| Conflict: | 2014 raid on Idlib city |
| Partof: | the Syrian Civil War |
| Date: | 27 October 2014[1] |
| Place: | Idlib Governorate, Syria |
| Result: | Syrian Army Victory[2]
|
| Combatant1: | al-Nusra Front Jund al-Aqsa[3] (alleged)[4] Supported by:Sleeper cells within the city |
| Combatant2: | Syrian Arab Republic |
| Commander1: | Abu Waleed al-Libi (local Nusra leader) |
| Commander2: | Mohamed Khair al-Sayyed (Governor of Idlib) |
| Strength1: | Hundreds |
| Strength2: | Unknown |
| Casualties1: | 35–70 killed |
| Casualties2: | 21 killed 70 captured & executed (rebel claim) |
| Casualties3: | 4 civilians killed |
The 2014 raid on Idlib city refers to a military operation in the Idlib Governorate, during the Syrian Civil War, conducted by mainly Salafi jihadists backed by Islamist rebels against the Syrian Government.
Rebels from the al-Nusra Front launched an attack on Idlib city and al-Mastouma overnight in order to cut off the city from the south.[1] During this attack, suicide cars were detonated at four Army checkpoints surrounding the city, killing "dozens" of soldiers,[5] while rebels captured Tell al-Mastouma.[6] The Army later recaptured the hill. According to the SOHR, 10 soldiers and nine rebels were killed on the hill.[7] The rebels also managed to infiltrate the city and seized the governor mansion and the police headquarters with help from members of the local police and people’s committees.[8] They took advantage of a power cut before dawn according to the Idlib police chief.[9] These buildings were recaptured by pro-government forces later that day after the rebels pulled out of the city.[1] According to an opposition activist in the city, the rebels continue to hold the surrounding checkpoints that they took in morning.[9]
According to the SOHR, at least 20 pro-government fighters, 15 rebels and four civilians were killed during the operation, while Al-Masdar placed the death toll at 21 government fighters (17 NDF and 4 Army) and 70 rebel fighters.[10] Casualties among insurgents include a Jund al-Aqsa sleeper cell, which was discovered after the military intercepted rebel radio communications,[10] and local rebel commanders.[8] Al-Nusra Front claimed that it also had cut off the city, captured 12 soldiers and seized two tanks during the operation.[1]