Rif Dimashq offensive (August–November 2014) explained

Conflict:Rif Dimashq offensive (August–November 2014)
Partof:the Syrian Civil War (Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign)
Date:29 August – 22 November 2014
Place:Damascus, Syria
Result:Syrian government victory
  • Army captures Heteta al-Jersh,[1] Adra, Tal Kurdi, Al-Rayhan, the al-Alia farms, Wadi ‘Ayn Tarma, Hosh Al-Farah, Al-Mayda'a, Balaa Al-Jadeeda and most of Jobar
  • Army recaptures al-Dukhaniyya and Kabbasa after temporarily losing them[2]
  • Army fails to completely secure Zabdin which continued to be contested
Combatant1: Free Syrian Army
UMCEG

Al-Nusra Front[3]

Combatant2: Syrian Arab Republic

Hezbollah[4]
PFLP-GC
Usud al-Cherubim[5]

Commander1: Khaled al-Haboush
(Damascus Military Council commander)
Abu Mohammad al-Golani
(Al-Nusra Front leader)
Zahran Alloush[6]
(Jaysh al-Islam leader)
Commander2:Unknown
Units1:Unknown
Units2: Syrian Armed Forces
Strength1:30,000
Strength2:~25,000
Casualties1:678 killed (government and rebel claims)
Casualties2:175 killed (government and rebel claims)

The Rif Dimashq offensive (August–November 2014) was a Syrian Army offensive in the Rif Dimashq Governorate, that was launched in late August 2014, as part of the Syrian Civil War.

Offensive

The capture of the town of Al-Malihah by the Syrian Army in mid-August 2014, was followed by an Army push in Jobar later that month. Some 150 rebels were killed during an Army offensive supported by airstrikes on 29 August.[8] [9] Dozens more were killed after the government carried out 25 airstrikes on the neighbourhood on 2 September.[10]

Army and Hezbollah troops also captured the town of Heteta al-Jersh, east of Al-Malihah, after days of heavy fighting.[11]

On 7 September, clashes erupted around al-Dokhania, in an attempt by government forces to re-gain control of al-Dokhania, which was taken over by the al-Nusra Front a day earlier as it killed no less than 40 regular soldiers in the area.[12] The next day, fighting in al-Dokhania left 10 rebels dead amid the Army counter-attack. The rebel attack on al-Dokhania was seen as an attempt to ease the pressure on other nearby rebel-held areas which had been coming under an Army attack in previous days.[13]

On 23 September, the SAA unleashed an offensive which led to the capture of the Steel Factory, the ‘Adra Petrol Station, the Detergent Plant, the chemical factory and the ‘Adra Bakery. According to a military source, two of the leaders of Jabhat Al-Islamiyya were killed during the battle. 102 rebels were killed, while the Army and NDF suffered 48 dead.[14]

On 25 September, government forces took full control of Adra al-Omalia (Adra Industrial Sector).[15] Two days later, government troops pressed their offensive and captured the Adra al Balad Area,[16] thus the Army captured all of Adra.[1] 27 rebels died during the day, while 38 surrendered.[17] 73 soldiers were killed during the battle for the town.[18]

On 28 September, the Army recaptured al-Dukhaniyya, ending the rebels' bid to relieve pressure on the Jobar front.[19] [20]

On 29 September, the situation in the al-Dukhaniyya area remained fluid,[21] while the Army captured Al-Suwan and was fighting for Tal Kurdi as they advanced towards Douma.[22] 16 al-Nusra Front fighters were killed in the clashes on the outskirts of al-Dukhaniyya during the day. The next day, fighting continued in the Tal Kurdi and al-Qatari farmlands on the outskirts of Douma.[23]

On 6 October, the Army fully secured the al-Dukhaniyya[24] as it continued the offensive against Douma.[25]

On 8 October, a government source reported the military captured the town of Al-Rayhan, near Douma.[26] This was partially confirmed by the SOHR when it reported, two days later, ongoing clashes in the area with advances by government forces.[27] According to a military source, 53 rebels were killed.[28]

On 11 October, the Republican Guard captured Wadi Ayn Tarma (Ayn Tarma valley) in East Ghouta.[29] [30] According to a military source, nearly 180 Jaysh Al-Islam fighters were killed during the one-month siege of the area, including their top commander. The use of bunker buster bombs by the Air Force was reportedly the deciding factor in the fighting since they exposed and obstructed the rebel’s underground supply routes which forced the rebels to retreat and the Republican Guard was able to cross the Baradi river.[31] This brought government forces to the edge of the rebel-held town of Ayn Tarma.

By this time,[32] government forces had also secured Tal Kurdi, Al-Rayhan and the al-Alia farms. This opened the Damascus-Baghdad road and effectively cut all rebel military and relief supplies to Douma.[33]

As of 13 October, according to Al-Masdar News, the Syrian Army controlled 70% of Jobar and was advancing towards Parliament Square.[31] The next day, they reported the Army had secured 75% of Jobar and was attacking rebel positions at the Maysaloun Roundabout.[34] 15 rebels were killed in the fighting in Jobar, near al-Zablatani.[35]

On 16 October, rebels launched a counter-attack against the Army's rear flank in Jobar and advanced past the Old Cemetery before the military managed to regroup, repulse their attack and recover lost ground, according to Al-Masdar News. At least 23 rebels and 12 soldiers were killed in the fighting.[36]

On 19 October, the Syrian Army fully captured the Zamalka bridge in the Jobar district which resulted in the loss of multiple supply lines for the rebels in Jobar.[37] The same day, the Syrian Army secured a tunnel network which served as a supply line for the rebels in Jobar.[38]

On 20 October, government troops in Jobar were reinforced with newly trained special forces members.[39]

On 28 October, the Army captured the villages of Hosh Al-Farah and Al-Mayda’a. According to a military source, 42 rebels and 13 soldiers were killed in the fighting.[40] [41] Two days later, the Syrian Army also took over the eastern hub of Jobar, leaving the rebels only in control of the Al-Manasher Roundabout and Parliament Square.[42] On 1 November, fighting in the Hosh Al-Farah area 30 rebels were killed.[43] During this time, dozens of people reportedly entered the al-Qadam area after an agreement was reached between the government and rebels through mediation.[44]

On 6 November, government troops captured the farm area of Balaa Al-Jadeeda,[45] east of Mliha, thus completing the encirclement of the town of Zabdin.[46] Four days later, the Army entered Zabdin from the northeast, following the capture of the farm area southeast of Heteta al-Jersh, and heavy fighting ensued.[47] Clashes also occurred in Der al-Asafir.[48]

On 17 November, the Army captured the Tal Al-Rayhan hill, southwest of Al-Rayhan, breaking a brief rebel siege of the village.

On 22 November, the Army captured Zabdin,[49] or at least a part of it. The fighting left 12 soldiers dead.[50] In the afternoon, an opposition counter-attack was launched resulting in the rebels recapturing some parts of the town before they were pushed back. 40 rebels were killed.[51] [52] Later that night, over 25 soldiers were reportedly killed in a rebel ambush in the Zabdin area which forced government forces to pull back from the area.[53] A pro-government source denied the retreat,[54] although it was later confirmed rebels had recaptured the western part of the town.[55]

Aftermath – December clashes

In early December, fighting continued in Zabdin with troops from the 4th Division reportedly managing to breach rebel defenses in the western part of Zabdin and entering it.[55]

Fighting also intensified in Darayya where the military captured four city blocks, but the situation overall was that both sides were competing in a tireless battle to regain territory.[56] A week later, an opposition source reported that the rebels reversed the Army's gains in the town.[57] On 10 December, the pro-opposition news agency ARA claimed the military imposed their control on Darayya, but it was not independently confirmed.[58]

In mid-December, a military source reported that the 105th Brigade of Republican Guards had the east district of Jobar under complete fire control and that approximately 800 rebels were trapped inside the city district with almost no ways to retreat.[59]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Syrian Army Liberates 'Adra; Civilians Rescued from Jaysh Al-Islam. Al-Masdar News. 27 September 2014. 6 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006115234/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-liberates-adra-civilians-rescued-jaysh-al-islam/. dead.
  2. 516149682431860736. ejmalrai.
    1. Syria: Dokhaniya falling into #SAA hand. Very weird: Adraa + Adraa Ummaliyah and now Kabbasa and Dokhaniya. #JAN and #IF r pulling out 1/
    . 25 October 2014. 28 September 2014.
  3. News: Rebels fighting against al-Assad rule fragmented, disorganized in Syria . Yezdani . İpek . . 2 September 2012 . 22 September 2012.
  4. Web site: Syrie: l'armée et le Hezbollah reprennent une nouvelle localité près de Damas - L'Orient-Le Jour . Lorientlejour.com . 2013-10-16 . 2013-11-27.
  5. Web site: Usud Al-Cherubim: A Pro-Assad Christian Militia. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi. Syria Comment. 14 December 2016. 15 December 2016.
  6. Web site: Syrian army captures Al-Maliha. Al-Monitor. 25 October 2014.
  7. Web site: A Comprehensive Update from the Rif Dimashq Governorate. Al Masdar News. 3 December 2014. 4 December 2014. 10 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171010092217/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/comprehensive-update-rif-dimashq-governorate/. dead.
  8. Web site: http://ria.ru/world/20140829/1021945726.html. ru:Сирийская армия уничтожила 150 боевиков в пригороде Дамаска. RIA Novosti. ru. 29 August 2014. 31 August 2014.
  9. Web site: Syria army fights fiercely against rebels in Jobar. https://web.archive.org/web/20140830213042/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2014-08/29/c_133606473.htm. dead. August 30, 2014. Xinhua. 29 August 2014. 3 September 2014.
  10. Web site: 'Unprecedented' regime strikes on Syria rebel Jubar district. The Daily Star. 2 September 2014. 2 September 2014. 19 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171019111920/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Sep-02/269333-unprecedented-regime-strikes-on-syria-rebel-jubar-district.ashx#axzz3C64l1vY1. dead.
  11. Web site: Reef Dimashq province. . 25 October 2014.
  12. Web site: Reef Dmahq province. . 25 October 2014.
  13. News: Syria regime forces launch offensive against rebel-held Dukhaniyeh, near Damascus: monitor. ABC News. 8 September 2014 . 25 October 2014.
  14. Web site: Battle Map of Adra; The Village Immersed in Bloodshed. Leith Fadel. Al-Masdar News. 25 October 2014. 10 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171010092559/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-map-adra-village-immersed-bloodshed/. dead.
  15. Web site: Reef Dimashq province: rose to 29, the... - Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . Facebook. SOHR. 25 October 2014.
  16. Web site: Rif Dimashq Province: The regime army... - Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - Facebook. . 25 October 2014.
  17. Web site: Syrian Army Liberates 'Adra; Civilians Rescued from Jaysh Al-Islam. Leith Fadel. Al-Masdar News. 25 October 2014. 19 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141019235328/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-liberates-adra-civilians-rescued-jaysh-al-islam/. dead.
  18. Web site: Battle Map Update and Analysis: East Ghouta. Leith Fadel. Al-Masdar News. 25 October 2014. 10 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171010092906/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-map-update-analysis-east-ghouta/. dead.
  19. Web site: Rif Dimashq Province 28-09-2014. . 25 October 2014.
  20. Web site: Breaking: Al-Dakhaniyya has been Liberated; 'Ayn Tarma and Jobar Next. Al-Masdar News. 28 September 2014. 10 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171010092917/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-al-dakhaniyya-liberated-ayn-tarma-jobar-next/. dead.
  21. Web site: Syrian Army pushes ahead in Adra. The Daily Star. 29 September 2014. 6 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006081426/http://dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Sep-29/272314-syrian-army-pushes-ahead-in-adra.ashx#axzz3EhWFu8Xg. dead.
  22. 516530239393263616. ejmalrai. It seems Tal-al-Kurdy will fall after Al-Suwan around #Duma by #SAA and #Hezbollah forces in #Syria . 25 October 2014. 29 September 2014.
  23. Web site: Rif Dimashq Province 30-09-2014. . 25 October 2014.
  24. Web site: Syria army seizes strategic area outside Damascus. 25 October 2014. 9 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141009072324/http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=68353. dead.
  25. Web site: Syrian army closes in on Douma after Adra victory. Al-Monitor. 6 October 2014. 7 October 2014.
  26. 519987076205666304. PetoLucem. Loy.s: #SAA /#NDF captured the town of Al-#Rayhan near the insurgent stronghold #Duma. #Ghouta #Damascus #Syria . 25 October 2014. 8 October 2014.
  27. Web site: SOHR. . 25 October 2014.
  28. Web site: Syrian Republican Guard Liberates Al-Rayhan; Liberation of Jobar is Coming. Leith Fadel. Al-Masdar News. 25 October 2014. 10 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171010092927/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-republican-guard-liberate-al-rayhan-liberation-jobar-coming/. dead.
  29. Web site: Rif Dimashq Province. Facebook. 12 October 2014.
  30. Web site: Syrian Army Liberates Vital City in the East Ghouta. Leith Fadel. Al-Masdar News. 25 October 2014. 21 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141021034025/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-liberates-vital-city-east-ghouta/. dead.
  31. Web site: Battle Map and Field Reports from the East Ghouta. Leith Fadel. Al-Masdar News. 25 October 2014. 21 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141021021031/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-map-field-reports-east-ghouta/. dead.
  32. https://dogmaandgeopolitics.wordpress.com/2014/10/11/syrian-army-liberates-waadi-ayn-turmaa-400-of-obamas-rats-killed-saa-kills-notorious-terrorist-in-derah/ Syrian Army liberates Waadi ayn Turmaa, 400 of Obama’s rats killed, SAA kills notorious terrorist in Derah
  33. http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/11/syria-douma-protest-jaish-al-islam.html# As Syrian army closes in, Douma residents turn against rebels
  34. Web site: 75 Percent of Jobar is Under SAA Control; Hezbollah Kills Over 55 Militants in Rif Dimashq. Leith Fadel. Al-Masdar News. 25 October 2014. 20 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141020233952/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/75-percent-jobar-saa-control-hezbollah-kills-55-militants-rif-dimashq/. dead.
  35. Web site: 15 Islamic fighters killed by clashes against regime forces in Jobar, Damascus. 15 October 2014 . 21 November 2014.
  36. Web site: Tug-of-War Battle in Jobar Between the SAA and Jaysh Al-Islam. Al-Masdar News. 16 October 2014. 17 October 2014. 10 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171010093555/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/tug-war-battle-jobar-saa-jaysh-al-islam/. dead.
  37. Web site: Syria in Last 24 Hours: Army Regains Control of Strategic Bridge in Damascus Countryside. Fars News. 19 October 2014. 19 October 2014. 2 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141202195842/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13930727000410. dead.
  38. 523879141368946688. PetoLucem. Loy.s.: #SAA forces have secured a tunnel network (main supply route for insurgents) at #Zamalka bridge near #Jobar . #Damascus #Syria . 25 October 2014. 19 October 2014.
  39. 524171402518482944. ejmalrai. New Syrian Special Forces have been injected into the battle of Jobar to support the regular #SAA. These are the new Elite. #Syria. . 25 October 2014. 20 October 2014.
  40. Web site: Rif Dimashq Province: The regime forces... - Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . Facebook . 2014-10-28 . 2017-03-02.
  41. Web site: Syrian Army Captures 2 Villages in the East Ghouta. Al-Masdar News. 28 October 2014. 28 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141028190614/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-2-villages-east-ghouta/. dead.
  42. Web site: Jobar Military Operations Reaching Final Stages; Jaysh Al-Islam Infiltrates into Hawash Al-Farah. Al-Masdar News. 30 October 2014. 30 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141030194434/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jobar-military-operations-reaching-final-stages-jaysh-al-islam-infiltrates-hawash-al-farah/. dead.
  43. Web site: 30 opposition fighters killed in Syria, activists claim. World Bulletin. 21 November 2014.
  44. Web site: Damascus Province. SOHR. 29 October 2014.
  45. Web site: East Ghouta Battle Map Update: Republican Guard Captures Balaa Farms. Leith Fadel. Al-Masdar News. 21 November 2014. 19 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141119071303/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/east-ghouta-battle-map-update-republican-guard-captures-balaa-farms/. dead.
  46. Web site: deSyracuse map on 8 november 2014. 21 November 2014.
  47. Web site: Syrian Army Captures Farms in Zibdeen and Hateet Al-Jarash. Leith Fadel. Al-Masdar News. 21 November 2014. 10 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141110174040/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-farms-zibdeen-hateet-al-jarash/. dead.
  48. Web site: Reef Dimashq province. . 21 November 2014.
  49. Web site: Syrian Army captured city Zebdin. https://archive.today/20141122174900/https://www.facebook.com/documents.sy/posts/838561236206634. dead. November 22, 2014. document.sy. 22 November 2014.
  50. Web site: 12 elements from the regime forces killed in Rif Dimashq. SOHR. 22 November 2014 . 22 November 2014.
  51. 536482765362200576. PetoLucem. @RYOmoha Acc. 2 a source insurgents retook some areas yesterday and then retreated again. SAA is in control. . 23 November 2014. 23 November 2014.
  52. Web site: East Ghouta Battle Map: Syrian Army Captures Zibdeen and Tal Al-Rayan. Al-Masdar. 23 November 2014. 29 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141129054648/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/east-ghouta-battle-map-syrian-army-captures-zibdeen-tal-al-rayan/#prettyPhoto. dead.
  53. Web site: Islamic fighters ambush and kill no less than 25 soldiers in regime forces in Zabdin. SOHR. 23 November 2014 . 23 November 2014.
  54. https://twitter.com/PetoLucem/status/536594787403825152 Peto Lucem
  55. Web site: A Comprehensive Update from the Rif Dimashq Governorate. Al-Masdar. 3 December 2014. 5 December 2014. 10 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171010092217/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/comprehensive-update-rif-dimashq-governorate/. dead.
  56. Web site: Rif Dimashq: Syrian Army Destroys a Large Tunnel in Darayya. Al-Masdar. 2 December 2014. 5 December 2014. 8 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141208144055/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/rif-dimashq-syrian-army-destroys-large-tunnel-darayya/. dead.
  57. Web site: Syria Direct: news Update 12-10-14 - Syria Direct . 2014-12-19 . 2014-12-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141219142312/http://www.syriadirect.org/rss/1740-syria-direct-news-update-12-10-14 . dead .
  58. Web site: Pro-Assad forces regain areas near Damascus. https://web.archive.org/web/20141214181328/http://aranews.net/2014/12/pro-assad-forces-regain-areas-near-damascus/. dead. December 14, 2014. Ara News. 10 December 2014.
  59. Web site: Breaking News: Jobar's East District Under Syrian Army Fire Control. Al Masdar. 13 December 2014. 13 December 2014. 20 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180220050217/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-news-jobars-east-district-syrian-army-fire-control/. dead.

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