had taken control of Tal Sawwan and Tal Kurdi and advanced towards Shefonia and Al-Rayhan.[6][80]

Aftermath

On 8 November, the Army had captured the western farms of Al-Rayhan, encircling the rebels in western part of the town.[81] On 12 November, an advance by the Army on the town was repelled.[82]

A new offensive was launched against Al-Rayhan on 14 November,[83] while on 17 November, an attack was also started against the towns of Al-Dawahra and Midaani.[84] At least 30 civilians were killed in shelling by the Army from 17 to 20 November, on rebel-held towns in the region.[85]

The SAA launched another attack on Midaani on 20 November, capturing nine points inside the town.[86] On the next day, the SAA launched an offensive to reopen the Damascus-Homs highway near Harasta.[87] It also captured seven farms in Midaani.[88] A counterattack by Jaysh al-Islam on Mayda'a was repelled on 23 November. The group claimed that 30 soldiers had been killed in the attack, while SAA claimed it lost only 2.[89]

On 29 November, it was reported the Army and Hezbollah had captured the town of Midaani.[90][91] However, the following day, government forces were confirmed to be in control of the northern and eastern parts of the town, and attempting to secure the rest of it.[92] On 4 December, the Army once again advanced in the area of Midaani.[93]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Adra, Zen (5 July 2016). "Field Report: Syrian Army overruns Islamist rebels in Eastern Ghouta. Map Update". almasdarnews.com. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Syrian army, rebels agree to 72-hour Eid truce, but fighting continues". Reuters. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "قوات النظام تستكمل السيطرة على بلدة ميدعا في غوطة دمشق الشرقية وتحاول التقدم نحو الميدعاني". Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fadel, Leith (21 June 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah capture Al-Bahariyah village in East Ghouta: map". almasdarnews.com. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  5. 1 2 "مجازر متنقلة بحق المدنيين في حلب وإدلب". Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  6. 1 2 Regime forces advance in Tal Kurdi and Tal Soran
  7. ↑ Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (19 July 2016). "Kata'ib al-Jabalawi: A Pro-Assad Militia from Homs". Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  8. 1 2 Tomson, Chris (11 July 2016). "Battle for Damascus heats up as the Syrian Army pushes forward – Map update". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 "Al-Majd Brigades: to make the dreams of Syrian people true". Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  10. ↑ "Violent clashes in Tal Kurdi area kill the first fighter of al-Majd Brigades". SOHR. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  11. 1 2 "Factions of the eastern Ghouta form a new army". SOHR. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  12. ↑ "An Officer with al-Assad in Zablatani was killed in Ghouta , who killed him?". El-Dorar Al-Shamia. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  13. ↑ "Senior Terrorist Commander Killed in Syrian Army Attacks in Eastern Damascus". Fars News Agency. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  14. ↑ "Rahman Corps arrest one of the judges of the unified judiciary and a retired officer in Jaysh al-Islam amid continued tension between both parties". SOHR. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  15. 1 2 Charkatli, Izat (8 August 2016). "Faylaq Al-Rahman leaders narrowly escape assassination attempt". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Tomson, Chris (12 July 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah secure another farm area in East Ghouta, Damascus". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  17. 1 2 Syrian Army on verge of capturing major East Ghouta stronghold: Field Report
  18. ↑ "The Inside Source". Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  19. ↑ Fadel, Leith (27 June 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah prepare to capture key village in East Ghouta: map". almasdarnews.com. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  20. ↑ Fadel, Leith (27 June 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah prepare to capture key village in East Ghouta: map". Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  21. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (1 July 2016). "Syrian Army launches a new offensive in eastern Ghouta". Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  22. ↑ Fadel, Leith (28 June 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah make progress near strategic town in East Ghouta". almasdarnews.com. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  23. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (4 July 2016). "Syrian Army continues advance on rebel stronghold in eastern Ghouta". Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  24. ↑ "Syrian Observatory for Human Rights". Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  25. ↑ Adra, Zen (8 July 2016). "Field Report: Syrian Army retakes rebel bastion in Eastern Ghouta. Map Update". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  26. ↑ "Syrian Observatory for Human Rights". Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  27. ↑ Fadel, Leith (9 July 2016). "Syrian Army makes swift gains in the East Ghouta amid rebel collapse". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  28. ↑ Tomson, Chris (8 July 2016). "Rebel flank in eastern Damascus collapses, Syrian Army enters new village: Map". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  29. ↑ Syrian regime takes town near Damascus
  30. ↑ Fadel, Leith (12 July 2016). "Syrian Army storms strategic village in East Ghouta". Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  31. ↑ Fadel, Leith (22 July 2016). "Syrian Army begins new offensive in East Ghouta". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  32. 1 2 3 Charkatli, Izat (29 July 2016). "Syrian Army secures Islamist stronghold near Damascus – Map update". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  33. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (22 July 2016). "Rebel infighting returns to eastern Ghouta". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  34. ↑ "Intensive airstrikes on al-Ghouta cause casualties and injuries". SOHR. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  35. ↑ Fadel, Leith (23 July 2016). "High ranking Syrian officer released after 4 years in captivity". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  36. ↑ Fadel, Leith (26 July 2016). "Syrian Army captures new village in Islamist heartland". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  37. 1 2 Fadel, Leith (1 August 2016). "Syrian Army storms rural town in Greater Damascus". Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  38. ↑ بعد أيام من القصف والاشتباكات … حزب الله وقوات النظام يتقدمان في غوطة دمشق الشرقية وتسيطر على مزارع فيها
  39. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (9 August 2016). "Map Update: Syrian Army captures key town in Islamist bastion". Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  40. ↑ قوات النظام وحزب الله اللبناني يواصلان محاولات استكمال السيطرة على حوش نصري في الغوطة الشرقية
  41. ↑ The regime forces and Hezbollah advance in Hosh al-Dawahra in the Eastern Ghouta
  42. ↑ Fadel, Leith (13 August 2016). "Syrian Army attacks important hilltop in East Ghouta". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  43. ↑ جيش الإسلام يحقق تقدماً في هجومه المعاكس بالغوطة الشرقية وعشرات الضربات الجوية والصاروخية على مدينة داريا
  44. ↑ "Jaysh al-Islam Launched Counter-attack eastern Ghouta on al-Assad's forces regaining points". El-Dorar Al-Shamia. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  45. ↑ Tomson, Chris (20 August 2016). "Battle of the tanks as Islamist rebels launch counter-offensive in east Damascus". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  46. ↑ Fadel, Leith (21 August 2016). "Syrian Army advances in East Ghouta amid failed Islamist offensive". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  47. ↑ Fadel, Leith (22 August 2016). "Jaysh Al-Islam launches new assault in East Ghouta". Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  48. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (22 August 2016). "Syrian Army repels massive jihadist offensive in Eastern Ghouta". Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  49. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (22 August 2016). "Syrian Army makes massive advances in Eastern Ghouta". Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  50. ↑ The regime forces and Hezbollah advance and control farms in the Eastern Ghouta
  51. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (24 August 2016). "Syrian Army advances in Eastern Ghouta as jihadist defenses collapse: Video". Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  52. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (27 August 2016). "Syrian Army continues advance near Douma". Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  53. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (30 August 2016). "Syrian Army inches closer to jihadist stronghold in Eastern Ghouta". Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  54. ↑ Fadel, Leith (1 September 2016). "Syrian Army captures new areas in East Ghouta". Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  55. ↑ Fadel, Leith (12 September 2016). "Syrian Army on the verge of capturing strategic East Ghouta hilltop". Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  56. ↑ Fadel, Leith (5 September 2016). "Syrian Army enters key military base in East Ghouta". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  57. ↑ "Shaky cease-fire starts in Syria". 12 September 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  58. ↑ "Clashes near Damascus underscore fragility of Syrian cease-fire". Washington Post. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  59. ↑ Fadel, Leith (19 September 2016). "Jaysh Al-Islam launches counter-offensive in East Ghouta". Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  60. ↑ Adra, Zen (20 September 2016). "Field Report: Syrian Army advances in Eastern Ghouta". Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  61. ↑ Fadel, Leith (19 September 2016). "Syrian Army captures large parts of the East Ghouta". Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  62. ↑ Fadel, Leith (21 September 2016). "Syrian Army advances in East Ghouta after failed Islamist offensive". Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  63. ↑ Fadel, Leith (23 September 2016). "Jaysh Al-Islam on the verge of collapse as Syrian Army advances in the East Ghouta". Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  64. ↑ Fadel, Leith (24 September 2016). "Syrian Army continues rapid advance in East Ghouta amid rebel collapse". Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  65. ↑ Regime forces advance over al-Islam army in Reef Dimashq
  66. ↑ "March on Douma: Regime breaks 58-day stalemate in East Ghouta". Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  67. ↑ Fadel, Leith (25 September 2016). "Syrian Army launches counter-offensive in East Ghouta". Al-Masdar News.
  68. ↑ "After fortifying their positions in Rahbat al-Ishara, regime forces are trying to advance in the surrounding farms". SOHR. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  69. ↑ "Syria raids destroy Aleppo hospital as Qaeda 'leader' killed". Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  70. ↑ Adra, Zen (11 October 2016). "Syrian Army tightens noose around rebel-held Douma, captures new town". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  71. ↑ "The Inside Source". Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  72. ↑ 50 killed during clashes around Dabeq between rebels and IS
  73. ↑ 5 killed in Damascus downtown and continued clashes in Reef Dimashq
  74. ↑ "The Inside Source". Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  75. ↑ Fadel, Leith (18 October 2016). "Syrian Army launches new attack in East Ghouta after foiling rebel offensive". Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  76. ↑ Regime forces renew the control attempts on supply road between Douma, Tal Kurdi and Tal Sawwan in the Eastern Ghouta
  77. ↑ Regime forces advance in the Eastern Ghouta and air and missile strikes target Deir Ezzor city and its countryside
  78. ↑ Continued clashes between regime forces and rebels around Tal Kurdi
  79. ↑ Syrian Army Edges Closer Towards Rebel Stronghold in Capital
  80. ↑ Field report: rebels collapse as Syrian Army pushes deeper in Eastern Ghouta
  81. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (8 November 2016). "Syrian Army encircles insurgent stronghold in Eastern Ghouta". Al-Masdar News.
  82. ↑ "Syrian regime army suffers setback in Damascus suburbs". The New Arab. 12 November 2016.
  83. ↑ Syrian Army begins new military operation in East Ghouta
  84. ↑ Syrian Army begins new operation in East Ghouta
  85. ↑ 30 casualties and tens of injuries in 4 days of shelling escalation on cities and towns of the Eastern Ghouta
  86. ↑ Zen Adra (20 November 2016). "Syrian Army, Islamist rebels clash in Eastern Ghouta". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  87. ↑ Leith Fadel (21 November 2016). "Syrian Army launches offensive to reopen strategic highway in Damascus". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  88. ↑ Airstrikes target the Eastern Ghouta and more casualties in the countryside of Idlib
  89. ↑ Syrian Army foils desperate Islamist offensive in East Ghouta
  90. ↑ Syrian Army captures East Ghouta town as Jaysh Al-Islam's defenses collapse
  91. ↑ The regime forces and Hezbollah advance in the Eastern Ghouta and control large parts of Al-Mid’aani
  92. ↑ Explosions rock Damascus and regime forces trying to advance in Maydaani
  93. ↑ Regime forces complete the first stage of agreement in al-Tal
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