Aleppo offensive (July–August 2016)

Aleppo offensive (July–August 2016)
Part of 2016 Aleppo campaign, the Battle of Aleppo (2012–present) and the Syrian Civil War

Battle map of Aleppo during August 2016
Date31 July – 6 August 2016
(6 days)
LocationAleppo, Syria
Result

Major rebel victory; Government counter-offensive

  • Rebels capture the Artillery Academy and Ramouseh district[1]
  • Rebel counter-offensive opens a new unsecured corridor via the Ramouseh district[2][3][4][5]
  • Army uses an alternative supply route via the Castello Road for the west districts of Aleppo[6]
Belligerents

Fatah Halab
Army of Conquest[7]

Ansar al-Islam[9]

Supported by:
Turkey Turkey[11]

Syrian Arab Republic

Iran[12]

Liwa al-Quds
Ba'ath Brigades[14]
Hezbollah
Liwa Fatemiyoun[12]
Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba[15]
Airstrikes:
 Russia

Commanders and leaders
Maj. Yasser Abd al-Rahim[16]
(official leader of Fatah Halab)
Ahmad Al-Hayek [17]
(Jaysh al-Islam commander)
Kamal Ahmad [17]
(8th Brigade commander)
Hammoud Al-Barm [18]
(Army of Mujahideen commander)
Abdullah al-Muhaysini[19]
(Jabhat Fateh cleric and leader)
Abu Al-Muthanna  [17]
("Inghimassiyeen" commander)
Mohammad Al-Haj Abboud [17]
(Jabhat Fateh field commander)
Abdel Qader Na’asani  [17]
(Jabhat Fateh commander)
Mohammad Hassan Al-Khatib [20]
(Jabhat Fateh commander)
Haytham Al-Darwish [20]
(Jabhat Fateh commander)
Abu Mohammad Al-Sari  [21]
(Ahrar al-Sham top commander)
Hossam Abu Bakr[22]
(Ahrar al-Sham commander)
Abu Hamza Al-Shami [17][20]
(5th Brigade commander)
Ali Hamam [10]
(Ajnad al-Sham top commander)
Wa’el Diyab (WIA)[10]
(Ajnad al-Sham commander)
Fahd Jassem al-Freij[23]
(Minister of Defense)
Maj. Gen. Adib Mohammed[24]
(Head of Aleppo security comitee, replaced)
Maj. Gen. Zaid Saleh[24]
(Replacement head of Aleppo security comitee)
Brig. Gen. Deeb Bazi[25]
(Aleppo military academy commander)
Gen. Yasir Muhsin Miya [26]
(Syrian Army commander)
Gen. Muhammad Ali Sharbo [26]
(Syrian Army commander)
Maj. Abolghassem Zahiri (WIA)[12]
(102nd Imam Hossein Battalion commander)
Unknown Liwa Fatemiyoun commander [12]
Units involved

Fatah Halab

Ahrar al-Sham

al-Nusra Front / Jabhat Fateh al-Sham

Syrian Army

Syrian Arab Air Force
IRGC

Hezbollah units

  • Imam Mahdi Brigade[31]
  • Radwan Forces[32]
Strength

8,000–10,000+ fighters[24][33]

  • 2,500+ Jabhat Fateh fighters[24]
Unknown number of soldiers, 100+ tanks, 400+ BMPs[24]
Casualties and losses

500 killed (SOHR claim)[5][22]
469 killed (The Inside Source)[34]

800+ killed (pro-government claim)[35][36]

200 killed (SOHR claim)[5][22]

224 killed (The Inside Source)[34]
130 civilians killed[37]

The Aleppo offensive (July–August 2016) refers to a military operation launched on the southern outskirts of Aleppo at the end of July 2016 by rebel forces in Syria. The aim of the offensive was to establish a new supply line into Aleppo city, after a previous Army offensive had cut-off all rebel access to Aleppo.

The offensive

Map of the offensive

Initial rebel attack

On 31 July, the Army of Conquest launched a counter-offensive both south and north of Aleppo in an attempt to lift the siege on the rebel-held areas of the city. Fierce fighting was reported at the Al-Castillo Highway,[7] while the rebels managed to capture the Al-Hikma school and two hills on the southern outskirts of Aleppo, which constituted an advanced Army defense line,[38] after two rebel suicide car-bombers attacked government positions in the Rashidin neighborhood.[39] The suicide bombings largely destroyed the former school.[40] The wide-scale rebel offensive reportedly included 8,000–10,000 fighters, 95 tanks, hundreds of rocket launchers and a large number of suicide-bombers.[41][42] By evening, the rebels also took control of Al-‘Amariyah village and reached the nearby 1070 Al-Hamadaniyah Housing Project where fighting continued. At this point, the Russian Air Force started to conduct heavy air-strikes in an attempt to push back the rebel offensive.[43] During the night, the 1070 Al-Hamadaniyah Housing Project was also taken by the rebels.[44][45] The fighting then shifted to the Al-Assad Military Academy.[45]

The next morning, government reinforcements arrived at the Al-Assad Military Academy, after which the Army started a counter-attack and reportedly managed to cut the road between the Al-Hikma school and the 1070 Housing Project, leaving the rebels besieged at the Housing area. An assault on the 1070 Housing Project then started.[46][47] However, later in the day, the rebels once again advanced and took control of Mushrifah village (also known as Sharfa), that is situated on a hill that overlooks the Military Academy.[48][49] Later that evening, a new Army counter-attack was launched,[50] and the military managed to recapture the 1070 Housing Project neighborhood,[51][52] one hill, and a factory.[53] Elsewhere, the Army backed by intense Russian Air Force bombardment launched a large assault on the Handarat Camp. Some speculated that the potential government capture of the Handarat Camp would create a new supply route to west Aleppo’s neighborhoods.[54] Meanwhile, Kurdish forces reportedly rejected an offer by some government soldiers for Kurdish fighters to leave the YPG-controlled part of Aleppo.[55]

Army counter-offensive and rebel offensive on Ramouseh and artillery school

On 2 August, the Army continued with its push to regain ground[41] and managed to retake several more positions in the vicinity of the 1070 Housing Project,[56] as well as Al-‘Amariyah village and two more hills.[57] Still, later in the day, the rebels launched an assault on the Ramouseh district, with two rebel tunnel bombs detonating under buildings that were used as barracks by government forces.[20][58] Subsequently, rebels inside Aleppo made an advance into Ramouseh,[42][59][60] attempting to flank the Military Academy.[20] Further to the south, the rebels also took control of the village of Huwayz[61] and a hill at Al-‘Amariyah.[20] At the same time, on the western edge of Aleppo, the rebels seized the Minyan Sawmills area.[58] However, this turned out to be a trap when the Army called in four precise Russian air-strikes on the complex, killing 38 rebels and forcing them to withdraw.[20][62] Meanwhile, the rebel assault on Ramouseh was slowed due to heavy Russian air-strikes, despite the rebels holding overlooking positions.[63] The attack on Ramouseh was eventually repelled with minimal rebel gains,[20] that were recaptured,[64] and the Army managed to retake Huwayz and the surrounding hills hills.[42][65][66][67] While the heavy fighting on the southwestern edge of Aleppo continued, government forces reportedly secured 30 percent of the Handarat Camp in the northeast of Aleppo during the day.[68] In course of the day's fighting, rebel forces suffered heavy casualties with several commanders killed. There were also pro-government claims that rebels had used chemical weapons during their attacks.[20][62] The rebels were reportedly irritated by the lack of progress at the 1070 complex, Military Academy, Sawmill and Ramouseh and were preparing a fourth assault against government lines[62] that would include more suicide car-bombers.[69]

By 3 August, the Army counter-attack had recaptured 5 out of 8 positions that were lost since the start of the rebel offensive,[70] including the two villages and two hilltops. The rebels were still in control of one village and four hilltops.[71] By this point, rebel commanders reportedly decided to abandon their pre-planned six-stage offensive to review future military maneuvers in the region, with plans being made for the next attack wave.[69]

On 4 August, the fourth rebel assault was launched, targeting Ramouseh and Al-‘Amariyah.[72] The rebels once again seized Al-‘Amariyah and its nearby hill,[73] or at least a part of it.[74][75] Meanwhile, the Army was still trying to fully recapture the 1070 Housing Project and retake the Al-Hikma school with the support of Russian air-strikes.[76]

On 5 August, the Army recaptured all of the points they lost the previous day, including Al-‘Amariyah.[77][78][79][80][81] Later, a rebel attack on the Military Academy started, with two suicide car-bombers attacking government positions.[82][83] The suicide bombings, combined with heavy artillery fire, caused confusion among government forces, creating an opportunity for the rebels to enter the base[84] and capture a part of it.[85] However, heavy air-strikes managed to provide the Army enough time to regroup, push the rebels out of the base[36][84] and repel the attack.[82] Still, a breach on the southern end of the Military Academy still existed.[84] Meanwhile, government troops managed to take the Steel Factory after clashes with rebels at the Handarat Camp.[80][86]

Rebel assault on artillery base, breaking the siege

On 6 August, after a new attack,[87] the rebels took control of the Armament school and most of the Artillery school,[37] and thus more than half of the Military Academy.[88][89] The Artillery school had been used as an artillery base.[90] Fighting continued at the Air Technical school,[91] with the rebels eventually being repelled.[92] Shortly after their advances at the Military Academy, rebels both inside and outside Aleppo advanced into the Ramouseh neighborhood, linked up and captured it. With this advance, the rebels managed to cut the government's supply line into the government-held part of west Aleppo[2][3][93] and announced the Army's siege of rebel-held east Aleppo had been broken.[94] However, the new rebel supply line was still under Army artillery fire and being hit by air-strikes,[2][3] making both sides essentially under siege.[2] Since the rebel offensive started, at least 130 civilians had been killed, most by rebel shelling of government-held districts. 500 fighters on both sides also died, mostly rebels.[37] At the end of the day, the rebels were in control of the entire Military Academy base, after taking the Air Technical school, and the Ramouseh district, while the Army still held the Cement Factory and parts of the military housing.[1] The rebels captured a number of armored vehicles and an undisclosed amount of ammunition during the capture of the military academy, as shown on footage on the next day.[22] Fatah Halab issued a statement in which it promised amnesty for those who remained at home, in a mosque or church, or who put down their weapons.[95]

Aftermath – New siege

Siege of eastern Aleppo resumed when government forces re-took the Military Academy on 4 September.[96]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Factions incur regime, the Russians, the Iranians and the Lebanese Hezbollah the biggest spiritual and military loss since 2013
  2. 1 2 3 4 Charkatli, Izat (6 August 2016). "Jihadists advance on Ramousah district, cut supply route". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 user4. "Factions meet the fighters of the besieged eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo and shelling and violent raids on the outskirts of the city". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  4. "Jets pound rebels after they break Aleppo siege". Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 CNN, Salma Abdelaziz. "Rebels dance in Aleppo, but can victory hold?". Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  6. "Syrian government delivers supplies to Aleppo via alternative route: monitors". 8 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016 via Reuters.
  7. 1 2 Fadel, Leith (31 July 2016). "Battle for Aleppo City begins as jihadists storm several areas". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  8. "Factions continue their most violent attack ever in the decisive battle at Aleppo and tens of airstrikes target the clashing areas". SOHR. 31 July 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Thomas Joscelyn (7 August 2016). "Jihadists and other rebels claim to have broken through siege of Aleppo". The Long War Journal. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 Charkatli, Izat (3 August 2016). "Another rebel group loses important commander in Aleppo".
  11. Solomon, Erika (8 August 2016). "Outside help behind rebel advances in Aleppo". Retrieved 16 August 2016 via Financial Times.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Amir Toumaj (3 August 2016). "Iranian military involvement in the battle for Aleppo". The Long War Journal. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 "Four Iranian officers killed in Aleppo". 3 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  14. Fadel, Leith (27 June 2016). "Syrian Army advances in northern Aleppo". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  15. Fadel, Leith (8 August 2016). "Iraqi fighters pour into southern Aleppo". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  16. "After breaking Aleppo siege, Syrian rebels threaten to attack Kurds". ARA News. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Charkatli, Izat (10 August 2016). "Compilation of high-ranking jihadist commanders killed in past 24 hours". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  18. 1 2 Fadel, Leith (18 July 2016). "Jihadist rebels mourn the loss of 16 fighters as government forces advance in Aleppo City". Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  19. "After Muhaysini vowed… tens of strikes accompany the heavy clashes southwest of Aleppo city". SOHR. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Charkatli, Izat (2 August 2016). "Syrian Army, jihadists trade blows in southwest Aleppo – Map Update". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  21. "Senior Terrorist Commander Killed in Clashes with Syrian Army in Aleppo". Fars News Agency. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  22. 1 2 3 4 "Syrian Rebels Breach Government-Imposed Siege on Aleppo". AP. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016 via The New York Times.
  23. Charkatli, Izat (9 August 2016). "Video: Syrian Defense Minister inspects Syrian forces in Aleppo". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 Chris Tomson (8 August 2015). "SouthFront: Syrian Army deploys 100 tanks, 400 BMP's to Aleppo". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  25. Tomson, Chris (6 August 2016). "Battle for key military base rages in Syria's Aleppo". al Jazeera. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  26. 1 2 "Five generals among 72 Syrian regime casualties buried this week: report". NOW. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  27. "Syria conflict: Rebels 'filmed beheading boy' in Aleppo". BBC. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  28. Charkatli, Izat (25 July 2016). "Rebel group on the verge of total collapse in Aleppo". Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  29. Charkatli, Izat (25 July 2016). "Prominent rebel commander neutralized in Aleppo". Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  30. "The regime forces advance and reinforce the siege of the eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo and more casualties raise the number to 18 in the massacre of al-MashHad neighborhood". SOHR. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  31. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (23 July 2016). "Liwa al-Imam al-Mahdi: A Syrian Hezbollah Formation". Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  32. "Hezbollah deploying elite force to Aleppo: Iran media". NOW. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  33. Tomson, Chris (2 August 2016). "Islamist group mourns fallen rebel fighters during southern Aleppo offensive". Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  34. 1 2 "The Inside Source". Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  35. "800 Takfiri Terrorists Killed by Syrian Army, Russian Warplanes in Aleppo".
  36. 1 2 "Islamist rebels storm base in attempt to break siege of Aleppo". 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  37. 1 2 3 "At least 500 fighters killed in a week in Aleppo battle: monitor". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  38. Adra, Zen (31 July 2016). "Field Report: Jihadi rebels gain grounds in southern Aleppo [Map + Video]". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  39. "Jihadists launch offensive to ease Aleppo siege". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  40. "Battle for Aleppo: A Rebel Breakthrough or Bust". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  41. 1 2 "Syrian army, allies counter-attack to regain lost ground in Aleppo".
  42. 1 2 3 Fadel, Leith (3 August 2016). "Syrian Army rolls back jihadist gains in southern Aleppo".
  43. Fadel, Leith (31 July 2016). "Russian Air Force emerges in southern Aleppo to help drive back jihadists". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  44. "Rebels attempt to break encirclement of Aleppo". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  45. 1 2 Fadel, Leith (1 August 2016). "Jihadist rebels capture key site in Aleppo City". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  46. Fadel, Leith (1 August 2016). "Battle for Aleppo City heats up as the Syrian Army counters". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  47. Fadel, Leith (1 August 2016). "Syrian Army storms key site in Aleppo City: video". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  48. Adra, Zen (1 August 2016). "Field Report: Syrian Army loses key hilltop in southern Aleppo amid jihadist advance. Map Update". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  49. "Al-Fatih Continue Progressing And Seizes Over Sharfa Village Southern Aleppo - Qasion News Agency". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  50. Charkatli, Izat (1 August 2016). "Syrian Army launches counteroffensive in southwest Aleppo under heavy air cover". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  51. Charkatli, Izat (1 August 2016). "Syrian Army recaptures strategic area in Aleppo: Map Update". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  52. "Continued clashes in Aleppo and explosive barrels target areas of Aleppo countryside". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  53. user6. "معارك عنيفة وهجوم معاكس لقوات النظام على أطراف المدينة و28 شهيداً على الأقل في قذائف استهدفت المدينة". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  54. Charkatli, Izat (1 August 2016). "Breaking: Syrian Army storms Handarat Camp in Aleppo city". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  55. "Syrian Kurdish forces reject regime request to leave positions in Aleppo". August 1, 2015.
  56. user4. "قصف جوي يستهدف أحياء بمدينة حلب مع استمرار الاشتباكات في أطرافها الجنوبية الغربية". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  57. "Peto Lucem on Twitter".
  58. 1 2 Adra, Zen (2 August 2016). "Field Report: jihadists in Aleppo advance amid bid to lift siege. Map Update". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  59. "Syria war: Rebels vow to intensify offensive in Aleppo".
  60. "Opposition Forces Break The Syrian Regime Front-Lines In Ramoosa - Qasion News Agency". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  61. "Syrian opposition forces seize over Talet Al-Huwaiz village in the southern countryside of Aleppo - Qasion News Agency". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  62. 1 2 3 "Aleppo's Decisive Battle". The Inside Source.
  63. "Syria Aleppo siege: Government forces 'roll back rebel gains' - BBC News".
  64. "النظام يستعيد نقاط خسرها بحلب وحركة نزوح في المدينة وضحايا بقصف على إدلب وريف دمشق". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  65. user4. "ضربات جوية تستهدف 6 أحياء بمدينة حلب و10 مناطق وبلدات بريفها الغربي تخلف شهداء وجرحى ومعارك متواصلة بعنف في جنوب غرب المدينة". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  66. "Agathocle de Syracuse - Aleppo rebels counter offensive (July 31 – ongoing)".
  67. user4. "ضربات جوية مكثفة تستهدف مدينة حلب وأطرافها الجنوبية الغربية ومزيد من الخسائر البشرية في سقوط قذائف على أحياء فيها". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  68. Tomson, Chris (2 August 2016). "SouthFront: Battle for Handarat Camp in northern Aleppo becomes do-or-die".
  69. 1 2 Tomson, Chris (3 August 2016). "Jihadist commanders halt Aleppo offensive to redraw plans".
  70. "Alleged chemical attacks are the latest development in Aleppo".
  71. "Syria regime in Aleppo fightback".
  72. Fadel, Leith (4 August 2016). "Jihadists launch massive assault on southern Aleppo". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  73. "Syrian Opposition Forces Launch "The Martyr Ibrahim Yusuf" Battle … And Seize Over New Positions In Aleppo - Qasion News Agency". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  74. user6. "هجوم عنيف للفصائل بجنوب مدينة حلب والطائرات تغير على مخيمين للنازحين قرب الأتارب وأكثر من 20 قضوا واستشهدوا بقذائف على المدينة". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  75. Fadel, Leith (4 August 2016). "Intense battle footage from southern Aleppo". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  76. Fadel, Leith (4 August 2016). "Russian Air Force pounds Aleppo City while the Syrian Army counters Jaysh Al-Fateh". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  77. Fadel, Leith (5 August 2016). "Russian airstrikes propel the Syrian Army in southern Aleppo". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  78. Charkatli, Izat (5 August 2016). "Syrian Army reverses rebel gains in southwest Aleppo". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  79. "Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - Timeline - Facebook". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  80. 1 2 user4. "معارك عنيفة يشهدها مخيم حندرات وجنوب غرب مدينة حلب ومزيد من الشهداء في أحياء بالمدينة". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  81. user4. "هجوم عنيف للفصائل في مرحلة جديدة من "غزوة إبراهيم اليوسف" وقصف مكثف يرافق المعارك العنيفة بجنوب مدينة حلب". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  82. 1 2 "Syrian rebels storm Aleppo artillery base, army says attack repelled". 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016 via Reuters.
  83. Charkatli, Izat (5 August 2016). "Jihadists launch massive offensive on artillery base following VBIED". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  84. 1 2 3 Charkatli, Izat (5 August 2016). "Syrian Army devastates largest militant offensive on Ramousah Base to date". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  85. "Syria rebels claim taking part of military college in Aleppo". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  86. Fadel, Leith (5 August 2016). "Battle for northern Aleppo heats up after the Syrian Army attacks Handarat Camp". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  87. "Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - Timeline - Facebook". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  88. Fadel, Leith (6 August 2016). "Battle for Aleppo intensifies as jihadists enter Artillery Base". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  89. "Jayesh Al-Fatih Raids The Air Forces School And Clashes With The Regime Inside - Qasion News Agency". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  90. Fadel, Leith (6 August 2016). "Jihadist rebels capture key military base in southern Aleppo". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  91. user4. "الفصائل تسيطر على كلية التسليح وأجزاء واسعة من كتيبة المدفعية وتحاول السيطرة على المدرسة الفنية الجوية بجنوب غرب مدينة حلب". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  92. Charkatli, Izat (6 August 2016). "Massive reinforcements arrive to drive back jihadists from southwest Aleppo". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  93. "Syria rebels try to break government siege in Aleppo". Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  94. "Syria rebels claim to have broken Assad regime's siege of Aleppo". Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  95. Fath Aleppo operations room confirms the continuation of its campaign and securing anyone who intended to go to areas controlled by factions
  96. "Siege of eastern Aleppo resumes as Syrian government re-takes army site". Reuters. Sep 4, 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/5/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.