Combat operations in 2016 during the Battle of Aleppo

This is a chronological account of combat operations in 2016 during the Battle of Aleppo, part of the Syrian Civil War.

February

On 22 February, Jund al-Aqsa captured the village of Rasm al-Nafal, to the southwest of Lake Jabbul, severing the Ithriyah-Khanasser Highway again for the second time in 5 months. Soon afterwards, the Syrian Army deployed reinforcements to the village from the town of Al-Safira, to recapture it and reopen the key supply route.[1][2] By the next day, ISIL had also captured multiple villages along the southern shore of Lake Jabbul and to the south of Rasm al-Nafal, sealing off more of the Aleppo road. Although the Syrian Army managed to recapture a number of points on the highway, they were still unable to expel the Syrian rebel and ISIL forces from the vast majority of the villages that they had seized.[3] ISIL forces also captured a point on the Sheikh Hilal-Ithriyah Road, shutting down that highway as well.[4] Later on 23 February, it was reported that ISIL captured the strategic town of Khanasser, advancing further along the Ithriya-Khanasser Highway.[5]

On 25 February, the Army launched a large-scale counterattack, dislodging ISIL from the town of Khanasir, which had been captured by the militants two days earlier.[6] The counter-attack concluded 29 February 2016, when the Syrian Arab Army re-opened a supply route to Aleppo city.[7]

March

On 20 March, ISIL forces started an assault on the Sheikh Najjar Industrial District,[8] capturing the villages of Kafr Saghir and Babinnis. By 22 March, however, the Syrian Army managed to repel the ISIL offensive and regain control over the two villages.[9]

June

See also 2016 Aleppo campaign (June-September 2016)

On 25 June, the Syrian army and allied forces began their long-awaited North-west Aleppo offensive.[10] The ultimate goal of the offensive was to cut the Castello highway, which is the last supply route for rebels inside the city, thus fully encircling remaining opposition forces.[11]

July

See also 2016 Aleppo campaign (June-September 2016)

On 7 July, the Syrian Army imposed fire control over the Castello highway, as they advanced to within 1 km of the last rebel supply route into Eastern Aleppo, after capturing the Southern Mallah farms from the Al Nusra Front and other forces.[12]

On 11 July, Jabhat Al-Nusra launched an offensive inside Aleppo city capturing 10 buildings near the Al-Morour building (police station); however, this offensive was repelled and the SAA retook control of all lost buildings.[13]

On 17 July, the Syrian Army reached and captured the Castello highway, tightening the blockade of the rebel-held eastern Aleppo.[14][15]

On 27 July, the Army officially declared it had cut off all rebel supply routes into Aleppo.[16]

Following the implementation of the siege, Syrian President Bashar Assad offered a general amnesty to militants who surrender to the government authorities in the next three months. Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, said that President Putin ordered a large-scale humanitarian operation outside Aleppo ”to help civilians who were taken hostage by terrorists as well as fighters who wanted to lay down the arms.” Shoigu also mentioned that three humanitarian corridors as well as food and first aid points will be offered outside the city.[17] The rebels prevented residents from fleeing through humanitarian corridors, with only a few residents being able to leave encircled opposition-held districts.[18][19] Pro-opposition sources claimed two young men were shot by Army snipers while they were trying to cross through the humanitarian crossings.[20][21]

August

See 2016 Aleppo campaign (June-September 2016)

September

See 2016 Aleppo campaign (June-September 2016)

On 22 September, airstrikes were conducted on five districts of Aleppo.[22][23] By the next day, due to the continues airstrikes, whole neighborhoods were in flames.[24] Meanwhile, the Army made ground advances in the north and south of the city.[25][26]

On 24 September, the airstrikes continued,[27] while the Army advanced in the Handarat Camp district and near the Aleppo citadel.[28] By the end of the day, government troops withdrew from the Handarat Camp.[29] Om 25 September, government forces secured the Shaher district and launched a new assault on the Handarat Camp.[30]

On 27 September, airstrikes hit two hospitals,[31] while the Army captured the Farafira district.[32]

On 28 September, government troops advanced in the al-Suweiqa district of Old Aleppo.[33]

On 29 September, the Army took control of the Handarat Camp district[34] and subsequently attacked the Kindi hospital, which had been made into a rebel base,[35] as well as the nearby Shaqayf district.[36]

On 30 September, government forces seized the Kindi hospital,[37] while "back and forth" fighting took place in the central Suleiman Al-Halabi district.[38]

References

  1. Leith Fadel (22 February 2016). "ISIS cuts the only government supply line to Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  2. Leith Fadel (22 February 2016). "Breaking: Government reinforcements sent to reopen strategic supply route to Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  3. Leith Fadel (23 February 2016). "Syrian government supply route to Aleppo still cut as fierce clashes continue". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  4. Leith Fadel (23 February 2016). "ISIS cuts two different government supply routes". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  5. Leith Fadel (23 February 2016). "ISIS captures the strategic village of Khanasser in northeast Hama". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  6. Leith Fadel (25 February 2016). "Tiger Forces recapture the important city of Khanasser from ISIS". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  7. Leith Fadel (29 February 2016). "Syrian Army officially reopens strategic supply route to Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  8. Leith Fadel (20 March 2016). "ISIS launches large-scale offensive to break into Aleppo City". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  9. Chris Tomson (22 March 2016). "Car explosion in Qamishli city amid ISIS retreat from Hasakah province". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  10. "Syrian Army begins North west Aleppo offensive". Al Masdar News. 25 June 2016.
  11. Diana Darke "Aleppo: Is besieged Syrian city facing last gasp?" BBC 22 July 2016
  12. "Syrian army fire cuts last rebel supply route". BBC news. 7 July 2016.
  13. https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/islamist-offensive-inside-aleppo-city-grinds-sudden-halt-full-report/
  14. "Syrian army seizes only road into rebel-held Aleppo". Reuters. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  15. "SYRIAN TROOPS BESIEGE REBEL-HELD PARTS OF ALEPPO". ASSOCIATED PRESS. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  16. "Syrian army says cut off all supply routes into east Aleppo". Reuters. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  17. https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russia-launches-large-scale-humanitarian-operation-aleppo/
  18. UN seeks control of Russia escape corridors out of Aleppo
  19. Syria rebels prevent civilians from leaving Aleppo: monitor
  20. "Assad forces killed two young men in the city of Aleppo, while they were trying to cross from the alleged humanitarian crossings". Eldorar. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  21. "Russia-Regime Propaganda Battle Over Aleppo's "Humanitarian Corridors"". Ea worldwiew. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  22. News Desk. "Syrian jets pound east Aleppo ahead of upcoming offensive". almasdarnews.com. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  23. "Aleppo enters second day of bombing in new Syrian army offensive | World news | The Guardian". theguardian.com. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  24. PCL., Post Publishing. "'Doomsday today in Aleppo'". Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  25. Fadel, Leith (24 September 2016). "Liwaa Al-Quds, Syrian Army seize large parts of Handarat Camp in northern Aleppo". Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  26. 27 casualties in massacres carried out by Russian warplanes and helicopters in Aleppo city
  27. "Warplanes press attack on rebel-held eastern Aleppo". Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  28. "SAA Begins Storming East Aleppo!". The Inside Source. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  29. Charkatli, Izat (24 September 2016). "Syrian Army, Quds Brigade withdraw from Handarat Camp". Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  30. Fadel, Leith (25 September 2016). "Liwaa Al-Quds, Syrian Army storm Handarat Camp in northern Aleppo". Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  31. "Two largest hospitals in rebel-held Aleppo bombed". 28 September 2016.
  32. "Syrian army takes rebel neighbourhood in Aleppo, military says - France 24". 27 September 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  33. "Warplanes knock out Aleppo hospitals as Russian-backed assault intensifies". 29 September 2016 via Reuters.
  34. "Pro-Syrian government forces control Aleppo's Handarat camp-rebel".
  35. Fadel, Leith (29 September 2016). "Syrian Army advances to Kindi Hospital in northern Aleppo". Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  36. Fadel, Leith (29 September 2016). "Latest battlefield map of Aleppo City". Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  37. "Syrian army, rebels wage fierce battles in Aleppo". 30 September 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2016 via Reuters.
  38. "Syrian army, rebels wage fierce battles in Aleppo". 30 September 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2016 via Reuters.
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