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On 16 November, goverment forces captured the village of Karkiz and advanced to the village Aqulat Aqulah.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/kuweires-military-airport-officially-secure-as-the-syrian-army-captures-kaskays-village/|title=Kuweires Military Airport Officially Secure as the Syrian Army Captures Kaskays Village|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=16 November 2015|accessdate=16 November 2015}}</ref><ref>[http://www.syriahr.com/2015/11/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8-3/ استمرار الاشتباكات العنيفة في ريف حلب الجنوبي وقوات النظام تسيطر على قرية بالريف الشرقي]</ref>
On 16 November, goverment forces captured the village of Karkiz and advanced to the village Aqulat Aqulah.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/kuweires-military-airport-officially-secure-as-the-syrian-army-captures-kaskays-village/|title=Kuweires Military Airport Officially Secure as the Syrian Army Captures Kaskays Village|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=16 November 2015|accessdate=16 November 2015}}</ref><ref>[http://www.syriahr.com/2015/11/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8-3/ استمرار الاشتباكات العنيفة في ريف حلب الجنوبي وقوات النظام تسيطر على قرية بالريف الشرقي]</ref>

On 17 November, goverment forces entered the village of Humaymah Al-Kabeera in east Aleppo near ISIS stronghold the town of Deir Hafer.<ref>[http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-enters-humaymah-al-kabeera-village-in-east-aleppo/ Breaking: Syrian Army Enters Humaymah Al-Kabeera Village in East Aleppo]</ref> On the next day, goverment forces captured the village of Al-Jamayliyah near the Kuweires Military Airport.<ref>[http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-jamayliyah-in-east-aleppo/ Syrian Army Captures Jamayliyah in East Aleppo]</ref><ref>[http://www.syriahr.com/2015/11/%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%85%D9%83%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%83%D9%88/ قوات النظام تتمكن من التقدم قرب مطار كويرس العسكري]</ref> Later, goverment forces and their allies imposed full control over the villages of ‘Umm Zilaylah, Tal Ayyoub, and ‘Umm Al-Marra and the strategic hilltop of Tal Humaymah.<ref>[http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/tiger-forces-coul-lake-front/ Tiger Forces Capture 3 Villages in East Aleppo as ISIS Fighters Abandon the Jabboul Lake Front]</ref><ref>[http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/11/shells-land-on-the-city-of-aleppo-while-the-clashes-continue-around-kwayres-airbase/ Shells land on the city of Aleppo, while the clashes continue around Kwayres airbase]</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 13:40, 19 November 2015

Kuweires offensive (September–November 2015)
Part of the Battle of Aleppo (2012–present) and the Syrian Civil War

Map of the offensive from September to November
Date14 September[4][5] – 16 November 2015[6]
(1 month, 3 weeks and 6 days)
Location
Aleppo, Syria
Result

Decisive Syrian Army victory[7][8][9]

  • The Army lifts the airbase siege on 10 November[2][10][11]
  • The Army reaches the Aleppo-Raqqa Highway[12]
Belligerents

Syrian Arab Republic

 Iran

Ba'ath Brigades[2]

Air strikes:
 Russia

Islamic State Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Commanders and leaders

Gen. Qassem Soleimani[13][14]
(Chief strategist)
Gen. Hossein Hamadani † (Deputy commander)
Maj. Gen. Munzer Zammam[15]
(Kuweires Airport commander)
Col. Suheil al-Hassan[16] (Tiger Forces commander)
Col. Shadi Isma'el[17] (Cheetah Forces commander)
Col. Lu’ayy Sleitan[17] (Cheetah Forces commander)

Russia Viktor Bondarev		 Unknown
Units involved

Syrian Army:

Aerospace Forces

Islamic State Military of ISIL
Strength
314–1,000 (Kuweires Airport)[20][21]
~4,500 (reinforcements)[22]		 Unknown
Casualties and losses
78 killed, 200+ wounded[23][24] 80 killed [24][25]

On 14 September 2015, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) – in cooperation with the National Defence Forces (NDF) and the Al-Ba’ath Battalion – launched a fresh offensive inside the Aleppo Governorate’s southeastern countryside in order to lift the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham’s (ISIS) two-year-long siege of the isolated Kuweires Military Airbase. This offensive was later complemented by another effort starting mid-October further south, which would be aimed at cementing government control over the main logistical route to Aleppo from central Syria.[26]

The main objective of the offensive was to lift the siege on the Kuweires Military Airport, and relieve the hundreds of soldiers locked into the Kuweires pocket for almost three years, as well as to give significant depth to the main line of communication to the Syrian and allied forces in the province from the south. Also there is a possible long term goal of cutting the Aleppo-Raqqah highway and thereby bisecting ISIL in Syria.[27]

Preparations

The origins of the planning of operations in the Aleppo area could be traced back to Gen. Qasem Soleimani's visit to Moscow in July 2015. Gen. Soleimani was reportedly sent to Syria by the supreme leader of Iran himself, Ali Khamenei, in order to discuss military matters with his Russian couterparts and coordinate a joint escalation of forces in Syria.[28]

Military advisers, including high ranking generals from Iran's Quds force began deploying to Latakia and soon moving to the points of engagement throughout the country in order to plan the coming ground offensives which would be augmented by Russian air-power.[29] With so many Iranian generals patrolling and reconnoitring the front-lines of the Syrian civil war, three of the aforementioned were soon killed in action including a very senior Guards member, Gen. Hossein Hamadani, who was deputy to Qasem Soleimani.[30]

The offensive

Beginning on 15 September, the Syrian army launched attacks along the north-western rim of the al-Jaboul Lake in an attempt to drive the ISIL militants back towards the besieged air-base of Kuweires in eastern Aleppo. The National Defense Forces (NDF) and the Al-Ba’ath Battalion also partook in this effort to gain ground against ISIL. The offensive began with much promise as within two hours of launching their assault, the Syrian Arab Army and National Defense Forces took control of the two hilltops at Tal Na’am and Tal Sab’in, which are located just north of Jabboul Lake.[4]

However, ISIL was able to regroup not long after and launch a counter-attack in which they gained some of their lost territory and checked the rapid advance of the Syrian army. On 22 September, the intervention of the Syrian Arab Airforce enabled the ground forces to regain the initiative and continue their advance by capturing al-Salihiya after sharp engagements with ISIL militants around the town and later gain Tal-Rayman in the drive east towards Kuweires.[31]

On 4 October, the Russian Air Force attacked ISIS along the Dayr Hafir Highway, and the Thermal Plant. This allowed the Cheetah Forces to enter the village of 'Ayn Sabil.[3] A Syrian Army source claimed that 75 militants in the Aleppo governorate were killed in Russian airstrikes in the past two days.[3]

On 16 October, the Army’s special forces, along with the NDF, Ba’ath Battalions and Iraqi militia, reportedly captured the town of Al-Nasiriyah, following fighting that they claimed killed 25 ISIS fighters. They than advanced to the town of Barayjeh, some 7 km from Kuweires.[1]

On 17 October, the military reportedly captured the village of Huwaija.[32] By the next day, government forces took more areas, bringing the total of captured villages since the start of the offensive to five.[33]

On 19 October, the Army captured the village of Bkayze, about seven kilometres from the air base, as well as two other villages near the base.[34] They also captured parts of al-Dekwani.[35] The following day, the military seized parts of the Tal Sbi’ein area.[36]

On 21 October, government forces took control of the Tal Sbi’ein area, including its hill,[37] and two days later al-Dekwani as well,[38] bringing them to within four kilometers of the air base.[39]

On 9 November, government forces captured the town of Sheikh Ahmad, two kilometers from the air base, setting the conditions for a a final assault towards the airport.[20][40]

On 10 November, the Syrian Army lifted the siege of the Kuweires air base after three years.[41] Subsequently, the Army captured the villages of Rasm ‘Abboud and ‘Umm Arkileh near the airport, as a mass ISIL retreat was reported by al-Masdar News from areas east of Aleppo.[8] On the next day, the military, in coordination with its allies, captured the villages Jdaydet Arbin and Arbid in the vicinity of the Kuweires airbase.[42][43]

In the last 24 hours of the fighting around the military airport, 60 ISIL militants, more than 20 Syrian soldiers, 13 Iranian militants and 8 Hezbollah fighters were all killed.[24]

Final Operations

On 14 November, government forces and allies captured the town of Rasm al-Aboud and the ICARDA Farms near the Kweires airbase and killed over 20 ISIS combatants and destroying 4 armored vehicles with 23mm anti-aircraft machine guns.[44][45][46]

On 16 November, goverment forces captured the village of Karkiz and advanced to the village Aqulat Aqulah.[47][48]

On 17 November, goverment forces entered the village of Humaymah Al-Kabeera in east Aleppo near ISIS stronghold the town of Deir Hafer.[49] On the next day, goverment forces captured the village of Al-Jamayliyah near the Kuweires Military Airport.[50][51] Later, goverment forces and their allies imposed full control over the villages of ‘Umm Zilaylah, Tal Ayyoub, and ‘Umm Al-Marra and the strategic hilltop of Tal Humaymah.[52][53]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Leith Fadel. "Syrian Army Captures Al-Nasiriyah in East Aleppo: 7km from Kuweires Military Airport". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Leith Fadel (10 November 2015). "Cheetah Forces Lift the Three Year Long Siege of the Kuweires Military Airbase". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  3. ^ a b c 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.
  4. ^ a b Leith Fadel. "Syrian Army Launches Fresh Offensive to Lift the Two Year Long Siege of the Kuweires Airbase". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  5. ^ Leith Fadel. "Battle Map Update of Southeast Aleppo: Syrian Army on the Offensive Near Kuweires Airbase". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  6. ^ Leith Fadel. "Kuweires Military Airport Officially Secure as the Syrian Army Captures Kaskays Village". Al Masdar. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  7. ^ https://www.rt.com/news/322193-aleppo-kuweires-airbase-liberated/
  8. ^ a b Leith Fadel (10 November 2015). "ISIS Mass Retreating from Several Areas in East Aleppo After the Fall of the Kuweries Airport". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  9. ^ http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/kuweires-defeat-creates-major-issues-for-isis-supply-route-from-raqqa-to-aleppo-cutoff/
  10. ^ khaled. "بعد نحو عامين قوات النظام تصل لأسوار مطار كويرس العسكري وتحاول كسر الحصار عن عناصرها داخل المطار". المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  11. ^ Master. "The regime forces raise the siege imposed on the airbase of Kwayres; some groups reach inside it". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  12. ^ Zero Hour Approaches the Kuwieres Military Airport: Cheetah Forces Reportedly 1km Away
  13. ^ "Syrian Army, Hezbollah Lift ISIL's 2.5-Year-Long Siege of Kuweires Airbase in Aleppo". 11 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  14. ^ Leith Fadel. "General Suleimani Oversees the Large-Scale Offensive in Southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  15. ^ "President Assad Congratulates Colonel Hassan for Liberating the Kuweires Airport". Al-Masdar News. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  16. ^ Leith Fadel (28 October 2015). "Cheetah Forces Press Forward to Kuweires Airport While ISIS Attempts to Redirect the Assault". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  17. ^ a b c Leith Fadel (19 October 2015). "Cheetah Forces Capture 30km of Territory from ISIS in East Aleppo: Kuweires Airport Within Sight". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  18. ^ Leith Fadel (11 November 2015). "Syrian Army and Hezbollah Advance in Southern and Eastern Aleppo – Latest Map Update". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ a b Leith Fadel (11 November 2015). "The Kuweires 314 Defy the Odds: 35 Months to Victory". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  21. ^ Russia and Iran-backed offensive helps regime break Isil's two-year siege on Syrian airbase
  22. ^ Leith Fadel (7 October 2015). "Syrian Army Reinforcements Pour into East Aleppo and Northern Homs: Massive Offensive Awaits". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  23. ^ Cheetah Forces Lift the Three Year Long Siege of the Kuweires Military Airbase
  24. ^ a b c jack. "More than 100 killed and wounded during clashes around Kweres military airport". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  25. ^ Syrian Army Seizes the ICARDA Farms in Northern Kuweires
  26. ^ Leith Fadel. "Syrian Army Conducts a Special Operation to Cutoff the Strategic Aleppo-Raqqa Highway". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  27. ^ "Iran sends fighters to Syria, escalating its involvement - US News". US News & World Report. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  28. ^ "How Iranian general plotted out Syrian assault in Moscow". Reuters. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  29. ^ Jay Solomon in Washington and Sam Dagher in Amman, Jordan (21 September 2015). "Russia, Iran Seen Coordinating on Defense of Assad Regime in Syria". WSJ. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  30. ^ http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/10/14/Two-Iranian-Revolutionary-Guards-officers-reportedly-killed-in-Syria-.html
  31. ^ Leith Fadel. "Syrian Army Recaptures Two Villages En Route to the Kuweires Military Airbase in East Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  32. ^ "Syrian army, backed by Iranian fighters, advance south of Aleppo: monitor". Reuters. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  33. ^ Master. "The regime forces advance towards the airbase of Kwayres seizing more areas, and warplanes attack the outskirts of Aleppo city". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  34. ^ "Syrian troops advance toward air base besieged by IS - US News". US News & World Report. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  35. ^ Master. "The regime forces advance in the eastern countryside of Aleppo again while the Russian attack the southern countryside". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  36. ^ Edward. "Continuous violent clashes near Kweris airbase and intense aerial bombardment on several areas in the countryside of Aleppo". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  37. ^ Edward. "The regime forces advance again and take control of villages in the southern and eastern countryside of Aleppo". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  38. ^ Master. "The regime forces advance in the Eastern countryside of Aleppo again, while clashes erupt in the Eastern Ghouta". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  39. ^ Leith Fadel. "Cheetah Forces Capture Another Village in East Aleppo While ISIS Fails at Kuweires Airport". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  40. ^ The regime forces advance and reach to a distance of 2 km away from the airbase of Kwayres after weeks of clashes
  41. ^ Syrian Army and Hezbollah Advance in Southern and Eastern Aleppo – Latest Map Update
  42. ^ Edward. "The regime forces advance again after breaking the siege of Kweires airbase and take control a village in its vicinity". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  43. ^ ISIS Suffers Another Defeat in the Kuweires Countryside as the Syrian Army and Hezbollah Capture ‘Arbeed
  44. ^ "Clashes continue in the eastern countryside of Aleppo and the regime forces advance in the area". SOHR. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  45. ^ "The regime forces advance again near Kweires airbase and shelling target the northern countryside of Aleppo and clashes in the south". SOHR. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  46. ^ Leith Fadel (15 November 2015). "Syrian Army Seizes the ICARDA Farms in Northern Kuweires". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  47. ^ Leith Fadel (16 November 2015). "Kuweires Military Airport Officially Secure as the Syrian Army Captures Kaskays Village". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  48. ^ استمرار الاشتباكات العنيفة في ريف حلب الجنوبي وقوات النظام تسيطر على قرية بالريف الشرقي
  49. ^ Breaking: Syrian Army Enters Humaymah Al-Kabeera Village in East Aleppo
  50. ^ Syrian Army Captures Jamayliyah in East Aleppo
  51. ^ قوات النظام تتمكن من التقدم قرب مطار كويرس العسكري
  52. ^ Tiger Forces Capture 3 Villages in East Aleppo as ISIS Fighters Abandon the Jabboul Lake Front
  53. ^ Shells land on the city of Aleppo, while the clashes continue around Kwayres airbase
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