Battle of al-Qaryatayn (March–April 2016)

Battle of al-Qaryatayn (March–April 2016)
Part of the Syrian Civil War
Date3 March – 3 April 2016
(1 month)
LocationAl-Qaryatayn, Homs Governorate, Syria
Result Major Syrian Army victory
Territorial
changes		 Syrian Army captures al-Qaryatayn[1][2]
Belligerents

Syria Syrian Arab Republic

 Russia

 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Units involved

Syrian Arab Army[3]

  • 11th Division
  • 18th Division
 Military of ISIL
Casualties and losses
7 injured (pro-government claim; last day)[4] 30+ killed (pro-government claim; last day)[3]

The Battle of al-Qaryatayn (March–April 2016) was a military operation launched by Syrian government forces, supported by Russian airstrikes, to recapture the mainly Christian town of Al-Qaryatayn from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The town lies in a junction that connects the Iraqi border with Palmyra and from Palmyra through to Damascus;[5] it fell to ISIL during the previous Battle of Al-Qaryatayn (August 2015).

The offensive

The advance towards Al-Qaryatayn started on 3 March 2016, when the military seized several hilltops on the northern perimeter of the Jabal Al-Mahsaa mountain chain.[6] The following day, they took control of the western perimeter of Tal Quraytayn hill.[7] Between 7 and 21 March, 16 more hills were captured as government forces continued to advance west and south of Al-Qaryatayn.[8][9][10][11]

After the Palmyra offensive that recaptured the city of Palmyra from ISIL on 27 March, Syrian government forces were free to intensify the operation on Al-Qaryatayn.[12] Over the following three days, the Army effectively surrounded Al-Qaryatayn.[13] Early on 30 March, the military attempted to breach the town from the southeast through the Al-Qaryatayn Orchards. However, this attack was repelled by ISIL’ machine gun nests after two hours of fighting.[14][15] The following day, military reinforcements arrived in the area,[16] including Russian military advisors.[17]

On 2 April, the Russian Air Force began using attack helicopters to weaken ISIL defenses in the town. The Syrian Army in coordination with the National Defence Forces and SSNP fighters[18] then entered the town with artillery support, taking control of two mountaintops and an orchard in the northwestern outskirts.[19] 30 ISIL militants were killed and 7 SAA soldiers were injured.[4] By the end of the day, the Suniyat-Homs mountain range, two kilometers from the town, was secured.[20]

The Syrian Army took over most of the town on 3 April 2016. The military declared they captured the whole town, while according to the pro-opposition activist group the SOHR they were in control of about half of Al-Qaryatayn,[1] including the town's center,[21] with fighting continuing in the eastern and southeastern part[22] where ISIL was on the verge of collapse.[23] According to another military report, the Army was in control of 80% of the city.[20] Later during the day, ISIL completely withdrew from Al-Qaryatayn.[2] Some of the remaining ISIL militants attempted to retreat to the mountains in the north.[24] ISIL forces laid land mines inside the town before retreating.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 "Syrian forces seize Islamic State-held town near Palmyra". Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 The “Islamic State” retreat from al-Qaryatayn city and the regime forces control it entirely
  3. 1 2 3 "Syrian Army seizes high ground, prepares to retake Christian minority town from ISIS". RT. 3 April 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 "Syrian Army Takes Control Over Mountain Range Near Al-Qaryatayn". Sputnik International. 2 April 2016.
  5. ↑ Churches burnt, cemeteries desecrated: RT visits liberated Christian city of Al-Qaryatayn, Syria — RT News
  6. ↑ Leith Fadel (3 March 2016). "Syrian Army advances on southern Quraytayn in southeast Homs". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  7. ↑ Leith Fadel (5 March 2016). "Syrian Army pushes north towards ISIS controlled Quraytayn". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  8. ↑ Leith Fadel (7 March 2016). "Syrian Army captures 3 points near strategic city of Quraytayn". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  9. ↑ Leith Fadel (10 March 2016). "Syrian Army advances on Quraytayn after liberating more territory from ISIS". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  10. ↑ Leith Fadel (19 March 2016). "Breaking: Syrian Army liberates several sites from ISIS in Al-Quraytayn, Map-Update". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  11. ↑ Leith Fadel (21 March 2016). "Breaking: Syrian Army cuts off ISIL's supply road from Palmyra to Quraytayn". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  12. ↑ "With Islamic State ousted from Palmyra, the world will learn what's left of its treasures". LA Times. 27 March 2016.
  13. ↑ Leith Fadel (30 March 2016). "Zero hour approaches Quraytayn as the Syrian Army prepares to storm the city". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  14. ↑ Leith Fadel (30 March 2016). "Breaking: Syrian Army attempting to enter Quraytayn". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  15. ↑ Leith Fadel (30 March 2016). "ISIS repels the Syrian Army assault on Quraytayn City". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  16. ↑ Leith Fadel (31 March 2016). "Large convoy of Syrian Army reinforcements arrive to Quraytayn for offensive, Map update". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  17. ↑ Leith Fadel (1 April 2016). "Russian special forces head to Quraytayn". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  18. ↑ El Ejército expulsa al Estado Islámico del desierto|Internacional|El País
  19. ↑ "Syrian Army fighting ISIS inside Qaryatayn". Al-Masdar News. 2 April 2016.
  20. 1 2 "Syrian forces retake strategic Christian town of al-Qaryatain". RT. 3 April 2016.
  21. ↑ "Syrian army ′retakes′ al-Qaraytain near Palmyra from IS - News - DW.COM - 03.04.2016". DW.COM. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  22. ↑ "Army seizes key IS bastion in central Syria". The Express Tribune. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  23. ↑ ABC News. "After Palmyra, Syrian Troops Take Another IS-Controlled Town". ABC News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  24. ↑ "Syrian Army Takes Control Over Christian Town Al-Qaryatayn in Homs". Sputnik International. 3 April 2016.
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