East Aleppo offensive (2015–2016)

Following the Syrian Arab Army's successful Kuweires offensive,[21] during the Syrian Civil War, which ended with the securing of the Kuweires Military Airbase on 16 November 2015,[22] the Syrian Army launched a new offensive in the eastern countryside of the Aleppo Governorate, with the aim of expanding the buffer zone around the airbase and disrupting ISIL supply lines.[23]

For the later offensives, see East Aleppo offensive (2017) and Maskanah Plains offensive.
East Aleppo offensive (2015–2016)
Part of the Syrian Civil War and the Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War

Map of the frontline changes in the Aleppo Province from 1–22 February 2016
     Syrian Army control     Syrian Opposition control     SDF control     Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant control
Date18 November 2015 – 21 February 2016[1]
(3 months and 3 days)
Location
Eastern Aleppo Governorate, Syria
Result

Decisive Syrian Army victory[2]

  • The Syrian Army advances east, north, and west of the Kuweires airbase,[3] capturing 61 villages and the Aleppo Thermal Power Plant,[4] and clearing 40 kilometers of highway
Belligerents

Syrian Arab Republic

 Iran

Ba'ath Brigades[6]

Air strikes:
 Russia

 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Commanders and leaders

Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani[8][9]
(Chief strategist)
Gen. Suheil al-Hassan[10]
(Tiger Forces commander)

Viktor Bondarev		 Umar Al-Absi[11]
(Killed after the offensive)
Units involved

Syrian Army:

  • Tiger Forces[6]
    • Cheetah Forces
      • Cheetah Forces Team 3[12]
  • Suqur al-Sahara[13]

Naval Infantry advisors[14]
Aerospace Forces

 Military of ISIL
Strength
Unknown 800+ fighters (on 20 Feb. 2016)[12]
Casualties and losses
35+ soldiers killed, dozens wounded[16] 190+ killed[17][18][19][20]

The offensive

Expansion around the Kuweires Airbase

Between 18 and 19 November, Syrian government forces captured the village of Jamayliyah,[23][24] the Sheikh Ahmad Train Station, the Sheikh Ahmad Production Facility[25][26] and the hilltop of Tal Humaymah, positioning themselves only 8 km away from ISIL's long-time stronghold of Dayr Hafir.[27]

Between 27 November and 7 December, Syrian government forces captured four villages near the Kuweires air base.[28][29][30][31][32] In late December, they continued their advances by seizing five more villages and a hill north of the Kuweires Airbase,[33][34][35][36] with Najjarah being taken on the last day of 2015.[37][38]

On 10 January 2016, Syrian government forces captured the village of Ayishah,[39] and two days later another four nearby, bringing them only a few kilometers away from the southern perimeter of the city of Al-Bab.[40]

Between 13 and 15 January, Syrian government troops captured seven more villages on the road between Al-Bab and the Kuweiris air base. A subsequent ISIL counterattack recaptured one of them (Aran).[41][42][43][44][45][46][47]

The push westwards

On 23 January, the Syrian Army launched a full attack west of Kuweires, with the intention of linking up with government-held territory at the Sheikh Najjar Industrial District of Aleppo city. By 3 February, Syrian government forces had captured 11 villages west and northwest of the base, and were 13 kilometers from Sheikh Najjar.[3] During this time, on 28 January, ISIL conducted a counterattack against the villages they lost during the previous days. The subsequent fighting left 20 Syrian soldiers and 14 ISIL militants dead.[48] One of the main objectives during the military's assault was the Aleppo Thermal Power Plant. On 31 January, the Army cut ISIL's supply lines to the plant and fighting raged on its perimeter.[49]

On 3 February, the Tiger Forces along with the NDF, Desert Hawks Brigade and Ba'ath Brigades captured Al-Si'in.[13] In the evening of 3 February, Syrian government forces stormed the village of Tayyibah. Soon afterwards, ISIL reportedly started to withdraw from the village, while fighting still continued in Tayyibah. Meanwhile, Syrian government troops bypassed the Aleppo Thermal Power Plant, due to dozens of improvised traps, mines, and highly entrenched ISIL fighters in its vicinity.[50]

On 7 February, ISIL recaptured two villages,[51] while Syrian government forces captured another village and a hill,[52][53] bringing them to within 7 kilometers of Sheikh Najjar and closing the ISIL pocket.[54] An attempted ISIL counterattack against the hill left 11 militants dead.[55]

On 13 February, the Syrian Army recaptured Jubb al Kalb village, less than one week after losing it to an ISIL counterattack.[56][57] The following day, the Syrian Army captured four villages, including Tayyibah (300 meters from the Power Plant) and Barlehiyah (7 kilometers from government-held territory to the west).[58][59][60][61]

On 18 February, the Syrian Army seized Al-Si'in once again, as well as Jubb Al-Ghabishah.[62][63][64]

Encirclement

On 20 February, the Syrian Army, backed by the National Defence Force, captured the Aleppo Thermal Power Plant and imposed "full control" over the facility.[4] 30 ISIS militants were killed and four of their armored vehicles were destroyed during the battle.[19] Tiger Forces, National Defense Forces and Suqur al-Sahara then captured the village of Balat and its surrounding farms.[19] On the same day, Suqur al-Sahara and the Cheetah Forces Team 3 captured the village of Turaykiyah, fully besieging the pocket of 800 ISIL fighters in east Aleppo, with their only options being to surrender or be killed.[12]

On the next day, 21 February, the last pockets of resistance were overcome, with pro-government forces in possession of all the towns and villages in the Al-Safira plains. It was reported that 700 of the ISIL militants had escaped the encirclement during the previous week as the government forces skirted around their northern flank, leaving 100–150 remaining fighters who were trapped.[1] 20 villages were seized over the previous 24 hours and 40 kilometers of highway were cleared, putting an end to the 3 month offensive.[65][66] In addition, 50 ISIL fighters were killed during the previous 24 hours.[20]

Aftermath
Main article: 2016 Khanasir offensive
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See also

References
  1. Leith Fadel (21 February 2016). "Battle for Al-Safira Plains in east Aleppo is over: Tiger Forces capture every village". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  2. Chris Tomson (21 February 2016). "Syrian Army victorious in eastern Aleppo as ISIS faces utter collapse - Map update". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  3. Chris Tomson (3 February 2016). "ISIS pocket in eastern Aleppo surrounded by the Syrian Army - Map update". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  4. Ibra Joudeh (20 February 2016). "Breaking: Tiger Forces capture Aleppo Thermal Power Plant in east Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  5. Leith Fadel. "Syrian Army Captures Al-Nasiriyah in East Aleppo: 7km from Kuweires Military Airport". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  6. Leith Fadel (9 January 2016). "Breaking: Tiger Forces launch massive assault in east Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  7. Leith Fadel (5 October 2015). "Russian Air Force Strikes ISIS in Al-Raqqa and East Aleppo: Terrorists Suffer Heavy Casualties". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  8. "Syrian Army, Hezbollah Lift ISIL's 2.5-Year-Long Siege of Kuweires Airbase in Aleppo". 11 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  9. Leith Fadel. "General Suleimani Oversees the Large-Scale Offensive in Southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  10. Ibra Joudah (17 January 2016). "In Motion: General Suheil al-Hassan oversees Tiger Forces' liberation of Multafitah village (Eng Sub)". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  11. Leith Fadel (4 March 2016). "Top ISIS commander in Aleppo killed". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  12. Leith Fadel (20 February 2016). "Tiger Forces complete the east Aleppo encirclement: 800+ ISIS fighters trapped". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  13. Paul Antonopoulos (3 February 2016). "SAA liberate Al-Sin in east Aleppo, continues to encircle ISIS". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  14. http://osnetdaily.com/2015/09/russian-marines-in-first-battle-against-isis-in-syria/ |date=11 Nov 2019
  15. "Battle for East Aleppo Intensifies as ISIS and the Syrian Army Fight for Kuweires Airbase". Al-Masdar News. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  16. "Dozens of Syrian army forces killed in ISIS-led offensive in Aleppo - ARA News". ARA News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  17. Leith Fadel (18 January 2016). "Tiger Forces derail the ISIS offensive in east Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  18. Leith Fadel (22 January 2016). "Tiger Forces repulse the ISIS offensive in east Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  19. Leith Fadel (20 February 2016). "Tiger Forces liberate the strategic Aleppo Thermal Power Plant from ISIS". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  20. "50 IS fighters killed in Syria regime Aleppo advance: monitor". AFP. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  21. "Cheetah Forces Lift the Three Year Long Siege of the Kuweires Military Airbase". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  22. Leith Fadel. "Kuweires Military Airport Officially Secure as the Syrian Army Captures Kaskays Village". Al Masdar. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  23. "Syrian Army Captures Jamayliyah in East Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  24. khaled. "قوات النظام تتمكن من التقدم قرب مطار كويرس العسكري". المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  25. The regime forces advance again in the eastern countryside of Aleppo and control a train station
  26. Leith Fadel (19 November 2015). "Tiger Forces Advance South of the Kuweires Airport: Sheikh Ahmad Railway Station Captured". Al-Masdar News.
  27. "Tiger Forces Capture 3 Villages in East Aleppo as ISIS Fighters Abandon the Jabboul Lake Front". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  28. Reuters Editorial (28 November 2015). "Syrian army advances against Islamic State east of Aleppo: Syria state TV". Reuters. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  29. The regime forces regain control of two villages in the eastern countryside of Aleppo and dozens wounded in bombing by the factions on Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood
  30. "ISIS Continues Massive Retreat in Eastern Aleppo as the Tiger Forces Liberate the Village of Nasrallah". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  31. "Tiger Forces Advance in East Aleppo After Capturing Al-Shuwaylekh". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  32. Edward. "More fighters killed in clashes in the southern countryside of Aleppo, while the clashes continue in the eastern countryside". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  33. Leith Fadel. "Breaking: Tiger Forces capture 2 villages in east Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  34. edward. "قوات النظام تتمكن من التقدم في ريف حلب الشرقي وتسيطر على منطقتين فيها وقصف متبادل في أطراف عفرين". المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  35. Edward. "Violent clashes in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo, and the regime forces try to cut off strategic road". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  36. "Tiger Forces eye the ISIS strongholds of Al-Bab and Deir Hafer in east Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  37. "Tiger Forces capture Najarah in east Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  38. "Timeline Photos - Qasion News Agency_EN - Facebook". Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  39. "Tiger Forces enter Al-Bab Plateau after seizing village of Ayishah". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  40. "Tiger Forces capture 4 villages in east Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  41. khaled. "قوات النظام تتقدم في ريف حلب الشرقي وتسيطر على قرية وقصف جوي يستهدف مناطق في المدينة". المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  42. "Syrian Army marches towards al-Bab: Aleppo map update". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  43. khaled. "قوات النظام تتقدم مجدداً في ريف حلب الشرقي وتنظيم "الدولة الإسلامية" ينفذ هجوماً معاكساً بالريف الشمالي". المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  44. "Breaking: Tiger Forces capture 4 more villages in east Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  45. Jack. "قذائف على مدينة حلب وغارات على ريف اعزاز وريف حمص الشمالي". المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  46. edward. "مقتل 21 عنصراً من قوات النظام والمسلحين الموالين لها في هجوم الفصائل وسيطرتهم على حرش خان طومان وقوات النظام تتراجع عن بلدة بريف الباب". المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  47. "Tiger Forces capture the village of Rasm Al-Sirhan in east Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  48. khaled. "34 قتيلاً على الأقل من قوات النظام وتنظيم "الدولة الإسلامية" في هجوم مضاد للأخير بريف حلب الشرقي". المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  49. اشتباكات متواصلة بمحيط منطقة المحطة الحرارية وغارات تستهدف ريفي حلب الشمالي والغربي وتخلف جرحى
  50. Chris Tomson (3 February 2016). "Tiger Forces storm Tayyibah village in eastern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  51. Leith Fadel (7 February 2016). "ISIS recaptures Al-Si'in in east Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  52. قوات النظام تتقدم في ريف حلب الشرقي والوحدات الكردية تسيطر على طريق جنوب دير جمال وعشرات العوائل تصل لمدينة عفرين
  53. قوات النظام تتقدم في ريف حلب الشرقي وتسيطر على تلة فيها ومزيد من الضربات الجوية تستهدف المنطقة
  54. Leith Fadel (8 February 2016). "Tiger Forces 7 km away from encircling ISIS in east Aleppo (Video)". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  55. مقتل 11 عنصراً من تنظيم “الدولة الإسلامية” في معارك بريف حلب الشرقي ومزيد من الشهداء يرفع إلى 16 عدد خسائر مجزرة الصالحين التي نفذتها الطائرات الروسية
  56. Chris Tomson (13 February 2016). "Syrian Army recaptures Jubb al-Kalb from ISIS - Eastern Aleppo Map". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  57. قوات النظام تقترب من عندان وتسيطر على منطقة الطامورة الاستراتيجية بريف حلب الشمالي
  58. Leith Fadel (15 February 2016). "ISIS is in serious trouble as the Tiger Forces prepare to enter the strategic Aleppo Thermal Plant". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  59. قوات سوريا الديمقراطية تقطع الطريق الرئيسي بين اعزاز وتل رفعت بريف حلب الشمالي وتقدم لقوات النظام بريف حلب الشرقي
  60. مزيد من الخسائر البشرية في صفوف قوات سوريا الديمقراطية في القصف التركي واشتباكات ريف حلب وتقدم متجدد لقوات النظام في ريفها الشرقي
  61. استشهاد سيدة وطفلين اثنين في قصف القوات التركية خلال الـ 24 ساعة الفائتة وقوات النظام تتقدم بريف حلب الشرقي
  62. Leith Fadel (18 February 2016). "Tiger Forces capture Jubb Al-Ghabishah in east Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  63. قوات النظام تتقدم من جديد بريف حلب الشرقي والطائرات المروحية تستهدف حيان وعندان بالريف الشمالي
  64. قوات النظام تقصف ريف جسر الشغور وتتقدم في ريف حلب الشرقي
  65. "Syrian army seizes Aleppo villages, takes aim at Raqqa". Al-Jazeera. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  66. Advances for regime forces in Aleppo countryside
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