As-Suwayda offensive (June 2018)

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As-Suwayda offensive (June 2018)
Part of the Syrian Civil War

Map the Suwayda Governorate
Date7–22 June 2018
(2 weeks and 1 day)
Location
Suwayda and Rif Dimashq Governorates, Syria
Status

Indecisive

  • Syrian Army captures a number of towns, villages and many hills
  • ISIL retains control of a pocket of territory
Belligerents

 Syria

Hezbollah[1][2]
SSNP[3]
Mountain Brigade[4]		  Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Commanders and leaders
Brig. Gen. Sharaf Mazen Ahmed Barakat †[5] Unknown
Units involved

Syrian Armed Forces

Eagles of the Whirlwind
Mountain Brigade

  • Rocks of Urman Battalion[4]
 Military of ISIL
Casualties and losses
40 killed[6][7][8] 31 killed[6][7][8]

The As-Suwayda offensive (June 2018) began on 7 June in the rural parts of the Suwayda Governorate in southeastern Syria,[9] after an evacuation deal was made between ISIL and the Syrian government concluding an anti-ISIL offensive in southern Damascus.[10]

The offensive[edit]

The offensive was launched on 7 June, after several days of preparatory artillery shelling,[9] The Syrian military launched several airstrikes on ISIL positions in the Northeastern part of the Suwayda Governorate[10] and advanced 12 kilometers on the first day towards the village of Khirbet al-Umbashi,[11][12] capturing four areas.[13] Government forces continued to advance over the following two days[6][7] and by 9 June, they were within 15 kilometers of the ISIL stronghold of Al-Kara’a.[14] By 13 June, after government forces failed to capture the whole ISIL pocket, the intensity of the fighting decreased.[15]

On 16 June, the Army clashed with ISIL in Al-Habiriyah in the northeastern part of the province, while they also shelled the village along with Khirbet al-Umbashi and Al-Tamthuna. The Syrian air force also targeted ISIL positions in Al-Kara’a.[16] The next day, the military began sending more forces to the area in preparation for the second phase of their offensive.[17]

On 18 June, pro-government forces were able to capture Bir al-Awra and Tell Arar in northeastern Al-Suwayda, as well as make some gains near Tell Asfar and Khirbet al-Umbashi. As they advanced, ISIL was able to conduct an ambush, killing two Hezbollah fighters.[18] The following day, government troops once again advanced[8] and captured Khirbet al-Umbashi,[19] with eight soldiers being killed in the area during the day.[20]

On 21 June, the Syrian military captured Khirbet Hawi Husayn in the northeast from ISIL, while ISIL killed a Syrian Brigadier General in clashes in the region. The next day, according to Islamic State's Amaq Agency, ISIL ambushed Syrian forces near Tell Ghanem killing 20 government soldiers as well as a commander from the Syrian military, in the process they also managed to destroy two tanks and another vehicle. While the Syrian military reportedly captured the villages of Tell Mughir and Abu Jabal.[21]

Aftermath[edit]

Main article: 2018 As-Suwayda attacks

On 25 June, the Amaq Agency claimed that ISIL attacked the Syrian army near Bir al-Neama killing 9 soldiers as well destroying 2 vehicles.[22]

On 14 July, ISIL launched an offensive against pro-government forces in the northeastern part of the governorate attacking a dam and a military outpost, though making no territorial gains they inflicted several casualties on pro-government forces.[23]

On 25 July, ISIL conducted an Inghimasi attack in the Governorate killing more than 250. The attack began with attacks on government positions around the city and checkpoints, after running out of ammunition the fighters detonated their explosive belts, ISIL attempted to carry out two other attacks but the Syrian airforce struck ISIL fighters before they had the opportunity to detonate their explosive belts.[24][25]

On 1 August, ISIL conducted a raid at the Khalkhalah airbase. Amaq news agency claimed that militants destroyed 2 warplanes and 6 drones. However, according to military sources, security force foiled the attack.[26]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Breaking: Syrian Army, Hezbollah impose fire control over ISIS stronghold in southeast Syria". 9 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Video footage of Syrian Army's new offensive against ISIS in southwest Syria". 9 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Leith Aboufadel (18 June 2018). "In pictures: SSNP forces crack ISIL's lines in southeast Syria". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  4. ^ a b Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (27 July 2018). "The Suwayda' Attacks: Interview". Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Syrian War Daily – 21st of June 2018". 21 June 2018. Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  6. ^ a b c "At least 43 members of the regime, its allies, and ISIS have been killed in more than 24 hours of clashes, raising the death toll to about 300 in 18 days of attacks and clashes". 8 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  7. ^ a b c قتال متواصل بعنف مع تنظيم “الدولة الإسلامية” على بعد نحو 50 كيلومتراً من منطقة تواجد التحالف الدولي في التنف
  8. ^ a b c "Clashes escalate in al-Suwaidaa Desert and 8 casualties of the regime forces including an officer in a counterattack by ISIS northeast of the Province". 19 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Ivan Sidorenko". 7 June 2018. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  10. ^ a b VietTimes.vn (8 June 2018). "Không quân Syria dồn dập truy sát IS trên chiến địa As-Suwayda".
  11. ^ "Syrian War Daily – 8th of June 2018". 8 June 2018. Archived from the original on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  12. ^ "The violent clashes which are extended from Al-Suwaidaa Desert to Deir Ezzor Dessert kill about 35 members of Iranians, the regime forces and their allies and the organization". 7 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  13. ^ "Syrian Army kicks off major offensive against ISIS in southeast Syria". 7 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  14. ^ "Breaking: Syrian Army, Hezbollah impose fire control over ISIS stronghold in southeast Syria". 9 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  15. ^ "Despite its continued advancement, the regime forces with their allies fail to regain control of the entire province of al-Suwaidaa and expel ISIS from it". 13 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  16. ^ "Syrian War Daily – 16th of June 2018". 16 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  17. ^ "Syrian military prepares to kickoff 2nd phase of east Sweida offensive". 17 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  18. ^ "Syrian War Daily – 18th of June 2018". 18 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  19. ^ "Syrian War Daily – 19th of June 2018". 19 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  20. ^ "Shells hit south Syria city for first time in three years". 19 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  21. ^ "Syrian War Daily – 22nd of June 2018". Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  22. ^ "Syrian War Daily – 25th of June 2018". Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  23. ^ "ISIS launches offensive against Syrian Army in southeast Syria". 14 July 2018. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  24. ^ "ISIS says it's behind the attacks in Syria that killed 166". 25 July 2018.
  25. ^ "Nearly 200 people killed in deadliest attack this year in Syria". 25 July 2018. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  26. ^ "ISIS destroys 2 warplanes & 6 drones in KhalKhalah airbase in Syria". August 2018.
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