Homs offensive (November–December 2015)

On 5 November, Syrian government forces launched the offensive from the Mahin-Sadad checkpoint and recaptured the Tal Sinni, Tal Hazim, and Al-Wastani hilltops, after clashes with ISIL.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/christian-forces-fight-back-against-isis-in-east-homs-several-hilltops-captured-near-maheen/|title=Christian Forces Fight Back Against ISIS in East Homs: Several Hilltops Captured Near Maheen|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=5 November 2015|access-date=10 December 2015|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208152110/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/christian-forces-fight-back-against-isis-in-east-homs-several-hilltops-captured-near-maheen/|url-status=dead}} Two days later, they carried out an assault at the eastern slopes of the Jabal Al-Hiyal Mountains, seizing several points and advanced to east towards the ancient city of Palmyra.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-kills-over-40-isis-terrorists-in-east-homs-as-they-advance-towards-palmyra/|title=Syrian Army Kills Over 40 ISIS Terrorists in East Homs as They Advance Towards Palmyra|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=7 November 2015|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208122320/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-kills-over-40-isis-terrorists-in-east-homs-as-they-advance-towards-palmyra/|url-status=dead}}

On 14 November, Syrian government forces captured the hilltop of Tal Hazim Al-Thalatha.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-capture-strategic-hill-from-isis-in-east-homs/|title=Syrian Armed Forces Capture Strategic Hill from ISIS in East Homs;|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=14 November 2015|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-date=18 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118055112/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-capture-strategic-hill-from-isis-in-east-homs/|url-status=dead}} {{anchor|syriatel}}Additionally, two days later, they seized the Tal Syriatel, Jabal Ma'ar, Al-Bayarat, the Ancient Palmyra Quarries, Al-Kassarat and Al-Dawa area outside the city of Palmyra after a series of intense firefights with ISIL.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-captures-tal-syriatel-and-jabal-maar-in-western-palmyra/|title=Breaking: Syrian Army Captures Tal Syriatel and Jabal Ma'ar in Western Palmyra|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=16 November 2015|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-date=20 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120192729/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-captures-tal-syriatel-and-jabal-maar-in-western-palmyra/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://aranews.net/2015/11/leishmaniasis-breaks-out-among-syrian-army-forces-near-palmyra/|title=Leishmaniasis breaks out among Syrian army forces near Palmyra|work=ARA News|date=20 November 2015|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-date=23 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123231434/http://aranews.net/2015/11/leishmaniasis-breaks-out-among-syrian-army-forces-near-palmyra/|url-status=dead}}

On 17 November, Syrian government troops captured the Jabal Al-Hazzm Mountains along the Sadad-Mahin Road and the small village of Al-Hadath to north of the ISIL-held town of Mahin.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-launch-massive-military-operation-to-liberate-maheen-in-east-homs/|title=Syrian Armed Forces Launch Massive Military Operation to Liberate Maheen in East Homs|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-date=27 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127135042/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-launch-massive-military-operation-to-liberate-maheen-in-east-homs/|url-status=dead}} Four days later, they seized the village of Huwwarin and the strategic hill the Tal Daher.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-counter-isis-in-east-homs-hawareen-and-tal-daher-recaptured-near-maheen/|title=Syrian Armed Forces Counter ISIS in East Homs: Hawareen and Tal Daher Recaptured|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-date=27 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127141901/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-counter-isis-in-east-homs-hawareen-and-tal-daher-recaptured-near-maheen/|url-status=dead}} Later, the military captured the large Army Storage Base near Mahin.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/2015/11/%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A8/|title=قوات النظام تتقدم وتسيطر على تلتين غرب بلدة مهين ونحو 80 غارة تستهدف ريفي حمص الشرقي والجنوبي الشرقي|author=المرصد السوري|work=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان|access-date=28 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.aksalser.com/news/2015/11/21/%D9%82%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%82%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%AF/|title=قناة الجزيرة : قوات النظام تستعيد مستودعات مهين بريف #حمص من تنظيم داعش|author=wesam|work=عكس السير|access-date=28 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://alkhaleejonline.net/articles/1448121932044975600/%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%87%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%B5-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9/|title=سوريا: قوات الأسد تستعيد مستودعات مهين بريف حمص من تنظيم الدولة|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092222/http://alkhaleejonline.net/articles/1448121932044975600/%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%87%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%B5-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9/|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} On the next day, government forces captured the Jabal Maheen Mountains and parts of Mahin,{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-capture-jabal-maheen-east-homs/|title=Syrian Armed Forces Capture Jabal Maheen in East Homs|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-date=27 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127180106/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-capture-jabal-maheen-east-homs/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/2015/11/%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%83-%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A3%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%A7/|title=معارك عنيفة وتقدم لقوات النظام في أطراف بلدة مهين ومحيطها وقصف مكثف وغارات عليها وعلى منطقة تدمر|author=khaled|work=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان|access-date=28 November 2015}} which was fully secured by 23 November, as ISIL retreated to the town Al-Qaryatayn.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-armed-forces-liberate-maheen-in-east-homs/|title=Breaking: Syrian Armed Forces Liberate Maheen in East Homs|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118205841/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-armed-forces-liberate-maheen-in-east-homs/|url-status=dead}} {{anchor|Al-Qadri Farms}}On the same day, the Army also took control of the Al-Qadri Farms and the Hayyan Mountains, positioning them approximately 4 km away from the western gates of Palmyra, as well as 2 km away from the Qatari Villa near the Homs-Deir Ezzor Highway.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-the-al-qadri-farms-in-west-palmyra-4km-to-the-city/|title=Syrian Army Captures the Al-Qadri Farms in West Palmyra: 4km to the City|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-date=27 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127234455/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-the-al-qadri-farms-in-west-palmyra-4km-to-the-city/|url-status=dead}}

{{anchor|Tel Um Kadom}}On 25 November, Syrian government forces advance in the vicinity of Al-Qaryatayn and took control of Tel Al-Dekan, Tel Um Kadom, Tel Masayed hills in the surroundings of the town.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/2015/11/%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%AD-%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%88%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7/|title=خان الشيح تشهد معاركاً متواصلة وقوات النظام تبدأ بمحاولات استعادة السيطرة على مدينة القريتين بريف حمص الجنوبي الشرقي|author=edward|work=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان|access-date=28 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/sayed_ridha/status/669546077582856192|title=Hassan Ridha|work=Twitter|access-date=28 November 2015}}

On 28 November, Syrian government forces, backed by the Russian Air Force, advanced and captured the small villages of Muntar Armilah and Thaniyah, just a few kilometers away from Al-Qaryatayn, along the Mahin-Quryatayn Road.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-air-force-propels-the-syrian-armed-forces-at-quraytayn-in-east-homs-two-villages-captured/|title=Russian Air Force Propels the Syrian Armed Forces at Quraytayn in East Homs: Two Villages Captured|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=10 December 2015|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208235829/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-air-force-propels-the-syrian-armed-forces-at-quraytayn-in-east-homs-two-villages-captured/|url-status=dead}}

{{anchor|Al-Bayarat}}{{anchor|Marhatten}}On 7 December, Syrian government forces imposed full control over the strategic Palmyra-Homs Highway after seizing the villages of Al-Bayarat and Marhatten in the western countryside of the ancient city of Palmyra.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-final-village-along-the-palmyra-homs-highway/|title=Syrian Army Captures Final Village Along the Palmyra-Homs Highway|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=10 December 2015|archive-date=10 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110220810/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-final-village-along-the-palmyra-homs-highway/|url-status=dead}}

{{anchor|Huwwarin}}On 10 December, ISIL recaptured the towns of Mahin and Huwwarin, and two hills, after launching a counter-offensive.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-launches-a-large-scale-offensive-to-recapture-maheen-in-east-homs/|title=ISIS Recaptures Maheen After Launching a Massive Counter-Offensive|author=Leith Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=10 December 2015|archive-date=11 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211030439/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-launches-a-large-scale-offensive-to-recapture-maheen-in-east-homs/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/2015/12/%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1-3/|title=تنظيم "الدولة الإسلامية" يستعيد السيطرة على بلدة مهين وقرية حوارين بعد هجوم عنيف عليهما بريف حمص|author=khaled|work=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان|access-date=10 December 2015}} Later, government forces counter-attacked and reportedly partially recaptured the town of Huwwarin.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/leithfadel/status/675030143912517632|title=Leith Abou Fadel|work=Twitter|access-date=10 December 2015}} Five days later, ISIL recaptured Hadath.[http://www.syriahr.com/2015/12/%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%B5-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84/ اشتباكات عنيفة في ريفي حمص الشمالي والجنوبي الشرقي وطائرات حربية تقصف منبج بريف حلب]

On 19 December, Syrian government forces approached the Palmyra Castle, after a violent battle with ISIL. This latest advance brought them within 400 meters of the castle, and less than 2 km from the city's gates.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-approaches-the-gates-of-palmyra-as-isis-calls-for-reinforcements/|title=Syrian Army approaches the gates of Palmyra as ISIS calls for reinforcements|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=22 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122071920/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-approaches-the-gates-of-palmyra-as-isis-calls-for-reinforcements/|url-status=dead}} On the same day, Syrian government forces recaptured the 5th Precinct of Mahin, after a fierce battle with ISIL.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-captures-the-5th-precinct-in-maheen/|title=Breaking: Syrian Army Captures the 5th Precinct in Maheen|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=24 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224154726/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-captures-the-5th-precinct-in-maheen/|url-status=dead}}

{{anchor|Maheen-Sadad Checkpoint}}On 20 December, Syrian government forces recaptured the Mahin-Sadad Checkpoint after ISIS retreats towards Mahin.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-recaptures-al-hadath-in-east-homs-as-isis-retreats-towards-maheen/|title=Syrian Army recaptures Al-Hadath in east Homs as ISIS retreats towards Maheen|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=26 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226144311/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-recaptures-al-hadath-in-east-homs-as-isis-retreats-towards-maheen/|url-status=dead}}

{{anchor|Hadath}} On 23 December, Syrian government forces recaptured the village of Hadath.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/?p=147717|title=معارك عنيفة وتقدم لقوات النظام في منطقة الحدث بريف حمص الجنوبي الشرقي و"الحسبة" "تسوي قبوراً" بريف الحسكة|author=khaled|work=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان|access-date=31 December 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=41185|title=Violent clashes and advancement for the regime forces in al-Hadath area in the southeastern countryside Homs and "al-Hisba" "flatten graves" in the countryside of Hasaka|author=Edward|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=24 December 2015 |access-date=31 December 2015}} Later, government forces imposed full control over Jabal Al-Hazzm, Jabal Maheen Al-Kabeer, and Al-Kazeeya, after an intense battle with the ISIL near the strategic town of Mahin.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-capture-several-hilltops-near-the-strategic-town-of-maheen-in-east-homs/|title=Syrian Armed Forces capture several hilltops near the strategic town of Maheen in east Homs|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=26 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226232447/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-armed-forces-capture-several-hilltops-near-the-strategic-town-of-maheen-in-east-homs/|url-status=dead}}

{{anchor|Huwwarin}} On 27 December, Syrian government forces recaptured the town of Huwwarin.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-hawareen-in-east-homs-maheen-under-attack/|title=Syrian Army captures Hawareen in east Homs: Maheen under attack|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=29 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229195648/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-captures-hawareen-in-east-homs-maheen-under-attack/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/?p=148203|title=قوات النظام تعاود التقدم في ريف حمص الجنوبي الشرقي وتسيطر على نقاط في محيط مهين|author=edward|work=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان|access-date=31 December 2015}}

{{anchor|Jabal Mahin}} On 29 December, Syrian government forces imposed full control over the Mahin Warehouses and Jabal Mahin (Mahin Mountain), which overlooked Mahin.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-armed-forces-liberate-the-maheen-mountains-in-east-homs/|title=Breaking: Syrian Armed Forces liberate the Maheen Mountains in East Homs|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=29 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229142021/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-armed-forces-liberate-the-maheen-mountains-in-east-homs/|url-status=dead}} Later on that day, the Syrian Army recaptured the town of Mahin.{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-defenses-fall-apart-in-southeastern-homs-as-the-syrian-army-captures-maheen/|title=ISIS defenses fall apart in southeastern Homs as the Syrian Army captures Maheen|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=30 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230092252/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-defenses-fall-apart-in-southeastern-homs-as-the-syrian-army-captures-maheen/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-maheen-liberated-from-isis-forces/|title=Breaking: Maheen liberated from ISIS forces|work=Al-Masdar News|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=29 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229163147/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-maheen-liberated-from-isis-forces/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/?p=148385|title=قوات النظام تتمكن من التقدم واستعادة معظم بلدة مهين وقرية حوارين بعد السيطرة على تلال محيطة بها|author=khaled|work=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان|access-date=31 December 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/?p=148403|title=قصف صاروخي على تدمر ومروحيات النظام تقصف ريف حمص الشمالي|author=khaled|work=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان|access-date=31 December 2015}}

• 2012 Homs offensive
• Russia–Syria–Iran–Iraq coalition

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}}

{{Syrian Civil War}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Homs offensive (November-December 2015)}}

Category:Homs 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 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

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

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving Hezbollah

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving Russia

Category:November 2015 in Syria

Category:December 2015 in Syria