Maskanah Plains offensive explained

Conflict:Maskanah Plains offensive
Partof:the Syrian Civil War and the Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War
Date:9 May 2017 – 8 June 2017
Place:Eastern Aleppo Governorate and southwestern Raqqa Governorate, Syria
Result:Syrian Army victory
Combatant1: Syrian Arab Republic

Russia

Commander1: Maj. Gen. Suheil al-Hassan
Commander2: Abu Musab al-Masri
(Minister of War)[4]
Abu Uday Al-Iraqi
Units1: Syrian Armed Forces

Liwa al-Quds
Al-Baggara tribe militias[6]

Units2:Military of ISIL
Casualties1:156–184 killed (10 May–30 June)[7]
Casualties2:32+ killed (by 18 May)[8]

The Maskanah Plains offensive was an operation by the Syrian Army against the remaining Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) strongholds in the eastern countryside of the Aleppo Province, with the goal of recapturing the Maskanah Plains from ISIL and advancing into the Raqqa Governorate.

Background

See also: East Aleppo offensive (January–April 2017). Between January and April 2017, the Syrian Army conducted an offensive that saw them capture the city of Dayr Hafir, the towns of Tadef and Al-Khafsah, and nearly 250 villages from ISIL.[9] [10] They also managed to cut off the Turkish Army from advancing further into Syria,[11] and secured the water supply to Aleppo.[12] The offensive was halted in early April, just short of capturing the Jirah Airbase, after government forces were redirected to fend off a rebel offensive against Hama.[13]

The offensive

Battle for Jirah Airbase

On 9 May, Syrian government forces restarted their operations against ISIL in the eastern countryside of Aleppo,[14] as the Russian Air Force conducted heavy air-strikes against ISIL positions.[15] The next day, government troops captured the village of Al-Mahdoum, after which they quickly attacked two villages southwest of the ISIL-held Jirah Airbase. The capture of the villages would give the Army fire-control over the airbase.[16] [17] However, the assault was eventually repelled due to heavy ISIL anti-tank missile fire.[18] Two suicide-bombers and armed drones were also used by ISIL.[19]

Late on 12 May,[20] Syrian government troops captured the Jirah Airbase.[21] ISIL forces in the Maskanah Plain then launched a counterattack on the airbase.[22] A day later, after the ISIL counterattack was repelled, and the Syrian Army resumed their offensive in the region, capturing the last hill overlooking the airbase.[23]

Capture of Maskanah

Led by the Tiger Forces, the Syrian Army swept through the countryside south and southwest of the airbase on 17 May, capturing 11 villages.[24]

Between 21 and 24 May, the Tiger Forces captured another 11 villages, reaching within 6 km from ISIL's stronghold of Maskanah.[25] [26]

On 26 May, the Tiger Forces captured a village just three kilometers from Maskanah. The next morning, the Tiger Forces, alongside Al-Baqir tribal fighters, overran large areas east of Lake Jabbul, capturing 11 villages,[27] and thus securing the entirety of Lake Jabbul for the first time since 2014. The same day, the Tiger Forces also took control of Maskanah's train station, as well as other nearby areas, bringing them to 1.5 km from Maskanah.[28] [29]

At the start of June, the Army continued with its advances around Maskanah, captured 16 villages and cutting off ISIL's main supply route towards Maskanah, effectively encircling it.[30] [31] [32] On 3 June, the Syrian Army, led by the Tiger forces, captured Maskanah and the surrounding villages after ISIL fighters withdrew from the area, thus expelling ISIL from its last stronghold in Aleppo governorate.[33] The next day, the Army came reached the boundaries of Raqqa Governorate after a battle, during which they seized two villages.[34]

Advance to Raqqa's border

On 5 June, the Tiger Forces captured half a dozen villages in Masakanah's countryside, coming close towards fully expelling ISIL from Aleppo Governorate.[35] The next day, government forces captured another six villages, officially reentering Ar-Raqqah province.[3] On 8 June, ISIL's foothold crumbled near Lake Assad, resulting in the withdrawal of the group from areas near it, including around 20 villages, creating a no man's land between the Syrian Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces.[36] By the end of the day, the Army took control of 15 of these villages.[37]

Aftermath – Advance into Raqqa

See also: 2017 Southern Raqqa offensive. In mid-June 2017, the Syrian Army started a large advance into the Raqqa Governorate, eventually reaching the Ithriya-Tabqa road[38] [39] [40] and capturing the town of Resafa.[41] [42]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Two weeks of Syrian Army's East Aleppo offensive: complete field report. Almasdar. 24 May 2017. 15 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180615212312/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/two-weeks-syrian-armys-east-aleppo-offensive-complete-field-report/. dead.
  2. Web site: Breaking: Syrian Army liberates Maskanah, ISIL expelled from Aleppo. 3 June 2017. 3 June 2017. 12 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180412200404/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-liberates-maskanah-isil-expelled-aleppo/. dead.
  3. Web site: ISIS on its last legs as Syrian Army liberates six villages in rural Raqqa – Map update. 6 June 2017. 6 June 2017. 3 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210303030532/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-last-legs-syrian-army-liberates-six-villages-rural-raqqa-map-update/. dead.
  4. News: Syrian army says senior Islamic State militant killed. Reuters. 24 May 2017 . 24 May 2017.
  5. Web site: Syrian Army, Palestinian militia dislodge ISIS from strategic town in east Aleppo. Chris. Tomson. 10 May 2017. 11 May 2017. 26 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180926231340/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-palestinian-militia-dislodge-isis-strategic-town-east-aleppo/. dead.
  6. Web site: Syrian tribal leader Nawaf al-Bashir rejoins Assad regime after years of supporting rebels - ARA News. 5 February 2017. 27 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170626155320/http://aranews.net/2017/02/syrian-tribal-leader-nawaf-al-bashir-rejoins-assad-regime-years-supporting-rebels/. 26 June 2017. dead. dmy-all.
  7. Web site: Waters . Gregory . Fifteen Months of Death: Pro-Government Casualties of the Syrian Civil War . bellingcat . 3 October 2018 . 29 October 2018.
  8. Web site: About 50 members of the regime forces and the "Islamic State" organization were killed during the advancement operation towards the last ISIS-controlled town in Aleppo province.
  9. News: Syrian Army enters Maskanah Plains as ISIS flees from more villages in eastern Aleppo. 28 March 2017. 28 March 2017. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. Chris Tomson. 11 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171011101950/https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-enters-maskanah-plains-isis-flees-villages-eastern-aleppo/. dead.
  10. News: Syrian army captures major IS stronghold in Aleppo. Indo-Asian News Service. The Financial Express. 30 March 2017.
  11. Web site: Field Report: Syrian Army, Turkish-backed forces vie for control in northern Syria. Map Update. Zen. Adra. 27 February 2017. 10 May 2017. 18 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181118155226/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/field-report-syrian-army-turkish-backed-forces-vie-control-northern-syria-map-update/. dead.
  12. Web site: Syrian army capture Aleppo water station. 7 March 2017. 11 May 2017.
  13. News: BREAKING: 17 Syrian Army troops killed by ISIS raid in eastern Aleppo. 17 April 2017. 17 April 2017. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 18 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170518214325/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-17-syrian-army-troops-killed-isis-raid-eastern-aleppo/. dead.
  14. Web site: Syrian Army restarts east Aleppo offensive as Russian airstrikes wipe out ISIS militants. Chris. Tomson. 9 May 2017. 11 May 2017. 27 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180927010301/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-restarts-east-aleppo-offensive-russian-airstrikes-wipe-isis-militants/. dead.
  15. Web site: Russian jets hammer ISIL ahead of Syrian military's offensive in east Aleppo. Leith. Fadel. 10 May 2017. 11 May 2017. 26 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180926233109/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-jets-hammer-isil-ahead-syrian-militarys-offensive-east-aleppo/. dead.
  16. Web site: Syrian Army blitzes last two east Aleppo villages southwest of strategic airbase. Leith. Fadel. 10 May 2017. 11 May 2017.
  17. Web site: Regime forces control an important village and approaches from a new area to al-Jarrah airbase. 11 May 2017.
  18. Web site: In Pictures: Syrian Army stumbles in East Aleppo as ISIS fights back. Zen. Adra. 11 May 2017. 11 May 2017.
  19. Web site: VIDEO: Twin ISIS suicide bombings severely hamper Syrian Army offensive in Aleppo. Chris. Tomson. 11 May 2017. 11 May 2017.
  20. Web site: Breaking: Syrian Army liberates strategic airbase in east Aleppo. Leith. Fadel. 12 May 2017. 13 May 2017. 8 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180908163332/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-liberates-strategic-airbase-east-aleppo/. dead.
  21. Web site: Syria army seizes airbase from ISIS: Monitor.
  22. Web site: ISIL launches counter-attack to recapture lost airbase in east Aleppo. Leith. Fadel. 13 May 2017. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 14 May 2017.
  23. Web site: Syrian Army advances south of strategic airbase in east Aleppo. Leith. Fadel. 14 May 2017. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 14 May 2017. 31 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170531005200/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-advances-south-strategic-airbase-east-aleppo/. dead.
  24. News: Battle for east Aleppo intensifies as Syrian Army troops advance towards ISIL stronghold. Fadel. Leith. 17 May 2017. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 18 May 2017. en-US. 9 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180909163924/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-east-aleppo-intensifies-syrian-army-troops-advance-towards-isil-stronghold/. dead.
  25. News: BREAKING: Tiger Forces liberate two sites from ISIS in eastern Aleppo CS. Illingworth. Andrew. 21 May 2017. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 21 May 2017. en-US. 19 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180919183534/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-tiger-forces-liberate-two-sites-isis-eastern-aleppo-cs/. dead.
  26. News: Map: Syrian Army juggernaut annihilates ISIS defenses in eastern Aleppo countryside. Illingworth. Andrew. 23 May 2017. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 23 May 2017. en-US. 26 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226042821/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/map-syrian-army-juggernaut-annihilates-isis-defenses-eastern-aleppo-countryside/. dead.
  27. News: Syrian Army liberates 11 villages along Lake Jabbul in rural Aleppo after huge ISIS collapse. Tomson. Chris. 27 May 2017. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 27 May 2017. en-US. 26 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126061546/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-liberates-11-villages-along-lake-jabbul-rural-aleppo-huge-isis-collapse/. dead.
  28. Web site: Syrian Army seizes Maskanah train station as ISIS clings on to its last Aleppo stronghold. 27 May 2017. 27 May 2017. 26 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226154811/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-seizes-maskanah-train-station-isis-clings-last-aleppo-stronghold/. dead.
  29. News: ISIS devastated as Syrian Army liberates more sites in blitz offensive through rural Aleppo. Tomson. Chris. 27 May 2017. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 27 May 2017. en-US. 22 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200922113301/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-devastated-syrian-army-liberates-sites-blitz-offensive-rural-aleppo/. dead.
  30. News: Syrian Army makes significant progress near last ISIS stronghold in East Aleppo (map update). Castro. Ivan. 1 June 2017. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 2 June 2017. en-US.
  31. News: Syrian Army, Palestinian forces secure key highway in east Aleppo. Fadel. Leith. 2 June 2017. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 2 June 2017. en-US.
  32. News: Syrian Army cuts ISIL's main supply route from Aleppo to Raqqa. Fadel. Leith. 2 June 2017. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 2 June 2017. en-US.
  33. News: Breaking: Syrian Army liberates Maskanah, ISIL expelled from Aleppo. Fadel. Leith. 3 June 2017. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 3 June 2017. en-US. 12 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180412200404/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-liberates-maskanah-isil-expelled-aleppo/. dead.
  34. News: Syrian Army advances on Raqqa border after Maskanah's capture. Fadel. Leith. 4 June 2017. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 4 June 2017. en-US. 13 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180613145858/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-advances-raqqa-border-maskanahs-capture/. dead.
  35. News: Syrian Army continues march to Raqqa, several villages captured. Fadel. Leith. 2017-06-05. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 2017-06-05. en-US.
  36. News: Syrian Army on the roll as ISIS retreats from 20 villages in western Raqqa. 2017-06-08. AMN – Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 2017-06-08. en-US. 2 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210302142047/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-roll-isis-retreats-20-villages-western-raqqa/. dead.
  37. http://www.syriahr.com/2017/06/08/قوات-النظام-تتوغل-داخل-الريف-الغربي-لل/ قوات النظام تتوغل داخل الريف الغربي للرقة وتسيطر على 15 قرية على حساب تنظيم”الدولة الإسلامية”
  38. News: Complete map of Syrian War: mid-June update. 2017-06-14. 2017-06-14. en-GB.
  39. News: Middle East update: June 13 2017. 2017-06-13. 2017-06-13. en-GB.
  40. News: Weekly Conflict Summary June 08-14, 2017. 2017-06-14. 2017-06-14. en-GB.
  41. Web site: Syrian government forces liberate Rusafa town in southwest Raqqa. 19 June 2017. 22 June 2017. 4 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181104174053/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-government-forces-liberate-rusafa-town-southwest-raqqa/. dead.
  42. Web site: After the International Coalition downs a warplane over it, the regime forces take control of Al-Resafa city.

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