Jump to content

Aleppo offensive (October–December 2015)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 37.52.28.243 (talk) at 07:36, 13 November 2015. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Main article: Battle of Aleppo (2012–present)
Aleppo offensive (October 2015 – present)
Part of the Battle of Aleppo (2012–present) and the Syrian Civil War, also displayed on map Kuweires offensive (September–November 2015)

The military situation as of 11 November 2015
  Syrian Army control
  Opposition control
  Kurdish control
  Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
  Ongoing confrontation or unclear situation
Date16 October 2015 – present
(8 years, 9 months and 3 weeks)
Location
Aleppo Governorate, Syria
Status

Ongoing

  • Tens of thousands of civilians displaced[9]
Territorial
changes
  • Government forces captures the towns of Al-Hader,[10] Al-Eis[11][12] 26 villages,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] five hills[26][27] and a tank base south of Aleppo[28]
  • Government forces reportedly gained around 250 square kilometres (97 square miles) in their offensive in south of Aleppo[29][30]
  • Rebels recapture al-Hamra,[31] Tell Hamiriyyeh hill, Khalsa farms,[32] al-Hobaz hill, al-Jam’ia hill.[16] Telat al-Maqbara, Telat al-Saru,[33] Talaylat[34] and Kherbet al-Mahal[35]
  • Government forces recaptures the Aleppo cement factory,[36] Ithriya Petrol Station, and a several hills and field mounds from ISIL[37][38][39][40][41]
  • ISIL recaptures Tal Reeman, Al-Salihiyah[42] and captures Tell al-Tan'anah[43]
  • Government forces regain control of the strategic Khanasser-Ithriya Highway[44] and reach the Aleppo-Raqqa Highway[21]
    • Belligerents

    Syria

     Iran

    Hezbollah
    Liwa Al-Quds[6]

    Air strikes:
     Russia

    SRCC

    Al-Nusra Front
    Caucasus Emirate[8]

    Supported by:

     Turkey
     Saudi Arabia
     Qatar    		 Islamic State Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (since 23 Oct.)
    Commanders and leaders

    Gen. Qassem Soleimani[45][46]
    (Supreme commander)
    Maj. Gen. Saleh Abdullah
    (Overall commander of Syrian forces)[47]
    Mostafa Sadrzadeh †[5]
    (Ammar Brigade leader)
    Muhammad al-Sa’id[48]
    (Liwa al-Quds leader)

    Russia Viktor Bondarev
    (Chief of staff Russian Air Force)    		 Hassan al-Haj Ali (Suqour al-Sham Brigade leader)
    Issa al-Turkmani
    (Sultan Murad Brigade commander)[7]
    Ismail Sanif  †
    (Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki commander)
    Bashar Mqaddam  †
    (Kata’eb Thuwar al-Sham commander)[49]
    Abdullah Al Ramla †(Levant Front)[50]
    Uwais al-Daghestani  †[8](Caucasus Emirate field commander)
    Abu Suleiman al-Masri †[51]
    (Al-Nusra Front senior commander)
    Faysal Shareef“Abu ‘Ameer”  †[52]
    (Al-Nusra Front field commander)
    Mohammad Hamdoush †(Morrocan Brigades Commander)[13]    		 Islamic State Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
    Units involved

    Syrian Army:

    • 4th Mechanized Division
    • 10th Tank Division
      • 66th Brigade[6]

    Fatah Halab:
    Free Syrian Army:

    Islamic Front:

    Sultan Murad Brigade    		 Islamic State Military of ISIL
    Strength

    3,000+ Shi'ite fighters and soldiers[53]

    • 2,000 Iranian-backed fighters[54]
    		 Unknown Unknown
    Casualties and losses
    102+ killed,[16][32][36][43][55][56]
    28+ armored vehicles lost[57][11]    		 131+ killed[36][58][59][60][61][62]
    900+ killed (Army claim)[63]    		 85+ killed (per SOHR)[59][64]
    190–220 killed (Army claim)[42][65]

    The Aleppo offensive is an operation that started on 16 October when the Syrian Army launched a large-scale strategic offensive south of Aleppo. The main objective of the operation is to secure the Azzan Mountains, while also creating a larger buffer-zone around the Syrian Government’s only highway leading to the provincial capital.[66] The objective was also reportedly to set conditions for an upcoming offensive to isolate rebel forces in Aleppo City and to relieve the long-standing sieges of pro-regime enclaves in Aleppo Province. Joint regime and Iranian forces began a push to relieve several hundred Syrian Army soldiers trapped in the Kuweires Airbase east of Aleppo City on October 15.[14] Gen. Qasem Soleimani was reported to have personally led the drive deep into the southern Aleppo countryside where many town and villages have fallen into government hands. Gen. Soleimani has been in command of the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division, Hezbollah, Harakat Al-Nujaba (Iraqi), Kataebat Hezbollah (Iraqi), Liwaa Abu Fadl Al-Abbas (Iraqi), and Firqa Fatayyemoun (Afghan/Iranian volunteers).[67]

    Preparations

    The origins of the planning of the offensive in Aleppo 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.[68]

    One month before the offensive south of Aleppo, the military launched another operation east of the city in an attempt to break the two-year siege of the Kuweyres military air base.

    Major General Qasem Soleimani reportedly traveled from Latakia Governorate’s northeastern countryside to the Al-Safeera District of southern Aleppo in order to personally oversee the first phase of the large-scale offensive in the Azzan Mountains. Soleimani did not travel alone to Aleppo – he was escorted by a large convoy of armored vehicles that were largely made up of Iraqi Shi’i militiamen; these aforementioned fighters were tasked with carrying out the planned operations around the Aleppo Governorate’s countryside. Major General Suleimani traveled to Syria on the night of 12 October, to meet with the Iranian and Russian military advisors overseeing the large-scale operations around the Aleppo Governorate’s rural terrain. He was joined by six other senior military officers from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.[46]

    The offensive

    Syrian Government offensive

    At 10 A.M. (Damascus Time) on the morning of 16 October, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) – in coordination with Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF), and Kata’ebat Al-Ba’ath (Al-Ba’ath Battalions) – launched their large-scale southern Aleppo offensive after almost one year of inactivity along this rural area in the Azzan Mountains. According to field reports from the provincial capital, the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah captured four sites from the Islamist rebels of Jabhat Al-Shamiyah (Levantine Front), Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, and the Free Syrian Army (FSA), killing a number of combatants in the process of their advance in the Aleppo Governorate’s southern countryside.

    On 17 October, government forces backed by shi'ite militia captured the villages of ‘Abtayn, Al-Wadayhi and Qala’at Al-Najam, along with the Defense Battalion Base and the farms surrounding it.[66] Later that day, government forces advanced towards Al-Shughaydilah and secured the southern axis of ‘Abtayn and Tal Shaghib near the Khanaser-Ethria highway.[1]

    On 18 October, government forces captured the village of al-Wadihi.[69] With this, the military was in control of: al-Wadihi, al-Sabqiyya, Ebtin, Tal al-Shahid and Kdar, while it was unclear who controlled al-Shgaydalah after a rebel-counterattack to retake it from the Army.[55] The counterattack was carried out by Sham Revolutionary Brigades and Division 13, the latter a CIA-funded secular group, with videos showing a TOW missile attack destroying a bulldozer and later capturing a BMP-1.[7][70]

    On 19 October, government forces captured three hills: al-Snobrat, al-Mahruqat and al-Syriatel.[27] The commander of the Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki rebel group was killed in the fighting during the day.[71] Since the beginning of the offensive, the Army lost at least 11 armored vehicles to TOW AT missiles, according to the SOHR.[7] More weapons and ammunition were also supplied to the FSA through the weekend including mortars and TOWs according to Issa Al-Turkmani a Sultan Murad brigade spokesman.[7] It is also reported that Saudi Arabia alone has delivered 500 AT missiles this weekend, but another rebel spokesman said that the quantity of TOWs was inadequate for the scale of the assault, pointing out that once the missiles were distributed among the groups each ended up with just a couple of tubes, stating that they needed dozens more per group.[7][72]

    On 20 October, a rebel official stated the "losses are heavy on both sides and the regime’s advance is very slow". Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people have reportedly fled the southern Aleppo countryside.[9] On 21 October, government forces took control of Al-Sufayrah, Al-Huwayz and reportedly Al-Qarassi.[73][74]

    The following morning, 22 October, government forces backed by Shi'ite militia continued their advance and captured Balas, Kafr ‘Abid, Ghayghan (also known as Tal Maflass) and Al-Ayoubi (including its surrounding farms).[75] By this time, government forces reportedly lost at least 15 tanks, armored vehicles and bulldozers since the offensive begun.[14]

    ISIL offensives and rebel counterattacks

    On 23 October, ISIL launched an attack on the Khanaser-Ethria highway (the main government supply route between Hama and Aleppo), after detonating two VBIED's, and captured 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) of a road. Subsequently, government forces recaptured some parts of it.[76] The clashes over the next 24 hours resulted in the death of 28 ISIL fighters and 21 soldiers of the Syrian army.[59] According to the IUCA, the attack was coordinated with the rebels.[77] That day, 24 rebels (including the military leader of the Thwar al-Sham battalions and a commander of the Army of Mujahedeen) were killed in the southern Aleppo countryside,[59] while a rebel spokesman claimed that SAA losses of vehicles had reached 21.[57] At the end of the day, rebels recaptured al-Hamra village,[31] while government forces reportedly recaptured most of the Khanaser-Ethria highway.[78]

    On 24 October, Army sources reported that it had recaptured the western outskirts of Ithriyah, however the main supply route to Aleppo remained cut off.[6] That day, a second leader in the Nur al-Din Zanki Movement was killed, while a rebel and NDF commander were wounded in the Aleppo countryside.[79] The number of government fighters killed at the Khanaser-Ethria highway rose to at least 43.[56] At the end of the day, ISIL launched an attack on the eastern suburbs of Aleppo city and captured Tal Reeman and Al-Salihiyah, before government fighters could repel their further attacks with the help of Russian airplanes.[80]

    On 25 October, rebels attacked, captured and eventually lost the strategically important cement plant area on the outskirts of Aleppo's Sheikh Saeed neighborhood after heavy clashes that led to the death of 14 government fighters and 10 rebels.[36] Meanwhile, government forces reportedly recaptured two checkpoints along the Khanaser-Ethria highway, before a sandstorm forcibly halted all military operations in Aleppo.[81] According to the SOHR, ISIL was still in control of parts of the highway, blocking the main supply route to Aleppo.[36]

    On 26 October, ISIL re-attacked the Khanaser-Ethria highway and captured a checkpoint, killing eight government fighters. Meanwhile, rebels recaptured Tell Hamiriyyeh hill and Khalsa farms in the southern Aleppo countryside.[32] The next day, ISIL also attacked the strategical town of As-Safira in southeastern Aleppo after detonating four VBIED's in the area. ISIL captured "key" military positions near the town and managed to enter Tel Aran.[82] ISIL also managed to enter the northern district of As-Safira, but were reportedly pushed out with the help of reinforcements.[83][84] Later that day, government forces also regained their positions in the al-Safira area.[60]

    On 28 October, ISIL recaptured the town of Jabboul,[85] but were repelled by government fighters at Al-Aziziyah, where ISIL reportedly suffered 50 dead.[65] Russian airstrikes bombed a rebel headquarters in the Aleppo countryside and killed at least 7 rebels that day.[60]

    Further government gains

    On 30 October, government forces recaptured the Tal Ithriya hill near the Khanaser-Ethria highway[37][86] The Syrian army also reportedly repelled ISIL at Sheikh Hilal and Al-Sa’an.[86] According to the same sources, the Army also carried out a successful mission near the town of Khan Touman and captured farms located between the strategic towns of Khan Touman and Qarass in southern Aleppo.[87] On the next day, the Syrian Army and its allies captured the villages of Jamaymah and Maryameen in the southern countryside of Aleppo.[15]

    On 1 November, government forces continued their march through southern Aleppo countryside, capturing the small village Tal Dadeen and of its strategic hilltop and the small village of Khirbat Al-Shalash, this assault reportedly resulted in a complete withdrawal of rebels inside these villages to their stronghold at Al-Hadher. Rebels recaptured al-Hobaz hill, al-Jam’ia hill and al-Qarasi.[16][19] But later confusion ensued as to whom controlled the villages with local activists dening that the Islamist rebels and the FSA where in full control of Tal Huwayz and Al-Qarassi,[19] while the rebels claiming that they also tried taking Al-Waddihi - a town that lies beyond Tal Huwayz and Al-Qarassi. The FSA failed in taking Al-Waddihi but not before managing to destroy an SAA tank and a Shilka which were parked outside the town guarding it.[88] [89]

    On 2 November, government reportedly also took al-Shughaydilah and the town of Hadidi near the strategic town of Al-Hadher and advanced inside the town of Kafr Haddad.[20] Later, Syrian Army and Hezbollah captured the eastern entrance of the strategic town Al-Hadher after intense firefights with Islamist rebels and Free Syrian Army.[90] Then ISIL captured the village of Ta’anah and its hill from Syrian troops.[43] At the end of the day, rebels recaptured "wide parts" of Jabal al-Banjira.[91]

    On 3 November, government forces reportedly recaptured Al-Ta’anah from ISIL, while the same sources claimed that a large ISIL attack on Tal-Arn was repelled.[92] The following day, on 4 November, Syrian troops regain control over the strategic Khanasser-Ithriya Highway after 12 days of clashes with ISIL, killing 7 fighters - 4 through beheading.[64] While retreating towards al-Tabbaqa, an huge ISIS convoy was reportedly strucked by Russian airplanes; the death rate reported in this attack was 50+.[44]

    On 5 November, rebels recaptured Telat al-Maqbara and Telat al-Saru.[33] On 6 November, Syrian Army captured the village of Kafr Haddad.[17][18]

    On 8 November, government forces captured Tal Mamou, al-Aziziyah and Talaylat (all of which are positioned directly south of Al-Hadhir).[93] Later, rebels briefly retook the village of Talaylat before a counter attack by the Syrian army and their allies drove them out once again, allowing a resumption of the advance on the town of Al-Hadhir.[94][95] On 9 November, rebels recaptured positions in Talaylat and al-Aziziyah.[96]

    On 10 November, government forces recaptured the village of Aziziyah.[97] Also, government forces captured the villages of Makahlah,[22] Um Tawous and Kherbet al-Mahal.[23] Rebels recaptured a number of farms around Al-Hadhir later that day.[98]

    On 11 November, rebels recaptured Kherbet al-Mahal and parts of Tam al-Kosa.[35]

    On 12 November, government forces captured the villages of Musharfah Al-Murayj and Tal Al-Arba’een after clashes with rebels.[24] Later, government forces took control of the key rebel-held town of Al-Hader south of city Aleppo[10][99] and the town of Al-Eis and its surroundings after heavy clashes with rebels. Four tanks and APC's were destroyed by rebel TOW crews.[11][12] On the same day, government forces captured the villages of Khirbat Al-Muhal and Tal Bajjar.[25]

    Strategic analysis

    Christopher Kozak of the Institute for the Study of War speculated that the assault was nothing more than a diversionary tactic intended to move rebel forces away from reopening the access to Nubl and cut the Aleppo–Turkey highway, their primary objective in his opinion.[14]

    With reportedly hundreds of square kilometers brought under government control within the span of the first month of the offensive, Al-Masdar concluded that the overall effectiveness of both the senior Iranian revolutionary guards on the ground as well as the close Russian air-support have been noted as part of the main array of factors leading to a revitalized advance by government forces.[30]

    See also

    References

    1. ^ a b Leith Fadel. "News Alert: Syrian Army and Hezbollah Advance to Al-Shughaydilah in Southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News.
    2. ^ a b Leith Fadel. "Two Brigades of Kata'eb Hezbollah Arrive in Aleppo Amid the Presence of General Suleimani". Al-Masdar News.
    3. ^ Leith Fadel. "More Iraqi Paramilitary Arrive in Aleppo Under Orders from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard". Al-Masdar News.
    4. ^ Leith Fadel (2 November 2015). "Syrian Army and Hezbollah Make Huge Gains in Southern Aleppo: Military Operations Begin in Al-Hadher". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
    5. ^ a b "گزارش جنگ سوریه عراق". Twitter. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    6. ^ a b c Leith Fadel. "Breaking: Syrian Army Reopens the Ithriyah-Salamiyah Road in East Hama After Defeating ISIS". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    7. ^ a b c d e f g "Syrian rebels say they receive more weapons for Aleppo battle". Reuters.
    8. ^ a b "Hezbollah and the Syrian Army Capture Several Sites in Southern Aleppo; Dagestani Emir Killed". Al Masdar News. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
    9. ^ a b Russia Makes an Impact in Syrian Battle for Control of Aleppo
    10. ^ a b "Syria army takes key rebel town south of Aleppo: military source". The Daily Star. 12 November 2015.
    11. ^ a b c Destroying armored vehicle for the regime forces in a counter attack by the factions in the southern countryside of Aleppo and clashes in the eastern countryside of Aleppo
    12. ^ a b الله اللبناني وقوات النظام يسيطران على بلدة العيس ويبسطان سيطرة نارية على ريف حلب الجنوبي ومعارك مستمرة قرب مطار كويرس
    13. ^ a b http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-and-hezbollah-capture-talaylat-in-southern-aleppo-moroccan-field-commander-killed/
    14. ^ a b c d "This map shows the intensifying battle for Syria's largest city before the war". Business Insider. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    15. ^ a b Leith Fadel. "Breaking: Syrian Army and Hezbollah Capture Jamaymah and Maryameen in Southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
    16. ^ a b c d jack. "Human losses in IS and regime forces during clashes in Aleppo". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights.
    17. ^ a b Syrian Army Kills the Lead Field Commander of Al-Nusra in Southern Aleppo Amid the Capture of Kafr Haddad
    18. ^ a b Clashes continue in the southern countryside of Aleppo and airstrikes on the city and northern countryside
    19. ^ a b c Leith Fadel. "Syrian Army and Hezbollah Continue to Roll in Southern Aleppo: 2 more Villages Captured". Al-Masdar News.
    20. ^ a b Leith Fadel. "Syrian Army and Hezbollah Make Huge Gains in Southern Aleppo: Military Operations Begin in Al-Hadher". Al-Masdar News.
    21. ^ a b Zero Hour Approaches the Kuwieres Military Airport: Cheetah Forces Reportedly 1km Away
    22. ^ a b Breaking: Syrian Army and Hezbollah Capture Makahlah in Southern Aleppo
    23. ^ a b The regime forces advance in the southern countryside of Aleppo, and clashes take place in the southeast of Homs
    24. ^ a b Breaking: Syrian Army and Hezbollah Capture 2 Villages in Southern Aleppo
    25. ^ a b Syrian Army and Hezbollah Sweep Through Southern Aleppo: Islamist Rebels Suffer Massive Defeat
    26. ^ "Syria army, allies advance near Aleppo with Russian cover". AsiaOne. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    27. ^ a b Edward. "The regime forces advance again in the southern countryside of Aleppo and take control of 3 hills". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights.
    28. ^ "Turkey downs drone as Syria launches Aleppo offensive". Reuters. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    29. ^ "Syrian Army takes control of huge area in Aleppo Province". Public Radio of Armenia.
    30. ^ a b Leith Fadel. "Syrian Army and Hezbollah Capture Over 210km of Territory in Southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News.
    31. ^ a b Edward. "Continuous clashes on the road between Khanasser–Atharayya and booby trapped vehicle in the vicinity of Kweris airbase". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    32. ^ a b c Edward. "The "Islamic State" starts new attack on Khanasser–Athrayya road, control a checkpoint and kill 8 regime members". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights.
    33. ^ a b "Syrian rebels seize town in west in blow to government". Reuters.
    34. ^ Syrian Army and Hezbollah Progress Towards the Aleppo-Damascus Highway: 2 Villages Captured
    35. ^ a b The factions continue to advance in the southern countryside of Aleppo
    36. ^ a b c d e "At least 14 NDF militiamen killed in an explosion on al- Ramosah road, and the regime forces retake the cement plant". Retrieved 26 October 2015.
    37. ^ a b Master. "The regime forces advance in the eastern countryside of Hama, and warplanes hit al- Hara area in Daraa". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
    38. ^ Master. "The regime forces advance towards Khanaser – Athrayya road seizing hills in it, while the schools closed in the city of Aleppo fearing of aerial bombardment". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights.
    39. ^ Leith Fadel. "Hezbollah and the Syrian Army Capture Tal Ithriyah: ISIS Controls 1km of Highway in East Hama". Al-Masdar News.
    40. ^ Leith Fadel. "Syrian Army and Popular Committees Capture Several Sites from ISIS in East Hama". Al-Masdar News.
    41. ^ Leith Fadel. "News Alert: Syrian Army and Popular Committees Capture the Ithriya Petrol Station in East Hama". Al-Masdar News.
    42. ^ a b Leith Fadel. "ISIS Offensives Prove Costly: Over 200 Terrorists Killed in 3 Days". Al-Masdar News.
    43. ^ a b c Master. "Violent clashes take place in the countryside of Aleppo, while warplanes attack the village of Harbel". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights.
    44. ^ a b "Syrian army regains control of Aleppo supply route". The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon.
    45. ^ http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/where-is-major-general-qassem-suleimani/#prettyPhoto
    46. ^ a b Leith Fadel. "General Suleimani Oversees the Large-Scale Offensive in Southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
    47. ^ "Leith Abou Fadel". Twitter. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    48. ^ "Syria Comment  » Archives Overview of some pro-Assad Militias - Syria Comment". Syria Comment. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    49. ^ Master. "2 commanders killed in the ongoing clashes in the southern countryside of Alappo". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights.
    50. ^ https://syrianfreepress.wordpress.com/2015/11/05/saaf-russaf-hez-rep/
    51. ^ "Charles Lister". Twitter. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    52. ^ Syrian Army Kills the Lead Field Commander of Al-Nusra in Southern Aleppo Amid the Capture of Kafr Haddad
    53. ^ "What the Aleppo offensive hides - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    54. ^ This Is How Iran Just Raised the Stakes in Syria The National Interest
    55. ^ a b "About 60 victims killed during the regime forces' advancement in the southern countryside of Aleppo". SOHR.
    56. ^ a b Master. "More than 43 regime's soldiers and pro-regime militiamen killed in clashes on Khanser – Aathrayya road the last 48 hours". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    57. ^ a b "American TOW Missiles Are A Game Changer Against Assad". Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    58. ^ "Syrian rebels say they receive more weapons for Aleppo battle". Mail Online.
    59. ^ a b c d Master. "More than 90 IS militants, rebels and personnel in the regime forces killed in the violent clashes in the countryside of both Aleppo and Hama". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    60. ^ a b c Edward. "Russian airstrikes target a headquarter and kill 2 fighters in northern countryside of Aleppo and the clashes continue". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
    61. ^ jack. "Continued clashes on many fronts of Aleppo countryside". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights.
    62. ^ http://www.syriahr.com/en/2015/11/more-than-100-killed-and-wounded-during-clashes-around-kweres-military-airport/
    63. ^ https://www.rt.com/news/321643-battle-isis-siege-kweires/
    64. ^ a b Edward. "The regime forces kill 7 ISIS members and behead 4 of them in Khanasser-Athrayya road". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights.
    65. ^ a b Leith Fadel. "ISIS Suffers Devastating Defeat at Al-Safira: 50+ Killed in East Aleppo". Al-Masdar News.
    66. ^ a b Leith Fadel. "Breaking: Syrian Army and Hezbollah Launch Their Southern Aleppo Offensive - 4 Sites Captured". Al-Masdar News.
    67. ^ http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/where-is-major-general-qassem-suleimani/#prettyPhoto
    68. ^ "How Iranian general plotted out Syrian assault in Moscow". Reuters. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
    69. ^ Master. "The violent clashes continue in the southern countryside of Aleppo, and the regime forces advance in the area again". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights.
    70. ^ Syria - FSA Division 13 aftermath of SAA bulldozer hit with BGM-71 TOW near Atbin, Hama 17/10. YouTube. 18 October 2015.
    71. ^ "Syrian troops advance toward air base besieged by IS - US News". US News & World Report.
    72. ^ "CIA-supplied anti-tank missiles turned Syria into a 'proxy war by happenstance' - Business Insider". Business Insider. 13 October 2015.
    73. ^ 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.
    74. ^ Leith Fadel. "Syrian Army and Hezbollah Capture Three Villages in Southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    75. ^ Leith Fadel. "Syrian Army and Hezbollah Make Massive Gains in Southern Aleppo: Rebel Defenses Collapse". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    76. ^ jack. "Violent clashes killed no less than 40 militants in Aleppo countryside". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    77. ^ "IUCA". Twitter. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    78. ^ Leith Fadel. "ISIS and Jabhat Al-Nusra Threaten the Syrian Army's Main Supply Route to Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    79. ^ Edward. "Leader in Nur al-Din Zanki Movement die in Aleppo's battels and attempt to assassinate the commander of Ajnad al-Sham". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    80. ^ Leith Fadel. "ISIS Launches Wide-Scale Offensive in East Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
    81. ^ Leith Fadel. "Syrian Army Recovers Several Points from ISIS Amid the Sandstorm Engulfing East Hama". Al-Masdar news. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
    82. ^ "ISIS advances in eastern Aleppo after clashes with Syrian forces". ARA News.
    83. ^ Leith Fadel. "Massive ISIS Offensive in East Aleppo Stalls as the Syrian Army Completely Recovers Al-Safira". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
    84. ^ "Elijah J. Magnier". Twitter. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
    85. ^ Leith Fadel. "ISIS Recaptures Jabboul City in East Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
    86. ^ a b Leith Fadel. "Hezbollah and the Syrian Army Capture Tal Ithriyah: ISIS Controls 1km of Highway in East Hama". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
    87. ^ Leith Fadel. "Breaking: Syrian Army and Hezbollah Advance to Khan Touman in Southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
    88. ^ مميز#فتح_حلب#كتائب_ثوار_الشام تحويل دبابة الى كتلة لهب على برج السيرياتل في الوضيحي بصاروخ التاو - Youtube. Youtube. 1 November 2015.
    89. ^ راااائع #فتح_حلب #كتائب_ثوار_الشام تدمير عربة شيلكا على تلة توفيق في قرية الوضيحي بصاروخ التاو - Youtube. Youtube. 1 November 2015.
    90. ^ Leith Fadel. "News Alert: Syrian Army and Hezbollah Enter Rebel Stronghold in Southern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News.
    91. ^ Master. "The rebel and Islamist factions re-advance in al- Banjira in the southern countryside of Aleppo, and intense airstrikes carried out on the eastern countryside". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights.
    92. ^ Leith Fadel. "ISIS Storms Tal 'Arn in East Aleppo While the Syrian Army Recaptures Al-Ta'anah in the North". Al-Masdar News.
    93. ^ http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-and-hezbollah-capture-tal-mamou-and-aziziyah-in-southern-aleppo/
    94. ^ http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-and-hezbollah-reclaim-talaylat-before-entering-the-strategic-city-of-al-hadher-in-southern-aleppo/
    95. ^ Syrian Army and Hezbollah Make Several Gains in Southern Aleppo While Ahrar Al-Sham Recaptures Talaylat
    96. ^ Clashes continue in Aleppo between IS and regime forces
    97. ^ Syrian Army and Hezbollah Flank the Rebel Stronghold of Al-Hadher in Southern Aleppo
    98. ^ The violent clashes continue in the vicinity of Kwayres airbase, while the factions advance in the southern countryside of Aleppo
    99. ^ قوات النظام تسيطر على بلدة الحاضر بريف حلب
    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aleppo_offensive_(October–December_2015)&oldid=690424305"