Abu Kamal

When part of the Ottoman Empire, Abu Kamal was called kışla, pronounced locally as "qashla", which is a Turkish word for "military barracks". This name "Qashla" is still used by some inhabitants of the area, especially by elderly villagers.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} The name "Al-Bukamal" ({{Langx|ar|البوكمال|links=no}}) means "the family of Kamal", Kamal being the tribe that lives there, whereas the name "Abu Kamal" means "the father of Kamal".

In the 17th century, Abu Kamal was the seat of a sanjak of the Ottoman Empire in the Rakka Eyalet. It was a kaza (subdistrict) center within Zor Sanjak until the end of Ottoman rule in 1918.{{cite web|url=http://tarihvemedeniyet.org/ekutuphane107|title=20. yüzyılda Osmanlı vilayetleri|publisher=Tarih ve Medeniyet|access-date=23 November 2022|language=tr}} In 1896, the old mud village was relocated a mile upstream because it was in danger of being ruined by flooding. The new village was built from stone and had wide streets.{{cite book|title=A Handbook of Mesopotamia, Volume III: Central Mesopotamia with Southern Kurdistan and the Syrian Desert|series=No. 1118|date=January 1917|publisher=Admiralty and War Office, Division of Intelligence|page=120|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101073337998;view=1up;seq=242}} The village and its subdistrict formed the center of the Arab Uqaydat tribe and was largely Sunni Muslim, with the exception of a small Christian community originally from Deir ez-Zor and Mosul. At the beginning of the 20th century, it contained eighty houses, the residence of the kaymakam (kaza governor), a police station, a ferry, and had a population of about 500. The kaza of Abu Kamal in 1890 had a population of 15,000.

Abu Kamal became part of the French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon in 1921, and the French made it the seat of a large garrison. In 1946 it became part of independent Syria. Abu Kamal's position at the border of Syria and Iraq has made it an important commercial as well as political center.

Abu Kamal is located near to Al-Qa'im, a crossing point for the Iraqi insurgency and the location of Operation Steel Curtain in November 2005. On 27 October 2008, during the Iraq War, four US helicopters carried out a raid on the village of Sukkariyeh in Abu Kamal district. It was the first known raid inside Syria by the US. News reports indicate that at least seven people were killed, four of them children.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7692153.stm|title=BBC NEWS - Middle East - 'US helicopter raid' inside Syria|date=27 October 2008|access-date=19 May 2016}}[http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3C534028-4EAF-4E2B-B23F-E91837DF564C.htm Al-Jazeera] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081106183945/http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3C534028-4EAF-4E2B-B23F-E91837DF564C.htm |date=2008-11-06 }}{{in lang|ar}}{{Cite web |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ianwYiLFrnJxFSAgjT1DqydYeinQD942RFC00 |title=The Associated Press |access-date=October 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20081028232655/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ianwYiLFrnJxFSAgjT1DqydYeinQD942RFC00 |archive-date=October 28, 2008 |url-status=dead }} The Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem stated that "Killing civilians in international law means a terrorist aggression."{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7693583.stm|title=BBC NEWS - Middle East - Syria hits out at 'terrorist' US|date=28 October 2008|access-date=19 May 2016}}

{{anchor|Syrian Civil War}}

File:Фото Абу-Кемаль.jpg

During the Syrian Civil War, in late July 2012, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) took over the town, along with its associated border post with Iraq. {{anchor|Hamdan Air Base}}In early September 2012, France 24 reported that the Hamdan military airport was under attack by FSA.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} On 16 November 2012, FSA took over the nearby Hamdan military airport, which was once used to transport farm produce, but was converted to a base for helicopters and military tanks. The capture of Hamdan meant that the Syrian Army forces now only held one air base in the province - the main military airport in Deir ez-Zor city.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-airport-idUSBRE8AG08Z20121117 |title=Syria rebels say seize airport near Iraqi border |publisher=Reuters |date=Nov 17, 2012 |access-date=Nov 17, 2012 |first=Erika |last=Solomon}}

{{Main| Deir ez-Zor offensive (April–July 2014)|2016 Abu Kamal offensive|2017 Abu Kamal offensive}}

Abu Kamal was captured by ISIL forces between late-June and early-July 2014 during a three-month offensive across Deir ez-Zor Governorate.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24179084 |title=Profile: Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) |work=BBC News |date=Jan 6, 2014 |access-date=Jan 13, 2014}} On 3 July 2014, SOHR said that city of Mayadin, the second biggest town in Deir Ezzor province, was also "now under IS control, after Al-Nusra Front evacuated its headquarters there, and IS raised its banner". On 3 July 2014, all towns and villages on the route from Abu Kamal to Al-Bab, passing through the Raqqa province, were under Islamic State control.{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/is-takes-over-towns-countryside-in-oil-rich-syria-province-ngo-552453|title=IS Takes Over Towns, Countryside in Oil-Rich Syria Province: NGO|work=NDTV.com|access-date=25 October 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-24179084|title=Syria Iraq: The Islamic State militant group|work=BBC News|date=2 August 2014|access-date=19 May 2016}}

Owing to its distance from the frontline, the town would see little fighting between its capture by ISIL in 2014 and ISIL's retreat in 2017. During the lull in conflict, the town was the target of a failed opposition attack by the US-backed New Syrian Army in June 2016; the offensive lasted only a day and led to a total reversal of New Syrian Army advances to Abu Kamal.

File:Абу-Кемаль фото 1.jpg

On October 14, 2017 the Syrian Arab Army took the city of Mayadin, located 80 kilometers from Abu Kamal. After that Abu Kamal was the only large city that remained under ISIL control.{{Cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-almayadeen/islamic-state-loses-al-mayadeen-in-eastern-syria-military-source-idUKKBN1CJ0C8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014152159/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-almayadeen/islamic-state-loses-al-mayadeen-in-eastern-syria-military-source-idUKKBN1CJ0C8|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 14, 2017|title=Islamic State loses al-Mayadeen in eastern Syria - military source|agency=Reuters Editorial|location=U.K.|access-date=2017-11-20|language=en-GB}}

On October 25, the road Al Qaim – Abu Kamal – Mayadin – Deir ez-Zor was blocked after a series of airstrikes conducted by Russian Air Force.

From 1 to 4 November 6 Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers conducted airstrikes on ISIL objects near Abu Kamal. On November 7 the SAA started operation to take Abu Kamal with support of allied forces, like the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC).{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

On 9 November 2017, ISIL retreated from the town, leaving fighters dispersed in villages and small towns in the desert. Army spokesman Gen. Ali Mayhoub stated:{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-isis-fall-albu-kamal-islamic-state-end-islamists-army-assad-a8045466.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109110317/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-isis-fall-albu-kamal-islamic-state-end-islamists-army-assad-a8045466.html |archive-date=2017-11-09 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title='Isis is finished': Syrian army declares end of terror group|date=2017-11-09|work=The Independent|access-date=2017-11-20|language=en-GB}}

″The liberation of Abu Kamal is of great importance because it is a declaration of the fall of this group’s project in the region generally and the collapse of its supporters’ illusions to divide it, control large parts of the Syria-Iraq borders and secure supply routes between the two countries.″

“Units of the 5th Assault Corps, assault groups of brigadier general Suheil and militias with support of Russian Air Force took part in liberating Abu Kamal. In the final stages of hostilities the Syrian Arab Army gained control over the Syrian-Iraqi border near the Euphrates River”.

However, on November 11 the city was recaptured by ISIL.{{Cite news|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-retakes-albukamal-syrian-army-fails-secure-city/|title=ISIS retakes Albukamal after Syrian Army fails to secure city|date=2017-11-11|work=AMN - Al-Masdar News {{!}} المصدر نيوز|access-date=2017-11-21|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406184818/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-retakes-albukamal-syrian-army-fails-secure-city/|url-status=dead}} The Syrian Army and its allies retook complete control of the city by 19 November.{{Cite news|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/latest-map-update-southeast-deir-ezzor/|title=Latest map update of southeast Deir Ezzor|date=2017-11-19|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=2017-11-21|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408041147/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/latest-map-update-southeast-deir-ezzor/|url-status=dead}} Concerns have been raised about what would happen to the village once ISIL was removed.{{Cite news |url=https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2018/08/10/is_the_pentagon_about_to_hand_iran_a_major_border_crossing_113709.html|title=Is the Pentagon About to Hand Iran a Major Border Crossing?|last=Gutowski|first=Alexandra N.|date=August 10, 2018|work=Real Clear Defense|access-date=August 10, 2018}}

{{See also|Iranian involvement in the Syrian Civil War}}

Following the elimination of ISIS, Iranian-allied militias have occupied Abu Kamal and its countryside since late 2017. Since the end of 2017, the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, which are linked to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), had control of the al-Qa'im border crossing, while Hezbollah and the Haidarion, Fatemiyoun and Zainebiyoun militias had control of Mayadin, west of Abu Kamal, both on the south bank of the Euphrates River. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had control of the north bank.[https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HJ43Tr111I Report: Five killed in missile strike on pro-Iranian militias in Syria ]

Fox News reported on 4 September that a new “classified Iranian project”, the Imam Ali military base, was being constructed near Abu Kamal,[https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Airstrikes-at-Al-Bukamal-The-alleged-Iranian-base-and-the-explosions-601075 Airstrikes at Al Bukamal? The alleged Iranian base and the 'explosions'] which was confirmed by satellite images.

On 30 September 2019, after eight years of closure, Syria and Iraq reopened the Al-Qa'im border crossing between Abu Kamal and Al-Qa'im.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-syria-border/iraq-reopens-syria-crossing-in-win-for-mutual-ally-iran-idUSKBN1WF1G1|title=Iraq reopens Syria crossing in win for mutual ally Iran|website=Reuters|date=30 September 2019}}

On 27 October 2023 the US carried out air strikes against bases near the town that it claimed were being used by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The US said that these were in response to Iranian backed attacks on its bases in the region.{{cite news |date=27 October 2023 |title=US fighter jets strike Syria after attacks by Iran-backed militia |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/eu-calls-humanitarian-pauses-gaza-aid-israel-raids-enclave-2023-10-26/ |work=Reuters |access-date=27 October 2023}}

On 10 December, the opposition announced the capture of Al-Bukamal.{{cite news |title=Syrian opposition says has taken control of major city near border with Iraq|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sj3pgnuvyg|author=Lior Ben Ari|date=10 December 2024 |access-date=11 December 2024 |publisher=Ynet}}

Abu Kamal has a hot desert climate (BWh) in the Köppen–Geiger climate classification system.

{{Weather box

|width = auto

|location = Abu Kamal (1961–1990)

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan high C = 13.4

|Feb high C = 16.4

|Mar high C = 20.8

|Apr high C = 26.5

|May high C = 32.8

|Jun high C = 37.7

|Jul high C = 40.6

|Aug high C = 39.9

|Sep high C = 36.5

|Oct high C = 29.7

|Nov high C = 21.5

|Dec high C = 15.1

|year high C = 27.6

|Jan mean C = 7.4

|Feb mean C = 9.9

|Mar mean C = 14.0

|Apr mean C = 19.6

|May mean C = 25.2

|Jun mean C = 29.2

|Jul mean C = 32.6

|Aug mean C = 31.6

|Sep mean C = 27.8

|Oct mean C = 21.6

|Nov mean C = 14.0

|Dec mean C = 8.8

|year mean C = 20.1

|Jan low C = 2.1

|Feb low C = 3.9

|Mar low C = 7.2

|Apr low C = 12.0

|May low C = 16.7

|Jun low C = 20.9

|Jul low C = 23.8

|Aug low C = 23.2

|Sep low C = 19.0

|Oct low C = 13.8

|Nov low C = 7.2

|Dec low C = 3.4

|year low C = 12.8

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 23.2

|Feb precipitation mm = 17.7

|Mar precipitation mm = 24.3

|Apr precipitation mm = 22.0

|May precipitation mm = 7.5

|Jun precipitation mm = 0.7

|Jul precipitation mm = 0.0

|Aug precipitation mm = 0.0

|Sep precipitation mm = 0.3

|Oct precipitation mm = 7.2

|Nov precipitation mm = 10.3

|Dec precipitation mm = 21.9

|year precipitation mm = 135.1

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 4.3

|Feb precipitation days = 3.2

|Mar precipitation days = 3.5

|Apr precipitation days = 2.7

|May precipitation days = 1.4

|Jun precipitation days = 0.1

|Jul precipitation days = 0.0

|Aug precipitation days = 0.0

|Sep precipitation days = 0.1

|Oct precipitation days = 1.4

|Nov precipitation days = 1.8

|Dec precipitation days = 3.5

|year precipitation days = 22.0

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/SY/40072.TXT

| title = Abu Kamal Climate Normals 1961–1990

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = April 26, 2017}}

}}

• Yusuf Zuayyin twice Prime Minister of Syria.
• Sufian Allaw Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Syria.
• Nawaf al-Fares Syrian ambassador to Iraq and defector.
• Saddam al-Jamal An Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant leader.

File:Dura Abukamal.JPG|Dura-Europos

File:Abukamal tent.jpg|A Bedouin tent at Abu Kamal

File:Euph Abukamal.JPG|Sunset on the Euphrates

File:Abukamal Mosque .jpg|The Great Mosque of Abu Kamal in evening

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061028234718/http://www.abokamal.com/ Abu Kamal] {{in lang|ar}}

{{Deir ez-Zor Governorate|abu}}

{{Cities of Syria}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bukamal}}

Category:Cities in Syria

Category:Populated places in Abu Kamal District

Category:Populated places on the Euphrates River