Rif Dimashq offensive (June–October 2016) explained

Conflict:Rif Dimashq offensive (June–October 2016)
Partof:the Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign (Syrian Civil War)
Date:21 June – 30 October 2016
Place:Eastern Ghouta, Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria
Result:Syrian government victory
  • Army and Hezbollah capture Mayda’a[1] Al-Bahariyah, Hawsh Al-Farah, Hawsh Nasri, Tell Sawwan and Tell Kurdi
Combatant1: Syrian Arab Republic

Palestine Liberation Army[2]
Hezbollah
al-Jabalawi Battalion[3]
Guardians of the Dawn[4]

Combatant2: Jaysh al-Islam[5]
Al-Nusra Front
Al-Rahman Legion
al-Majd Brigades[6] [7]
Fajr al-Ummah[8]
Ahrar al-Sham
Commander1: Col. Naeem Ahmed[9]
(Republican Guard commander)
Commander2: Tofiq Khalid al-Khansour[10]
(Jaysh al-Islam senior commander)
Abdul Nasr Shmeir[11]
(Al-Rahman Legion chief commander)
Abu Allam[12]
(Al-Rahman Legion commander)
Abu Na’im
(Al-Rahman Legion commander)
Units1: Syrian Army

Ministry of Interior

Units2: al-Majd Brigades
  • Abo Mosa Al Ashaari Brigade
Strength1:15,000[14]
Strength2:Unknown

The Rif Dimashq offensive (June–October 2016) is a Syrian Army offensive in the Rif Dimashq Governorate that was launched in late June 2016, as part of the Syrian Civil War. The offensive resulted in the military's capture of parts of the eastern section of the rebel-held eastern Ghouta.[15]

The offensive

Government forces capture Mayda’a

On 21 June, 102nd Brigade of the Republican Guard, backed by the Palestine Liberation Army and Hezbollah, captured al-Bahariyah Hill, and soon after overran the rebel defenses at al-Bahariyah, capturing the entire village. In addition to capturing al-Bahariyah, the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah also continued their advance at the Jisreen Farms, where they were able to take control of several sites near the Arab Houses.

On the evening of 24 June, the Army and Hezbollah entered Mayda’a, forcing the rebels from the northern part of the town towards the center.[16] One week later, the Army captured the eastern part of Mayda’a.[17] During this time, government troops also advanced in the Al-Bahariyah Farms and towards the Mayda’a-Nashabiyah axis.[18] After reaching Mayda’a's center on 4 July,[19] the following day, after nearly two weeks of fighting, the government captured Mayda’a.[20] [21] With the capture of Mayda’a, the Army cut the rebel's main ammunition supply line for Eastern Ghouta.[22]

On 7 July, a rebel counter-attack recaptured several blocks of Mayda’a, but the following day the military managed to seize back all territory lost, securing Mayda’a once again. The troops then pushed the rebels back a few more kilometers to the west[23] and also secured the farms and road between Mayda’a and Al-Bahariyah.[24] Later that day, the Army pushed into the village of Mid’anah, capturing its eastern and southern parts.[25] [26] On 9 July, the pro-opposition activist group the SOHR confirmed the Army's capture of Mayda’a.[27] Three days later, the military renewed their offensive by making attempts to advance to Hawsh Al-Farah, reportedly capturing several farms east of the village by 12 July.[28]

Interlude

By 15 July, the government had mostly suspended their offensive in the area. One week later, the Army launched a new assault against Hawsh Al-Farah,[29] resulting in a fierce, several-days-long battle. Government forces, attacking from two directions, first targeted the eastern and southern farms surrounding the town.[30]

Meanwhile, clashes between Jaysh al-Islam and the Al-Rahman Legion took place in Saqba, reminiscent of the inter-rebel conflict a few months earlier.[31] On 23 July, intense airstrikes targeted several rebel-held towns in East Ghouta, while clashes between government forces and rebels occurred along the al-Salam Highway.[32] Furthermore, a prisoner exchange between the government and Jaysh al-Islam took place, with a leading Syrian Army colonel and a female Republican Guard major being freed.[33]

Renewed Army advances

After capturing the surrounding farmland, the Republican Guard, backed by Hezbollah and NDF units, stormed Hawsh Al-Farah itself on 26 July,[34] leading to heavy house-to-house fighting. After suffering numerous casualties, rebel forces finally retreated into the countryside on 29 July, leaving the strategically important town to the government. The fall of Hawsh Al-Farah served as a major morale boost for pro-government forces in East Ghouta, and allowed them to impose fire control over several important rebel-held cities in the area, such as Mayda’anah, Hawsh Nasri and Hawsh Shalaq.

On 1 August, the Army entered Hawsh Nasri.[35] Five days later, they seized the farms near Hawsh Nasri[36] and on 9 August, took control of all[37] [38] or most of the town.[39] This advance brought the Army into position to attack the hilltop of Tal Kurdi from three different flanks.[35]

On 13 August, the military took control of parts of Hawsh Al-Dawahira and its surrounding farms.[40] At the same time, the Army launched an assault on the strategic Tal Kurdi hill.[41]

On 15 August, Jaysh al-Islam launched a counter-attack to regain Hawsh Nasri, seizing several points and farms in the area of the town.[42] [43] The rebels renewed their counter-assault on 20 August, and captured further positions in Hawsh Nasri, but lost them later in the day.[44] The next day, the Army fully pushed the rebels out of Hawsh Nasri, and attacked the northern flank of Hawsh Dawahrah.[45]

Back-and-forth fighting

On 22 August, the rebels launched an offensive on the western frontlines of Eastern Ghouta, on a one-kilometer front, in order to lift the pressure off the town of Darayya.[46] However, after several hours of fighting, the rebel offensive was repelled.[47] Following this, the Syrian Army continued its advances in Eastern Ghouta, storming the former signal Army base, near Al-Rayhan, and capturing the storage area of the base. Government forces also reportedly physically cut the rebel supply route between Al-Rayhan and Shifuniyah.[48]

Towards the end of August, the Army captured Al-Rayhan's farms,[49] threatening to encircle Tal Kurdi.[50] Shortly after, government forces captured parts of Al-Rayhan itself, as well as Tal Rayhan hill, placing Tal Kurdi under fire-control.[51] The Army also made advances from Hawsh Al-Farah towards Tal Sawwan, near Tal Kurdi.[52] [53] Over the next three weeks, government troops captured Tal Sawwan twice, but subsequently lost it again both times. As of mid-September, the town was still being contested.[54] Meanwhile, on 5 September, pro-government forces stormed the East Ghouta Signal Base, gaining a bridgehead in its southern corridor.[55]

At sundown on 12 September, a country-wide ceasefire came into effect.[56] In the Damascus area, the ceasefire was temporarily shaken due to fighting in the suburb district of Jobar.[57]

Between 18 and 19 September, a rebel counter-attack between the East Ghouta Signal Base and Al-Reyhan village was repelled.[58] Later on 20 September, government forces captured the Signal Army Base and the surrounding warehouses.[59] In addition, between 19 and 24 September, the military captured a number of farms in the area around Al-Rayhan, cutting the road to Tal Kurdi.[60] [61] [62] [63] On 25 September, the Army seized the Rehba al-Ishara area,[64] including the Katibat al-Ishara military base.[65] Meanwhile, the rebels launched a counter-attack to regain the Signal Base. After the assault was repelled, government forces in turn began their attack on Al-Reyhan village.[66]

After fortifying their positions at Rehba al-Ishara, on 1 October, government forces and Hezbollah units attempted to advance towards Al-Reyhan.[67] As of 3 October, they were within three kilometers of the rebel's largest stronghold in East Ghouta, the town of Douma.[68] On 11 October, the Army captured al-Rayhan[69] [70] and advanced in the Al-Rayhan farms area.[71] [72] Five days later, a rebel-counterattack managed to push government forces back from several positions around the town,[73] with the rebels retaking the western part of Al-Rayhan. On 18 October, the Army launched a renewed push in the west of al-Rayhan[74] in an attempt to cut the supply road for Tal Kurdi,[75] managing to capture the Sbidaj factory area.[76] On 25 October, the al-Majd Brigades seceded from the al-Rahman Legion due to the continued differences between Jaysh al-Islam and the al-Rahman Legion that hindered the rebel attempts to halt the government offensive.

Army secures Tal Kurdi

On 29 October, the Army captured several factory areas, imposing fire control over Tal Kurdi.[77] [78] On 30 October, after more than 50 days of continues fighting,[79] the Army had taken control of Tal Sawwan and Tal Kurdi and advanced towards Shefonia and Al-Rayhan.[80] [81]

Aftermath

On 8 November, the Army reported it had captured the western farms of Al-Rayhan, encircling the rebels in western part of the town.[82] On 12 November, an advance by the Army on the town was repelled.[83]

A new offensive was launched against Al-Rayhan on 14 November,[84] while on 17 November, an attack was also started against the towns of Al-Dawahra and Midaani.[85] At least 30 civilians were killed in shelling by the Army from 17 to 20 November, on rebel-held towns in the region.[86]

The SAA launched another attack on Midaani on 20 November, capturing nine points inside the town.[87] On the next day, the SAA launched an offensive to reopen the Damascus-Homs highway near Harasta.[88] It also captured seven farms in Midaani.[89] A counterattack by Jaysh al-Islam on Mayda'a was repelled on 23 November. The group claimed that 30 soldiers had been killed in the attack, while SAA claimed it lost only 2.[90]

On 29 November, it was reported the Army and Hezbollah had captured the town of Midaani.[91] [92] However, the following day, government forces were confirmed to be in control of the northern and eastern parts of the town, and attempting to secure the rest of it.[93] On 4 December, the Army once again advanced in the area of Midaani.[94] The Army cut off a rebel supply route between Al-Shifuniyah and Autaya by controlling part of it near Hawsh ad-Dawahirah on 6 December. It also recaptured most of the farms of Hawsh ash-Shalaq village[95] and captured the village itself on the next day.[96] They captured many farms on outskirts of al-Mid’aani and advanced towards Hazrama on 31 December.[97] The Army captured most of the Air Defense Battalion on 1 January 2017 near Hazrama after advancing in the farmlands over the previous days.[98] [99] SAA captured Hazrama on 19 January.[98] [100]

See also

Notes and References

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  2. Web site: Syrian Army, Hezbollah capture Al-Bahariyah village in East Ghouta: map. Leith. Fadel. 21 June 2016. almasdarnews.com. 7 July 2016. 8 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190308112712/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-hezbollah-capture-al-bahariyah-village-east-ghouta/. dead.
  3. Web site: Kata'ib al-Jabalawi: A Pro-Assad Militia from Homs. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi. 19 July 2016. 20 July 2016.
  4. Web site: Usud Al-Cherubim: A Pro-Assad Christian Militia. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi. Syria Comment. 14 December 2016. 15 December 2016.
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  6. Web site: Al-Majd Brigades: to make the dreams of Syrian people true. Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office. 27 October 2016. 30 October 2016. 30 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161030202333/https://rfsmediaoffice.com/en/2016/10/27/al-majd-brigades-make-dreams-syrian-people-true/#.WBXGBCQrhEc. dead.
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  11. Web site: Rahman Corps arrest one of the judges of the unified judiciary and a retired officer in Jaysh al-Islam amid continued tension between both parties. SOHR. 22 July 2016. 22 July 2016.
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  32. Web site: Intensive airstrikes on al-Ghouta cause casualties and injuries. SOHR. 23 July 2016. 23 July 2016.
  33. Web site: High ranking Syrian officer released after 4 years in captivity. Leith. Fadel. 23 July 2016. Al-Masdar News. 23 July 2016. 23 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160723094443/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/high-ranking-syrian-officer-released-4-years-captivity/. dead.
  34. Web site: Syrian Army captures new village in Islamist heartland. Leith. Fadel. 26 July 2016. Al-Masdar News. 27 July 2016. 16 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160816142634/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-new-village-islamist-heartland/. dead.
  35. Web site: Syrian Army storms rural town in Greater Damascus. Leith. Fadel. 1 August 2016. 14 August 2016. 16 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160816160624/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-storms-rural-town-greater-damascus/. dead.
  36. http://www.syriahr.com/2016/08/06/%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%A3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%81-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84/ بعد أيام من القصف والاشتباكات … حزب الله وقوات النظام يتقدمان في غوطة دمشق الشرقية وتسيطر على مزارع فيها
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  39. http://www.syriahr.com/2016/08/10/%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%88%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A7/ قوات النظام وحزب الله اللبناني يواصلان محاولات استكمال السيطرة على حوش نصري في الغوطة الشرقية
  40. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=49292 The regime forces and Hezbollah advance in Hosh al-Dawahra in the Eastern Ghouta
  41. Web site: Syrian Army attacks important hilltop in East Ghouta. Leith. Fadel. 13 August 2016. Al-Masdar News. 14 August 2016. 14 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160814161342/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-attacks-important-hilltop-east-ghouta/. dead.
  42. http://www.syriahr.com/2016/08/15/%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%8A%D8%AD%D9%82%D9%82-%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%87%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%85%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7/ جيش الإسلام يحقق تقدماً في هجومه المعاكس بالغوطة الشرقية وعشرات الضربات الجوية والصاروخية على مدينة داريا
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  49. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=49827 The regime forces and Hezbollah advance and control farms in the Eastern Ghouta
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  59. Web site: Field Report: Syrian Army advances in Eastern Ghouta. Zen. Adra. 20 September 2016. 25 September 2016. 27 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160927103146/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/field-report-syrian-army-advances-eastern-ghouta/. dead.
  60. Web site: Syrian Army captures large parts of the East Ghouta. Leith. Fadel. 19 September 2016. 25 September 2016. 27 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160927082534/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-large-parts-east-ghouta/. dead.
  61. Web site: Syrian Army advances in East Ghouta after failed Islamist offensive. Leith. Fadel. 21 September 2016. 25 September 2016. 27 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160927070812/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-advances-east-ghouta-failed-islamist-offensive/. dead.
  62. Web site: Jaysh Al-Islam on the verge of collapse as Syrian Army advances in the East Ghouta. Leith. Fadel. 23 September 2016. 25 September 2016. 24 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160924161815/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jaysh-al-islam-verge-collapse-syrian-army-advances-east-ghouta/. dead.
  63. Web site: Syrian Army continues rapid advance in East Ghouta amid rebel collapse. Leith. Fadel. 24 September 2016. 25 September 2016. 24 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160924141723/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-continues-rapid-advance-east-ghouta-amid-rebel-collapse/. dead.
  64. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=51136 Regime forces advance over al-Islam army in Reef Dimashq
  65. Web site: March on Douma: Regime breaks 58-day stalemate in East Ghouta. 28 September 2016. 18 October 2016.
  66. Web site: Syrian Army launches counter-offensive in East Ghouta. Leith. Fadel. 25 September 2016. Al-Masdar News. 26 September 2016. 27 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160927133839/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-launches-counter-offensive-east-ghouta/. dead.
  67. Web site: After fortifying their positions in Rahbat al-Ishara, regime forces are trying to advance in the surrounding farms. SOHR. 1 October 2016. 1 October 2016.
  68. Web site: Syria raids destroy Aleppo hospital as Qaeda 'leader' killed. 18 October 2016. 7 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161007212014/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/syria-raids-destroy-aleppo-hospital-as-qaeda-leader-killed/3177404.html. dead.
  69. Web site: Syrian Army tightens noose around rebel-held Douma, captures new town. Zen. Adra. 11 October 2016. Al-Masdar News. 12 October 2016. 12 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161012080212/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-tightens-noose-around-rebel-held-douma-captures-new-town/. dead.
  70. Web site: The Inside Source. 18 October 2016. 18 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161018220105/http://www.insidesourcenews.com/single-post/2016/10/12/SAA-Captures-strategic-Town-in-Eastern-Ghouta. dead.
  71. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=52134 50 killed during clashes around Dabeq between rebels and IS
  72. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=52140 5 killed in Damascus downtown and continued clashes in Reef Dimashq
  73. Web site: The Inside Source. 18 October 2016. 18 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161018204332/http://www.insidesourcenews.com/single-post/2016/10/16/Rebels-Launch-Counter-Attack-in-Ghouta. dead.
  74. Web site: Syrian Army launches new attack in East Ghouta after foiling rebel offensive. Leith. Fadel. 18 October 2016. 18 October 2016. 18 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161018221242/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-launches-new-attack-east-ghouta-foiling-rebel-offensive/. dead.
  75. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=52618 Regime forces renew the control attempts on supply road between Douma, Tal Kurdi and Tal Sawwan in the Eastern Ghouta
  76. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=52634 Regime forces advance in the Eastern Ghouta and air and missile strikes target Deir Ezzor city and its countryside
  77. Web site: Syrian Army on verge of capturing major East Ghouta stronghold: Field Report . 30 October 2016 . 30 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161030142929/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-verge-capturing-major-east-ghouta-stronghold-field-report/ . dead .
  78. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=53549 Continued clashes between regime forces and rebels around Tal Kurdi
  79. http://newsweekme.com/syrian-army-edges-closer-towards-rebel-stronghold-capital/ Syrian Army Edges Closer Towards Rebel Stronghold in Capital
  80. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=53604 Regime forces advance in Tal Kurdi and Tal Soran
  81. Web site: Field report: rebels collapse as Syrian Army pushes deeper in Eastern Ghouta . 1 November 2016 . 1 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161101164615/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/field-report-rebels-collapse-syrian-army-pushes-deeper-eastern-ghouta/ . dead .
  82. News: Syrian Army encircles insurgent stronghold in Eastern Ghouta. Al-Masdar News. 8 November 2016. Charkatli. Izat. 19 November 2016. 19 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161119181837/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-encircles-insurgent-stronghold-eastern-ghouta/. dead.
  83. News: Syrian regime army suffers setback in Damascus suburbs. The New Arab. 12 November 2016.
  84. https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-begins-new-military-operation-east-ghouta-2/ Syrian Army begins new military operation in East Ghouta
  85. https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-begins-new-operation-east-ghouta/ Syrian Army begins new operation in East Ghouta
  86. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=55178 30 casualties and tens of injuries in 4 days of shelling escalation on cities and towns of the Eastern Ghouta
  87. News: Syrian Army, Islamist rebels clash in Eastern Ghouta . Zen Adra . . 20 November 2016 . 21 November 2016 . 22 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161122073510/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-islamist-rebels-clash-eastern-ghouta/ . dead .
  88. News: Syrian Army launches offensive to reopen strategic highway in Damascus . Leith Fadel . . 21 November 2016 . 21 November 2016 . 22 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161122073513/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-launches-offensive-reopen-strategic-highway-damascus/ . dead .
  89. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=55323 Airstrikes target the Eastern Ghouta and more casualties in the countryside of Idlib
  90. https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-foils-desperate-islamist-offensive-east-ghouta/ Syrian Army foils desperate Islamist offensive in East Ghouta
  91. https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-east-ghouta-town-jaysh-al-islams-defenses-collapse/ Syrian Army captures East Ghouta town as Jaysh Al-Islam's defenses collapse
  92. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=55940 The regime forces and Hezbollah advance in the Eastern Ghouta and control large parts of Al-Mid’aani
  93. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=55985 Explosions rock Damascus and regime forces trying to advance in Maydaani
  94. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=56222 Regime forces complete the first stage of agreement in al-Tal
  95. https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-cuts-off-rebel-supply-route-eastern-ghouta/ Syrian Army cuts off rebel supply route in Eastern Ghouta
  96. https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-hawsh-al-shallaq-eastern-ghouta-nears-douma/ Syrian Army captures Hawsh Al-Shallaq in Eastern Ghouta, nears Douma
  97. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=58127 The regime forces manage to advance in about 10 farms in the Eastern Ghouta
  98. Web site: قوات النظام تتمكن من التقدم والسيطرة على كتيبة الصواريخ في حزرما بغوطة دمشق الشرقية. ar. SOHR.
  99. Web site: استمرار الاشتباكات في غوطة دمشق الشرقية وقصف جوي على السرمانية. ar. SOHR.
  100. Web site: Syrian Army captures key East Ghouta town after rebel defenses collapse. 19 January 2017. Al-Masdar News. 4 February 2017. 5 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170205100246/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-key-east-ghouta-town-rebel-defenses-collapse/. dead.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Rif Dimashq offensive (June–October 2016)".

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