Battle of al-Qaryatayn (March–April 2016)

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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;[1] 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.[2] The following day, they took control of the western perimeter of Tal Quraytayn hill.[3] Between 7 and 21 March, 16 more hills were captured as government forces continued to advance west and south of Al-Qaryatayn.[4][5][6][7]

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.[8] Over the following three days, the Army effectively surrounded Al-Qaryatayn.[9] 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.[10][11] The following day, military reinforcements arrived in the area,[12] including Russian military advisors.[13]

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[14] then entered the town with artillery support, taking control of two mountaintops and an orchard in the northwestern outskirts.[15] 30 ISIL militants were killed and 7 SAA soldiers were injured.[16] By the end of the day, the Suniyat-Homs mountain range, two kilometers from the town, was secured.[17]

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,[18] including the town's center,[19] with fighting continuing in the eastern and southeastern part[20] where ISIL was on the verge of collapse.[21] According to another military report, the Army was in control of 80% of the city.[17] Later during the day, ISIL completely withdrew from Al-Qaryatayn.[22] Some of the remaining ISIL militants attempted to retreat to the mountains in the north.[23] ISIL forces laid land mines inside the town before retreating.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Churches burnt, cemeteries desecrated: RT visits liberated Christian city of Al-Qaryatayn, Syria — RT News
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ El Ejército expulsa al Estado Islámico del desierto|Internacional|El País
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named sputnik1
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ The “Islamic State” retreat from al-Qaryatayn city and the regime forces control it entirely
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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