Aleppo offensive (August–September 2016)

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

Battle map of Aleppo during September 2016
Date11 August – 11 September 2016
(1 month)
LocationAleppo, Syria
Result

Syrian Army and allies victory

  • Army recaptures the Ramouseh Military Base, parts of the Ramouseh district and several hills and villages, once again besieging rebel-held eastern Aleppo[1][1]
Belligerents

Syrian Arab Republic

Liwa al-Quds[2]
Ba'ath Brigades[3]
Hezbollah[2]
Airstrikes:
 Russia[2]

 Fatah Halab
Jabhat Fateh al-Sham
Ahrar al-Sham
Civil uprising
in Syria (March–August 2011)
Start of insurgency (September 2011 – April 2012)
Cease-fire and civil war (May 2012 – December 2013)
Rise of the Islamists (January–September 2014)
United States-led intervention (September 2014 – September 2015)
Russian intervention (September 2015 – March 2016)
Aleppo escalation and Turkish intervention (March 2016–present)

The Aleppo offensive (August–September 2016) was a Syrian Army counter-offensive launched on the southern outskirts of Aleppo in mid-September 2016. The aim of the offensive was to recapture territory lost due to a rebel offensive earlier in August and besiege the rebel-held part of Aleppo once again.

The offensive

Fighting at the 1070 Housing Project

Map of the offensive

Between 11 and 17 August, the Army launched several counter-attacks, primarily against the 1070 Housing Project.[4][5][6] During the fighting on 11 August, 29 government and up to 20 rebel fighters were killed.[7] By 17 August, government forces recaptured about 70 percent of the district.[8][9]

Early on 14 August, a large rebel attack was launched against the Army-held cement plant, in an attempt to enlarge the four kilometer wide rebel supply line. The assault was repelled after heavy fighting[10] for more than a day, with 35 rebels and 17 soldiers being killed.[11] On the evening of 15 August, the Army and Hezbollah launched a new counter-attack at the 1070 Al-Hamdaniyah Housing Project,[12] and by the next morning finally broke through the first rebel defense line, reportedly securing around 80% of the district.[13]

Battle for the Military Academy

On 17 August, after capturing most of the 1070 Al-Hamdaniyah Housing Project, government forces also stormed the Air Force Technical Base of the Al-Assad Military Academy. The former government commander of the base Brig. Gen. Deeb Bazi was killed as he led the assault.[8][9] Unable to fortify their position in the Air Force Base, the government forces eventually retreated as the rebels launched a counter-attack.[9][14] The next day, government forces captured the villages of Al-Qarassi, Tal Sanourabat and Al-‘Amariyah in the southern Aleppo countryside. Later that day, however, the rebel forces managed to regain all three villages.[15][16][17]

On 19 August, Republican Guard reinforcements from Damascus arrived in Aleppo for a new assault against the Aleppo Artillery Academy,[18] which began later that day. Meanwhile, government forces, supported by the IRGC and Shia militas, also launched another attack to capture Al-Qarassi, which was considered as the gateway to the strategically significant town of Khan Tuman.[19] In the following night, government forces seized Tal Al-Aqra[20] and thereby cut the Aleppo Artillery Academy's rebel defenders off from their main force. On 20 August, pro-government fighters stormed Al-Qarassi once again.[21]

On 21 August, government forces captured Umm Qara hill that overlooks the Khan Touman-Ramouseh Road near Al-Qarassi,[22][23] as well as SyriaTel hill.[23][24] Between 21 and 24 August, the rebels launched four counter-attacks in an attempt to recapture Umm Qara hill, with all attacks eventually being repelled. Both sides suffered heavy casualties during the fighting, but the rebel's losses were far greater.[25]

On 22 August, the pro-government forces continued their offensive, taking control of the Al-Ramouseh Roundabout and Bridge, and later on storming the Aleppo Artillery Academy, resulting in a fierce battle with the rebel defenders.[26] Eventually, government troops were pushed back from the Academy.[27] Between 23 and 27 August, the pro-government forces launched several attacks on both the Aleppo Technical College and the 1070 Housing Project; no progress was made at the latter, though government forces managed to gain a foothold inside the college.[28][29][30] As the pro-government forces failed to make further advances at the Technical College, they instead concentrated on the nearby, strategically important hill of Tal Sanourbat. The Syrian Army and Hezbollah consequently captured the hill on 30 August,[31] while a Tiger Forces-led attack succeeded in capturing the hilltops of Tal Qarassi, Tal ‘Amarah, Barandeh and Qarassi village.[32] Furthermore, over 120 Russian Naval Infantry soldiers arrived on that day with BMPs in Aleppo, coming as military advisors for the government forces from Latakia.[33][34]

On 1 September, pro-government forces stormed the Armament School,[35] resulting in an extremely fierce battle that resulted in heavy casualties for both rebel defenders as well as the government attackers. After three days of fighting, the Tiger Forces, Liwa al-Quds, Hezbollah attacked the Armament School from the north, while Syrian Army units launched simultaneous assault from the south, finally overwhelming the defenders and capturing the whole complex.[36][37][38] Thus, government troops reestablished the siege of rebel-held areas of Aleppo.[39]

Rebel lines collapse

On 5 September, rebel frontlines in southern Aleppo collapsed, with pro-government forces overrunning three villages, three hills, two factories, two storage facilities, an Air Defense Base and a quarry. The rebels had also reportedly retreated from the 1070 projects and the Al-Hikma school.[40][41][42] However, later, it was reported fighting continued at the 1070 projects, where there were contradictory reports who held most of the district.[43][44]

On 6 September, pro-government forces attacked the Ramouseh district, reportedly capturing the Ramouseh Oven and Al-Dabaghat Plant.[45] They also conducted an assault near the town of Khan Touman,[46] capturing the Khan Touman Ammunition depots and some points in outskirts of the town.[43][47] Over the next two days, the Syrian Army captured the whole Ramouseh district,[48][49][50][51] reopening the Ramouseh Road to supply government-held western Aleppo by 9 September.[52] Meanwhile, an air strike was conducted on a high level meeting of Army of Conquest top commanders near Aleppo, killing several Jabhat Fateh al-Sham leaders, most prominently Abu Hajer Al-Homsi, chief military commander of the group.[53][54][55] The rebels initially accused the United States of conducting the strike, but this was denied by the Pentagon and subsequently Russia took responsibility.[56]

On 10–11 September, the Syrian Army and its allies continued to advance in the 1070 Al-Hamdaniyah Housing Project and the Al-‘Amariyah District. They also continued to target the Hikmah School.[57][58][59]

On 11 September, airstrikes interrupted Eid al-Adha celebrations in rebel-held areas of Aleppo and Idlib. US and Russian officials negotiated a ceasefire hours prior, which was to go into effect later the following day at sundown.[60]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Fadel, Leith (8 September 2016). "[Map] Syrian Army attempts to capture new sites in southern Aleppo". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Charkatli, Izat (25 June 2016). "Heavy Russian airstrikes on Aleppo amid preparations for huge ground offensive". Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  3. ↑ Fadel, Leith (27 June 2016). "Syrian Army advances in northern Aleppo". Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  4. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (14 August 2016). "Battle of Aleppo: Field Report". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  5. ↑ Fadel, Leith (12 August 2016). "Jihadists foil first Syrian Army offensive in southern Aleppo". Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  6. ↑ Fadel, Leith (13 August 2016). "Syrian Army advances in southern Aleppo amid Russian airstrikes". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  7. ↑ "The Inside Source". Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  8. 1 2 Adra, Zen (17 August 2016). "Field Report: Syrian Army storms Technical Base in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 "SAA Retreats From The Technical College!". Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  10. ↑ "The Inside Source". Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  11. ↑ "Syria conflict: Bus blast kills rebels near Turkey border - BBC News". Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  12. ↑ Fadel, Leith (15 August 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah begin counter-attack in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  13. ↑ Fadel, Leith (15 August 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah seize 80 percent of key southern Aleppo district". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  14. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (18 August 2016). "Jihadist repel Syrian Army attack on Ramousah Base". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  15. ↑ "Syrian Army, Hezbollah capture several points in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  16. ↑ Fadel, Leith (18 August 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah launch new assault in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  17. ↑ Fadel, Leith (18 August 2016). "Jaysh Al-Fateh recaptures lost points in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  18. ↑ Fadel, Leith (19 August 2016). "Syrian Army reinforcements pour into southern Aleppo for next offensive". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  19. ↑ Fadel, Leith (19 August 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah launch new attack at key military site in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  20. ↑ Fadel, Leith (20 August 2016). "[Breaking] Syrian Army launches biggest attack on key military base in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  21. ↑ Fadel, Leith (20 August 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah storm important village in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  22. ↑ Continued clashes and advances for the regime in Aleppo
  23. 1 2 "The Inside Source". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  24. ↑ Fadel, Leith (21 August 2016). "Syrian Army captures SyriaTel Hill in southern Aleppo". Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  25. ↑ "The Inside Source". Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  26. ↑ Fadel, Leith (22 August 2016). "Syrian Army enters key military base in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  27. ↑ Continued clashes in Aleppo after an attack by regime forces on the area
  28. ↑ Fadel, Leith (23 August 2016). "Syrian Army storms southern Aleppo military base". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  29. ↑ Fadel, Leith (25 August 2016). "[Map] Syrian Army, Hezbollah attack Jaysh Al-Fateh in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  30. ↑ Fadel, Leith (27 August 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah storm Aleppo Technical College". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  31. ↑ Fadel, Leith (30 August 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah capture Tal Sanourbat in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  32. ↑ Fadel, Leith (30 August 2016). "Syrian Army makes huge strides in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  33. ↑ Fadel, Leith (29 August 2016). "Russian troops head to Aleppo City". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  34. ↑ Fadel, Leith (30 August 2016). "Russian Army convoy arrives in Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  35. ↑ Fadel, Leith (2 September 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah attack strategic military site in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  36. ↑ "BREAKING - Artillery Base in South Aleppo under SAA Control!". The Inside Source. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  37. ↑ Fadel, Leith (4 September 2016). "Syrian Army captures strategic military base in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  38. ↑ Editorial, Reuters. "Siege of eastern Aleppo resumes as Syrian government re-takes army site". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  39. ↑ "IS ousted from Turkey border as Syria army besieges Aleppo". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  40. ↑ Fadel, Leith (5 September 2016). "Syrian Army makes huge gains in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  41. ↑ "BREAKING! Rebel Frontline Collapses in South Aleppo!". BREAKING! Rebel Frontline Collapses in South Aleppo!. 5 September 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  42. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (5 September 2016). "Syrian Army continues massive advance in S. Aleppo amidst jihadist collapse". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  43. 1 2 "The Inside Source". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  44. ↑ آزادسازی مدرسه الحکمه و ارتفاعات الموته در جنوب حلب
  45. ↑ Fadel, Leith (6 September 2016). "Syrian Army attacks important district in southern Aleppo". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  46. ↑ Fadel, Leith (6 September 2016). "Hezbollah, Syrian Army attack Khan Touman in southern Aleppo". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  47. ↑ "المزيد من القذائف على حي الجورة بدير الزور وقوات النظام تتقدم بمحيط خان طومان جنوب حلب". syriahr.com.
  48. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (7 September 2016). "Breaking: Syrian Army launches massive offensive in south Aleppo district". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  49. ↑ Fadel, Leith (7 September 2016). "Syrian Army captures the Ramouseh Garages in southern Aleppo". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  50. ↑ Fadel, Leith (8 September 2016). "Syrian Army captures several sites in southern Aleppo". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  51. ↑ قوات النظام تستعيد السيطرة على حي الراموسة بعد أسابيع على خسارتها للمنطقة
  52. ↑ Fadel, Leith (9 September 2016). "Syrian Army opens key southern Aleppo road". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  53. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (8 September 2016). "Breaking: Airstrike targets Jaish Al-Fateh meeting in Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  54. ↑ Charkatli, Izat (9 September 2016). "Nusra Front former commander killed in Syria, fighters say". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  55. ↑ "Air strike kills Syria's top jihadist rebel commander". The Daily Mail. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  56. ↑ Fadel, Leith (10 September 2016). "Pentagon denies killing jihadist commanders in Aleppo". Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  57. ↑ Fadel, Leith (10 September 2016). "Syrian Army advances in southern Aleppo amid jihadist collapse". Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  58. ↑ Fadel, Leith (10 September 2016). "Syrian Army captures more territory in southern Aleppo". Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  59. ↑ Fadel, Leith (11 September 2016). "Syrian Army launches massive assault in southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  60. ↑ "Hopes fade for peaceful Eid in Syria as over 100 killed". Retrieved 12 September 2016 – via Al Jazeera.
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