Aleppo offensive (October–November 2016)

Aleppo offensive (October–November 2016)
Part of the Battle of Aleppo (2012–present) (Syrian Civil War)

Map showing rebel offensive (green arrows, blue dotted captured area) and government counteroffensive (red arrows, blue and red dotted captured areas)

     Syrian Army control      Opposition control (including al-Nusra Front)      SDF control      Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant control

     Confrontation or unclear situation
Date28 October – 12 November 2016
(2 weeks and 1 day)
LocationAleppo, Syria
Result

Decisive Syrian Army and allies victory

  • Rebels captured the Minyan Industrial district,[1] most of the Dahiyat Al-Assad district and half of the Minyan residential district[2]
  • Army recaptures all areas lost during the offensive, as well as during the summer campaign[3]
Belligerents

Syrian Arab Republic
 Russia
 Iran
Liwa al-Quds[4]
Hezbollah[5]
Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba[5]
Ba'ath Brigades

Liwa Fatemiyoun[4]
Liwa Zainebiyoun[4]
Army of Conquest
Fatah Halab
Ansar al-Islam[6]
Jabhat Ansar al-Din[6]
Commanders and leaders
Maj. Gen. Zaid Saleh[7]
(Head of Aleppo security committee)
Gen. Iyad Mindo[8]
(Head of Aleppo Air Force Intelligence Directorate branch)
Maj. Gen. Suheil Al Hassan[9]
(Tiger Forces chief commander)
Col. Mohammad Jaber[10]
(Desert Hawks Brigade commander)
Iran Hadi Zahid [11]
(Quds Force operations leader in Aleppo)
Iran Brig. Gen. Mohammad Hosseini Rafei[12]
(Imam Sajjad Brigade commander, alleged killed)
Akram al-Kaabi[13]
(leader of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba)
Abu Mohammad al-Julani[6]
(leader of Jabhat Fateh al-Sham)
Tawfiq Shahab al-Din[14]
(leader of Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki)
Ammar Bouqai[14]
(leader of Jaysh al-Sunna)
Syrian opposition Saqr Abu Quteiba[14]
(leader of Fastaqim Union)
Syrian opposition Ammar Sakkar[15]
(Fastaqim Union spokesman)
Syrian opposition Abu Amr[14]
(leader of the Levant Front)
Units involved

Syrian Armed Forces

Russian Armed Forces

IRGC

Hezbollah

  • Lebanese Hezbollah units[17]
  • Syrian Hezbollah units
    • National Ideological Resistance[17][20]

Army of Conquest

Fatah Halab

Strength
1,000+ regular soldiers[22]
1,200–6,500 Liwa Al-Quds fighters[23]
2,000–6,500 fighters[22][1]
22 main battle tanks[24]
15 infantry fighting vehicles[24]
Casualties and losses

165 killed, 200–300+ wounded (per the Inside Source)[25]

152 killed (per the SOHR)[26]
297 killed, 350–400+ wounded (per the Inside Source)[27]
260 killed (per the SOHR)[26]
96–127 civilians killed[3][28]

The Aleppo offensive of October–November 2016, named the "Battle of the Hero Martyr Abu Omar Saraqib" by the Army of Conquest,[6] refers to a military operation launched on the western outskirts of Aleppo at the end of October 2016 by rebel forces in Syria, against the Syrian government forces and its allies. The aim of the offensive was to establish a new supply line into Aleppo city, after an Army-initiated summer campaign had cut off all rebel access to Aleppo.

The rebels called the operation "the mother of all battles", or "the grand battle of Aleppo", and described it as possibly deciding the outcome of the war.[29][30][31]

After making early advances, the rebel offensive soon slowed and stalled.[32] By mid-November, government troops regained control of all areas lost at the start of the rebel offensive, as well as areas lost in the earlier rebel offensive during the summer campaign.[3]

The offensive

Map of the rebel offensive

On 28 October, rebel forces outside Aleppo fired more than 150 shells, mainly BM-21 Grad rockets, at western Aleppo and the Aleppo International Airport, killing more than 15 civilians and wounding at least 100.[33] Rebel groups then announced that they had begun an offensive against the city after detonating three suicide car bombs,[34] one of which was a tank driven by a French Jabhat Fateh al-Sham suicide bomber.[35] The Army also reportedly destroyed two or four other car bombs.[33][36]

Rebels in tanks, armored vehicles, bulldozers, makeshift mine sweepers, pick-up trucks and on motorcycles approached the city.[37] The offensive took place along a 15-kilometer stretch of the frontline.[38] Following the attack by the suicide-bombers on the western outskirts of the city, the rebels seized the Minyan Sawmills, Al-Surah Checkpoint,[39][40] the Cardboard Factory and most of the Dahiyat Al-Assad suburb,[41][42] while government troops withdrew to the eastern side of the district so they would not be overrun.[43]

Concurrently, a rebel attack from the southwest in the area of the 1070 Housing Project was repelled,[1] with one rebel tank destroyed[36] and the Army retaining its presence in the northeast section of the Housing Project. Rebel attacks on the nearby 3000 Housing Project and the northwestern Zahra district were also repelled.[1][44]

In all, up to eight car bombs, some remotely controlled, were detonated or destroyed at the start of the offensive.[36] In the evening, the Army launched several surface-to-surface missiles on rebel positions in the west of the city.[45]

The next day, government forces launched a counter-attack[46] against Minyan Industrial and Dahiyat Al-Assad districts. Fighting also took place at the 1070 Housing Project.[47] Later, the rebels started shelling the Hamdaniyah district, in preparation for a new assault, and soon after a suicide car bomb exploded near the Zahra district.[48] The assault against Zahra was eventually repelled,[49][50] while government troops managed to retake several positions in Dahiyat Al-Assad, where a second suicide car bombing of the day took place.[51] However, by the evening, the rebels managed to take control of the Minyan residential district.[52]

Over the next two days, back and forth fighting took place[53] at the Minyan district,[54][55][56] and as of 31 October, control of the district was divided in half.[57]

During this time, the Army had also conducted a new counter-attack against Dahiyat Al-Assad.[58][59] The rebels also launched their own assault on the New Aleppo district[60] and the 1070 and 3000 Housing Projects, where two suicide car bombers blew themselves up.[61] A rebel tank and a technical were destroyed in the fighting at the 3000 Housing Project.[62] During the clashes, the rebels reportedly shelled a residential area of the Hamdaniyah district with chlorine gas,[63] leaving one civilian dead and 15 people injured.[64] The rebels denied this and claimed government forces had themselves used poison gas at one point of the frontline.[63] Ultimately, the rebel attack on the 3000 Housing Project as well as the nearby military complex was repelled.[65]

By 31 October, the rebel offensive had slowed due to heavy government resistance and pro-government forces had taken the initiative.[65] Three days into the offensive, the rebels were in control of the Minyan Industrial district,[1] most of the Dahiyat Al-Assad district and half of the Minyan residential district.[2] The frontline had stabilized[66] and settled into a stalemate.[53][67] Since the start of the offensive, the rebels had used 12 suicide car bombers in their attacks.[68]

On 3 November, the rebels launched the second phase of their offensive, with a triple suicide-bombing against Army positions in the western part of the New Aleppo district and at the Minyan district,[2] in an attempt to revitalize the operation since it had made little progress after the first day.[69] They managed to advance and capture several positions.[70] The rebels also assaulted the 3000 Housing Project and the Al-Assad Military Academy.[71] During the clashes, another rebel tank was destroyed,[70][72] as well as two Army anti-tank positions.[71] Still, the rebels were not able to break into New Aleppo[73] and their assault was repelled.[74][75]

Map of the government counteroffensive

On 6 November, Army special forces and Hezbollah militiamen launched a counter-attack on the southwestern edge of Aleppo, advancing in the area of Al-Mutha hill and the 1070 Housing Project.[76][77][78] The next day, government forces broke through the rebel's first line of defense on Tal Rakhem hill,[79] making advances,[80] while also seizing six buildings in the 1070 Housing Project.[81][82][83] Later that day, government forces further advanced in the area and managed to impose fire control over the nearby al-Hikmah school.[84]

On 8 November, government troops fully captured the 1070 Housing Project, as well as three nearby hills. The rebels additionally withdrew from al-Hikmah school, so to regroup at the Rashiddeen 5 Suburb, but the Army had not yet reached the school due to heavy rebel shelling.[85][86][87] Later, government troops launched a large assault inside the Dahiyat Al-Assad and Minyan districts, recapturing Minyan and reportedly advancing inside Dahiyat Al-Assad.[85][88] That night, the rebels managed to recapture the western half of Minyan.[89] The next day, government troops seized the strategic Hikmah school and secured the Hikmah area, while they made their first push towards the Rashiddeen 5 and Aqrab districts in southwest Aleppo.[90][91][92] Later, government troops made their first assault against the Rashiddeen 5 and Aqrab districts in southwest Aleppo.[93]

On 10 November, government troops recaptured half of the Dahiyat Al-Assad district,[94] including the Science Academy and nearby church.[95] Violent clashes continued between government troops and the rebels in the western part of the district, around the Sourah and Shair checkpoints.[96] The next day, the rebels recaptured all areas lost in Dahiyat Al-Assad,[97][98] but a new Army attack on the district was soon under way[99] and they once again regained several areas.[100] In an attempt to stop the Army's counter-attack, the rebels sent reinforcements.[101] Concurrently, government forces recaptured the entire Minyan residential district after breaking the rebel's last line of defense.[102][103] The Army then continued with its assault, attacking the nearby Minyan Sawmills and Carton Factory,[104] and seized the factory. Fighting continued at the sawmills and the Tires Barracks.[105] Later that evening, the Army retook control of Dahiyat Al-Assad district.[106]

On 12 November, the Army attacked and captured the Sourah checkpoint, west of Dahiyat Al-Assad, turning their attention then to the northern perimeter of the Souq Al-Jabas area.[107][108] They also fully secured the Minyan industrial district[109] after recapturing the Minyan Sawmills.[110] By this point, government forces had regained control of all areas lost at the start of the rebel offensive, as well as areas lost in the earlier rebel offensive during the summer campaign.[32][3][111][112]

Aftermath

Following the successful campaign by pro-government forces, the rebels in eastern-Aleppo were given 24 hours to surrender before the Army started an offensive to completely recapture the rebel-held districts in the east.[113]

After the offensive, food and medicine were reportedly smuggled from the YPG-held Sheikh Maqsood into rebel-held eastern Aleppo.[114]

International reactions

Amnesty International stated that the "armed opposition groups have displayed a shocking disregard for civilian lives", deploying weapons "whose use in the vicinity of densely populated civilian areas flagrantly violates international humanitarian law". The organization called the rebel groups to "end all attacks that fail to distinguish between military targets and civilians".[115]

The United Nations special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, expressed that he was "appalled and shocked" by the attacks targeting civilians in Aleppo.[116]

Notes

  1. The Fastaqim Union was effectively destroyed in course of rebel infighting in early November 2016, and mostly merged with Ahrar al-Sham, though remnants of the group remained active.[21]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Battle for Aleppo Summary: Day 1". The Inside Source. 29 October 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Tomson, Chris (3 November 2016). "2nd phase of battle for Aleppo begins as suicide bombers attack the Syrian Army". Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Regime forces Re-gain control and advance over rebels in Aleppo city
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Amir Toumaj (28 October 2016). "IRGC commander killed on eve of Aleppo battle". The Long War Journal. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  5. 1 2 "prisoners of Hezbollah and nujaba with Jayesh Al Fatih". Qasioun News. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Thomas Joscelyn (30 October 2016). "Jihadists and other rebels launch new offensive in Aleppo". The Long War Journal. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  7. Szakola, Albin (22 September 2016). "Aleppo will be secured "very soon": regime figure". NOW. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  8. Szakola, Albin (26 September 2016). "Notorious Aleppo intelligence chief moved from post". NOW. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  9. 1 2 Leith Fadel (29 October 2016). "Prominent Syrian Army commander arrives in Aleppo". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  10. 1 2 Leith Fadel (25 October 2016). "Elite pro-government forces arrive in Aleppo". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  11. "IRGC's Commander perished in #Aleppo". El-Dorar Al-Shamia. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  12. 1 2 "(IRGC) Loses more Generals in #Aleppo 's battles". El-Dorar Al-Shamia. 30 October 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  13. Szakola, Albin (27 September 2016). "Iraqi militia chief claims Israel bombed group in Syria". NOW. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Who's involved in the rebels' Aleppo offensive? The cliff-notes". The New Arab. 28 October 2016.
  15. "Syrian rebels launch Aleppo offensive to break siege". AP. 28 October 2016.
  16. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (23 May 2016). "The Local Defence Forces: Regime Auxiliary Forces in Aleppo". Syria Comment.
  17. 1 2 3 "Shiite Armed-Militias Geographical Distribution In Aleppo". Qasioun News. 29 October 2016.
  18. Fadel, Leith (29 August 2016). "Russian troops head to Aleppo City". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  19. "Studies: Iranian-backed militias' loses in #Aleppo for six months". El-Dorar Al-Shamia. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  20. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (15 August 2016). "Syrian Hezbollah Militias of Nubl and Zahara'". Syria Comment.
  21. "Zenki and Abu Amarah control all headquarters of Fastaqim Kama Umirt, the leaders of which go to Ahrar al-Sham". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  22. 1 2 "Syria rebels keep up offensive on western Aleppo". Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  23. Leith Fadel (3 November 2016). "Thousands of pro-government reinforcements sent to west Aleppo: reports". al-Masdar News.
  24. 1 2 Sputnik. "Over 2,000 'Moderates' Shell Aleppo Using 45 Vehicles - Russian MoD". Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  25. 1 2 209 killed yesterday including 70 regime forces
  26. Sputnik. "Militants Launch Offensive in Aleppo During Humanitarian Pause, Kill 127 People". Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  27. "Syrian rebels launch Aleppo counterattack".
  28. "Islamists rebels hit Syrian Army convoy bound for Aleppo, dozens killed - ARA News". 30 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  29. "Syrian rebels push West against Assad forces in Aleppo". 1 November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  30. 1 2 "Syrian army and allies make gains in Aleppo". 12 November 2016 via Reuters.
  31. 1 2 "Syria monitor group says rebel shelling kills more than 15 in west Aleppo". Reuters. 28 October 2016.
  32. 3 suicide car attacks target regime forces in Aleppo leading to violent clashes
  33. "Syrian rebels 'start Aleppo offensive'". BBC. 28 October 2016.
  34. 1 2 3 "Rebels Launch Huge Battle For West Aleppo!". The Inside Source.
  35. "Syrian rebels launch Aleppo counter-attack to break siege". 28 October 2016 via Reuters.
  36. Rebels advance over regime forces in Aleppo
  37. Fadel, Leith (28 October 2016). "Jaysh Al-Fateh launches massive offensive to break Aleppo siege".
  38. 15 killed while 100 injured by missiles targeted western Aleppo
  39. The Factions win the first round of the grand battle of Aleppo and control most of al-Assad Suburb
  40. "Opposition captures a group of Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba mercenaries in Aleppo". Orient News. 28 October 2016.
  41. Fadel, Leith (28 October 2016). "Jaysh Al-Fateh seizes large suburb in west Aleppo".
  42. Tomson, Chris (28 October 2016). "Battle for Aleppo heats up as the Syrian Army stops Islamist offensive in its tracks".
  43. "The Inside Source on Twitter".
  44. "Syrian government forces launch counter-offensive against Aleppo rebels". 29 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  45. Regime forces attempt to regain control of areas they lost in the first round of Aleppo battle
  46. Tomson, Chris (29 October 2016). "Islamist rebels attack along the entire frontline in western Aleppo - Map update". Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  47. "The Inside Source on Twitter". Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  48. جمعية الزهراء تشهد المعارك الأعنف والأضخم وضربات جوية وصاروخية مكثفة ترافق الاشتباكات المتواصلة في ثاني أيام معركة حلب
  49. Adra, Zen (30 October 2016). "Aleppo Battle: Syrian Army regains Minyan amid intensifying battles. Map Update". Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  50. 1 2 "Regime, rebel forces grind into third day of fight for Aleppo city". Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  51. Tomson, Chris (29 October 2016). "Syrian Army retakes crucial district in western Aleppo". Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  52. قوات النظام تعاود التقدم في منطقة منيان بأطراف حلب الغربية وقصف بمئات القذائف استهدف المدينة وجبهات القتال اليوم
  53. Fadel, Leith (31 October 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah attempt to recapture lost territory in west Aleppo". Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  54. Fadel, Leith (30 October 2016). "Syrian Army begins counter-assault at key suburb in southwest Aleppo". Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  55. "The Inside Source on Twitter". Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  56. "The Inside Source on Twitter". Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  57. "The Inside Source on Twitter". Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  58. 1 2 Perry, Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Tom. "Aleppo fighting spreads amid accusations of gas attack". Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  59. Adra, Zen (30 October 2016). "Aleppo Update: Rebels use poisonous gas as battles intensify". Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  60. 1 2 "Syria: Rebel assault to break Aleppo siege slows". Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  61. "The Inside Source on Twitter". Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  62. "Aleppo's Hamdaniyah district unwilling frontline in newest assault on regime-held west". Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  63. Jaish al-Fateh announces the end of the first round and issues a “recommendations”, Muhaysini incites for fighting
  64. "Rebels step up Aleppo offensive with three car bombs". Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  65. 1 2 Fadel, Leith (3 November 2016). "No Russian air presence in Aleppo despite massive jihadist attack". Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  66. 1 2 Tomson, Chris (3 November 2016). "Islamist rebels rain missiles over residential neighbourhoods in western Aleppo". Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  67. "The Inside Source on Twitter". Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  68. "The Inside Source on Twitter". Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  69. Tomson, Chris (3 November 2016). "Islamist offensive on Syrian Army positions in western Aleppo ends in disaster". Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  70. Tomson, Chris (6 November 2016). "Syrian Army gains ground in western Aleppo as Tiger Forces launch counter-offensive". Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  71. "The Inside Source on Twitter". Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  72. 30 killed in Aleppo and continued clashes in the city
  73. Fadel, Leith (7 November 2016). "Syrian Army resumes offensive operations in southwest Aleppo". Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  74. Continued clashes in Aleppo and 36 killed in the past 48 hours
  75. Fadel, Leith (7 November 2016). "Syrian Army advances in southwest Aleppo district". Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  76. "The Inside Source on Twitter". Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  77. قوات النظام تحقق تقدماً في أطراف مشروع 1070 شقة ومزيد من الشهداء في قذائف على القسم الغربي من المدينة
  78. Regime’s Helicopters and warplanes raid Aleppo city and its western countryside and violent clashes at the outskirts and western outskirts of the city
  79. 1 2 "Syrian army says takes Aleppo district, rebels say battle continues". 8 November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016 via Reuters.
  80. Fadel, Leith (8 November 2016). "Latest battlefield update from southwest Aleppo: map". Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  81. Fadel, Leith (8 November 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah capture more territory in southwest Aleppo as jihadist defenses crumble". Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  82. Fadel, Leith (8 November 2016). "Syrian Army launches major assault on west Aleppo". Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  83. The regime forces and militiamen loyal to them retreat to east of Menyan after fierce clash against the factions and Fatah al-Sham
  84. Fadel, Leith (9 November 2016). "Syrian Army captures strategic area in southwest Aleppo as jihadists continue mass retreat".
  85. Attempts by the regime to advance in western Aleppo after taking over al-Hekma school
  86. agencies, The New Arab &. "Regime advances in Aleppo amid world's preoccupation with Trump".
  87. Fadel, Leith (9 November 2016). "Latest battlefield update from southwest Aleppo: map".
  88. Fadel, Leith (11 November 2016). "Syrian Army seizes half of Al-Assad Suburb in west Aleppo".
  89. Fadel, Leith (10 November 2016). "Syrian Army breaks through jihadist lines in western Aleppo".
  90. تواصل الاشتباكات العنيفة في القسم الشرقي من ضاحية الأسد بأطراف حلب الجنوبية الغربية
  91. "The Inside Source on Twitter".
  92. الجيش السوري يسيطر على المثلث الجنوبي من ضاحية الاسد بحلب
  93. "The Inside Source on Twitter".
  94. "Russia, Syria's rebels clash on chemical weapons use claims".
  95. Fadel, Leith (11 November 2016). "Jaysh Al-Fateh reinforcements arrive to west Aleppo to stop Syrian Army offensive".
  96. Fadel, Leith (11 November 2016). "Syrian Army captures key Aleppo suburb after jihadist defenses collapse".
  97. 8 شهداء على الأقل في ضربات جوية استهدفت بلدة كفر داعل وقوات النظام تستعيد السيطرة على منيان
  98. Fadel, Leith (11 November 2016). "Syrian Army pushes west of Minyan Suburb in Aleppo".
  99. Tomson, Chris (11 November 2016). "Syrian Army on the roll in western Aleppo as Islamist rebels suffer devastating losses".
  100. Fadel, Leith (11 November 2016). "Syrian Army seizes important suburb in western Aleppo".
  101. Fadel, Leith (12 November 2016). "Syrian Army continues rapid advance in west Aleppo: map".
  102. "The Inside Source on Twitter".
  103. Aerial escalation at the western countryside of Aleppo causes casualties and the regime forces re-control Manasher Menyan
  104. "Syrian troops reverse rebel advance west of Aleppo".
  105. AFP (12 November 2016). "Syria regime eroding rebel gains in Aleppo: monitor".
  106. Fadel, Leith (13 November 2016). "Syrian Army gives jihadists 24 hours to surrender before launching massive offensive in Aleppo".
  107. "Aleppo Deadlock Eased by Kurdish Merchants". Aawsat. 13 November 2016.
  108. "Syria: Armed opposition groups must end unlawful attacks in western Aleppo". Amnesty. 31 October 2016.
  109. "Aleppo siege: UN envoy Mistura 'appalled' by rebel attacks". 30 October 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016 via www.bbc.com.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/2/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.