2015 Idlib offensive

{{main|Second Battle of Idlib}}

On 24 March 2015, the newly established Fattah Army operation room ("The Army of Conquest") assaulted Idlib city from three sides.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Mar-25/292083-syria-rebels-storm-idlib-city-in-three-pronged-attack.ashx|title=Syria rebels storm Idlib city in three-pronged attack|work=The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon|access-date=25 March 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jabhat-al-nusra-launches-a-large-scale-offensive-at-idlib-city/|title=Jabhat Al-Nusra Launches a Large-Scale Offensive at Idlib City|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=25 March 2015|archive-date=26 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326221131/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jabhat-al-nusra-launches-a-large-scale-offensive-at-idlib-city/|url-status=dead}} On 27 March, the rebels managed to penetrate the city. At this point, the city was almost completely encircled by rebel groups, leaving only two exit routes for government forces.{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/islamists-enter-flashpoint-city-in-northwest-syria-monitor_1569067.html|title=Islamists enter flashpoint city in northwest Syria: monitor |work=AFP |date=28 March 2015}} The next day, after four days of fighting, rebels captured the city and managed to besiege the towns of Kafarya and al-Fu'a.{{cite tweet|user=PetoLucem|author=Peto Lucem|number=581833437201489920|date=28 March 2015|title=NEW MAP update (March 28): Military situation in #Idlib Governorate. #Syria #SAA #NDF #FSA #IF #Nusra|access-date=5 April 2015}} Syrian government troops regrouped south of the city, and were preparing for a possible attack by rebel forces.

The battle for Idlib left at least 132 rebels,{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/2015/03/142-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%87%D9%85-40-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7/|title=142 بينهم 40 من قوات النظام والمسلحين الموالين لها، و57 مواطناً استشهدوا جراء قصف جوي وصاروخي من قوات النظام وتفجير سيارة مفخخة وتحت التعذيب وسقوط قذائف|work=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان}} 76 soldiers{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/zero-hour-has-arrived-in-idlib-battle-reaches-critical-stages/|title=Zero Hour has arrived in Idlib; battle reaches critical stages|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=5 April 2015|archive-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620164619/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/zero-hour-has-arrived-in-idlib-battle-reaches-critical-stages/|url-status=dead}} and 11 civilians dead. In addition, 15 prisoners held by the state security services were executed as the Army retreated.{{cite web|url=http://www.sunherald.com/2015/03/28/6148255_al-qaida-affiliate-seizes-major.html?rh=1 |title=ISTANBUL: Al Qaida affiliate seizes major city in northern Syria - World - The Sun Herald |work=The Sun Herald |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402133222/http://www.sunherald.com/2015/03/28/6148255_al-qaida-affiliate-seizes-major.html?rh=1 |archive-date=2 April 2015 }}

Between 28 and 30 March 47 people, including 15 rebels, were killed during a government bombardment of Idlib city,{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/2015/04/151-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%87%D9%85-40-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7/|title=151 بينهم 40 من قوات النظام والمسلحين الموالين لها، و45 استشهدوا حرقاً وذبحاً وبإطلاق النار من قبل عناصر تنظيم "الدولة الإسلامية" الذين هاجموا قرية المبعوجة. - المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان|work=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان}} which reportedly included chemical weapons.{{Cite news|title=Thousands flee Idlib city in fear of army counterattack|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2015/03/thousands-flee-idlib-city-fear-army-counterattack-150330175005432.html|date=30 March 2015|publisher=Al Jazeera English|access-date=5 April 2015}}

On 2 April, the rebels advanced in the area of Mastouma and its military base, where most of the retreated government forces were positioned.{{cite web|url=http://syriahr.com/en/2015/04/9-people-killed-in-the-province-of-idlib-and-the-clashes-continue-in-its-countryside/ |title=9 people killed in the province of Idlib, and the clashes continue in its countryside |work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights |access-date=5 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405230606/http://syriahr.com/en/2015/04/9-people-killed-in-the-province-of-idlib-and-the-clashes-continue-in-its-countryside/ |archive-date=5 April 2015 }} The next day, rebels intensified their attacks on three axes{{cite tweet|user=Charles_Lister|author=Charles Lister|number=584088109979013120|date=3 April 2015|title=Jabhat al-Nusra images show fighters involved in bombardment & assault on Al-Mastouma this evening. #Idlib #Syria|access-date=5 April 2015}} and further advanced in the Mastouma area,{{cite web|url=http://syriahr.com/en/2015/04/intensive-clashes-break-out-around-the-military-camp-of-al-mastomi-in-idlib/|title=Intensive clashes break out around the military camp of al- Mastomi in Idlib|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=3 April 2015 |access-date=5 April 2015}} seizing parts of Mastouma during the night.{{cite web|url=http://syriahr.com/en/2015/04/the-nusra-front-and-other-islamist-factions-take-control-over-parts-of-al-mastomi-village-and-a-missile-kills-4-people-in-aleppo/|title=The Nusra Front and other Islamist factions take control over parts of al- Mastomi village, and a missile kills 4 people in Aleppo|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=4 April 2015 |access-date=5 April 2015}} According to rebel sources, Brigadier General Emad Ibrahim was killed in the battle.{{cite tweet|user=archicivilians|author=archicivilians|number=584102569913421824|date=3 April 2015|title=Activists: Brig. Gen. Emad Ibrahim, killed in the ongoing battle in #Mastumeh town in #Idlib Province. #Syria|access-date=5 April 2015}}

On 4 April, the Tiger Forces arrived at Ariha to support the entrenched government troops in and around Mastouma.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/tiger-forces-arrive-at-ariha-jaysh-al-fatah-tries-to-enter-al-mastouma/|title=Tiger Forces Arrive at Ariha; Jaysh Al-Fatah Tries to Enter Al-Mastouma|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=5 April 2015|archive-date=8 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508071945/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/tiger-forces-arrive-at-ariha-jaysh-al-fatah-tries-to-enter-al-mastouma/|url-status=dead}}

By 5 April,{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/SyrianRebellionObservatory/posts/1728947453998560|title=SRO - SECOND JAYSH AL-FATAH OFFENSIVE ONGOING AGAINST MASTUMAH ARMY BASE|author=The Syrian Rebellion Observatory|website=Facebook |access-date=5 April 2015}} after a two-day battle, that was described as a “full-scale assault” on Mastouma,{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jaysh-al-fatah-suffers-heavy-losses-south-of-idlib-city-saa-in-full-control-of-al-mastouma/|title=Jaysh Al-Fatah Suffers Heavy Losses South of Idlib City; SAA in Full Control of Al-Mastouma|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=5 April 2015|archive-date=6 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406234158/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jaysh-al-fatah-suffers-heavy-losses-south-of-idlib-city-saa-in-full-control-of-al-mastouma/|url-status=dead}} the rebel attack on the military camp and village had been repelled.{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2015/04/syria-idlib-army-regain-jabhat-al-nusra.html|title=Idlib waits for zero hour - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East|work=Al-Monitor|access-date=11 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712052547/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2015/04/syria-idlib-army-regain-jabhat-al-nusra.html|archive-date=12 July 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The initial rebel advance into Mastouma was revealed to be a trap set up by the military, which helped them surround the opposition fighters and engage in street fighting, after which the rebels were pushed back and retreated. The army repositioned on a strategic hill that represents the first defense line for the camp. According to different sources, between 50 and 450 rebels were killed. The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported six deaths among government troops.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/2015/04/%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A-2/|title=قتلى من قوات النظام والمسلحين الموالين لها خلال السيطرة على أجزاء من قرية المسطومة|author=Ahmad|work=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان|access-date=5 April 2015}}

On 8 April, the military, led by the special forces unit the Tiger Forces, launched a counter-attack towards the villages of Qameenas and Faylan.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-launches-offensive-south-of-idlib-city/|title=Breaking: Syrian Army Launches Offensive South of Idlib City|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=11 April 2015|archive-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712034322/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-launches-offensive-south-of-idlib-city/|url-status=dead}} By 10 April, they had secured the approaches to Mastouma but halted their advance in the outskirts of the two villages after encountering stiff resistance from the rebels.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/tiger-forces-offensive-met-with-fierce-resistance-by-jaysh-al-fatah-in-idlib/#prettyPhoto|title=Tiger Forces Offensive Met With Fierce Resistance by Jaysh Al-Fatah in Idlib|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=11 April 2015|archive-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712040637/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/tiger-forces-offensive-met-with-fierce-resistance-by-jaysh-al-fatah-in-idlib/#prettyPhoto|url-status=dead}}

Four days later, the Tiger Forces and other army units had reportedly breached the rebel defenses and entered Qameenas. According to a military source, Air Force Intelligence intercepted the communications of local Al-Nusra Front commanders who were reportedly in panic over the collapse of their defensive line. Around the same time the Air Force had carried out 51 airstrikes throughout the province.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/tiger-forces-on-the-fringes-of-idlib-city/|title=Tiger Forces on the Fringes of Idlib City|publisher=Al-Masdar News|date=14 April 2015|access-date=14 April 2015|archive-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712031723/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/tiger-forces-on-the-fringes-of-idlib-city/|url-status=dead}}

On 15 April, Army troops went on the offensive near Ariha{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-makes-fresh-gains-in-idlib-kafr-najd-under-fire-control/|title=Syrian Army Makes Fresh Gains in Idlib; Kafr Najd Under Fire Control|publisher=Al-Masdar News|date=15 April 2015|access-date=15 April 2015|archive-date=17 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417181029/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-makes-fresh-gains-in-idlib-kafr-najd-under-fire-control/|url-status=dead}} and captured the villages of Kafr Najd and Nahlaya.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/palestinians-battling-group-advance-syria-refugee-camp-30328068|title=Palestinians Battling IS Group Advance in Syria Refugee Camp|author=ABC News|work=ABC News|access-date=19 April 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://syriadirect.org/news/syria-direct-news-update-4-16-15/|title=Syria Direct: News Update 4-16-15|publisher=Syria Direct|date=16 April 2015}} The military also reached Kurin,{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-map-update-of-idlib-syrian-armed-forces-on-the-offensive/#prettyPhoto|title=Battle Map Update of Idlib: Syrian Armed Forces on the Offensive|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=19 April 2015|archive-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712062129/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-map-update-of-idlib-syrian-armed-forces-on-the-offensive/#prettyPhoto|url-status=dead}} with clashes taking place as the troops tried to take over the village.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Syria_Rebel_Obs/status/588445987858874368|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150416160317/https://twitter.com/Syria_Rebel_Obs/status/588445987858874368|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 April 2015|title=Syrian Rebellion Obs on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=19 April 2015}}

By 18 April 349 air-strikes were conducted against Idlib city and its countryside since the rebel takeover of the provincial capital on 28 March. The air campaign left hundreds of rebel fighters dead.{{cite web|url=http://syriahr.com/en/2015/04/700-air-strikes-on-idlib-in-20-days/|title=700 air strikes on Idlib in 20 days|author=Master|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=18 April 2015 |access-date=19 April 2015}} The same day, the military captured the village of Muqablah, linking up with NDF fighters in the southeastern part of Faylan,{{Cite web |url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-making-gains-in-idlib-muqablah-captured/ |title=Syrian Armed Forces Making Gains in Idlib; Muqablah Captured |access-date=20 April 2015 |archive-date=22 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422211549/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-making-gains-in-idlib-muqablah-captured/ |url-status=dead }} and by 20 April advanced to Tell Zahir Al-Mufraq hill.{{Cite web |url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/a-paradox-of-events-syrian-army-and-islamist-forces-on-the-offensive-in-idlib/ |title=A Paradox of Events: Syrian Army and Islamist Forces on the Offensive in Idlib |access-date=21 April 2015 |archive-date=12 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712054036/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/a-paradox-of-events-syrian-army-and-islamist-forces-on-the-offensive-in-idlib/ |url-status=dead }} The rebels also withdrew from Kurin due to a lack of support from their main headquarters[https://twitter.com/LatifMfitaL/status/590128826576932865 Latif Hassan 20-04-2015] and the Tiger Forces were soon in the town, but had not yet reached Tell Kurin hill to the west. Five days later, a military source reported the town to be under the control of the Tiger Forces.{{Cite web |url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-tiger-forces-capture-koreen-in-west-idlib/ |title=Breaking: Tiger Forces Capture Koreen in West Idlib |access-date=25 April 2015 |archive-date=27 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427124109/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-tiger-forces-capture-koreen-in-west-idlib/ |url-status=dead }}

{{main|Northwestern Syria offensive (April–June 2015)}}

On 23 April, rebels launched an offensive against the de facto provincial capital of Idlib governorate, Jisr al-Shughur, threatening to cut off government access to a major highway linking Idlib to Latakia.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Apr-24/295623-nusra-allies-advance-in-northwest-syria-activists.ashx|title=Nusra, allies advance in northwest Syria: activists|work=The Daily Star Lebanon|access-date=24 April 2015}} Other objectives in this offensive were the Brick Factory base (near Mastouma) and the Al-Ghaab Plain in Hama governorate.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jabhat-al-nusra-unable-to-enter-the-brick-factory-in-idlib/|title=Jabhat Al-Nusra Unable to Enter the Brick Factory in Idlib|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=24 April 2015|archive-date=26 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426161905/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jabhat-al-nusra-unable-to-enter-the-brick-factory-in-idlib/|url-status=dead}}

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{{Syrian Civil War}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Idlib operations 2015}}

Category:Idlib Governorate in the Syrian civil war

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war in 2015

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the al-Nusra Front

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Syrian government

Category:Idlib in the Syrian civil war