Beit Jinn offensive

{{See also|Khan al-Shih offensive (October–November 2016)|Wadi Barada offensive (2016–17)}}

After successes of the Syrian Army in capturing Khan al-Shih and Wadi Barada valley pockets, and reconciliation agreements in Madaya and Zabadani, Beit Jinn remained the last holdout of opposition forces in Western Ghouta.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-rebels-near-israel-border-ordered-to-surrender-by-regime-forces/|title=Syrian rebels near Israel border ordered to surrender by regime forces|website=The Times of Israel }} The area is to the north of a de-escalation zone in southern Syria agreed in July between Russia and the United States.

On 28 November, government forces claimed to have captured the eastern side of the strategic Bardiyah mountain chain in the besieged Beit Jinn pocket, southwest of Damascus and near the Golan Heights, which is controlled by rebel fighters.{{cn|date=April 2025}} Subsequently, there were competing claims between pro-government and pro-opposition sources on whether the rebels recaptured most of the positions they had lost or not.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=79565|title=Clashes continue southwest of Rif Dimashq between the factions and Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham against the regime forces|publisher=SOHR}}{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/graphic-pictures-nusra-corpses-pile-syrian-army-hones-strategic-town-west-damascus/|title=Graphic pictures: Nusra corpses pile up as Syrian Army hones in on strategic town in west Damascus|date=29 November 2017|publisher=Al-Masdar|access-date=26 December 2017|archive-date=12 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312111506/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/graphic-pictures-nusra-corpses-pile-syrian-army-hones-strategic-town-west-damascus/|url-status=dead}} The mountain was fully captured by the Army two days later.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-achieves-major-breakthrough-near-golan-heights/|title=Breaking: Syrian Army achieves major breakthrough near Golan Heights|date=30 November 2017|publisher=Al-Masdar|access-date=26 December 2017|archive-date=27 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227054519/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-achieves-major-breakthrough-near-golan-heights/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=79686|title=Helicopters continue shelling the southwestern countryside of Rif Dimashq and the regime forces managed to advance in hills in the area and rebel attacks the factions to restore areas they lost|publisher=SOHR}}

Helicopter strikes were halted in the area until the end of the offensive.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=81655|title=Preparations take place in the southwestern Rif Dimashq to start transporting the fighters, their families and those who reject the agreement towards the Syrian North and South|publisher=SOHR|access-date=1 January 2018}}

In the morning of 11 December, at 9:30 am, the Syrian army began operations in Western Ghouta to ensure fire control over Beit Jinn. Members of the 42nd Armoured Brigade of the 4th Armoured Division, the Syrian Arab Army, launched fierce artillery attacks on rebel positions. Heavy fighting began in Maghar Al-Mir, triggering attacks from several shots of shelling with IRAM missiles.{{Cite news|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadists-hold-dear-life-syrian-army-advances-near-occupied-golan-heights-map/|title=Jihadists hold on for dear life as Syrian Army advances near occupied Golan Heights: map|date=2017-12-11|work=AMN - Al-Masdar News {{!}} المصدر نيوز|access-date=2017-12-16|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221190730/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadists-hold-dear-life-syrian-army-advances-near-occupied-golan-heights-map/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-scores-big-advance-near-occupied-golan-heights/|title=Syrian Army scores big advance near occupied Golan Heights|date=2017-12-11|work=AMN - Al-Masdar News {{!}} المصدر نيوز|access-date=2017-12-11|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216220033/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-scores-big-advance-near-occupied-golan-heights/|url-status=dead}} During the fighting, the military captured two hills near Tal Bardiyah.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=80339|title=The regime forces continue targeting areas southwest of Rif Dimashq}} The next day, the Syrian army begun the process of isolating rebel-held Maghar Al-Mir{{Cite news|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-rebels-last-legs-beit-jinn-israel-watches-golan-heights/|title=Jihadist rebels on last legs in Beit Jinn as Israel watches from the Golan Heights|date=2017-12-12|work=AMN - Al-Masdar News {{!}} المصدر نيوز|access-date=2017-12-16|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221143444/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-rebels-last-legs-beit-jinn-israel-watches-golan-heights/|url-status=dead}} and managed to capture two more hilltops.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=80368|title=Fighting continues in the southwestern Rif Dimashq with exchange of targeting and shelling}}

On 14 December, led by the 42nd Armoured Brigade, the Syrian Arab Army launched a major offensive against rebels on the tallest hilltop in the area, Tal Al-Bayda. They managed to successfully capture the area, after rebels pulled back to the west. The Syrian Army's next goal was to divide the rebel pocket in half.{{Cite news|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-captures-ground-near-occupied-golan-heights/|title=Jihadist rebels on last legs in Beit Jinn as Israel watches from the Golan Heights|date=2017-12-14|work=AMN - Al-Masdar News {{!}} المصدر نيوز|access-date=2017-12-16|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221145917/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-captures-ground-near-occupied-golan-heights/|url-status=dead}}

{{anchor|Tall al Ahmar}}The following day, the Syrian Army continued its main offensive, managing to impose total control over Tal al-Ahmar, after losing the hilltop two days earlier during a rebel counter-attack. By taking over positions around Tal al-Ahmara, the Syrian Army asserted fire-control over the roadway that connects the towns of Beit Saber and Maghar al-Mir.{{Cite news|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-rebels-serious-trouble-near-golan-heights-saa-troops-capture-ground/|title=Jihadist rebels in serious trouble near the Golan Heights as SAA troops capture more ground|date=2017-12-15|work=AMN - Al-Masdar News {{!}} المصدر نيوز|access-date=2017-12-16|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221190718/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-rebels-serious-trouble-near-golan-heights-saa-troops-capture-ground/|url-status=dead}} By 16 December, the pocket was nearly cut in half after more government advances through the hills.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/latest-battle-update-golan-heights-region-map/|title=Latest battle update from the Golan Heights region: map|date=16 December 2017|publisher=Al-Masdar|access-date=27 December 2017|archive-date=21 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221190831/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/latest-battle-update-golan-heights-region-map/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=80707|title=The regime forces continue their violent attack near the Lebanese border and close to the border with the occupied Golan and minimize the factions' scope of control in the area}}

As of 17 December, the Army was within 500 meters of Maghar al-Mir on its eastern side.{{Cite news|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/al-qaeda-west-damascus-pocket-brink-squashed/|title=Video: Al Qaeda in West Damascus pocket on brink of being squashed|date=2017-12-17|work=AMN - Al-Masdar News {{!}} المصدر نيوز|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051518/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/al-qaeda-west-damascus-pocket-brink-squashed/|url-status=dead}} Between 18 and 19 December, after capturing parts of a new hill,{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=80897|title=The regime forces make a new advancement south of Rif Dimashq and advancement to control more areas}}{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-makes-potential-last-push-capture-jihadist-pocket-near-golan-heights/|title=Syrian Army makes potential last push to capture jihadist pocket near Golan Heights|date=19 December 2017|publisher=Al-Masdar|access-date=27 December 2017|archive-date=28 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228012458/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-makes-potential-last-push-capture-jihadist-pocket-near-golan-heights/|url-status=dead}} the rebel pocket was divided by artillery fire.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=80959|title=After a violent military campaign and hundreds of shells, the regime forces and their allies divide the besieged circle near the occupied Syrian Golan|publisher=SOHR}} By 21 December, Beit Jinn was completely isolated.[http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Report-Syrian-regime-closes-in-on-area-near-Hermon-on-Golan-520031 Syrian regime closes in on village near Israeli Golan], Jeruslam Post, 26 December 2017

On 22 December, the Army captured a farm area south of Mazaraat Beit Jinn.[http://www.syriahr.com/2017/12/22/معارك-ريف-دمشق-الجنوبي-الغربي-تتواصل-ب/ معارك ريف دمشق الجنوبي الغربي تتواصل بين قوات النظام والفصائل وتحرير الشام لتحقيق الأول تقدماً جديداً], SOHR, 22 December 2017{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/map-update-syrian-army-reaches-gates-key-town-damascus-slaughtering-militant-ranks-along-way/|title=Map update: Syrian Army reaches gates of key town in Damascus slaughtering militant ranks along the way|date=22 December 2017|publisher=Al-Masdar News|access-date=27 December 2017|archive-date=27 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227235336/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/map-update-syrian-army-reaches-gates-key-town-damascus-slaughtering-militant-ranks-along-way/|url-status=dead}} Two days later, pro-government forces started the third phase of their offensive.[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-kicks-off-3rd-phase-beit-jinn-offensive/ Breaking: Syrian Army kicks off 3rd phase of Beit Jinn offensive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102210032/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-kicks-off-3rd-phase-beit-jinn-offensive/ |date=2018-01-02 }}, Al-Masdar {{anchor|Maghar al-Mir}}SAA, Hezbollah and Iranian-backed Shia and Druze militias encircled Maghar Al-Mir and advanced towards Beit Jinn, assisted by heavy aerial strikes.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-israel/syrian-iranian-backed-forces-advance-in-border-area-near-israel-idUSKBN1EJ024|title=Syrian, Iranian backed forces advance in border area near Israel|date=25 December 2017|publisher=Reuters}}

On 25 December, after pro-government forces captured more areas, negotiations started for the rebels to surrender.{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/syrian-troops-capture-new-areas-near-israeli-occupied-golan-heights-1.3735101|title=Syrian troops capture new areas near Israeli-occupied Golan Heights|date=25 December 2017|publisher=CTV News}} The next day, pro-government forces gave an ultimatum to the rebels – either surrender or face military defeat. The rebels were given 72 hours to surrender and either go to the rebel-held Idlib province or stay and reach a settlement.{{cite web|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKBN1EK1G4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227235717/https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKBN1EK1G4|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-12-27|title=Syrian army and Iranian proxies demand surrender of rebels near Israel border|first=Suleiman|last=Al-Khalidi|publisher=Reuters}} The evacuation began on 29 December, with rebels leaving for rebel-held Idlib province and rebel-held parts of Daraa province.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/syrian-rebels-set-to-depart-enclave-in-south-as-army-gains-in-north-idUSKBN1EN10Z|title=Syrian rebels depart enclave in south as army gains in north|date=29 December 2017|publisher=Reuters|access-date=1 January 2018}} The first buses arrived at their destination the next day with around 230 fighters and family members.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=81709|title=The buses of Beit Jinn deal arrive in their destinations in the Syrian North and South few hours after they launched from the last place where they were located in the western Rif Dimashq|publisher=SOHR|access-date=1 January 2018}}AP, [https://www.timesofisrael.com/assad-regains-control-as-syrian-rebels-abandon-area-bordering-golan-heights/ Assad regains control as Syrian rebels abandon area bordering Golan Heights], Times of Israel 30 December 2017

As the rebels retreated from the Beit Jinn area, the Army started taking over their former positions. {{anchor|Tuloul al-Hamar}}Thus, on 2 January 2018, the military took control of the so-called ‘Red Hills’ following the rebel's withdrawal. The rebels used the hilltop chain to shell and conduct raids against a nearby government-held town.[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-takes-control-key-hill-chain-west-damascus-amid-jihadist-withdrawal/ Breaking: Syrian Army takes control of key hill chain in west Damascus amid jihadist withdrawal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516062313/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-takes-control-key-hill-chain-west-damascus-amid-jihadist-withdrawal/ |date=2019-05-16 }}, Al-Masdar In early January, the Syrian army and its allies made advances in 3 villages of Beit Jinn.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/opinion/beit-jinn-syria-between-israels-dilemma-and-irans-opportunity-532982|title=Beit Jinn, Syria – between Israel's dilemma and Iran's opportunity|work=Jerusalem Post|access-date=6 January 2018}} By the end of the day, the military took full control of the Beit Jinn area and their offensive concluded.[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-restores-control-entire-west-ghouta-six-years-war/ Syrian Army restores control over entire West Ghouta after six years of war] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620233503/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-restores-control-entire-west-ghouta-six-years-war/ |date=2018-06-20 }}, Al-Masdar

On 20 March 2018, it was reported that the last of the rebels left the Beit Jinn area the previous week, leaving the Syrian Arab Army in full control of the area, including the hilltops overlooking the town.{{Cite web |url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-in-full-control-of-beit-jinn-area-after-last-militants-leave/ |title=Syrian Army in full control of Beit Jinn area after last militants leave |access-date=2018-03-24 |archive-date=2018-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620233452/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-in-full-control-of-beit-jinn-area-after-last-militants-leave/ |url-status=dead }}

{{Reflist}}

{{Tahrir al-Sham}}

{{Syrian Civil War}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Beit Jinn offensive}}

Category:Conflicts in 2017

Category:Conflicts in 2018

Category:Damascus in the Syrian civil war

Category:Battles of the Syrian civil war in 2017

Category:Battles of the Syrian civil war in 2018

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

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving Tahrir al-Sham

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Free Syrian Army

Category:December 2017 in Syria