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The collapse of the rebel frontlines was attributed to the heavy volume of bombardments, the intensity of the fighting, the number of dead and wounded, and the lack of hospitals.<ref name="rebelheld"/> Hundreds of civilians attempted to capitalize on the rebel collapse,<ref>[https://twitter.com/InsideSourceInt/status/802879851745005569 The Inside Source]</ref> with the number of evacuated civilians increasing to nearly 10,000 during the day.<ref>[http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/nearly-10-000-civilians-flee-east-aleppo-monitor/article/480542#.WDtlYy3vfOE.twitter Nearly 10,000 civilians flee east Aleppo: monitor]</ref>
The collapse of the rebel frontlines was attributed to the heavy volume of bombardments, the intensity of the fighting, the number of dead and wounded, and the lack of hospitals.<ref name="rebelheld"/> Hundreds of civilians attempted to capitalize on the rebel collapse,<ref>[https://twitter.com/InsideSourceInt/status/802879851745005569 The Inside Source]</ref> with the number of evacuated civilians increasing to nearly 10,000 during the day.<ref>[http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/nearly-10-000-civilians-flee-east-aleppo-monitor/article/480542#.WDtlYy3vfOE.twitter Nearly 10,000 civilians flee east Aleppo: monitor]</ref>


In the evening, only 500 meters were separating the military from closing off the gap between the northeastern and the southeastern parts of the city. By this point, the remaining distance had already come under Army fire control.<ref>[http://www.syriahr.com/2016/11/27/بالصوت-والصورة-وصول-آلاف-النازحين-إل/ “”بالصوت والصورة” وصول آلاف النازحين إلى حي الشيخ مقصود وقوات النظام تقسم نارياً أحياء حلب الشرقية إلى قسمين جنوبي وشمالي]</ref> In addition, the Army completed its control of Hallak Al-Fukani, Hallak Al-Tahtani and Bustan Al-Basha, with Kurdish support, while the northeastern Inzarat district had also been seized.<ref name="steamrolling">[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-kurds-continue-steamrolling-east-aleppo-rebels-mass-retreat/ Map Update: Syrian Army, Kurds continue steamrolling in east Aleppo as rebels mass retreat]</ref><ref name=afp/><ref name=13thday>[http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=55780 10 killed in the 13th day of bombardment on Aleppo]</ref> At Least 36 rebels surrendered to the Army during their advances,<ref>[https://twitter.com/InsideSourceInt/status/803164899199156224 The Inside Source]</ref> while a number of them had reportedly defected to the Kurdish-led SDF.<ref>[https://twitter.com/sayed_ridha/status/803166739781468163 Hassan Ridha]</ref>
In the evening, only 500 meters were separating the military from closing off the gap between the northeastern and the southeastern parts of the city. By this point, the remaining distance had already come under Army fire control.<ref>[http://www.syriahr.com/2016/11/27/بالصوت-والصورة-وصول-آلاف-النازحين-إل/ “”بالصوت والصورة” وصول آلاف النازحين إلى حي الشيخ مقصود وقوات النظام تقسم نارياً أحياء حلب الشرقية إلى قسمين جنوبي وشمالي]</ref> In addition, the Army completed its control of Hallak Al-Fukani, Hallak Al-Tahtani and Bustan Al-Basha, with Kurdish support, while the northeastern Inzarat district had also been seized.<ref name="steamrolling">[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-kurds-continue-steamrolling-east-aleppo-rebels-mass-retreat/ Map Update: Syrian Army, Kurds continue steamrolling in east Aleppo as rebels mass retreat]</ref><ref name=afp/><ref name=13thday>[http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=55780 10 killed in the 13th day of bombardment on Aleppo]</ref> At least 36 rebels surrendered to the Army during their advances,<ref>[https://twitter.com/InsideSourceInt/status/803164899199156224 The Inside Source]</ref> while a number of them had reportedly defected to the Kurdish-led SDF.<ref>[https://twitter.com/sayed_ridha/status/803166739781468163 Hassan Ridha]</ref>


As of 28 November, the entire northeastern part of Aleppo had fallen.<ref name=syriahr20112811>[http://www.syriahr.com/2016/11/28/مدينة-حلب-تشهد-خروج-كامل-القسم-الشمالي/ مدينة حلب تشهد خروج كامل القسم الشمالي من أحياء حلب الشرقية عن سيطرة الفصائل]</ref> Early in the day, the Army took control of Haydariyah.<ref name=syriahr20112811/><ref>[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-strategic-east-aleppo-neighborhood/ Syrian Army captures strategic east Aleppo neighborhood]</ref> Two hours later, government forces also seized Sakhour,<ref name=syriahr20112811/><ref name=rolling>[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-keeps-rolling-east-aleppo-sakour-district-declared-government-control/ Syrian Army keeps rolling in east Aleppo as Sakour District declared under government control]</ref><ref name=mobile>[http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN13N0H4?il=0 Syrian army seizes key Aleppo area from rebels: Observatory]</ref> leaving the rebel-held districts of Sheikh Kheder and Sheikh Fares surrounded.<ref>[https://southfront.org/northern-aleppo-fell-into-hands-of-the-syrian-army/ BREAKING: NORTHERN ALEPPO FELL INTO HANDS OF THE SYRIAN ARMY]</ref> Soon after, Sheikh Khider was also taken by the Army, along with parts of Sheikh Fares. The rest of Sheikh Fares was seized by Kurdish forces, who were confirmed to be in control of parts of Hallak and Bustan Al-Basha as well<ref name=syriahr20112811/> after advancing from the northern Kurdish-controlled [[Sheikh Maqsood]] district. The overall situation was described to be "the biggest defeat for the opposition in Aleppo since 2012".<ref name=mobile/> Following the rebel collapse in the northeast, the Army made its first advance into the southeastern al-Helwania district, also known as Tariq al-Bab.<ref>[http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=55799 Aerial bombardment targets eastern Aleppo and continued clashes in the city]</ref>
As of 28 November, the entire northeastern part of Aleppo had fallen.<ref name=syriahr20112811>[http://www.syriahr.com/2016/11/28/مدينة-حلب-تشهد-خروج-كامل-القسم-الشمالي/ مدينة حلب تشهد خروج كامل القسم الشمالي من أحياء حلب الشرقية عن سيطرة الفصائل]</ref> Early in the day, the Army took control of Haydariyah.<ref name=syriahr20112811/><ref>[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-strategic-east-aleppo-neighborhood/ Syrian Army captures strategic east Aleppo neighborhood]</ref> Two hours later, government forces also seized Sakhour,<ref name=syriahr20112811/><ref name=rolling>[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-keeps-rolling-east-aleppo-sakour-district-declared-government-control/ Syrian Army keeps rolling in east Aleppo as Sakour District declared under government control]</ref><ref name=mobile>[http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN13N0H4?il=0 Syrian army seizes key Aleppo area from rebels: Observatory]</ref> leaving the rebel-held districts of Sheikh Kheder and Sheikh Fares surrounded.<ref>[https://southfront.org/northern-aleppo-fell-into-hands-of-the-syrian-army/ BREAKING: NORTHERN ALEPPO FELL INTO HANDS OF THE SYRIAN ARMY]</ref> Soon after, Sheikh Khider was also taken by the Army, along with parts of Sheikh Fares. The rest of Sheikh Fares was seized by Kurdish forces, who were confirmed to be in control of parts of Hallak and Bustan Al-Basha as well<ref name=syriahr20112811/> after advancing from the northern Kurdish-controlled [[Sheikh Maqsood]] district. The overall situation was described to be "the biggest defeat for the opposition in Aleppo since 2012".<ref name=mobile/> Following the rebel collapse in the northeast, the Army made its first advance into the southeastern al-Helwania district, also known as Tariq al-Bab.<ref>[http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=55799 Aerial bombardment targets eastern Aleppo and continued clashes in the city]</ref>

Revision as of 10:18, 28 November 2016

Aleppo offensive (November 2016)
Part of the Battle of Aleppo (Syrian Civil War) and the Russian military intervention in Syria
Date15 November 2016 – present
(7 years, 8 months and 3 weeks)
Standort
Aleppo, Aleppo Governorate, Syria
Status

Ongoing

  • Army captures 30–45% of the rebel-held part of Aleppo[4][5]
  • 3,000–10,000 civilians fled east Aleppo[4][6][7]
Belligerents

Syria Syrian Arab Republic
 Russland
Allied militias:
Liwa al-Quds[1]
File:Nujabaimage.jpg Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba[1]
Hezbollah[1]
Ba'ath Brigades[1]
Liwa Fatemiyoun[1]
SSNP[1]

Syrian Democratic Forces (since 27 November)[2]

Fatah Halab

Aleppo Leadership Council[3]
Commanders and leaders

Maj. Gen. Zaid Saleh[8]
(Head of Aleppo security committee)
Maj. Gen. Suheil al-Hassan[9]
(Tiger Forces chief commander)

Mohammad al-Saeed[10]
(Liwa Al-Quds chief commander)
Mohammad Rafi †[11]
(Liwa Al-Quds operations commander)[10]

Abu Bashir[3]
(Leadership Council commander)
'Umar Al-Hajj †[12]
(Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki top commander)
Abu al-Hareth al-Halabi †[12]
(Ahrar al-Sham top commander)
Farouq Abu Bakr[13]
(Ahrar al-Sham commander)
'Aziz Khatoumani †[12]
(Karm Al-Jabal Martyrs Battalion commander)

Ahmad Bisan †[12]
(Karm Al-Jabal Martyrs Battalion commander)
Units involved

Syrian Armed Forces

Syrian Ministry of Interior

  • Special Forces[1]

Russian Armed Forces

Syrian Democratic Forces

Fatah Halab

Aleppo Leadership Council[3]

Casualties and losses
22+ killed[17] 134 killed[18]
252–508 civilians killed[4][19]

The Aleppo offensive of November 2016, code named as Operation Dawn of Victory by the government forces,[20] is a military offensive launched by the Syrian Armed Forces and allied groups against rebel-held districts in Aleppo. The offensive came after the end of the moratorium on airstrikes by Russia, and the Russian Armed Forces again conducted heavy air and cruise missile strikes against rebel positions throughout northwestern Syria.[20]

Prelude

See also: Aleppo offensive (October–November 2016) and Aleppo offensive (September–October 2016)

On 15 November 2016, a Russian Navy Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate launched Kalibr cruise missiles at rebel positions in the Idlib Governorate, rebel and ISIL targets in the Homs Governorate, and reportedly rebel-held parts of Aleppo itself, which Russia denied. Sukhoi Su-33s from the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov also conducted airstrikes throughout northwestern and western Syria, including rebel-held districts of Aleppo.[21] On the same day, the Syrian Armed Forces and allied militias made "final preparations" of a large-scale offensive into eastern Aleppo.[22]

The offensive

Initial fighting and Army approach to Hanano

The offensive was announced on 15 November, with the start of heavy Russian airstrikes.[23] On 16 November, the Syrian Army supported by Russian airstrikes stormed the Rashidun and Aqrab districts in southwestern Aleppo, but were repelled by the rebels.[24] Amid exchanges of shelling by both sides, clashes renewed in the Jamiat al-Zahra district of western Aleppo.[25]

On 19 November, after heavy bombardment on eastern Aleppo, the Syrian Army attempted to advance in the Sheikh Saeed District in the southeast, but were again repelled by the rebels. Meanwhile, pro-government forces advanced in the northeast.[13] The Army seized the southern and central parts of the Bustan Al-Basha district, leaving them in control of 75 percent of the area.[14][26] In addition, in the evening, after two days of Syrian and Russian airstrikes, the Tiger Forces took control of the strategic Zouhor hill which overlooks the Hanano district and most of rebel-controlled east Aleppo.[27] At the same time, the Army advanced in the southwestern Aleppo district of Aqrab.[28] The Tiger Forces also advanced southwest from the Zouhor hill into the old Sheikh Najjar factories, and seized most of them after intense clashes.[29]

The next day, the Army managed to progress to the entrance of the Hanano district.[30] In the evening, a rebel counter-attack against Zouhor hill and the factories area was launched[31] and eventually repelled.[16] By the end of the day, the Army managed to enter the Hanano district.[32] On 21 November, government advanced in the old Sheikh Najjar factories, the Hanano housings and the nearby Islamic cemetery,[33] while a second Army attack in 48 hours was launched on the southern Sheikh Saeed District.[34] Although the rebels repelled this attack as well, they reportedly suffered heavy casualties.[35]

Capture of Hanano and northeastern rebel collapse

As of 22 November, the military was in control of around a third of Hanano and by the next day half of the district. According to the pro-opposition activist group the SOHR, if the Army managed to seize Hanano, they would be able to cut off the northern part of the rebel-held Aleppo from the rest of the opposition-held districts.[36][37]

On 24 November, the Army pushed deep into the Hanano district, capturing more than half a dozen key buildings.[38] The aim of the advance was to bisect the rebel-held part of Aleppo in two. Heavy and systematic government bombardment inflicted heavy rebel casualties.[39] By the next day, government forces were in control of large parts of Hanano.[40][41] Government forces also took control of large parts of the northeastern 'Ard Al-Hamra and southern Sheikh Lufti districts, as well as the southern Hill 420 (Police Hill).[15][42]

On 26 November, government troops were in control of of Hanano,[43][44][45] which was the first district of the city that was taken by the rebels in 2012,[46] and represented about a quarter of the remaining rebel-held part of the city.[47] Government forces also made attempts to advance in the Ard Al-Hamra and Jabal Badro District, south of Hanano.[48] Following the capture of Hanano, 400–600 civilians left the rebel-held part of Aleppo.[49][50]

On 27 November, government forces made major advances[51] after a swift collapse of the rebel defenses,[52] capturing the Jabal-Badro, Ard Al-Hamra and Ba'ibdeen districts,[51][53][54] while also seizing parts of the Sakhour district,[55] namely the Al-Sakhour Bridge.[51] Soon after, the Army took control of the northern Jandoul Factories and secured the Ayn Al-Tal district, as well as large parts of the Hallak Fuqani and Hallak Tahtani districts.[56][4] Due to these advances, the rebels were in a massive retreat,[57][58] also abandoning the Bustan Al-Basha district and parts of Haydariyah, and withdrawing to southern Aleppo through the Sakhour district, which if captured would split the rebel-held part of the city in two.[57][59] At this point, less than a kilometer was separating government troops advancing in east Aleppo from those in the center of the city.[52]

The collapse of the rebel frontlines was attributed to the heavy volume of bombardments, the intensity of the fighting, the number of dead and wounded, and the lack of hospitals.[18] Hundreds of civilians attempted to capitalize on the rebel collapse,[60] with the number of evacuated civilians increasing to nearly 10,000 during the day.[61]

In the evening, only 500 meters were separating the military from closing off the gap between the northeastern and the southeastern parts of the city. By this point, the remaining distance had already come under Army fire control.[62] In addition, the Army completed its control of Hallak Al-Fukani, Hallak Al-Tahtani and Bustan Al-Basha, with Kurdish support, while the northeastern Inzarat district had also been seized.[63][4][64] At least 36 rebels surrendered to the Army during their advances,[65] while a number of them had reportedly defected to the Kurdish-led SDF.[66]

As of 28 November, the entire northeastern part of Aleppo had fallen.[2] Early in the day, the Army took control of Haydariyah.[2][67] Two hours later, government forces also seized Sakhour,[2][5][68] leaving the rebel-held districts of Sheikh Kheder and Sheikh Fares surrounded.[69] Soon after, Sheikh Khider was also taken by the Army, along with parts of Sheikh Fares. The rest of Sheikh Fares was seized by Kurdish forces, who were confirmed to be in control of parts of Hallak and Bustan Al-Basha as well[2] after advancing from the northern Kurdish-controlled Sheikh Maqsood district. The overall situation was described to be "the biggest defeat for the opposition in Aleppo since 2012".[68] Following the rebel collapse in the northeast, the Army made its first advance into the southeastern al-Helwania district, also known as Tariq al-Bab.[70]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Chris Tomson (25 November 2016). "Syrian Army goes all in on Aleppo as more reinforcements pour into the city – Map update". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e مدينة حلب تشهد خروج كامل القسم الشمالي من أحياء حلب الشرقية عن سيطرة الفصائل
  3. ^ a b c "Commander of the "leadership of Aleppo" to Qassioun: New Ckellna includes all factions in the city". Qasioun. 14 November 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Syria forces retake 6 Aleppo rebel areas, civilians flee". AFP. 28 November 2016.
  5. ^ a b Syrian Army keeps rolling in east Aleppo as Sakour District declared under government control
  6. ^ Over 3,000 civilians escape east Aleppo after Syrian Army advance
  7. ^ Syria rebels lose all of northeast Aleppo
  8. ^ Szakola, Albin (22 September 2016). "Aleppo will be secured "very soon": regime figure". NOW. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  9. ^ Leith Fadel (29 October 2016). "Prominent Syrian Army commander arrives in Aleppo". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  10. ^ a b Russian influence evident in Palestinian militia in Syria
  11. ^ [1]
  12. ^ a b c d e f Fadel, Leith (23 November 2016). "Four high-ranking jihadist commanders killed in Aleppo". Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Battle for Aleppo escalates, U.N. sees 'bleak moment'". Reuters. 18 November 2016.
  14. ^ a b c "Syrian Army advances deep inside Bustan Al-Basha District of east Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  15. ^ a b Syrian Army advancing at several axes in east Aleppo: map
  16. ^ a b Fadel, Leith (21 November 2016). "Syrian Army foils Islamist counter-offensive in east Aleppo: map". Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  17. ^ 140 were killed yesterday including a 26 member of the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them and 65 other persons
    The Inside Source
    104 persons died yesterday, including 24 members of the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them, and 50 other people
    124 died yesterday, including 30 members of the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them and 52 other persons
  18. ^ a b "Syrian army captures part of rebel-held east Aleppo". Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  19. ^ Syrian regime takes 5 opposition-held areas in Aleppo
  20. ^ a b "Syria: Russia starts large-scale offensive against jihadist militias". 15 November 2016.
  21. ^ "Syria conflict: Air strikes resume on rebel-held Aleppo". BBC. 16 November 2016.
  22. ^ "Final preparations made for largest Syrian Army offensive in Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. 16 November 2016.
  23. ^ Graham-Harrison, Emma (15 November 2016). "Aleppo airstrikes restart as Russia announces major Syria offensive". Retrieved 23 November 2016 – via The Guardian.
  24. ^ "Syrian Army attacks important suburb in southwest Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. 16 November 2016.
  25. ^ "Regime forces shell several areas in Aleppo city and its countryside and shells target the western neighborhoods of Aleppo". Syria HR. 17 November 2016.
  26. ^ "The Inside Source on Twitter". Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  27. ^ "Syrian Army captures all important hill in eastern Aleppo – Map update". Al-Masdar News. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  28. ^ Regime forces advance in areas at the outskirts of Aleppo
  29. ^ "Syrian Army seizes factories near newly captured hill in eastern Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  30. ^ 19 casualties at least in the eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo due to heavy shelling and regime forces advance to entrances of Masaken Hanano
  31. ^ Adra, Zen (20 November 2016). "Aleppo Update: jihadi groups launch counteroffensive as battles intensify". Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  32. ^ PCL., Post Publishing. "Bangkok Post article". Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  33. ^ Clashes continue on several fronts of Aleppo
  34. ^ Fadel, Leith (21 November 2016). "Syrian Army renews offensive in southern Aleppo". Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  35. ^ Adra, Zen (22 November 2016). "Jihadi groups lose more fighters in southern Aleppo while foiling Army attack". Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  36. ^ "Civilians fleeing east Aleppo turned back by gunfire - The National". Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  37. ^ "Civilians flee as Syria regime advances in rebel Aleppo". Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  38. ^ Tomson, Chris (2016-11-24). "Syrian Army makes huge gains inside rebel heartland of Aleppo city – Map update". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  39. ^ Syrian forces aim to split east Aleppo in two: rebel commander
  40. ^ بعد تقدمها في مساكن هنانو ومحاور أخرى…قوات النظام تواصل محاولات تحقيق مزيد من التقدم في شرق حلب
  41. ^ The Inside Source
  42. ^ Violent clashes in Shekh Lutfi in Aleppo
  43. ^ Syrian troops capture east Aleppo neighborhood from rebels
  44. ^ Syrian Army fully captures Hanano district in eastern Aleppo – Map update
  45. ^ Regime forces takes control on Hanano housings neighborhood
  46. ^ Syria forces 'retake' second Aleppo area
  47. ^ 50 قتيلا بحلب والنظام يتحدث عن التقدم شرقها
  48. ^ Syrian Army captures most of key east Aleppo district
  49. ^ Hundreds displaced in east Aleppo as Syrian army advances
  50. ^ 600 civilians exit rebel-held Aleppo in one day
  51. ^ a b c Breaking: Major advance of Syrian Army and allies in Aleppo city
  52. ^ a b Syrian army advance threatens to cleave eastern Aleppo
  53. ^ Syria regime takes two more rebel districts in Aleppo
  54. ^ After 13 days of massive bloody bombing, regime forces are about 1km from cutting the eastern neighborhoods to havles
  55. ^ Syria Daily: Pro-Assad Forces Advancing in Eastern Aleppo City
  56. ^ Map Update: Syrian Army advances as jihadists mass retreat from east Aleppo districts
  57. ^ a b Rebels in mass retreat in east Aleppo as Syrian Army captures new district
  58. ^ Syrian rebels' resistance 'waning' as thousands of people flee Aleppo
  59. ^ معارك عنيفة تشهدها محاور في مدينة حلب وقوات النظام تتمكن من التقدم في عدة محاور
  60. ^ The Inside Source
  61. ^ Nearly 10,000 civilians flee east Aleppo: monitor
  62. ^ “”بالصوت والصورة” وصول آلاف النازحين إلى حي الشيخ مقصود وقوات النظام تقسم نارياً أحياء حلب الشرقية إلى قسمين جنوبي وشمالي
  63. ^ Map Update: Syrian Army, Kurds continue steamrolling in east Aleppo as rebels mass retreat
  64. ^ 10 killed in the 13th day of bombardment on Aleppo
  65. ^ The Inside Source
  66. ^ Hassan Ridha
  67. ^ Syrian Army captures strategic east Aleppo neighborhood
  68. ^ a b Syrian army seizes key Aleppo area from rebels: Observatory
  69. ^ BREAKING: NORTHERN ALEPPO FELL INTO HANDS OF THE SYRIAN ARMY
  70. ^ Aerial bombardment targets eastern Aleppo and continued clashes in the city
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