2015 Al-Hawl offensive

Al-Hawl offensive (2015)
Part of the Syrian Civil War and
the American-led intervention in Syria

YPG fighters during the offensive
Date31 October – 30 November 2015
(4 weeks and 2 days)
LocationEastern Al-Hasakah Governorate, Syria
Result

Major SDF victory[1]

  • SDF forces capture Al-Hawl,[2] 240+ towns and villages,[3] 2 oil fields,[4][5] two gas stations, the Regiment 121 base,[6] the South Hasakah Dam,[7][8] six border posts,[9] and one hill[10][11][4][12]
  • SDF forces capture 1,400 square kilometres (870 square miles)[13]
Belligerents

Syrian Democratic Forces
Sinjar Resistance Units
International Freedom Battalion

Airstrikes:
CJTF–OIR		 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Commanders and leaders
Torhildan[14]
(YPJ commander)
Haqi Kobani[15]
(YPG commander)
Alwan al-Shammari (Al-Sanadid Forces commander)[14]
Adnan al-Ahmad[14]
(Northern Sun Battalion commander-in-chief)
Adnan Abu Amjad[15]
(Northern Sun Battalion second-in-command)[16]
Col. Talal Ali Sulo (Seljuq Brigade leader)[17]
Qehreman (Liwaa at-Tahreer commander-in-chief)[14]

Abu Ali al-Anbari
(Deputy, Syria)
Adam al-Chechani
(Top ISIL commander in Al-Hasakah Province)[18]

Unknown Dagestani ISIL leader  †[19]
Units involved

Syrian Democratic Forces

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Military of ISIL

Strength
2,700+ fighters[21][22] 1,000+ fighters[21]
Casualties and losses
33 killed[23] 493+ killed (per the SDF)[23]
4–8 civilians killed by CJTF–OIR airstrikes[23][24]
Timeline
Civil uprising
in Syria (March–August 2011)
Start of insurgency (September 2011 – April 2012)
Cease-fire and civil war (May 2012 – December 2013)
Rise of the Islamists (January–September 2014)
United States-led intervention (September 2014 – September 2015)
Russian intervention (September 2015–present)

The 2015 Al-Hawl offensive was an offensive launched by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) during the Syrian Civil War, in order to capture the strategic town of Al-Hawl and the surrounding countryside from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The offensive consisted of separate operations in three different areas: Tell Brak, Al-Hawl, and the southern Al-Hasakah city countryside.[5]

Background

The offensive

Al-Hawl

The offensive was launched on 31 October 2015.[25]

During the first week of the offensive, SDF forces captured a number of villages and other positions from ISIL near Al-Hawl, and to the southeast of Al-Hasakah city. ISIL responded by detonating a number of VBIED's. One of those VBIED's targeted an SDF convoy, killing and wounding dozens of fighters.[26] A Canadian SDF fighter was among the SDF casualties that week. He was first reported to have been killed by an ISIL suicide bomber in a farm that was contested. However, it was later reported that he died due to blood loss caused by a bullet in his hip. A Dagestani ISIL leader was also killed that week.[27][28][29][30][31][19][32][33][34] The SDF claimed that they were in control of 12 new villages since the start of the offensive.[9][35] On 6 November, SDF forces captured the area around the village of Nazilah, including the Tishreen Oil Field.[36]

The second week started with SDF forces seizing parts of the Al-Hasakah–Al-Shaddadi road and two villages from ISIL.[37] By this time, the SDF forces had reportedly captured over 36 villages, 350 square kilometers of land, and killed 178 ISIL militants.[9] Two days later, SDF forces seized a hill and two vehicles from ISIL.[10]

On 11 November, the SDF continued its offensive and captured al-Khatuniyah, northeast of Al-Hawl, while also advancing in the southern countryside of Al-Hasakah city.[38] At least 7 SDF fighters were killed in the clashes.[39] The next day, SDF captured two villages and weaponry from ISIL, while at least 14 ISIL militants were killed by U.S. airstrikes.[11][40]

On 13 November, SDF forces captured the town of Al-Hawl, killing dozens of ISIL militants and seizing large quantities of weapons and ammunition left behind.[2][41]

On 14 November, SDF forces captured three villages around Mount Abdulaziz, and also advanced near the Tishreen Oil Field, while ISIL detonated an VBIED near Al-Hawl.[4][42] On the next day, four ISIL militants and one SDF fighter were killed, while a new VBIED was detonated.[43] On 15 November, SDF forces captured Abu Hajirat Khuatana, Khuwaytilah, and the Al-Hawl Grain Silos, allowing the SDF to capture a pocket of ISIL-controlled area to the northwest of Al-Hawl.[5][7][44]

On 16 November, SDF forces captured the Al-Hawl Oil Field, to the southwest of Al-Hawl.[5] By 16 November, SDF forces had captured nearly 200 villages, reportedly seizing 1,362 square kilometres (545 square miles) of territory. According to the SDF, 493 ISIL militants, 33 SDF fighters, and four civilians were killed during the operation.[23]

Southern Al-Hasakah city countryside

On 17 November, SDF forces began advancing on the Regiment 121 base from the east.[5] On 22 November, SDF forces captured the Regiment 121 base, Khama'il,[45] the al-Melabiyyah granaries, the cotton factory, and the villages around it.[6]

During the next week, the SDF continued their offensive, advancing from the Regiment 121 base to the south, and from Al-Hawl towards the southwest, capturing multiple villages in the southern Al-Hasakah countryside and along the Sinjar-Al-Shaddadi road (Highway 47).[7] On 22 November, SDF reached the northern part of the South Hasakah Dam,[46] capturing the neighboring village of Taban. On 25 November, SDF forces captured the village of Ghunah, near the Jabisah Oil Field, to the southwest of Al-Hawl, and severing a segment of Highway 715.[7] On 30 November, SDF forces captured Umm Madhah, and they also captured the South Hasakah Dam and the nearby village of Qana,[7] bringing SDF forces within 25 kilometres (15.53 mi) of Al-Shaddadi from the north and the northeast. Eventually, it was revealed that the SDF had captured 240+ towns and villages during the entire operation.[3]

Aftermath

Map of the territorial changes during the concurrent offensives in Al-Hawl and Sinjar.

After the SDF captured the South Hasakah Dam on 30 November, the SDF continued their offensive southward, towards the city of Al-Shaddadi, ISIL's last stronghold in the Al-Hasakah Province.[1][12] On 1 December, Arab tribal leaders were reportedly urging ISIL to withdraw from the city "peacefully," in order to prevent civilian casualties and the possible collapse of the economic infrastructure in Al-Shaddadi, if a destructive battle between the SDF/Coalition forces and ISIL were to occur.[12] It was also reported that ISIL was beginning to evacuate some of its positions near Al-Shaddadi, and that some ISIL militants were moving their families from the area to ISIL-held territories in the Deir ez-Zor Province, in preparation for the upcoming battle.[12]

On 14 December 2015, SDF forces began to heavily shell the ISIL headquarters in the town of Al-Arishah, in preparation for storming the town.[47] By 23 December, the SDF had captured the town of Al-Arishah. However, on 23 December, pro-Assad militias attacked the SDF headquarters in Al-Arishah, but the SDF was able to repel the attack.[48] The attack came after the pro-Assad militas had allegedly warned ISIL about a potential offensive on Al-Shaddadi, and urged civilians in Al-Shaddadi to resist any Kurdish offensive, earlier in the week.[48]

On 27 January 2016, it was reported that ISIL had banned civilians from leaving Al-Shaddadi, in an attempt to use them as human shields in the event of an SDF offensive on the city. It was also reported that food and other basic supplies were running out in Al-Shaddadi.[49] On 31 January 2016, the US-led Coalition bombed 3 ISIL checkpoints in their stronghold of Al-Shaddadi, killing 14+ ISIL militants.[3]

On 16 February 2016, the SDF launched an offensive to capture the strategic city of Al-Shaddadi and the surrounding countryside.[50]

On 19 February, the SDF captured Al-Shaddadi city and the surrounding countryside.[51][52]

On 20 February, the SDF advanced further southward, capturing the town of Al-Fadghami.[53] On February 21, SDF forces advanced further southward, coming within 16 kilometers (10 miles) of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, and capturing the town of Markada.[54] During the offensive, the SDF liberated 2,400 square kilometers (1,491 square miles) of land from ISIL forces.[55]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Inside The War Against ISIS
  2. 1 2 Master. "The Syrian Democratic Forces seize the town of al- Hol in the eastern countryside of al- Hasakah". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 U.S.-led coalition bombs ISIS main bastion in Syria’s Hasakah
  4. 1 2 3 jack. "YPG and SRF advance over IS in Hasakah countryside". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "SDF/YPG Offensive In East Hasakah". Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  6. 1 2 Master. "SDF fighters seize the regiment of al- Melabiyyah and the nearby villages in the southern countryside of al- Hasakah". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Hasakah front: 1 December 2015
  8. ↑ Warplanes attack the countryside of Deir Ezzor, while the clashes continue in the countryside of al-Hasakah
  9. 1 2 3 "Kurds, allied rebels regain dozens of villages after clashes with ISIS in Hasakah". ARA News. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  10. 1 2 Master. "IS militants killed during the advancement of SDF fighters in al- Hol area". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  11. 1 2 Edward. "SDF advance further, and 9 ISIS members die in al-Hool area". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 4 As Kurdish-Arab alliance prepares to storm Shaddadi, tribal leaders ask ISIS to withdraw to avoid civilian casualties
  13. ↑ "Qasioun News Agency - Sulo :493 fighters of ISIS killed during the military campaign in countryside of Hassaka". Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "War on ISIS unites Syrian Kurds, Arabs and Christians". ARA News. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  15. 1 2 Zana Omar (19 November 2015). "New Fighting Alliance in Syria Putting up Fight Against IS". Voice of America. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  16. ↑ "SDF plays central role in Syrian civil war" (PDF). Jane's Intelligence Review. January 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Hasan Mustafa. "An Analysis of Jaish al-Thuwar (The Army of Revolutionaries) – A Component of the Syrian Democratic Forces". Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  18. ↑ ISIS media official, jihadi leaders killed in American strike north Syria
  19. 1 2 Edward. "Dagestani commander and 7 ISIS members died and SDF advance in al-Hool at Al-Hasakah province". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  20. ↑ Sardar Mlla Drwish (18 March 2016). "Raqqa brigade continues to raise flag of Syrian revolution". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  21. 1 2 "US-Supplied Syrian Rebels Win Back IS Territory". Voa News. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  22. ↑ Syrian Democratic Forces to extend anti-ISIS operations
  23. 1 2 3 4 "Syrian Kurdish-Arab alliance captures nearly 200 villages from IS". France 24. 27 November 2015.
  24. ↑ Master. "Airstrikes leave civilian casualties in the east of al- Hasakah city". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  25. ↑ "New U.S.-backed Syrian rebel alliance launches offensive against Islamic State". Reuters. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  26. ↑ "Kurds, Arab allies hit hard by Islamic State car bomb". mcclatchydc. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  27. ↑ Master. "SDF fighters achieve more advancement and arrest 3 IS militants". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  28. ↑ Master. "Syrian Democratic Forces advance again, and US-led coalition’ warplanes hit Abo al- Hol area". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  29. ↑ Edward. "Violent continuous clashes in the countryside of Al-Hasakah and al-Hool and more casualties in al-Bokamal". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  30. ↑ jack. "The democratic Syrian forces advances over IS in Hasakah countryside". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  31. ↑ Master. "10 IS militants killed in clashes in Abo al- Hol, while explosion targets the joint head of the Office of Legislative Council in al- Jazira District". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  32. ↑ Master. "A Canadian fighter in SDF killed in an explosion in Abo al- Hol area in the countryside of al- Hasakah". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  33. ↑ jack. "Clashes in Aleppo and al-Hasakah countryside". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  34. ↑ "John Gallagher Died Fighting the Islamic State. His Story Is More Than Tragedy". VICE News. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  35. ↑ ""قوات سوريا الديمقراطية" تسيطر على أربع قرى جديدة في الحسكة". Al Aan TV. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  36. ↑
  37. ↑ Edward. "SDF advance again in the countryside of Al-Hasakah and warplanes target the southeastern countryside of Homs". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  38. ↑ jack. "SDF take control on al-Behera al-Khatonia in al-Hasakah countryside". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  39. ↑ Edward. "More than 13 casualties in the clashes at the lands of Sluk town and al-Hool area in Al-Raqqah and Al-Hasakah". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  40. ↑ Edward. "More casualties for ISIS in the vicinity of Mount Abdulaziz and targeting a Humvee vehicle near al-Hool". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  41. ↑ "Last 3 km to liberate Hol region in Hesekê". Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  42. ↑ Master. "A booby-trapped vehicle explodes in al- Hol area, while "Islamic State" carries out executions in the southern countryside of al- Hasakah". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  43. ↑ Edward. "ISIS members killed in the clashes at the eastern countryside of Al-Hasakah and airstrikes target several areas in the countryside of Idlib". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  44. ↑ Al-Hasakah situation: 15 November 2015
  45. ↑ Kurdish-Arab alliance regains new villages from ISIS, heads to last jihadi stronghold in Hasakah
  46. ↑ Al-Hasakah situation: 22 November 2015
  47. ↑ Western-backed Syrian Democratic Forces bomb major ISIS stronghold
  48. 1 2 Pro-Assad militias attack positions of western-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in Hasakah
  49. ↑ ISIS holds thousands of civilians hostage in Syria’s Shaddadi
  50. ↑ Campaign for the Liberation of Shaddadi area
  51. ↑ Syria: ISIL stronghold of al-Shadadi ‘captured by Kurdish-led forces’
  52. ↑ Syrian Democratic Forces announce liberation of last ISIS bastion in Hasakah
  53. ↑ قوات سوريا الديمقراطية تسيطر على قريتي العزاوي والفدغمي بريف الحسكة الجنوبي شرق سوريا
  54. ↑ QSD’ê 16 km ji Şeddadê derbaz bû
  55. ↑ بيان القيادة العامة لقوات سوريا الديمقراطية بخصوص تحرير منطقة الشدادي

External links

Coordinates: 36°23′24″N 41°08′52″E / 36.3899°N 41.1477°E / 36.3899; 41.1477

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