Rif Dimashq offensive (April 2016)
| Rif Dimashq offensive (April 2016) | |||||||||
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| Part of the Syrian Civil War | |||||||||
 Battle map of Damascus as of early April 2016 | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
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 Al-Nusra Front |
 Hezbollah | ||||||||
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The Rif Dimashq offensive (April 2016) is a Syrian Army offensive, in the Rif Dimashq Governorate, that was launched in late April 2016, as part of the Syrian Civil War.
The offensive
On the evening of 25 April, government forces captured the entire Bala Al-Kadhima region, approaching the villages of Harasta Qantara and Hawsh Jarabo. With this, the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta pocket, east of Damascus, was almost split in two and the rebels in Deir Al-‘Assafir and Zibdeen were close to being cut off.[1][3]
On 29 April, the Army launched its second phase of the offensive, with an attack on Rukabiyah, seizing the southern part of the village within an hour.[4] By the end of the day, the village was mostly secured.[5][6] Shortly after, a 24-hour ceasefire was agreed upon in the area, with government troops receiving orders to withdraw from Rukabiyah.[7] The next evening, the offensive restarted and the military once again entered Rukabiyah, taking 80 percent of the village.[8] On 1 May, the military completely secured Rukabiyah,[2][9] after which the ceasefire was renewed for another 24 hours.[10]
Following the capture of Rukabiyah, the third planned phase of the offensive envisioned an assault against the rebel stronghold of Deir al-Asafir.[11]
References
- 1 2 Leith Fadel. "Rebels in serious trouble as Syrian Army prepares to split the East Ghouta pocket". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- 1 2 Chris Tomson (1 May 2016). "Breaking: Syrian Army captures al-Rukabiyah village in eastern Damascus". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
- ↑ معارك عنيفة في بالا القديمة وقوات النظام تتقدم في المنطقة
- ↑ Leith Fadel (29 April 2016). "Breaking: Syrian Army, Hezbollah begin phase 2 of East Ghouta offensive". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ↑ Leith Fadel (29 April 2016). "Hezbollah, Syrian Army capture several sites in the East Ghouta". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ↑ "Qasion News Agency". Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ↑ Leith Fadel (30 April 2016). "Ceasefire officially begins in Latakia, Damascus". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ↑ Leith Fadel (30 April 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah resume offensive in East Ghouta after ceasefire expires". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
- ↑ Edward. "Violent clashes renewed in al-Rakkabiyyeh area in the Eastern Ghouta and regime’s helicopters bomb Khan al-Shih". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
- ↑ "Syrian conflict: Talks underway to extend truce to Aleppo, Russia says". 1 May 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
- ↑ Leith Fadel (2 May 2016). "Syrian Army, Hezbollah prepare to attack strategic East Ghouta town". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
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