Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin (2015–2016) explained

Conflict:Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin (2015–2016)
Partof:the Daraa Governorate campaign of the Syrian Civil War
Date:27 December 2015 – 25 January 2016
Place:Al-Shaykh Maskin, Daraa Governorate, Syria
Result:Syrian Army victory
Territory:
  • The Army captures Al-Shaykh Maskin town and the Brigade 82 base
Combatant1: Free Syrian Army
Al-Nusra Front
Combatant2: Syrian Arab Republic

Hezbollah
Palestine Liberation Army[1]

Commander1: Unknown
Abu Mohammad Al-Hafizh[2]
Units1:Southern Front
  • 19th Brigade
Units2:5th Armoured Division
  • 15th Mechanized Brigade

7th Armored Division15th Special Forces Division

Strength1:2,500[3]
Strength2:Unknown
Casualties1:210 killed,[4]
250+ wounded[5]
Casualties2:98 killed

The Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin was an offensive by the Syrian Army to capture the town of Al-Shaykh Maskin in the Daraa Governorate and secure the Daraa–Damascus highway.

Background

In November 2014, rebels had defeated a government attempt to recapture Al-Shaykh Maskin and had taken control of the strategically important part of the western countryside of Daraa, cutting crucial government supply lines and unseating government fighters from Brigade 82, one of its biggest bases.[6]

The battle

Brigade 82 captured and town stormed

Early on 27 December, the 15th Brigade of the 5th Armoured Division of the Syrian Army launched the operation to capture Al-Shaykh Maskin, attacking its northern and eastern flanks.[7] Over the following two days, the Russian air force conducted over 80 air-strikes on the town.[8]

On 29 December, the Army captured the Brigade 82 military base, on the outskirts of Al-Shaykh Maskin, as well as the northern part of the town itself.[9] Government forces then temporarily lost the base due to bad weather, but retook it again overnight.[10] The following day, government forces continued with their attempts to take full control of Al-Shaykh Maskin[11] and, according to pro-government media, captured the eastern part of the town.[12] [11] This left them in control of half of Al-Shaykh Maskin.[13] They reached the town's main square,[14] as well as the Al-'Umari Mosque (north of the city center), while, according to pro-government media, the rebels issued a distress call for reinforcements.[15] The Army's advances were supported by another 15 Russian air-strikes, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).[16]

According to SOHR, further attempts by the Army to advance were made between 2 and 4 January,[17] as 43 more Russian air-strikes hit the town.[18] [19]

Failed rebel counter-attack

On 5 January, the rebels launched a counter-attack towards the Brigade 82 base. At the same time, the 15th Brigade, supported by National Defence Forces units, continued making attempts to advance to Tal Hamad hill, west of the town, but were unsuccessful. By this point, the military was in control of 55–60% of Al-Shaykh Maskin, according to pro-government media.[20] By the evening, the rebel counter-attack stalled.[21] The next day, the rebels reportedly renewed their counter-assault and stormed the southern perimeter of the Brigade 82 headquarters.[22] However, eventually, this second assault failed as well.[23] The Russian Air Force conducted 12 air-strikes throughout the day.[24]

A third unsuccessful rebel assault was launched on the morning of 8 January, against the walls of the Brigade 82 Housing Facility. Pro-government sources reported that rebel fighters were hampered by poor weather, fierce resistance and Russian air-strikes.[25] Opposition sources confirmed that since the start of the battle for Al-Shaykh Maskin the rebels had suffered ”major material and human losses", but reported they were still preparing to make new attempts to regain the base.[26]

The Syrian Army captures Al-Shaykh Maskin

Between 9 and 10 January, SPHR reported that 33 government air-strikes were conducted against Al-Shaykh Maskin.[27]

On 11 January, government forces said they had captured a total of 17 buildings in the southern part of the city[28] and two days later, another 35 buildings, thus seizing the southern part of the town, and leaving them in control of 80 percent of Al-Shaykh Maskin.[29]

Between 23 and 24 January, the military said it had captured Al-Zaheriyah school and its surrounding area, as well as the town of Al-Burj on the outskirts of Al-Shaykh Maskin, after more than 40 air-strikes were conducted.[30] However, the rebels were able to recapture the school.[31] Still, Army advances continued as they took control of more positions in the town,[32] which included the Al-Bassam Mosque, parts of the Al-Diri neighborhood and large sections of the Saydaliyat road.[33]

SOHR reported that during the night before 25 January, when the final Army assault was supposed to commence, a military detachment was sent to capture a height overlooking the town, from which the rebels could detect the military's planned attack from the north of the town. The fighting was heavy, but a heavy rain helped the Army unit climb up the height without being detected. The unit was then attacked from three sides, during which its commander, Mohammed Fares, was wounded. The detachment managed to hold the height until reinforcements arrived.[3]

The next morning, SOHR reported, the Syrian Army launched its operation from the north side of the town and rapidly advanced, linking up with troops coming in from the east.[3] [34] The fighting started 08:30 am, and shortly thereafter the SAA's 15th Brigade captured the Al-'Umari Mosque.[35] The military made gains in the northwestern neighborhood of Al-Shaykh Maskin, as well as other parts of the town, while they were covered by 25 air-strikes.[36] The heaviest fighting of the day took place in the Al-Diri District.[37] However, after seizing Al-Diri, the rebels were left with only two building blocks under their control.[35] The Army's advances also enabled them to monitor all roads leading from the town to other nearby areas.[38] Many rebels started withdrawing from the town, mainly towards Ibta' and Nawa.[39] By 10:30 pm, the military had cleared Al-Shaykh Maskin of all rebel resistance.[35] [40] By the end of the battle, SOHR reported, 70% of the city had been rendered uninhabitable.[41]

Aftermath

On 27 January, the Army captured the strategic hilltops of Tal Hamad and Tal Koum.[42] [43]

See also

References

32.827°N 36.1612°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Islamist rebels issue distress call for help as Syrian Army advances in Sheikh Miskeen. Al-Masdar News. 8 January 2016. 3 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160203103633/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/islamist-rebels-issue-a-distress-call-for-help-as-the-syrian-army-advances-in-sheikh-miskeen/. dead.
  2. Web site: Two prominent Nusra leaders have been killed in the last 48 hours. Al-Masdar News. 8 January 2016. 30 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151230094126/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/nusra-spokesman-in-southern-syria-has-been-killed-at-sheikh-miskeen/. dead.
  3. Web site: Шейх-Мискин - первая крупная победа сирийских войск на южном фронте. 28 January 2016.
  4. Paul Khalifeh, Syrie: de nouveaux rapports de force favorables au régime Assad, RFI, 30 January 2016.
  5. Web site: TASS: World - Syrian army eliminates 50 militants south of Damascus. TASS. 8 January 2016. 6 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160306073908/http://tass.ru/en/world/848207. dead.
  6. Web site: Daraa province slowly falls into Syrian rebel hands . Al-Monitor . 2014-11-17 . 2022-10-11.
  7. Web site: Breaking: Syrian Army storms town of Sheikh Miskeen in northern Daraa. Al-Masdar News. 8 January 2016. 1 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160101114438/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-storms-the-town-of-sheikh-miskeen-in-northern-daraa/. dead.
  8. Web site: Syrian army recaptures strategic town from IS. https://web.archive.org/web/20160204193329/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-12/29/c_134962342.htm. dead. 4 February 2016. 8 January 2016.
  9. Web site: Syrian troops advance in south and center, drive back rebels. The Boston Globe. 8 January 2016.
  10. Web site: Syrian army backed by jets clashes with rebels holding southern town. 30 December 2015. Business Insider. 8 January 2016. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095519/http://www.businessinsider.com/r-syrian-army-backed-by-jets-clashes-with-rebels-holding-southern-town-2015-12. dead.
  11. Web site: The regime forces keep on trying to take complete control of Sheikh Meskin town. Edward. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 30 December 2015 . 8 January 2016.
  12. Web site: Syrian Army captures the east district of Sheikh Miskeen. Al-Masdar News. 8 January 2016. 2 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160102062557/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-the-east-district-of-sheikh-miskeen/. dead.
  13. Web site: @deSyracuse Syria civil war (3 Jan 2016) - uMap. 8 January 2016.
  14. News: Syria conflict: Troops battle rebels for key southern town. BBC News. 30 December 2015 . 8 January 2016.
  15. Web site: Breaking: Syrian Army reaches the Al-Umari Mosque inside Sheikh Miskeen. Al-Masdar News. 8 January 2016. 30 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151230122322/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-reaches-the-al-umari-mosque-inside-sheikh-miskeen/. dead.
  16. Web site: 15 airstrikes target Shekh Meskin and continued clashes around the town. jack. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 30 December 2015 . 8 January 2016.
  17. Web site: Clashes in Sheikh Meskin and in the vicinity of Burj al-Qasab in the countryside of Latakia. Edward. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 2 January 2016 . 8 January 2016.
  18. Web site: More than 50 airstrikes on areas of al-Qaryatayn and Sheikh Meskin town in the countryside of Homs and Daraa. Edward. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 3 January 2016 . 8 January 2016.
  19. Web site: More Russian airstrikes target Shekh Meskin. jack. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 4 January 2016 . 8 January 2016.
  20. Web site: Battle for Sheikh Miskeen intensifies as Islamists counter at Battalion 82 HQ. Al-Masdar News. 8 January 2016. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416121329/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-for-sheikh-miskeen-intensifies-as-the-islamists-counter-at-the-battalion-82-hq/. dead.
  21. Web site: Islamist counter-offensive at Sheikh Miskeen stalls: several militants killed. Al-Masdar News. 8 January 2016. 8 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160108055912/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/islamist-counter-offensive-at-sheikh-miskeen-stalls-several-militants-killed/. dead.
  22. Web site: Breaking: Islamist rebels storm the Battalion 82 Headquarters in Sheikh Miskeen. Al-Masdar News. 8 January 2016. 7 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160107180948/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-islamist-rebels-storm-battalion-82-headquarters-in-sheikh-miskeen/. dead.
  23. Web site: Islamist rebels defeated at Battalion 82 in Sheikh Miskeen. Al-Masdar News. 8 January 2016. 7 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160107085108/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/islamist-rebels-fail-to-capture-battalion-82-in-sheikh-miskeen/. dead.
  24. Web site: 12 airstrikes target Sheikh Meskin and bombing the countryside of Al-Quneitra. Edward. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 7 January 2016 . 8 January 2016.
  25. Web site: Islamist rebels fail to capture Battalion 82 base for the 3rd time in 72 hours. Al-Masdar News. 8 January 2016. 8 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160108092046/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/rebels-fail-to-capture-battalion-82-base-for-the-3rd-time-in-sheikh-miskeen/. dead.
  26. Web site: Forces fight for strategic Syrian gateway to south - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East. Al-Monitor. 26 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160127001623/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/01/syria-regime-advances-al-shaykh-maskin.html. 27 January 2016. dead.
  27. Web site: About 45 airstrike target Sheikh Meskin and other towns and cities in Daraa. Edward. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 26 January 2016.
  28. Web site: Syrian Army seizes several building blocks inside of Sheikh Miskeen. Al-Masdar News. 26 January 2016. 29 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160129193330/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-seizes-a-dozen-building-blocks-in-sheikh-miskeen/. dead.
  29. Web site: Syrian Army captures a large part of Sheikh Miskeen in northern Daraa. Al-Masdar News. 26 January 2016. 30 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160130005415/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-a-large-part-of-sheikh-miskeen-in-northern-daraa/. dead.
  30. Web site: Syrian Army make advancements in Sheikh Miskeen (Video). Al-Masdar News. 26 January 2016. 24 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160124102344/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saa-make-advancements-in-sheikh-miskeen-video/. dead.
  31. Web site: 11 fighters killed in Sheikh Meskin clashes and intensive raids. Edward. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 24 January 2016 . 26 January 2016.
  32. Web site: 19 raids target Sheikh Meskin amid continued offensive by the regime forces on the town and its outskirts. Edward. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 24 January 2016 . 26 January 2016.
  33. Web site: Battle update from Sheikh Miskeen (Photos & Video). Al-Masdar News. 26 January 2016. 24 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160124222044/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-update-from-sheikh-miskeen-video/. dead.
  34. Web site: Clashes in Shekh Meskin and Lattakia countryside. jack. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 25 January 2016 . 26 January 2016.
  35. Web site: Syrian Army captures strategic city of Sheikh Miskeen in northern Daraa. Al-Masdar News. 26 January 2016. 26 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160126091114/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-strategic-city-of-sheikh-miskeen-in-northern-daraa/. dead.
  36. Web site: 25 raids target Sheikh Meskin and cover the advancement of the regime forces in the town. Edward. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 25 January 2016 . 26 January 2016.
  37. Web site: Syrian Army continues to advance in Sheikh Miskeen: Al-Umari Mosque captured. Al-Masdar News. 26 January 2016. 25 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160125152301/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-continues-to-advance-in-sheikh-miskeen-al-umari-mosque-captured/. dead.
  38. Web site: The violent clashes continue in Sheikh Meskin and in the Western Ghouta. Edward. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 25 January 2016 . 26 January 2016.
  39. Web site: Syrian army advances in strategic city in southern region. https://web.archive.org/web/20160128022943/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-01/25/c_135044023.htm. dead. 28 January 2016. 26 January 2016.
  40. Web site: The regime forces backed by Iranian and Hezbollah officers fully control Sheikh Meskin and the clashes continue in its vicinity. Edward. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 26 January 2016 . 26 January 2016.
  41. Web site: Clashes in the vicinity of the strategic town of Sheikh Meskin. Edward. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 26 January 2016 .
  42. Web site: Advancement for the regime forces in the countryside of Sheikh Meskin and controlling hills there. Edward. Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 28 January 2016 .
  43. Web site: Islamist rebels suffer more setbacks in northern Daraa as the Syrian Army advances west. Al-Masdar News. 27 January 2016. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416084317/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/islamists-suffer-more-setbacks-in-northern-daraa-as-the-syrian-army-advances-west/. dead.

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